Today, by 74-36 vote, the S.C. House passed S. 39: the Educational Scholarship Trust Fund (ESAs), upon third reading. This vote comes after the S.C. Senate passed the bill earlier this March.  

ESAs are private savings accounts given to parents to use for the purpose of academic expenditures (including private school tuition). 

Qualifying students for the program include active military families, and families whose incomes are less than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). 
Eligibility for the program expands to 300 percent of FPL in year two and to 400 percent of FPL in year three. 
 
For School Year 2024-25, the program is capped to 5,000 scholarships. That number increases to 10,000 scholarships in 2025-26 and 15,000 in 2026-27. 

Each ESA is worth $6,000. Gov. Henry McMaster is expected to sign the bill soon.  

This is a great day in our state’s history for education! Click HERE to thank your state officials for passing this important legislation.