South Carolina Court Rules Against Education Scholarships

The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled 3-2 that the Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) program is unconstitutional, impacting nearly 2,900 students who were set to receive scholarships for the 2024-25 school year. The majority opinion stated that the program violated the state's constitutional prohibition against direct funding for private schools, while dissenting justices argued that it provided an indirect benefit and should be deemed constitutional. The ruling halts the distribution of scholarships, which had already begun with initial payments of $1,500 to families, leaving students' educational plans uncertain. The decision reflects ongoing legal tensions surrounding school choice programs in various states, as similar challenges to funding equity persist across the country. The implications of this ruling may resonate in future legislative efforts regarding educational funding and school choice in South Carolina and beyond.