AN ACT to appropriate funds and make various changes to the laws to support public and private historically black colleges and universities and historically minority‑serving institutions in north carolina.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

part i. permanent completion assistance program

SECTION 1.(a)  Article 1 of Chapter 116 of the General Statutes is amended by adding the following new section to read:

§ 116‑44.9.  Completion Assistance Programs.

(a)        Definition. – For purposes of this section, the term eligible constituent institutions refers to the following constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina:

(1)        Elizabeth City State University.

(2)        Fayetteville State University.

(3)        North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

(4)        North Carolina Central University.

(5)        The University of North Carolina at Asheville.

(6)        The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

(7)        The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

(8)        Winston‑Salem State University.

(b)        Program. – To the extent funds are provided for this purpose, the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall establish a Completion Assistance Program (Program) at each eligible constituent institution. At a minimum, each Program shall meet the following criteria:

(1)        A student enrolled in a Program established by this section may receive up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) per academic year, as determined by the applicable constituent institution.

(2)        A student shall be eligible to receive funds under a Program if the student meets at least the following requirements:

a.         Needs financial assistance to remain enrolled at the eligible constituent institution and earn credits necessary to graduate on time.

b.         Is a resident for tuition purposes, as provided in G.S. 116‑143.1.

c.         Meets satisfactory academic progress, as determined by the Board.

d.         Has completed or is on track to complete at least 60 academic credit hours by the end of the semester in which the funds are provided.

e.         Has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the academic year in which the funds are provided.

f.          Has an unpaid balance with the eligible constituent institution. This may include an unpaid balance for tuition, fees, room, board, or other expenses of attendance.

(c)        Report. – The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall report on each Completion Assistance Program established pursuant to this section to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee no later than March 15 of each year. The report shall include, at a minimum, an analysis of the impact of each Program on the following:

(1)        On‑time graduation rates.

(2)        Student debt at graduation.

(d)       Allocation of Funds. – The Board shall allocate funds provided for the Program to each eligible constituent institution of The University of North Carolina proportional to the number of undergraduate students enrolled at each eligible constituent institution who are residents of North Carolina and recipients of a federal Pell Grant.

SECTION 1.(b)  Section 8.3 of S.L. 2023‑134 is repealed.

SECTION 1.(c)  Notwithstanding the Committee Report described in Section 43.2 of S.L. 2023‑134, the two million dollars ($2,000,000) in nonrecurring funds allocated for the Completion Assistance Programs enacted in Section 8.3 of S.L. 2023‑134 shall instead be used for the Completion Assistance Programs authorized by this section.

SECTION 1.(d)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of eight million five hundred thousand dollars ($8,500,000) in recurring funds for the 2024‑2025 fiscal year for the Completion Assistance Programs established pursuant to G.S. 116‑44.9, as enacted by this section.

PART II. infrastructure improvements for certain historically black colleges and universities

SECTION 2.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the following sums in nonrecurring funds for the 2024‑2025 fiscal year:

(1)        To be allocated to Winston‑Salem State University:

a.         Five million one hundred thousand dollars ($5,100,000) for renovations to Hauser Hall.

b.         Eight million dollars ($8,000,000) in nonrecurring funds for emergency steam room repairs.

c.         Two million dollars ($2,000,000) to repair and replace the campus‑wide steam distribution system.

(2)        To be allocated to Fayetteville State University:

a.         Three million thirty‑seven thousand five hundred eighty‑five dollars ($3,037,585) to renovate the A.B. Rosenthal Building.

b.         Two million seven hundred sixty‑eight thousand three hundred eighty‑five dollars ($2,768,385) to renovate the H.T. Chick building.

c.         Three million two hundred thousand dollars ($3,200,000) to improve residence hall card access.

(3)        To be allocated to Elizabeth City State University:

a.         Five million dollars ($5,000,000) for a sky bridge.

b.         Two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for a campus‑wide lockdown system.

c.         Two million two hundred forty thousand dollars ($2,240,000) for emergency generator power.

(4)        Five million three hundred forty‑six thousand three hundred fifty dollars ($5,346,350) to be allocated to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University for a boiler replacement.

(5)        Four million dollars ($4,000,000) to be allocated to North Carolina Central University to repair and replace steam, sewer, and stormwater systems.

part III. expand cheatham‑white scholarship and include winston‑salem state university

SECTION 3.(a)  Article 35 of Chapter 116 of the General Statutes reads as rewritten:

Article 35.

