S.C. Code Ann. § 2-77-20 – Establishment of program; purpose; funding

(A) There is hereby established the South Carolina Higher Education Excellence Enhancement Program for the general purpose of enhancing the educational opportunities of low-income and educationally disadvantaged students. The program must be administered by the Commission on Higher Education. The commission must enter into annual contracts with eligible institutions to accomplish the purposes of this program.
(B) The program must be funded by appropriations from the Education Lottery Account in an amount provided by the General Assembly.
(C) An institution seeking to qualify as an eligible institution must submit an annual application to the commission. The commission must certify the eligibility of institutions seeking contracts pursuant to this section. Of the funds appropriated for this program, one-half must be allocated equally among the eligible institutions. The remainder of the appropriated funds shall be awarded to eligible institutions based upon merit, through criteria developed by the Commission on Higher Education.
(D) From the amounts allocated on an equal basis, an institution receiving an allocation of funds must first use the funds as the nonfederal match required by a federal funding program that provides funding for historic preservation or for capital improvements. In awarding funds based on merit, the commission shall give priority to those proposals that can be matched with funds from a federal funding program.