South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 62 - STATE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Article VII - SOUTH CAROLINA ACADEMIC ENDOWMENT INCENTIVE ACT OF 1997/SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHER EDUCATION MATCHING GIFT FUND
SOUTH CAROLINA HOPE SCHOLARSHIP
Section 62-900.90 - Program Definitions

A. "Academic year" is defined as the twelve month period during which a full-time student is expected to earn thirty credit hours. The period of time used to measure the academic year will consist of fall, spring, and summer terms or spring, summer, and fall terms (or its equivalent).

B. "Bachelor's degree program" is defined as a program of study leading to a bachelor's degree as defined by the U.S. Department of Education for participation in federally funded financial aid programs.

C. "Book allowance" shall mean funds that may be applied to the student's account for expenses towards the cost-of-attendance including the cost of textbooks.

D. "Cost-of-attendance" as defined by Title IV Regulations and may include tuition, fees, living expenses, and other costs such as costs related to disability or dependent care.

E. "Degree-seeking undergraduate student" is defined as any full-time student enrolled in a bachelor's degree program at an eligible institution.

F. "Eligible institution" shall be defined as a public or independent bachelor's level institution in South Carolina.

G. "Felonies" shall be defined as crimes that are classified under State Statute (Section 16-1-10 ) and that typically require imprisonment for more than one year.

H. "Freshman year" shall mean the first academic year the student matriculates in an institution after high school graduation or completion of an approved home school program.

I. "Full-time student" shall mean a student who has matriculated into a bachelor's degree program and who enrolls full-time at the home institution, usually fifteen semester credit hours for fall and spring terms or twelve credit hours for fall, eight credit hours for winter, and twelve credit hours for spring trimester terms. In order for the student to be eligible for Scholarship disbursement, the student must be enrolled full-time as stipulated by Title IV Regulations, except that credit hours may not include remedial/developmental and continuing education courses.

J. "High school" is defined as a public, private, charter, virtual, Montessori or Magnet high school located in South Carolina, recognized home school association or program as defined in the State Statute, (Sections 59-65-40, 45, and 47) or a preparatory high school located outside of the state while the student is a dependent of a legal resident of South Carolina who has custody or pays child support and college expenses of the dependent high school student in accordance with State Statute (Section 59-112-10 ). A "preparatory high school" (out-of-state) is defined as a school recognized by the state in which the school is located to offer curricula through the twelfth grade and prepares students for college entrance.

K. "Home institution" shall mean the institution where the student is currently enrolled as a degree seeking student and may be eligible for financial aid at the same institution.

L. "Independent institutions" are defined, for the purposes of the SC HOPE Scholarship Program, as those four-year institutions eligible to participate in the South Carolina Tuition Grants Program as defined in Chapter 113 of Title 59 of the 1976 Code, which stipulates that an "independent institution of higher learning means any independent eleemosynary junior or senior college in South Carolina whose major campus and headquarters are located within South Carolina and which is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools;" or an independent bachelor's level institution chartered before 1962 whose major campus and headquarters are located within South Carolina; or an independent bachelor's level institution who had a major campus and headquarters located within South Carolina and was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as of March 17, 2004." Institutions whose sole purpose is religious or theological training or the granting of professional degrees do not meet the definition of 'independent institution' for purposes of this chapter. Independent two-year institutions are not eligible for participation in this program.

M. "Initial college enrollment" shall mean the first time the student matriculates into a postsecondary, degree-granting institution after high school graduation. The terms of eligibility are based upon initial college enrollment and continuous enrollment. This means that any break in enrollment (excluding summer) will count against the maximum terms of eligibility.

N. "Military mobilization" is defined as a situation in which the U.S. Department of Defense orders members of the United States Armed Forces to active duty away from their normal duty assignment during a time of war or national emergency.

O. "Misdemeanor offenses" shall be defined as crimes that are classified under State Statute (Section 16-1-100 ), less serious than felonies, and are typically punishable by fine or imprisonment for less than one year. A complete listing is located in title 16 of State Statute. Examples of alcohol and/or drug misdemeanor offenses in South Carolina include but are not limited to possession of alcohol under the age of 21, possession of marijuana/illegal drugs, open-container, transfer of alcohol to a person under 21, providing false information as to age (fake ID), etc.

P. "Multi-handicapped student" shall be defined as a student who, in addition to being visually or hearing impaired, has at least one additional disabling condition that qualifies the student to receive specialized postsecondary education.

Q. "Public institutions" are those four-year bachelor's degree-granting institutions as defined in Chapter 103 of Title 59 of the 1976 Code, which stipulates "public higher education shall mean state- supported education in the postsecondary field." Public two-year institutions and technical colleges are not eligible for participation in this Program.

R. "Remedial/developmental coursework" shall mean sub-collegiate level preparatory courses in English, mathematics, and reading or any other course deemed remedial by the institution where the course is taken.

S. "South Carolina resident" shall be defined as an individual who satisfies the requirements of residency in accordance with the State of South Carolina Statute for Tuition and Fees, Section 59-112-10, and all related guidelines and regulations promulgated by the Commission on Higher Education as determined by the institutional residency officer each academic year. A student must be considered a South Carolina resident at the time of high school graduation, and at the time of initial college enrollment, in order to receive a S.C. HOPE Scholarship.

T. "Transfer student" shall be defined as a student who has changed enrollment from one institution to an eligible institution.

U. "General Educational Development (GED) Diploma" is defined as a GED high school diploma that was completed in South Carolina or outside of the state while the student was a dependent of a legal resident of South Carolina who had custody or paid child support and college expenses of the dependent GED diploma student. A student who earns a GED diploma cannot receive a SC HOPE Scholarship during his/her initial year (or equivalent) of college enrollment but may earn the LIFE Scholarship in subsequent years. The student must meet the annual credit hour requirement (or equivalent) and a 3.0 "LIFE GPA" at the end of the first academic year.

V. "Lawful Presence" is defined as individuals who are US citizens, permanent residents, or non-US citizens and non-permanent residents who are legally present in the US. When verifying the lawful presence of an individual, institutional personnel shall not attempt to independently verify the immigration status of any alien, but shall verify any alien's immigration status with the federal government pursuant to 8 USC Section 1373(c).