South Carolina General Assembly
113th Session, 1999-2000

Download This Version in Microsoft Word format

Bill 1235


Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter


(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

COMMITTEE REPORT

March 23, 2000

S. 1235

Introduced by Senator Hutto

S. Printed 3/23/00--S.

Read the first time March 9, 2000.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

To whom was referred a Bill (S. 1235), to amend Section 59-104-20, as amended, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to Palmetto Fellows Scholarships, Section 59-113-20, relating to tuition grants, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass with amendment:

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by striking the bill in its entirety and inserting the following:

/TO AMEND SECTION 59-104-20, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIPS, SECTION 59-113-20, RELATING TO TUITION GRANTS, SECTION 59-142-10, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO NEED-BASED GRANTS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND TUITION AT STATE INSTITUTIONS, AND SECTION 59-149-90, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO LIFE SCHOLARSHIPS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN ADJUDICATED DELINQUENT OR BEEN CONVICTED OF ANY FELONIES OR ALCOHOL OR DRUG-RELATED OFFENSES ARE INELIGIBLE FOR THESE GRANTS OR SCHOLARSHIPS, EXCEPT THAT HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE STUDENTS OTHERWISE QUALIFIED WHO HAVE BEEN ADJUDICATED DELINQUENT OR CONVICTED OF ALCOHOL OR DRUG-RELATED MISDEMEANORS SHALL BE ELIGIBLE OR CONTINUE TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR SUCH GRANTS OR SCHOLARSHIPS AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF ONE ACADEMIC YEAR FROM THE DATE OF THE ADJUDICATION, CONVICTION, OR PLEA.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Section 59-104-20 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 458 of 1996, is further amended to read:

"Section 59-104-20. The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program is established to foster scholarship among the state's post-secondary students and retain outstanding South Carolina high school graduates in the State through awards based on scholarship and achievement. Measures must be taken to ensure equitable minority participation in this program. Recipients of these scholarships are designated Palmetto Fellows. Each Palmetto Fellow shall receive a scholarship in an amount designated by the Commission on Higher Education. The commission shall promulgate regulations and establish procedures to administer the program and request annual state appropriations for the program.

Students, either new or continuing, must not have been adjudicated delinquent or been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to any felonies or any alcohol or drug-related offenses under the laws of this or any other state or under the laws of the United States in order to be eligible for a Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, except that a high school or college student otherwise qualified who has been adjudicated delinquent or has been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to an alcohol or drug-related misdemeanor offense nevertheless shall be eligible or continue to be eligible for such scholarships after the expiration of one academic year from the date of the adjudication, conviction, or plea."

SECTION 2. Section 59-113-20 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 59-113-20. The State of South Carolina shall grant an amount as provided in this chapter to any applicant who meets the following qualifications:

(a) has been a resident of South Carolina for at least one year;

(b) is of good moral character;

(c) has demonstrated qualities of academic merit and financial need;

(d) has been accepted by or is registered in a South Carolina independent institution of higher learning as a full-time student whose academic programs are not comprised solely of sectarian instruction; and

(e) is not enrolled in a course of study leading to a degree in theology, divinity, or religious education; and

(f) has not been adjudicated delinquent or been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to any felonies or any alcohol or drug-related offenses under the laws of this or any other state or under the laws of the United States in order to be eligible for a South Carolina tuition grant, except that a high school or college student otherwise qualified who has been adjudicated delinquent or has been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to an alcohol or drug-related misdemeanor offense nevertheless shall be eligible or continue to be eligible for such grants after the expiration of one academic year from the date of the adjudication, conviction, or plea."

