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This user-friendly platform is designed to help you navigate the diverse landscape of Education Savings Accounts across different states. This tool offers a comprehensive comparison of ESA policies.

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First choose the specific policy you want to compare. Then from the list of state, you can choose the specific state policies you would like to compare. The results will show you the bill language of the particular policy feature included in the the program.

With this tool, you can compare state programs, analyze program features, and make informed decisions.

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SOUTH CAROLINA: Education Scholarship Trust Fund

ESA comparison by Policy Hits: 107
  • Fund Administrator:
    • Synopsis:

      Department of Education

      , Statute Language:

      (1) "Department" means the South Carolina Department of Education.
      (2) "Education Scholarship Trust Fund", "ESTF", or "fund" means the individual account that is administered by the department to which funds are allocated to the parent of an eligible student to pay for qualifying expenses.
  • Funding Mechanism:
    • Synopsis:

      Appropriation

      , Statute Language:

      (A) There is established at the department, the "South Carolina Education Scholarship Trust Fund" that is separate and distinct from the general fund, consisting of monies appropriated to the department to provide scholarships to eligible students for qualifying expenses. The fund must receive and hold all monies allocated for it as well as all earnings until disbursed as provided in this section.
  • Program Administrator (Gov't):
    • Synopsis:

      Department of Education

      , Statute Language:

      (K) The department may contract with qualified organizations to administer the program application process or specific functions, maintenance, and monitoring of the program application process as required above.
  • Third Party Administrator:
    • Synopsis:

      TBD
  • Role of DOE:
    • Synopsis:

      Program Administrator

      , Statute Language:

      (K) The department may contract with qualified organizations to administer the program application process or specific functions, maintenance, and monitoring of the program application process as required above.
  • Application Window/Dates:
    • Synopsis:

      45 day window over January 15 - March 15

      , Statute Language:

      (A) The department shall create a standard application process and establish the timeline for parents to establish the eligibility of their student for the Education Scholarship Trust Fund program. The application window established shall last at least forty-five days, opening no earlier than January fifteenth and closing no later than March fifteenth each calendar year.
  • Fund Disbursement Frequency:
    • Synopsis:

      Quarterly

      , Statute Language:

      (E) The department shall make payments to an individual scholarship student's account from the ESTF on a quarterly basis with the first payment being distributed by July thirty-first of each year.
  • Average Per-Pupil Funding:
    • Synopsis:

      $6,000 

      , Statute Language:

      (C) Upon request of the parent and approval of an eligible student's application by the department, the State Treasurer shall transfer six thousand dollars per scholarship student to the Education Scholarship Trust Fund as directed by the General Assembly, unless an increased or decreased limit is authorized in the annual general appropriations act.
  • Income Limit:
    • Synopsis:

      Year 1 ≤200% x FPL; Year 2 ≤300% x FPL; Year 3 forward ≤400% x FPL

      , Statute Language:

      (i) in school year 2024-2025, has a household income that does not exceed two hundred percent of the federal poverty guidelines;
      (ii) in school year 2025-2026, has a household income that does not exceed three hundred percent of the federal poverty guidelines; and
      (iii) in school year 2026-2027 and all subsequent years, has a household income that does not exceed four hundred percent of the federal poverty guidelines.
  • Prior Year Public School Requirement:
    • Synopsis:

      Yes

      , Statute Language:

      (i) attended a public school in this State during the previous school year;
  • Geographic Limit:
    • Synopsis:

      Statewide

      , Statute Language:

      (a) is a resident of this State;
  • Additional Eligibility Check:
    • Synopsis:

      None
  • Homeschool Compatible:
    • Synopsis:

      No

      , Statute Language:

      (f) not to participate in a home instruction program under Sections 59-65-40, 59-65-45, or 59-65-47;
  • Enrollment Cap:
    • Synopsis:

      Year 1 = 5,000; Year 2 = 10,000, Year 3 thereafter = 15,000

      , Statute Language:

      (A) Beginning with the 2024-2025 School Year, the annual number of ESTF students is limited by the following capacity:
      (1) in School Year 2024-2025, the program is limited to five thousand scholarship students;
      (2) in School Year 2025-2026, the program is limited to ten thousand scholarship students; and
      (3) in School Year 2026-2027, and for all subsequent school years, the program is limited to fifteen thousand scholarship students.
      (B) In 2027, and every five years thereafter, the department shall conduct an eligibility and use review of the program and shall make recommendations to the General Assembly to improve the program.
  • Lottery:
    • Synopsis:

      None
  • Testing:
    • Synopsis:

      N/A
  • Authorized Use of Funds:
    • Synopsis:

      Education Therapies
      Private Tutoring
      Public School Services (Classes and/or Extracurricular)
      Transportation
      ESA Management Fees
      Textbooks
      Curricula and Supplementary Materials
      Computers/Technology
      Testing Fees
      Other Approved by Admin
      Private School Tuition
      Uniforms
      Online Education

      , Statute Language:

      (13) "Qualifying expense" means:
      (a) tuition and fees of an education service provider;
      (b) textbooks, curriculum, or other instructional materials including, but not limited to, any supplemental materials or associated online instruction required by either a curriculum or an education service provider;
      (c) tutoring services approved by the department;
      (d) computer hardware or other technological devices that are used primarily for a scholarship student's educational needs and approved by the department or a licensed physician;
      (e) tuition and fees for an approved nonpublic online education service provider or course;
      (f) fees for approved:
      (1) national norm-referenced examinations, advanced placement examinations, or similar assessments;
      (2) industry certification exams; or
      (3) examinations related to college or university admission;
      (g) educational services for pupils with disabilities from a licensed or accredited practitioner or provider including, but not limited to, occupational, behavioral, physical, and speech-language therapies;
      (h) approved contracted services from a public school district, including individual classes, after school tutoring services, transportation, or fees or costs associated with participation in extracurricular activities;
      (i) contracted teaching services and education classes approved by the department;
      (j) fees for transportation paid to a fee-for-service transportation provider for the scholarship student to travel to and from an eligible provider as defined in this section, but not to exceed seven hundred fifty dollars for each school year;
      (k) fees for ESTF account management by private financial management firms approved by the department; or
      (l) any other educational expense approved by the department.