A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to provide that students who attend private colleges may be eligible to receive scholarships from the earned access rewards north carolina scholars fund (EARN).
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 116‑209.26(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	The following definitions apply to this section:
(1)	Academic year. – A period of time in which a student in matriculated status is expected to complete the equivalent of at least two semesters' or three quarters' academic work.
(2)	Eligible postsecondary institution. – A school that is any of the following:
a.	A constituent institution of The University of North Carolina as defined in G.S. 116‑2(4);
b.	A community college as defined in G.S. 115D‑2(2); or
c.	An institution as defined in G.S. 116‑22(1).
(3)	Matriculated status. – Being recognized as a first‑time candidate for a degree or certificate, exclusive of any course credits earned while in high school, in a defined program of study at an eligible postsecondary institution.
(4)	Title IV. – Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 116‑209.26 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(h)	No funds appropriated from the Escheat Fund to the Education Access Rewards North Carolina Scholars Fund shall be used for a grant awarded under this section to a student who is an undergraduate student at an institution as defined in G.S. 116‑22(1); however, funds appropriated from the General Fund to the Education Access Rewards North Carolina Scholars Fund may be used for a grant awarded under this section to a student who is an undergraduate student at an institution as defined in G.S. 116‑22(1)."
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2008, and applies for academic years beginning or after that date.