AN ACT to authorize certain persons, including certain persons who do not have lawful immigration status, to receive in‑state tuition at the UNIVERSITY of north carolina constituent institutions and north carolina community colleges.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 116‑143.1 is amended by adding the following new subsections to read:

(n)      Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a person who meets all of the following qualifications shall be eligible to be charged the in‑State tuition rate:

(1)        The person graduated and received a high school diploma from a school within North Carolina or received a high school equivalency diploma within North Carolina.

(2)        The person attended North Carolina schools for a minimum of two consecutive years immediately prior to completing high school.

(3)        If the person does not have lawful immigration status, the person submits an affidavit to the State Education Assistance Authority through the coordinated and centralized residency determination process within 60 days of enrollment asserting that, to the extent permitted under federal law, he or she has filed an application to legalize his or her status or he or she intends to file an application to legalize his or her status upon becoming eligible to do so.

(4)        The person enrolled in a constituent institution or community college.

(o)        Any information obtained as part of the process of applying for in‑State tuition pursuant to subsection (n) of this section shall be confidential and is not a public record.

SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2023, and applies beginning with the 2023‑2024 academic year.