SCICU Students Visit and Thank Legislators For Tuition Grants

COLUMBIA, SC — Students from SCICU member colleges and universities converged on the State House on Independent College and University Day (Wednesday, April 13, 2016, as proclaimed by Governor Nikki Haley) to thank their Representatives and Senators for funding and support of tuition grants.

This advocacy event culminated a four-month letter-writing campaign in which over 4,400 tuition grant recipients attending SCICU member colleges and universities wrote more than 8,200 letters to South Carolina legislators in appreciation for their tuition grants.

Prior to visiting legislators at the State House, SCICU students gathered at Satterlee Hall of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral for a welcome and advocacy warmup with SCICU President and CEO Mike LeFever.

Mr. LeFever presented Representative Rita Allison (District 36 and Chair, House Education and Public Works Committee) as the SCICU 2016 Legislative Champion. Rep. Allison emphasized the importance of students thanking their legislators for funding and supporting tuition grants. Rep. Allison also reiterated the importance of independent higher education for the future growth of South Carolina.

Ms. Katie Harrison, Deputy Director of the South Carolina Tuition Grants Commission, also greeted students and thanked them for their tuition grants advocacy.

In the annual legislative letter writing competition, Anderson University, with over 1,700 letters written, unseated 2015 winner North Greenville University (nearly 1,400 letters written). Erskine College was cited as having the highest percentage (84%) of tuition grant recipients writing letters to members of the General Assembly.