Subcommittee reviews bill to extend free state tuition to children born and raised in South Carolina of wartime veterans

Columbia, S.C. — The House Subcommittee on Veterans and Military Affairs on Wednesday examined House Bill 3,453, which would let a child of a wartime veteran receive free tuition at any state-supported college, university or post-high-school technical institution if the child has been a South Carolina resident since birth.

The measure, introduced by Representative Seth Rose, would extend the current tuition-waiver benefit specifically to children who were born and raised in South Carolina even when the qualifying veteran later relocates out of state.

Supporters told the subcommittee the bill is intended to close a gap in current law that can leave children without the waiver if a qualifying veteran moves away after a divorce or separation. "So what happens is if you, if a parent is wounded in action, receives the Purple Heart, current law allows for their children to go to a state school on free tuition," Rep. Seth Rose said, describing a case in which two South Carolina-born daughters lost access to the benefit after their Purple Heart recipient father moved out of state.

The Department of Veterans' Affairs staff, which implements the tuition waiver program, told the panel the Purple Heart recipients are a small subset of current beneficiaries and outlined administrative and fiscal implications. "Last semester we processed 3,643 requests for tuition waivers based on the criteria currently outlined in the law," the agency representative said, and added that the agency verifies residency, wartime service and qualifying conditions before issuing the approval letter schools use to waive tuition.

Agency staff also noted that the tuition waiver is a waiver of tuition only — it does not waive fees, room or board — and that the cost of the waivers is borne by the state-supported institutions. The subcommittee packet included a fiscal-impact estimate that the program’s current recipients represent roughly $18 million in waived tuition per semester and about $37 million for the academic year; agency staff said the bill’s expansion would likely add only a small number of additional eligible students.

Some members suggested the bill’s eligibility could be broader. "Why are we not including more potential students?" Representative Lippe asked, arguing the measure might be too narrow and that other families affected by service-related injuries could merit inclusion.

Committee members agreed to gather additional information and continue discussion. Representative Celeste Davis moved to adjourn debate; the motion was seconded and the item was postponed for later consideration.

The bill does not yet have a final committee vote; staff said the implementing agency can verify qualifications under whatever language the General Assembly adopts.

Background: Current South Carolina law provides tuition waivers for children of veterans who meet certain conditions, including but not limited to Purple Heart recipients and veterans rated 100% permanent and total disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill as introduced would add a residency-based eligibility path for children born and continuously resident in South Carolina.

Next steps: The subcommittee postponed further action pending additional research and outreach to institutions and stakeholders.