A bill that would authorize and help fund a needs-based scholarship program got a big boost in the South Dakota Senate State Affairs Committee.
The bill would use fifty million dollars from the state as part of a two hundred-million-dollar endowment to fund the scholarships.

One of the prime sponsors, Senator Lee Schonebeck of Watertown, says it’s a big deal..

South Dakota State University President Barry Dunn says thousands of potential students could miss out on higher education without the financial help…

Mount Marty University President Marc Long says the program will be a strong signal to students and their families..

There was no opponent testimony and the committee passed the bill on a nine to zero vote. The bill now heads to the Senate floor.