South-Carolina

SC lawmakers want to freeze in-state college tuition next year. Not everyone’s on board

Published

2 years ago

March 12, 2024

SC lawmakers want to freeze in-state college tuition next year. Not everyone’s on board

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCSC) – It’s a reality many families know very well: College tuition adds up quickly, and for many schools, costs continue to increase year after year.

South Carolina’s House of Representatives is debating the next state budget this week, and they want to implement another tuition freeze for in-state students at public colleges and universities for the sixth straight year.

“If you would like to pursue further and get a degree or get a certificate, some way where you can better your life and your family’s life, we want to help you in any way possible,” Rep. Nathan Ballentine (R-Lexington) said.

Current public-school tuition costs for undergraduate in-state students in South Carolina range between around $10,000 and $15,000, not including other costs like books and room and board.

The House budget proposal would give public colleges and universities money to freeze tuition for all students again next year, totaling to $60.7 million, less than half of what the schools collectively requested for this.

Members of the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus said that is still too much, arguing higher education is not a core function of government and should not receive these taxpayer dollars.

“Having blue-collar workers further subsidize four-year degrees, which are frankly oversaturated,” Rep. Jordan Pace (R-Berkeley) said.

They proposed to give that money instead to the South Carolina Department of Transportation to repair and replace aging bridges.

But other lawmakers pointed out, their budget proposal already gives SCDOT $200 million for this, the amount the agency asked for in its request.

Ballentine said appropriating extra dollars this year wouldn’t speed work up.

“Although it sounds good and we can go back home and tell our constituents we gave them more money, they would not see more pylons on the side of the road, they would not see more work getting done,” he said.

And Ballentine argued that withholding this money from colleges would come with a cost.

“If we do not keep the in-state tuition down or frozen and these universities help us to help our families back home, they’ve got to come up with the money somewhere,” he said. “So they’re either going to raise tuition or, as Mr. Burns mentioned and as I don’t like, they’re going to start bringing in more out-of-state tuition. That’s just math, y’all.”

Ultimately the House voted to approve this money for tuition freezes, but it is still debating the overall budget.

Then in a few weeks, the Senate will debate its version of the spending plan, so these freezes are not final yet.

The House budget proposal also includes more than $400 million for scholarships like LIFE, HOPE, and Palmetto Fellows, along with need-based and tuition grants.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Dec. 19, 2025

Published

12 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Press Room

South Carolina Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Dec. 19, 2025

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 19, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

01-11-27-39-59, Mega Ball: 18

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 8-0-3, FB: 2

Evening: 1-0-0, FB: 6

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 1-7-3-9, FB: 2

Evening: 7-1-9-3, FB: 6

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

Midday: 01

Evening: 14

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 19 drawing

07-18-20-25-41

Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:

For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.

Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.

SC Education Lottery

P.O. Box 11039

Columbia, SC 29211-1039

For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.

Columbia Claims Center

1303 Assembly Street

Columbia, SC 29201

Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.

For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.

When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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South-Carolina

Teacher salaries could increase under proposed South Carolina budget plan

Published

24 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

Teacher salaries could increase under proposed South Carolina budget plan

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Teacher salaries across South Carolina could rise under a new state education funding plan approved this week, as lawmakers are urged to spend more money on pay raises and rethink how teacher recruitment programs are working.

The S.C. Education Oversight Committee voted to approve its Education Improvement Act (EIA) budget recommendations for fiscal years 2026–27, which direct how money from the state’s one-cent education sales tax should be used.

The plan now goes to the General Assembly for consideration during budget talks.

A major focus of the proposal is increasing teacher pay. The committee recommended a $650,454 raise for teachers at special schools, with remaining new funds directed to the statewide EIA line that helps fund teacher salaries.

The plan also boosts the Teaching Fellows scholarship program, which members said is one of the few recruitment efforts producing results.

The committee approved a $640,000 increase to add 20 new four-year scholarships and another $1.76 million to raise the scholarship amount by $4,000, bringing the total award for juniors and seniors to $10,000.

At the same time, the committee cut $5 million in recurring funding from the National Board program, citing a drop in participation.

EIA-funded programs collectively asked for about $210 million in new funding, but available money is limited. The state has about $98.9 million in new recurring EIA funds and $84.1 million in nonrecurring funds to work with.

The committee recommended spending most recurring funds on classroom support, including $77.5 million for instructional support and $10 million for instructional materials.

Other recurring funding includes $1.4 million for the Teacher Career Ladder, $250,000 for Project Read and $150,000 for the S.C. Council on Economics. Nonrecurring funds include $5 million for school safety.

Members also approved changes to rules tied to the Teacher Loan Program and asked that districts in the state’s 4K waitlist pilot not be required to complete a student survey.

During the meetings, committee members raised concerns about the low number of teachers produced by most EIA-funded recruitment programs.

Teaching Fellows was highlighted as an exception, producing 177 teachers last fiscal year.

Members also questioned continued funding for SC Youth Challenge and incentives tied to the Rural Teacher Recruitment program.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Dec. 18, 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 18, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

Midday: 3-8-2, FB: 0

Evening: 1-0-6, FB: 8

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

Midday: 9-6-5-7, FB: 0

Evening: 7-9-1-5, FB: 8

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

Midday: 13

Evening: 09

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 18 drawing

13-19-23-32-35

Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:

SC Education Lottery

P.O. Box 11039

Columbia, SC 29211-1039

Columbia Claims Center

1303 Assembly Street

Columbia, SC 29201

Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.

For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.

When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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