S.C. Code Regs. § 62-900.165

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 5, May 24, 2024

Section 62-900.165 - Student Eligibility

A. To be eligible for Lottery Tuition Assistance each academic year, the student must:

1. File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and complete the process to determine eligibility for federal student aid each academic year or complete a FAFSA Waiver each academic year. A college may waive the FAFSA requirement when: 1) the student is in high school and is participating in a dual enrollment program; 2) the student has already earned a bachelor's degree; 3) the student is enrolled in a program that is not eligible for federal funds; or 4) the dependent student is not able to obtain his/her parents', guardians' or spouse's tax form. The student must provide all necessary documentation and have the form approved by the financial aid office at the institution he/she attends;

2. Be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident that meets the definition of an eligible non-citizen under State residency statutes;

3. Qualify for in-state tuition and be a resident of the State of South Carolina for a minimum of one year according to Title 59 of the 1976 Code of Laws governing the determination of residency for tuition and fee purposes, unless the student qualifies for an exception as defined in the residency regulation promulgated by the Commission on Higher Education;

4. Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a part-time or full-time student in a diploma, certificate, or an associate's degree-seeking program in an eligible program at an eligible two-year public or independent college in South Carolina. A student enrolled in less than six credit hours during one term may not receive Lottery Tuition Assistance for the term in question but is eligible for the award upon return to part-time or full-time status;

5. Be making satisfactory academic progress towards completion of the requirements of the program as provided by Title IV Regulations;

6. Be enrolled or have completed at the time of funds disbursement a minimum of six credit hours at the home institution for the term of eligibility;

7. Verify that he/she is not in default and does not owe a refund or repayment on any federal or state financial aid including state scholarships or grants, a Federal Pell Grant, a Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, the Federal Perkins Loan, or Federal Stafford Loan programs;

8. Not be eligible for or a recipient of a SC HOPE, LIFE or Palmetto Fellows Scholarship during the academic year; and

9. Meet all eligibility requirements annually.

B. Students shall not be eligible to receive Lottery Tuition Assistance for more than one certificate, diploma, or degree earned within any five-year period unless the additional certificate, diploma, or degree constitutes progress in the same field of study. Students must be making satisfactory academic progress towards completion of the requirements of the program as provided by Title IV Regulations.

C. Students enrolled in an eligible program of study as stated in the "Program Definitions" section may include remedial courses as part of the minimum number of required credit hours for part-time or full-time status, as long as such courses carry credit hours and meet Title IV limitations on remedial coursework.

D. Students may not receive Lottery Tuition Assistance at more than one institution during the same semester.

E. Only students who are degree-seeking shall receive Lottery Tuition Assistance at their home institution. Transient students shall not receive Lottery Tuition Assistance.

F. While the student is taking remedial/developmental coursework, an exception to the initial college enrollment applies only to first-time freshmen who met the eligibility requirements for the LIFE Scholarship upon graduation from high school, are enrolled in less than 12 credit hours of non-remedial coursework at an eligible two-year or technical college and taking a minimum of six credit hours of remedial/developmental education coursework during the term may be eligible to receive Lottery Tuition Assistance for the fall and/or spring terms only of their first academic year. First-time freshmen who are eligible for the LIFE Scholarship, attending an eligible two-year or technical college and enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours of non-remedial coursework shall receive the LIFE Scholarship. Once a student is awarded the LIFE Scholarship, they are no longer eligible to receive LTAP during the same academic year. See Section 62-1200.10 (I) of the LIFE Scholarship and LIFE Scholarship Enhancement Regulation.

G. Any false information provided by the student or any attempt to obtain or expend Lottery Tuition Assistance for unlawful purposes or any purpose other than in payment or reimbursement for the cost of tuition at the institution authorized to award the funds will be cause for immediate cancellation of Lottery Tuition Assistance. Any student who has attempted to or obtained Lottery Tuition Assistance through means of a willfully false statement or failure to reveal any material fact, condition, or circumstances affecting eligibility will be subject to applicable civil or criminal penalties, including loss of Lottery Tuition Assistance.

S.C. Code Regs. 62-900.165

Added by State Register Volume 27, Issue No. 6, Part 2, eff June 27, 2003. Amended by State Register Volume 30, Issue No. 4, eff April 28, 2006; State Register Volume 35, Issue No. 6, eff June 24, 2011.