NANCY MACE MOVES TO REQUIRE CITIZENSHIP OR PERMANENT RESIDENCY FOR IN-STATE TUITION AT SC PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

Legislation Would Ensure South Carolina Taxpayer Dollars Benefit South Carolina Students and Permanent Residents

Today, Nancy Mace proposed legislation to require United States citizenship or lawful permanent residency as a condition of eligibility for in-state tuition rates and state-based financial aid at South Carolina’s public colleges and universities.

The proposal comes as Clemson University faces scrutiny for posting notices of intent to hire H-1B foreign workers for positions that could be filled by South Carolinians – while those same visa holders qualify for in-state tuition rates under current state law.

READ MORE: https://x.com/NancyMace/status/2059777530857460055?s=20

“American colleges and universities should be for American students,” said Rep. Nancy Mace. “South Carolina taxpayers fund our public colleges. Those dollars should benefit South Carolina students – not foreign visa workers brought in to take our jobs.”

Under current South Carolina law, any person with full-time employment in the state can qualify for in-state tuition regardless of visa status. Mace’s legislation closes that loophole entirely – requiring that any person receiving in-state tuition rates or state-funded financial aid at a South Carolina public university be either a United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident domiciled in the state.

South Carolina students deserve to know that their universities, using their tax dollars, are prioritizing them – not foreigners.