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In the latest battle over education funding in South Carolina, the state Senate has passed a bill that would funnel lottery money into private school scholarships — leaving public school advocates worried about the impact.
Supporters say it gives parents more choices, but critics argue it takes much-needed funds away from the public schools that serve the vast majority of students. With tensions high and legal questions looming, the bill now moves to the House, where the fight over school funding is far from over.
Senate approves bill
On Tuesday, February 4, 2025, the Senate in South Carolina passed a bill that would allow parents to receive vouchers for private schools. Under the bill, the K-12 Education Lottery Scholarship would use funds from the South Carolina Education Lottery (SCEL) to help fund scholarships for private schools in the state.
As LotteryUSA previously reported, this new bill was to be one of the first bills to be debated in the Senate when they returned to the floor on January 14. On Tuesday, the bill had its third reading, and the Senate passed it with a vote of 31-9.
The bill now heads to the House for approval.
Similar measures were previously struck down
This isn't the first attempt to fund these private school scholarships using revenue from the South Carolina Lottery. Previously, lawmakers set up the Education Scholarship Trust Fund Act, which allowed parents to use state money for private schools.
However, it was a legal battle up to the South Carolina Supreme Court, which struck it down in September 2024.
Despite the state Supreme Court striking that previous attempt down, some lawmakers believe this new bill will survive any legal challenges because it uses lottery money to fund the scholarships.
Republican Sen. Greg Hembree (Horry County) said:
What we're looking at now is funding it through a different fund, a different revenue stream that does not go through the general fund. So it's really changing the structure of it to address the court's concern, but the substance of it, the goal of it would still be reached.
Mixed emotions after the bill passed
There were mixed emotions after the bill passed in the Senate. Sen. Hembree took to social media after it passed, explaining, "This bill will expand education choices for low and middle-income families to pursue the best path for their children."
However, the South Carolina Education Association (SCEA) called it unconstitutional, stating:
By the South Carolina State Senate passing the new voucher bill S.62, our Senators have demonstrated a troubling push on a national, partisan agenda item to score political points at the detriment of our public schools, which educate over 95% of South Carolina's children. This misguided effort to divert public funds from public education towards private schools will further deplete existing resources and undermine our public school system, that is, to benefit all South Carolinians. We ask that members of the South Carolina House of Representatives halt this bill immediately, ensuring it does not reach the Governor's desk for signing.
There is no set schedule right now for when — or if — the House will introduce this bill for their approval.
Enjoy playing the South Carolina Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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