S257 - 2026 Appropriations Act. (SL 2026-41)
Session Year 2024
Overview: Section 8A.9 of S.L. 2026-41 (Senate Bill 257) expands the eligibility for private colleges and universities for Need-Based Scholarships and Early Graduate Scholarships to include postsecondary educational institutions that are not owned or operated by the State or any political subdivision of the State with physical locations in North Carolina where postsecondary degree activity occurs. These postsecondary educational institutions must (i) be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), (ii) be designated by SACSCOC as a level VI degree-granting institution, and (iii) award a postsecondary degree.
By April 15 of each year, every eligible private postsecondary institution meeting the criteria above must report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on all degree programs offered by the institution that enroll at least one student receiving a scholarship in the academic year and the number of students receiving scholarships in each of the identified degree programs.
This section became effective July 7, 2026, and applies beginning with scholarship awarded in the 2026-2027 academic year.
Additional Information: