A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to direct the state board of community colleges to waive tuition for students who are top performing students at the High school level and in community college coursework.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Notwithstanding G.S. 115D‑5(b), the State Board of Community Colleges shall waive tuition and registration fees in fiscal years 2013‑2014 and 2014‑2015 for students who are admitted to a community college beginning with the 2013‑2014 school year and who can meet the criteria set forth in Section 3 of this act. The purposes of this tuition waiver program include the following:
(1)	Decrease the strain that universities are experiencing from serving an increasing number of students.
(2)	Decrease the drop off in enrollment of students in their sophomore year.
(3)	Encourage higher performing students at community colleges.
(4)	Utilize the State's educational resources to the fullest.
(5)	Create more educational and career options for students.
(6)	Realize significant cost savings to the State.
(7)	Develop a more competitive workforce.
SECTION 2.  The State Board shall develop rules for the administration of the tuition waiver program, including eligibility guidelines and required coursework. The State Board of Community Colleges shall ensure that credits earned by students participating in the program are transferable for students entering a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina.
SECTION 3.  A student shall be eligible for the two‑year tuition waiver provided in Section 1 of this act if the student meets all of the following requirements:
(1)	Demonstrate at least one of the following academic requirements:
a.	Graduate from an eligible high school with at least a 3.0 grade point average.
b.	Complete an eligible home study program with at least a 3.0 grade point average.
c.	Graduate from an ineligible high school or home study program or earn a GED, but score in the national composite 85th percentile or higher on the SAT or ACT.
d.	Graduate from an ineligible high school or home study program, but then earn at least a 3.0 grade point average on 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours of college‑degree level coursework. A student meeting this requirement shall receive reimbursement for the 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours after that coursework has been completed.
(2)	Meet U.S. citizenship requirements.
(3)	Meet North Carolina residency requirements.
(4)	Gain admission as a degree‑seeking student at a community college.
(5)	Comply with Selective Service registration requirements.
(6)	Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the college.
(7)	Demonstrate that the student is not in default or owe a refund on a student financial aid program.
(8)	Comply with State and federal laws related to criminal drug violations. A student may be ineligible for a tuition waiver if the student has been convicted of certain felony offenses involving marijuana, controlled substances, or dangerous drugs.
SECTION 4.  The State Board of Community Colleges shall report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on or before January 1, 2015, on the implementation of the tuition waiver program as required by this act and recommendations on the continuation or modification of the program for fiscal years 2015‑2016 and beyond.
SECTION 5.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2013.