McMaster directs $32M in pandemic aid to private schools

COLUMBIA, SC (AP) — South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced Monday that he’s allocating $32 million in need-based grants to cover tuition for students at private schools across the state.

The funding is part of the governor’s $48 million discretionary education fund through an emergency federal funding package related to the coronavirus outbreak.

McMaster says he expects the new program to cover about 5,000 grants of up to $6,500 for students at parochial, private and independent schools.

Students from households with an adjusted gross income of up to 300% of the federal poverty level are eligible for the grant.