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H 3203

State-funded scholarships extend to accelerated programs

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Neal Collins and 1 co-sponsor

Expands Palmetto Fellows and LIFE scholarships to cover accelerated bachelor's+master's programs, with fixed term limits by degree path to guide eligibility and funding duration.

Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works
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Bill Summary · H 3203

Summary — "State-funded scholarships extend to accelerated programs" (H 3203)

Title: An Act to make Palmetto Fellows and LIFE scholarships available for accelerated undergraduate-to-graduate degree programs and to set renewal/duration limits.

Sponsor: Collins (primary)
Filed: December 5, 2024 (filed/introduced late 2024; hearings scheduled November 18, 2025)
Status: Referred to Committee on Education and Public Works; hearings scheduled.
Effective date: Upon approval by the Governor (bill text).

Purpose / Intent

The bill explicitly permits state-funded merit scholarships (Palmetto Fellows and LIFE Scholarships) to fund students enrolled in accelerated programs that combine undergraduate and graduate studies (e.g., integrated bachelor’s + master’s pathways). It also establishes clear maximum renewal durations (in terms or semesters) for each scholarship category to reflect traditional and accelerated program lengths.

Key provisions

  1. Adds Section 59-104-27 to the S.C. Code (Palmetto Fellows durations and coverage):

    • Palmetto Fellows Scholarship renewals may be awarded, based on the date of initial college enrollment, for no more than:
      • 2 terms toward a one‑year certificate/diploma program;
      • 4 terms toward the first associate degree or two‑year diploma;
      • 8 terms toward the first bachelor’s degree or toward a program structured to lead to a graduate degree without requiring a separate bachelor’s completion step;
      • 10 terms toward an approved five‑year bachelor’s degree; or
      • 10 terms toward a combined bachelor’s + master’s offered as an accelerated program (single institution or cooperative).
    • Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Enhancement may be awarded, based on initial enrollment date, for no more than:
      • 6 terms toward the first bachelor’s degree or a program that leads to a graduate degree;
      • 8 terms toward an approved five‑year bachelor’s degree; or
      • 8 terms toward a combined bachelor’s + master’s offered in accelerated format.

  2. Amends Section 59-149-60 (LIFE Scholarship duration):

    • Sets maximum receipt of LIFE Scholarships to:
      • 10 semesters for a five‑year degree program;
      • 8 semesters for a four‑year degree program;
      • 6 semesters for a three‑year degree program;
      • 4 semesters for a two‑year degree program.
    • Clarifies that a five‑year program includes an accelerated program that allows progression from bachelor’s to master’s without stopping between degrees or meeting separate entry criteria (e.g., separate undergraduate completion or standardized tests).

Who is affected

  • Students receiving or eligible for Palmetto Fellows and LIFE Scholarships who enroll in accelerated or integrated undergraduate‑to‑graduate programs.
  • Public and private higher-education institutions offering approved accelerated degree pathways.
  • State scholarship administrators tasked with eligibility tracking and disbursement (need to account for combined program durations and initial enrollment date rules).
  • Potential fiscal impact on the state scholarship budget depending on changes in program participation.

Practical effects / implications

  • Students in approved accelerated bachelor’s+master’s programs can use Palmetto Fellows or LIFE funds across the combined program up to the statutory term/semester limits, rather than being required to exhaust undergraduate eligibility or requalify for graduate funding.
  • The bill standardizes duration limits across program types (certificate, associate, bachelor’s, accelerated combined, five‑year programs) which may simplify administration.
  • Could encourage enrollment in accelerated pathways by reducing financial barriers and increasing predictability of scholarship support.
  • Possible fiscal increase in scholarship expenditures if more students use awards across extended/combined programs; administrative rulemaking will be needed to implement tracking based on "date of initial college enrollment" and program definitions.

Procedural notes

  • Bill filed in December 2024; committee hearings scheduled for November 18, 2025 (per legislative calendar entries).
  • Effective upon the Governor’s approval if enacted.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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