South Carolina: South Carolina Education Scholarship Trust Fund Program

Scholarship accounts are funded through an annual appropriation of the South Carolina General Assembly. They are worth $6,000 per eligible student, per school year and will be awarded, based upon available funding from the General Assembly, as follows:

• School Year 2025-2026: Up to $10,000 scholarships/year
• School Year 2026-2027 and subsequent school years: Up to $15,000 scholarships/year

• Income Limit: Year 1 – 200% x FPL, Year 2 – 300% x FPL, Year 3 and thereafter, 400% x FPL
• Prior year public school requirement: Yes
• Testing Mandates: National norm Referenced (High School Only, Except Disability Status)
• Special Needs Pathway: None

ESA-eligible students must have attended public school in the prior school year, except for students entering kindergarten and prior ESA recipients. Additionally, student eligibility is based on the family's need through year three.

The law requires that the scholarship application process open no earlier than January 15 and close no later than March 15. Visit the South Carolina Department of Education Pre-Qualification Tool here.

Qualifying expenses for Education Savings Accounts include the following:

• Textbooks, curriculum, or other instructional materials
• Tutoring services approved by the Department of Education
• Computer hardware or other technological devices
• Fees for nationally norm-referenced testing, Advanced Placement exams, or similar assessments
• Educational services and therapies for students with disabilities from a licensed or accredited practitioner or provider
• Unbundled courses, services, extracurricular activities, and tutoring from a public school district
• Contracted teaching services and education classes approved by the Department of Education
• Up to $750 for transportation associated with services from an eligible provider
• Fees for ESA account management
• Any other educational expense approved by the Department of Education

Caution: This program cannot be used to pay for tuition.

All funds remain in the student’s account until they graduate high school or turn 21 years old, whichever occurs first.

Additional Program Guidelines

• Budget Cap: None
• Account Cap: $6,000
• Enrollment Cap: Year 1 – 5,000; Year 2 – 10,000; Year 3 and thereafter, 15,000

Participant and Family Guidelines

• Click Here for the Program Administrator’s Parent Handbook
• Education Requirements: Provide instruction in writing, math, social studies, and science
• Parent Supplemented Funds/Scholarships: Allowed
• Disbursement/Payment Frequency: Quarterly
• Reimbursement: No
• Miscellaneous:

• Initial application and annually reapply
• Only use funds for qualified expenses under South Carolina Code § 59-8-110 through 59-8-220
• Take required assessments
• Not participate in a home instruction program
• Provide all Individualized Education Plan (IEP) documentation and acknowledge explanation of rights under Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for parental placement of students with disabilities

South Carolina Code §§ 59-8-110 – 59-8-170.

(Last updated April 21, 2025)