Lottery-funded tuition assistance for students heading to technical college in South Carolina in fall has gone up to $996 and $83 per credit hour for part-time students.

That's $60 more than was available for the summer semester.

Full-time Midlands Technical College students from Richland, Lexington and Fairfield counties will pay $554 per semester in the fall.

The State Board of Technical and Comprehensive Education set the lottery-funded scholarship for students at 2-year schools at $996 per semester, thus lowering the student's portion of the $1,550 per semester cost.

Part-time students will pay $42 per credit hour; lottery funds will provide the additional $83 per credit hour.

"The part time option really opens up the door to a college education to a lot of people. We know there are many working adults out there that are finding they need new skills or a college certificate or degree to advance in their career," said Midlands Tech spokesman Todd Gavin.

Midlands Tech offers more than 400 evening courses that offer part-time students a lot of options.

"Lottery Tuition Assistance makes pursuing a college degree even more affordable, especially for working adults," Gavin said.