SC Illegal Immigration Reform Act

In January 2009, the state of South Carolina enacted the SC Illegal Immigration Reform Act (section 59-101-430 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, As Amended). As a public higher education institution, Piedmont Technical College is required to comply with this law. 

(A) An alien unlawfully present in the United States is not eligible to attend a public institution of higher learning in this State, as defined in Section 59-103-5. The trustees of a public institution of higher learning in this State shall develop and institute a process by which lawful presence in the United States is verified. In doing so, institution personnel shall not attempt to independently verify the immigration status of any alien but shall verify any alien's immigration status with the federal government pursuant to 8 USC Section 1373(c).

(B) An alien unlawfully present in the United States is not eligible on the basis of residence for a public higher education benefit including, but not limited to, scholarships, financial aid, grants, or resident tuition.

Piedmont Technical College will review the lawful presence of each student currently enrolled, students who claim to be US citizens may be required to verify citizenship by completing PTC’s Declaration of Legal Presence form. Students who are not US citizens must provide appropriate documentation and be verified through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database.