January 29, 2010

COLUMBIA—A group of students and staff from York Technical College joined hundreds of others from South Carolina technical colleges at the State House on Tuesday to show their support and appreciation for the Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTA) program. Also participating in the event from York Tech were Commission Chairman Tony Vaughan and President Dr. Greg Rutherford.

The rally included more than 300 students, representing a fraction of the nearly 285,000 technical college students who have benefitted from LTA since its inception. The 16 technical colleges across the state educate more than half of all undergraduate students in the state. Nearly 90 percent of technical college students choose to stay in South Carolina after graduation.

"I didn't have thousands of dollars—or even a few hundred—at my disposal when I decided to pursue my education again," said York Tech accounting student Ricardo Benlizar, who attended the rally. "Lottery Tuition Assistance has truly given me a second chance at doing something more with my life."

"Lottery Tuition Assistance helps many of our students," said Angela Fowler, York Tech's Director of Financial Resources. "Being able to depend on help with their tuition lessens their financial stress while they pursue higher education." For the Fall 2009 semester, more than 1,400 York Tech students received Lottery Tuition Assistance, Fowler said.

Speakers for Tuesday's event included legislators as well as technical college officials and students.

“Today we are putting a face on the impressive numbers the South Carolina Technical College System boasts," said Barry Russell, S.C. Technical College System President. "Each of these 315 students present today has their own personal story of how LTA has helped them achieve their education and career goals. Goals that are important to our state—that will help build a skilled workforce for our future."

Russell told the crowd, "We appreciate the General Assembly’s foresight in creating this program. Their continued support and consistent funding of Lottery Tuition Assistance is vital to ensuring that a quality higher education is accessible and affordable for all South Carolinians.”

The Lottery Tuition Assistance program was created by the General Assembly in 2002 for public two-year institutions. Unlike merit-based lottery-funded aid, award amounts are not guaranteed from semester to semester, and fluctuate based on lottery collections and the demand.

For photos and video from the event, visit the LTA – 1 in 3 Facebook site at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/LTA-1-in-3/59095749104?sid=ef25a7ee57de5472be663d4d1fab0acf&ref=s.