More South Carolina Teachers Repaying Student Loans to Leave Classrooms, Study Finds
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A new study has raised concerns over South Carolina’s ongoing teacher shortage, showing that more teachers are repaying student loans instead of staying in classrooms long enough for forgiveness.
Teacher Loan Program Falling Short
The study, reviewed by a subcommittee of the Education Oversight Committee, focused on the South Carolina Teacher Loan Program. The program was originally designed to ease financial burdens for future educators by offering forgivable loans if they committed to teaching in critical-needs areas.
But instead of teaching long enough to have the debt forgiven, many participants are choosing to repay loans early and leave the profession.
As a result, the program now has a $23 million surplus—triple the amount it held just five years ago when the surplus was just over $8 million.
Retention Concerns
“To hear that educators are willing to pay back a loan in order to walk out of the classroom, that should be an alarm bell,” said Patrick Kelly with the Palmetto State Teachers Association.
Only 34% of traditional undergraduates who borrowed through the program taught long enough to have their debt forgiven, according to the study.
Lawmakers acknowledged the issue and approved a budget proviso this year allowing current teachers to refinance loans at a 2% interest rate. That fund is still being set up.
Calls for More Than Financial Fixes
Education advocates say solving the teacher shortage goes beyond financial incentives.
“Whether that means providing targeted support through professional development, or supporting the teacher when they’re trying to address a persistently disruptive behavior … we’re going to be more likely to retain that early career teacher,” Kelly said.
Rep. Neal Collins (R-Pickens) echoed the concerns, calling it “another symptom to the problem of recruiting and retaining teachers.”
What’s Next
The committee’s findings will guide House and Senate budget writers as they consider updates to the Teacher Loan Program. Advocates are urging lawmakers to address not just the financial, but also the workplace culture challenges that continue to push educators out of the profession.
Do you think South Carolina is doing enough to keep teachers in classrooms? Share your thoughts in the comments at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
