LTA Gathering in Columbia

COLUMBIA—York Technical College students were among the hundreds of SC Technical College System students gathered at the State House yesterday (Jan. 15) to show their support for the Lottery Tuition Assistance (LTA) program. Speakers included Dr. Barry Russell, System president; Sen. John W. Matthews (D-Orangeburg), Senate Education and Finance committees; Rep. Dan Cooper (R-Anderson), chair, House Ways and Means Committee.

LTA recipients from the System’s 16 technical colleges wore shirts proclaiming “Lottery Tuition Assistance makes a difference … one of 175,000+,” referencing the number of technical college students who have utilized the lottery-funded aid. The number of recipients has grown from 27 percent of System students in the program’s first year to 36 percent in 2006-07, when nearly 40,000 received the aid. Many System students enroll part-time and pursue higher education while working and/or caring for families. LTA is the only lottery-funded aid available to part-time students.

“You all here today are just a fraction of the more than 175,000 technical college students who have been helped by the LTA program since it began,” said Russell in addressing the crowd of students. “We thank the General Assembly for creating this valuable program. Their continued support for LTA is vital to ensuring reliable access to higher education for all South Carolinians.”

Christine Drutis, an LTA recipient enrolled in the Associate Degree Nursing program was among the York Tech students visiting the State House.

“With the aid of the LTA program I was able to enroll at York Tech in 2004. I am very proud to say that I will graduate in May with a nursing degree. I am extremely grateful to South Carolina General Assembly for supporting the LTA program, for without it my dream may have not been realized. I can only hope that funding can be increased so that other South Carolinians can have an opportunity to further their education and fulfill their life long goals.”

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 student demand.

For more information, go to www.yorktech.com.

York Technical College . 452 S. Anderson Road . Rock Hill, SC 29730