On May 5, 2023, Governor Henry McMaster signed the Education Scholarship Trust Fund Act into law. This new ESA program—modeled after similar programs around the country—allows qualifying South Carolina parents to apply for a scholarship worth $6,000. These scholarships may be used to create a customized, flexible education for their child, as outlined below.
Am I Eligible?
To be eligible, students must:

• Be a resident of South Carolina; AND
• Have attended a South Carolina public school during the previous school year, OR have not yet attained the age of five on or before September 1 of the previous school year but have attained the age of five on or before September 1 of the current school year, OR have received a scholarship the previous school year; AND
• Have a household income as follows:
• School year 2026-2027 and subsequent school years – does not exceed 400% of the federal poverty guidelines.

When and how may a parent or legal guardian apply for a scholarship for their student?
Scholarships will first be available for the 2024-2025 school year. The law requires that the scholarship application process open no earlier than January 15, 2024, and close no later than March 15, 2024. The SC Department of Education will create, announce, and publicize a standard application process.

How may education service providers apply to participate in the program?
Education service providers are a person or organization approved by the SC Department of Education to provide educational goods and services to scholarship students. The Department will develop an application process for participation in the program which outlines the criteria and timeline for approval and will certify a list of approved education service providers no later than February 1, 2024. This list will be available on the Department’s website.