South Carolina families heard the promise: a program built to grow as demand grows, so more children could access the education that’s right for them. Three years in, the results speak for themselves.
When South Carolina launched its ESA program, families showed up. And then more families showed up. And then even more.
In 2024–25, 7,907 families applied for 5,000 available spots. In 2025–26, that grew to 16,140 applications for 10,000 spots. For 2026–27, 32,240 families have applied for what was supposed to be 15,000 spots.
That kind of year-over-year growth doesn’t happen by accident. It means parents are engaged, paying attention, and hopeful.
The cap was designed to rise to meet that demand. Keeping it in place while more than 32,000 families are asking to participate means thousands of children who wanted a spot won’t get one—not because the program isn’t working, but because it’s working better than anyone expected.
South Carolina families kept their end of the deal. They applied. They planned. They believed in what this program could be. Letting the cap grow to meet real demand is how lawmakers honor that trust.