SECTION 3. Section 59-142-10 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 155 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"Section 59-142-10. (A) The State shall fund a need-based grant for a student who enrolls as an undergraduate in a public institution of higher learning in this State, who applies for the need-based grant, and who meets the following qualifications:

(1) meets domicile requirements as defined in Section 59-112-20 with the additional requirement of at least twelve consecutive months of residency in the State of South Carolina immediately preceding enrollment;

(2) is accepted by and enrolled or registered in a state public institution of higher learning as a first degree full-time or part-time student in a certificate, or diploma of at least one year in length, or undergraduate degree program;

(3) is of good moral character and has never been convicted of a felony; and;

(4) has not been adjudicated delinquent or been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to any felonies or any alcohol or drug-related offenses under the laws of this or any other state or under the laws of the United States in order to be eligible for a South Carolina need-based grant, except that a high school or college student otherwise qualified who has been adjudicated delinquent or has been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to an alcohol or drug-related misdemeanor offense nevertheless shall be eligible or continue to be eligible for such grants after the expiration of one academic year from the date of the adjudication, conviction, or plea; and

(5) is found to be in financial need according to federal Title IV regulations.

(B) To maintain continued eligibility for the state need-based grants, once enrolled a student shall:

(1) complete a minimum of twenty-four semester hours an academic year if a full-time student and twelve semester hours an academic year if a part-time student and make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree as determined by the institution;

(2) have no criminal record have not been adjudicated delinquent or been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to any felonies or any alcohol or drug-related offenses under the laws of this or any other state or under the laws of the United States in order to be eligible for a South Carolina need-based grant, except that a high school or college student otherwise qualified who has been adjudicated delinquent or has been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to an alcohol or drug-related misdemeanor offense nevertheless shall be eligible or continue to be eligible for such grants after the expiration of one academic year from the date of the adjudication, conviction, or plea; and

(3) be eligible for the need-based grants for a maximum of four academic years of two semesters."

SECTION 4. Section 59-149-90(A) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 100 of 1999, is further amended to read:

"(A) Students must not have been adjudicated delinquent or been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to any felonies or any alcohol or drug related drug-related offenses under the laws of this or any other state or under the laws of the United States in order to be eligible for a LIFE Scholarship, except that a high school or college student otherwise qualified who has been adjudicated delinquent or has been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to an alcohol or drug related drug-related misdemeanor offense is ineligible only for one calendar year after the adjudication, conviction, or plea occurred nevertheless shall be eligible or continue to be eligible for such scholarships after the expiration of one academic year from the date of the adjudication, conviction, or plea."

SECTION 5. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor, however, students receiving a Palmetto Fellows Scholarships, Tuition Grants or Need-based Grants adjudicated delinquent, convicted, or plead guilty to any alcohol or drug-related misdemeanors prior to July 1, 2000, shall not be penalized under this Section."/

Renumber sections to conform.

Amend title to conform.

NIKKI G. SETZLER, for Committee.

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 59-104-20, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO PALMETTO FELLOWS SCHOLARSHIPS, SECTION 59-113-20, RELATING TO TUITION GRANTS, SECTION 59-142-10, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO NEED-BASED GRANTS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND TUITION AT STATE INSTITUTIONS, AND SECTION 59-149-90, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO LIFE SCHOLARSHIPS, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN ADJUDICATED DELINQUENT OR BEEN CONVICTED OF ANY FELONIES OR ALCOHOL OR DRUG-RELATED OFFENSES ARE INELIGIBLE FOR THESE GRANTS OR SCHOLARSHIPS, EXCEPT THAT HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE STUDENTS OTHERWISE QUALIFIED WHO HAVE BEEN ADJUDICATED DELINQUENT OR CONVICTED OF ALCOHOL OR DRUG-RELATED MISDEMEANORS SHALL BE ELIGIBLE OR CONTINUE TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR SUCH GRANTS OR SCHOLARSHIPS AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF ONE CALENDAR YEAR FROM THE DATE OF THE ADJUDICATION, CONVICTION, OR PLEA.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Section 59-104-20 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 458 of 1996, is further amended to read:

"Section 59-104-20. The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship Program is established to foster scholarship among the state's post-secondary students and retain outstanding South Carolina high school graduates in the State through awards based on scholarship and achievement. Measures must be taken to ensure equitable minority participation in this program. Recipients of these scholarships are designated Palmetto Fellows. Each Palmetto Fellow shall receive a scholarship in an amount designated by the Commission on Higher Education. The commission shall promulgate regulations and establish procedures to administer the program and request annual state appropriations for the program.