Cheatham‑White Scholarships.

§ 116‑290.  Cheatham‑White Scholarships; establishment and purpose; benefits.

(a)        Scholarships Established; Purpose. – The Cheatham‑White Scholarships are established as a merit scholarship program at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University University, Winston‑Salem State University, and at North Carolina Central University. The purpose of the scholarships is to provide an outstanding educational experience for students who are exceptional scholars, versatile and well‑rounded individuals with a broad range of interests, and who are accomplished and proficient in areas of both the arts and the sciences. They must also demonstrate leadership potential and a strong commitment to service.

…

(c)        Number of Scholarships Awarded. – Up to 50 scholarships, 40 for resident students and 10 for nonresident students, may be awarded each academic year to students admitted to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Up to 50 scholarships, 40 for resident students and 10 for nonresident students, may be awarded each academic year to students admitted to Winston‑Salem State University. Up to 50 scholarships, 40 for resident students and 10 for nonresident students, may be awarded each academic year to students admitted to North Carolina Central University.

…

§ 116‑292.  Cheatham‑White Scholarships; eligibility and selection criteria.

(a)        Eligibility. – To be eligible to be nominated as a potential candidate for a Cheatham‑White Scholarship, a person must satisfy all of the following criteria:

(1)        Be a competitive applicant for admission as a freshman in the fall semester into a baccalaureate program at either North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University University, Winston‑Salem State University, or North Carolina Central University.

(2)        Be a United States citizen or permanent resident.

(3)        Be on course to graduate from high school in the spring semester prior to college admission.

(b)        Selection Criteria. – Candidates for Cheatham‑White Scholarships shall be selected on the basis of academic merit, honorable character, outstanding leadership potential, and a demonstrable commitment to service. Financial need shall not be a consideration.

…

§ 116‑294.  Cheatham‑White Scholarships; administration of scholarships.

The University of North Carolina System Office shall administer the Cheatham‑White Scholarships, in consultation and collaboration with North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University University, Winston‑Salem State University, and North Carolina Central University, pursuant to policies adopted by the Board of Trustees of both constituent institutions. each constituent institution. As part of its administrative responsibilities, The University of North Carolina System Office, in consultation and collaboration with North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University University, Winston‑Salem State University, and North Carolina Central University, shall do all of the following:

….

SECTION 3.(b)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of eight million dollars ($8,000,000) in recurring funds for the 2024‑2025 fiscal year to add Winston‑Salem State University as a participating school in the Cheatham‑White Scholarship and expand opportunities for all students to receive the Cheatham‑White Scholarship.

part IV. funds for elizabeth city state university

SECTION 4.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of sixty‑six million dollars ($66,000,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2024‑2025 fiscal year to be allocated to Elizabeth City State University to expand the aviation science program.

part V. funds for north carolina agricultural and technical state university

SECTION 5.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the following sums in nonrecurring funds for the 2024‑2025 fiscal year to be allocated to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University as follows:

(1)        Five million dollars ($5,000,000) as planning funds for a new health and human sciences building to increase graduation of healthcare professionals, enhance faculty research, expand community health partnership, and develop advanced health science programming.

(2)        Five million dollars ($5,000,000) as planning funds for a new agricultural research and classroom building that will support programs that develop sustainable agricultural practices and will enhance the research environment for a new doctoral program in agriculture and environmental science.

part Vi. funds for the five independent historically black colleges and universities for repairs and renovations

SECTION 6.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management the sum of ten million dollars ($10,000,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2024‑2025 fiscal year to be allocated equally among each of the following private postsecondary institutions, as defined in G.S. 116‑280(3), that are historically black colleges and universities or historically minority‑serving institutions for repairs and renovations to aging facilities:

(1)        Bennett College.

(2)        Johnson C. Smith University.

(3)        Livingstone College.

(4)        Shaw University.

(5)        St. Augustine's University.

part vii. funds for need‑based scholarships for students attending private institutions of higher education

SECTION 7.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) in recurring funds for the 2024‑2025 fiscal year to be allocated to the State Education Assistance Authority to increase need‑based scholarships for students attending private institutions of higher education in accordance with Article 34 of Chapter 116 of the General Statutes.

part viii. effective date

SECTION 8.  Except as otherwise provided, this act becomes effective July 1, 2024.