S.C. Code Regs. § § 62-900.125

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024

Section 62-900.125 - Institutional Policies and Procedures for Awarding

A. SC HOPE Scholarship awards are to be used only for payment toward the cost-of-attendance as established by Title IV regulations. The award amount shall not exceed two thousand eight hundred dollars (includes $300 book allowance) during the freshman year only. Half shall be awarded during the fall term and half during the spring term (or its equivalent). The SC HOPE Scholarship in combination with all other gift aid, including federal, State, private and institutional funds, shall not exceed the cost-of attendance as defined in Title IV regulations for any academic year.

B. Eligible institutions shall provide an award notification to eligible students that will include the book allowance and also contain the terms and conditions of the Scholarship. Institutions will notify students of all adjustments in Scholarship funds that may result from an over award, change in eligibility, change in the student's residency, change in financial status or other matters.

C. The institution must retain annual paper or electronic documentation for each award to include at a minimum:

(1) Award notification

(2) Institutional disbursement to student

(3) Student's residency status

(4) Refund and repayment (if appropriate)

(5) Enrollment and curriculum requirements

(6) Affidavit documenting that the student has never been convicted of any felonies and/or any second alcohol/drug related misdemeanor offenses within the past academic year as stated under the "Student Eligibility" Section

(7) High school transcript(s) verifying high school graduation or home school completion date and cumulative grade point average

(8) Verification from institutional disability service provider of student's disability and approval of reduced course-load requirement (if appropriate)

(9) Military mobilization orders (if appropriate)

(10) Verification from the institution that lawful presence in the US has been verified.

D. Any student who has attempted to obtain or obtained a SC HOPE Scholarship award through means of 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 the SC HOPE Scholarship.

E. Visually impaired, hearing impaired or multi-handicapped students who qualify for the SC HOPE Scholarship may use the State Scholarship funds for the freshman year only to attend a four-year out-of state institution that specializes in educating students with their impairment upon receiving prior approval from the Commission on Higher Education. The Commission on Higher Education shall make the final decision as to whether an out-of-state institution specializes in the postsecondary education of visually impaired, hearing impaired or multi-handicapped students.

F. It is the institution's responsibility to ensure that only eligible students receive the Scholarship.

G. At the end of the spring term each academic year, the institution must notify all SC HOPE Scholarship recipients who have not met continued eligibility requirements for the next academic year. The notification should include information regarding the student's ability to attend summer school in order to meet the continued eligibility requirements.

S.C. Code Regs. § 62-900.125

Added by State Register Volume 27, Issue No. 6, Part 2, eff June 27, 2003. Amended by State Register Volume 29, Issue No. 6, eff June 24, 2005; State Register Volume 30, Issue No. 4, eff April 28, 2006; State Register Volume 32, Issue No. 6, eff June 27, 2008; State Register Volume 35, Issue No. 6, eff June 24, 2011; State Register Volume 45, Issue No. 05, eff. 5/28/2021.