Students must not have been adjudicated delinquent or been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to any felonies or any alcohol or drug-related offenses under the laws of this or any other state or under the laws of the United States in order to be eligible for a Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, except that a high school or college student otherwise qualified who has been adjudicated delinquent or has been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to an alcohol or drug-related misdemeanor offense nevertheless shall be eligible or continue to be eligible for such scholarships after the expiration of one calendar year from the date of the adjudication, conviction, or plea."

SECTION 2. Section 59-113-20 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 59-113-20. The State of South Carolina shall grant an amount as provided in this chapter to any applicant who meets the following qualifications:

(a) has been a resident of South Carolina for at least one year;

(b) is of good moral character;

(c) has demonstrated qualities of academic merit and financial need;

(d) has been accepted by or is registered in a South Carolina independent institution of higher learning as a full-time student whose academic programs are not comprised solely of sectarian instruction; and

(e) is not enrolled in a course of study leading to a degree in theology, divinity, or religious education; and

(f) has not been adjudicated delinquent or been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to any felonies or any alcohol or drug-related offenses under the laws of this or any other state or under the laws of the United States in order to be eligible for a South Carolina tuition grant, except that a high school or college student otherwise qualified who has been adjudicated delinquent or has been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to an alcohol or drug-related misdemeanor offense nevertheless shall be eligible or continue to be eligible for such grants after the expiration of one calendar year from the date of the adjudication, conviction, or plea."

SECTION 3. Section 59-142-10 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 155 of 1997, is further amended to read:

"Section 59-142-10. (A) The State shall fund a need-based grant for a student who enrolls as an undergraduate in a public institution of higher learning in this State, who applies for the need-based grant, and who meets the following qualifications:

(1) meets domicile requirements as defined in Section 59-112-20 with the additional requirement of at least twelve consecutive months of residency in the State of South Carolina immediately preceding enrollment;

(2) is accepted by and enrolled or registered in a state public institution of higher learning as a first degree full-time or part-time student in a certificate, or diploma of at least one year in length, or undergraduate degree program;

(3) is of good moral character and has never been convicted of a felony; and;

(4) has not been adjudicated delinquent or been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to any felonies or any alcohol or drug-related offenses under the laws of this or any other state or under the laws of the United States in order to be eligible for a South Carolina need-based grant, except that a high school or college student otherwise qualified who has been adjudicated delinquent or has been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to an alcohol or drug-related misdemeanor offense nevertheless shall be eligible or continue to be eligible for such grants after the expiration of one calendar year from the date of the adjudication, conviction, or plea; and

(5) is found to be in financial need according to federal Title IV regulations.

(B) To maintain continued eligibility for the state need-based grants, once enrolled a student shall:

(1) complete a minimum of twenty-four semester hours an academic year if a full-time student and twelve semester hours an academic year if a part-time student and make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree as determined by the institution;

(2) have no criminal record have not been adjudicated delinquent or been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to any felonies or any alcohol or drug-related offenses under the laws of this or any other state or under the laws of the United States in order to be eligible for a South Carolina need-based grant, except that a high school or college student otherwise qualified who has been adjudicated delinquent or has been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to an alcohol or drug-related misdemeanor offense nevertheless shall be eligible or continue to be eligible for such grants after the expiration of one calendar year from the date of the adjudication, conviction, or plea; and

(3) be eligible for the need-based grants for a maximum of four academic years of two semesters."

SECTION 4. Section 59-149-90(A) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 100 of 1999, is further amended to read:

"(A) Students must not have been adjudicated delinquent or been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to any felonies or any alcohol or drug related drug-related offenses under the laws of this or any other state or under the laws of the United States in order to be eligible for a LIFE Scholarship, except that a high school or college student otherwise qualified who has been adjudicated delinquent or has been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to an alcohol or drug related drug-related misdemeanor offense is ineligible only for one calendar year after the adjudication, conviction, or plea occurred nevertheless shall be eligible or continue to be eligible for such scholarships after the expiration of one calendar year from the date of the adjudication, conviction, or plea."

SECTION 5. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

----XX----

This web page was last updated on Friday, June 26, 2009 at 2:54 P.M.