SC House Advances Universal School Choice in Landmark Vote

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina House of Representatives passed S.62 late last week, a pivotal bill to expand the state's Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) program toward universality, allowing all K-12 families to access public funds for private school tuition and other educational expenses. The legislation, championed by House Speaker Murrell Smith Jr. and Education Chairwoman Shannon Erickson, offers ESAs equal to 90% of the average state per-pupil funding, estimated at $7,700 for fiscal year 2024-2025.[1] This follows a 'magic amendment' brokered between House and Senate leaders, boosting scholarship values from $6,000 to $7,500 with annual inflation adjustments.[3] The program's eligibility phases in over three years: starting school year 2025-2026 for families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level ($96,450 for a family of four), expanding to 400% in 2026-2027 ($128,600 for a family of four), and reaching all students by 2027-2028 with priority windows for lower-income households.[1][3] Legislative appropriations will cap initial recipients, building on a prior version halted by the state Supreme Court in September 2024 after just weeks of operation, which prompted $2.5 million in private fundraising to aid 800 students.[2] Gov. Henry McMaster, who signed a strengthened iteration into law in early May 2025, hailed the resilience of South Carolina's school choice push.[4] Advocates like the Palmetto Promise Institute and Yes. Every Kid celebrated the House vote, noting three-quarters of statewide voters support universal ESAs.[1] 'This empowers every South Carolina kid,' said a Yes. Every Kid spokesperson, crediting Smith and Erickson's leadership.[1] Wendy Damron, Palmetto Promise president, called it a 'lifeline for families,' making 85% of K-12 students eligible under expanded income limits up to 500% of the federal poverty line in later versions.[2][3] The bill now awaits final Senate action, with funding shifted from lottery proceeds to the state general fund managed by a trustee to address constitutional concerns.[5]