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.

The General Assembly allocated a total of $47.6 million in lottery profits for scholarships for South Carolina residents at the state's two-year technical colleges.

To be eligible, students must meet several requirements:

• Complete a 2006/2007 Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
• Be able to qualify for in-state tuition rates and be a South Carolina resident for at least one year.
• Be enrolled in a certificate, diploma or associate degree program and maintain at least six credit hours each semester.
• Make clear progress toward completion of a certificate, diploma or associate degree.
• Must not be a recipient of a LIFE scholarship award.
• Must not be in default on any government student loan program.

The eligibility requirement relating to the submission of the FAFSA may be waived if:

• The applicant is a high school student enrolled in a dual enrollment program.
• The applicant already has earned a bachelor's degree and will provide a transcript or copy of his/her diploma.
• The applicant is not enrolled in a program that is eligible for Title IV aid.
• The applicant is a dependent student who cannot obtain his/her parents' or guardians' tax forms.

Those seeking a waiver of the FAFSA requirement should contact the Financial Aid Office at the technical college they plan to attend.

More information is available at http://www.sctechsystem.com/lottery/eligibility.htm.