Remarks By Governor
David M. Beasley

Palmetto LIFE Scholarship Announcement
December 11, 1997

Note: The Governor sometimes deviates from text.

We've got some big news to announce that I think every parent in this state is going to turn up the volume on their evening news to hear. Because just about every parent in this state, myself included, has some very real and pressing concerns about how theyıre going to pay for their children's college education.

We're all concerned about the price tag on a college degree these days.

No question: it's getting more and more expensive every day. But at the same time, it's only getting more and more necessary.

All these high-tech, high-wage jobs we're recruiting will demand the very best minds we can offer. And a college or technical college education is a basic prerequisite to almost any one of those jobs.

We need desperately for our sharpest young minds to stay here and grow here in South Carolina.

Today we come to you with a plan...one that is going to push our students toward excellence and make college more accessible.

I'm proud to announce that as the freshman class enters college this fall, South Carolina will be offering its very first Palmetto LIFE scholarship to essentially pay our best students' way to college.

I'll hit the highlights here, then we can talk through more details afterwards.

Essentially, under this plan, any student who graduates high school in South Carolina with a B average and a 1000 SAT score will be eligible for a $2,000 scholarship to any four-year school in this state...public or private.

If they choose to go to a technical or two-year college, and they have a B average, they'll get a $1,000 scholarship.

And that's money that can be spent on any college expenses...whether it's tuition, books or room and board.

Over 5,000 hard-working college-bound students will be eligible for a college education. That's a reward they can take to the bank.

Even better, our program is designed so that families can take full advantage of what will be offered through the federal HOPE tax credit.

Right now, Uncle Sam is offering every B student $1,500 for tuition. When you add our scholarship to the mix, South Carolina students will have access to a total of $3,500 a year, which is enough to cover tuition for almost any public school in the state.

That's a huge carrot we're putting out there for parents and students. And it's all part of our strategy to achieve higher, more rigorous academic standards, just like we've been talking about with the PASS report.

First of all, this scholarship will get our students motivated toward the high bar. Students will have to get focused early and work hard throughout high school to make the grade.

That can only boost SAT scores. And we all know those aren't where we want them to be.

But this isn't money from heaven. It's a reward for excellence. And to whom much is given, much is expected.

Once these scholars make it to college, they'll have to maintain that B average every year to keep their scholarship. And we're not talking about a five or six year plan. We're talking four solid years only of collegiate achievement.

The bottom line is this: Students, if you work hard, do well and stay focused, we'll basically pay your way to college.

And that's a bottom line that's going to be good news to a lot of parents.

Moms and dads across this state are going to look at this plan, then look at their child and say, "We've got a shot to get your college paid for. We're not going to blow this.'

And when parents are involved, when they start making sure their kids do their homework, when they start putting pressure on schools to do better, that's where the rubber meets the road. That's when progress is made.

And that's what we've got to do. We've got to raise the stakes for parents and raise the bar for students. And the end result? Excellence...without gimmicks or quick-fix schemes, but with solid planning and smart budgeting.

We can do this. South Carolina's students can do more. In fact, I believe they're capable of greatness.

The Palmetto LIFE scholarship is just one more way we're going to open the gates and set them on the road to take them there.

Now I'll be glad to take questions.



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