The South Carolina General Assembly approved the state budget for Fiscal Year 2026-27, including significant investments in Clemson University’s people, academic programs, research, public safety and statewide service.
The budget remains subject to the governor’s review and signature. Accordingly, all funding and compensation provisions described below are pending completion of the state legislative process.
“We are deeply grateful to the General Assembly for its continued confidence in Clemson and for the hard work of the conference committee,” said President Benjamin Ayers. “This support allows us to do what Clemson does best: create opportunity for students, advance research and innovation, and serve the people of South Carolina. It is an investment in our land-grant mission – and the future of our state.”
Investments in Clemson
The budget approved by the General Assembly includes the following Clemson-specific appropriations.
Education and General
- $8 million in recurring funding for SC FIRST and tuition mitigation
- $6 million in recurring funding for the Clemson University National Security Institute
- $3.4 million in recurring operating funding for the College of Veterinary Medicine
- $500,000 in recurring funding for the Clemson University Energy Center
- $1.8 million in nonrecurring funding for public safety
- $15 million in nonrecurring funding for construction of the NextGen Computing Complex Science Lab
Public Service and Agriculture
- $750,000 in recurring funding to protect South Carolina’s food sources and strengthen agricultural services
- $3.75 million in nonrecurring funding for infrastructure and safety upgrades
The conference report also includes provisions from the Executive Budget that will benefit Clemson and the state:
- $10 million in nonrecurring lottery funding to continue efforts addressing the shortage of instructors in nursing schools
- More than $3.5 million in nonrecurring lottery funding for College Transition Programs, including ClemsonLIFE.
Faculty and staff compensation
The budget includes a 2 percent base-pay increase for classified employees at institutions of higher education and provides flexibility for institutions to grant increases to unclassified employees through a merit process or general increase.
Pending final enactment of the budget, Clemson plans to provide eligible faculty and staff members (both classified and unclassified) with a 2 percent salary increase calculated as a percentage of base salary.
For eligible 12-month employees, the increase would be effective June 16, 2026. Because of the timing of the state budget process, the increase is expected to appear in the August 31, 2026, paycheck. That paycheck would also include retroactive amounts associated with the July 15, July 31, and August 14 paychecks, as applicable.
For eligible nine-month employees, the increase would be effective August 15, 2026, and is expected to appear in the August 31, 2026, paycheck.
Additional information regarding eligibility and implementation will be shared after the state budget is finalized.
