A bill

TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 2-77-15, RELATING TO ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR SOUTH CAROLINA HIGHER EDUCATION EXCELLENCE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM FUNDING, SO AS TO REVISE REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING SINGLE-GENDER WOMEN'S INSTITUTIONS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.  Section 2-77-15(1) of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

    (1) "Eligible institution" means a four-year institution of higher learning or an institution of higher learning that is accredited to offer, and is actively offering, at least one nonsectarian program at the baccalaureate level:

       (a)(i) at which sixty percent or more of the enrolled undergraduate students were low-income and educationally disadvantaged students, for the four consecutive years immediately preceding the then current year and which is defined in Part B, Subchapter III, Chapter 28, Title 20 of the United States Code; or

           (ii) which is an historicallythat was founded as a single-gender women's institution of traditional students, as evidenced by ninety percent or more of full-time female undergraduates under twenty-five years of age for the four consecutive years immediately preceding the current year;

       (b)(i) that is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; or

           (ii) which receives Title III funding and is accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the United States Department of Education;

       (c) that is organized as a nonprofit corporation or is a public institution; and

       (d) that has its main campus located in South Carolina.

SECTION 2.  This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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