On April 15, over 100 students and staff members from seventeen SCICU member colleges and universities visited the State House to personally thank the members of the General Assembly for their support of the Tuition Grant program.
This year, 13,300 resident students are able to attend the private, non-profit college or university of their choice because of over $36 million in financial assistance provided by need-based Tuition Grants.
Prior to meeting with their hometown representatives and senators, the students were briefed at a breakfast meeting held at the historic Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, just across the street from the SC State House.
At this assembly, Speaker Jay Lucas was honored as the 2015 SCICU Legislative Champion and addressed the students, thanking them for their participation and explaining the positive impact their presence at State House Day has on their legislators.
Speaker Lucas also presented the Concurrent Resolution passed by the Senate and the House which recognizes the outstanding contributions that independent colleges and universities have made to the State of South Carolina. He joined Governor Nikki Hayley in recognizing the week of April 13-17 as Independent College and University Week and April 15 as Independent College and University Day.
After a morning of face-to-face meetings with SC General Assembly members, the students gathered back at Trinity Cathedral for a group photograph. The Governor’s Chief of Staff, James Burns, was in attendance and presented the students with the Proclamation from Governor Nikki Haley which encouraged all South Carolinians during Independent College and University Day & Week to recognize private non-profit colleges and universities for their positive contributions to ensuring our state’s continued status a leader in higher education.
Learn more about this year’s legislative champion, Speaker Jay Lucas. / Read about the 2015 SCICU Letter Writing Campaign.