After an all night session, the House of Representatives on Thursday adopted a budget for FY 2010 -2011 that funds higher education tuition grants at the current year’s level. The House also fully-funded the state’s merit scholarships and appropriated $1 million in excess unclaimed lottery prize money for the Partnership Among South Carolina’s Academic Libraries (PASCAL).
The $5.1 billion state budget—down by over $2 billion from two years ago—required significant reductions in agency budgets and other programs to bring into balance. The fact that student financial aid for higher education was maintained for another year indicates that state lawmakers recognize the importance of investing in higher education.
Although the Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission will receive funding roughly equal to each of the past 3 years, maximum grants have been reduced from $3200 in FY 2007-2008 to a projected $2600 for FY 2010-2011 because of a significant increase in eligible students.
During floor debate, Rep. Chip Limehouse (R-Charleston) introduced an amendment that adds PASCAL to a list of programs that will receive unclaimed lottery prize money if the amount exceeds the $8.4 million already certified by the Board of Economic Advisors. PASCAL is second in line behind a $2 million appropriation for Aid to County Libraries. The appropriation is contingent on the availability funds, but in the past, unclaimed prize money has exceeded the certified amount on a regular basis.
The appropriations bill moves to the Senate where it will be sent to the Senate Finance Committee for consideration. SCICU continues to work with our elected officials to maximize support for independent higher education.
