The State of South Carolina shall grant an amount, as provided in this chapter, to any applicant who meets the following qualifications:

(a) has been a resident of South Carolina for at least one year;

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 59-113-20

  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Nolo contendere: No contest-has the same effect as a plea of guilty, as far as the criminal sentence is concerned, but may not be considered as an admission of guilt for any other purpose.
  • Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.

(b) is of good moral character;

(c) has demonstrated qualities of academic merit and financial need;

(d) has been accepted by or is registered in a South Carolina independent institution of higher learning as a full-time student whose academic programs are not comprised solely of sectarian instruction;

(e) is not enrolled in a course of study leading to a degree in theology, divinity, or religious education; and

(f) has not been adjudicated delinquent or been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to any felonies or any second or subsequent alcohol or drug-related offenses under the laws of this or any other state or under the laws of the United States in order to be eligible for a South Carolina tuition grant, except that a high school or college student otherwise qualified who has been adjudicated delinquent or has been convicted or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a second or subsequent alcohol or drug-related misdemeanor offense nevertheless shall be eligible or continue to be eligible for such grants after the expiration of one academic year from the date of the adjudication, conviction, or plea.