NIL rules by state
South Carolina NIL rules for college and high school athletes
South Carolina college athletes can earn NIL money under Act 35 of 2021, which H 4957, signed May 21, 2024, expanded so schools can create and facilitate NIL opportunities for their athletes. South Carolina public high school athletes cannot earn NIL compensation for their sport: in 2025 the SCHSL rewrote its bylaw to comply with a state budget provision that bars school districts from belonging to an association that allows it.
The high school ban rests on a state budget provision, which is renewed or dropped each year, and the 2026 college records bill was pending at our last check.
| Level | Rule | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| College | Yes: Act 35 of 2021, amended 2024 | S 685 (2021); H 4957 (signed May 21, 2024) |
| High school | Not allowed | South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) |
Key facts
- College law: Act 35 of 2021 (S 685), amended by H 4957, signed May 21, 2024.
- Under H 4957, a school or its qualified representative may identify, create, facilitate and enable NIL opportunities for enrolled athletes.
- H 4957 caps agent commissions at 30%; appropriated state funds may not be used to pay athletes for NIL.
- A 2026 Senate bill (passed 30-13) would exempt individual NIL payment details from public records law; we could not confirm final passage.
- High school: in 2025 the SCHSL changed its bylaw from students "may earn compensation" to "may not earn compensation" for their sport.
- The change followed a state budget provision barring public school districts from associations that permit NIL compensation.
On this page
South Carolina NIL law for college athletes
South Carolina's first NIL law, Act 35 of 2021 (S 685), allowed athletes to be paid only by third parties and barred schools from compensating current or prospective athletes. Gov. Henry McMaster signed H 4957 on May 21, 2024, after unanimous passage:
- A school, or a qualified representative, may directly or through a third party identify, create, solicit, facilitate and otherwise enable NIL opportunities for enrolled athletes.
- Schools may help review offers, provide tax guidance and integrate their intellectual property into deals.
- Agent commissions are capped at 30%.
- No appropriated funds of a school may be used to pay an athlete for NIL.
In February 2026 the state Senate voted 30-13 for a bill that would exempt individual NIL payment details from public records law, leaving schools to disclose only totals. We could not confirm it became law. South Carolina's SEC and ACC schools take part in House settlement revenue sharing.
Division I athletes also report third-party deals of $600 or more to NIL Go within five business days.
South Carolina high school NIL (SCHSL)
South Carolina's state budget included a provision barring public school districts from affiliating with an athletic association that permits, allows or authorizes NIL compensation. In 2025 the SCHSL amended its bylaws to comply: where they had said students "may earn compensation" if it was not tied to athletic performance and did not involve school or league logos, they now say students "may not earn compensation" for their sport.
The SCHSL commissioner described the change as compliance rather than a policy for or against NIL, and said the league does not support NIL for athletic purposes. Budget provisions are adopted each year, so check the current SCHSL bylaws and state budget before relying on this.
Frequently asked questions
Can South Carolina high school athletes get NIL deals?
Not for their sport. Since 2025 the SCHSL's bylaws say students may not earn compensation for their sport, to comply with a state budget provision.
Can South Carolina colleges help athletes with NIL?
Yes. H 4957 (2024) lets schools create and facilitate NIL opportunities, though state appropriations may not be used to pay athletes.
Next steps
Sources
- SC High School League adjusts NIL policy to comply with state budget — SC Daily Gazette
- South Carolina's new NIL law and what it means for collegiate athletes — Womble Bond Dickinson
- H 4957 (2023-2024), bill text — South Carolina General Assembly
- SC Senate votes to keep college NIL payments a secret — SC Daily Gazette
- Student-Athlete NIL Deals — College Sports Commission
This is general information, not legal advice. NIL rules differ by state, school, association and sport, and they change often. Check the official sources linked on this page and talk with your school's compliance office, your state association or a licensed attorney before you sign anything.