S257 - 2026 Appropriations Act. (SL 2026-41)
Session Year 2024
Overview: Section 8.21 of S.L. 2026‑41 (Senate Bill 257) requires The University of North Carolina System Office (System Office), in collaboration with the Community Colleges System Office and the Department of Information Technology, to expand the postsecondary data and technology initiatives (Initiative) established by the 2023 Appropriations Act to do the following:
- Identify and develop programs to accelerate the transfer of course credits among postsecondary institutions of higher education using postsecondary transfer technology.
- Provide and improve technology at participating institutions of higher education that will simplify the credit transfer process for students, advisors, and the participating institutions.
- Allow students to easily compare credit transfer options, speed up student decision making, and streamline transfer planning and progress toward degrees in a manner that reduces overall costs of higher education for students in the State.
The System Office must submit a report on the Initiative to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by March 15, 2027, that addresses at least the following:
- The number and identity of postsecondary institutions participating in the Initiative.
- The progress of participating postsecondary institutions in (i) enrollments upon transfer, and (ii) credentials attained after a successful transfer of credits. If available, data must be disaggregated by income, race, ethnicity, and other demographic characteristics.
- Recommendations to scale credit mobility and credit transfer technology statewide.
This section became effective July 1, 2026.
Additional Information: