A JOINT RESOLUTION TO APPROVE REGULATIONS OF THE STATE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION, RELATING TO PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, DESIGNATED AS

2025-2026 Regular Session

approves the SC Higher Education regs for Palmetto Fellows, including making ACT Science optional for composite scores and clarifying eligibility and administration.

Recommitted to Committee on Education

Purpose

To approve the regulations of the South Carolina State Commission on Higher Education relating to the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program.

The approval is for Regulation Document Number 5405, submitted under Article 1, Chapter 23, Title 1 of the South Carolina Code.

Effective date: upon approval by the Governor.

What the bill does

Enacts a joint resolution that specifically approves the State Commission on Higher Education’s regulations governing the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program (Regulation Doc. 5405; governing regulations are in Chapter 62, R.62-300 through R.62-375).

The regulations cover both the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship and the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Enhancement Program, focusing on policies and procedures for administration.

Key provisions and changes (as described in the Summary)

Updates to reflect changes in the ACT test, making the ACT Science Subject Test optional for a Composite score. This implies a modification in how standardized testing is used to determine scholarship eligibility or computation.

Revisions to definitions and minor language updates to promote consistency across the regulations.

Clarifications intended to improve administration and implementation of the Palmetto Fellows programs.

Who/what is affected

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship recipients and applicants.

Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Enhancement Program participants.

Institutions and administrators implementing the Palmetto Fellows program, overseen by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education.

State processes surrounding eligibility, scoring, and award administration.

Procedural and timeline details

Notice of Drafting for the regulation was published in the State Register on June 27, 2025.

The bill was introduced March 26, 2026 by the Senate Education Committee; first reading occurred March 26, 2026.

The bill was placed on the calendar without reference at the first reading.

On April 16, 2026, the bill was recommitted to the Committee on Education.

Practical impact and considerations

The approval of Regulation 5405 standardizes and updates how the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship programs are administered, potentially affecting eligibility criteria, scoring methods, and documentation requirements.

The change to make ACT Science optional for composite scores may broaden or alter the pool of eligible applicants based on test results.

Administrative clarity and consistency in definitions should reduce ambiguity for applicants and institutions.

Notes for readers

The bill itself functions as a procedural approval of existing or proposed regulatory changes, rather than establishing new funding levels or program benefits in statute.

Final implementation depends on Governor’s approval of the joint resolution.

If you’d like, I can extract specific regulatory sections or compare the proposed changes to current regulations to highlight exact changes in eligibility criteria or scoring.

Bill