H 957

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
  SESSION 2025
 H  1
  HOUSE BILL 957
 Short Title:   HBCU/HMSI Omnibus.  (Public)
 Sponsors:      Representatives Hawkins, Ward, and Baker (Primary Sponsors).
  For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
 Referred to:   Appropriations, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and
  Operations of the House
  April 14, 2025
1A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2 AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS AND MAKE VARIOUS CHANGES TO THE LAWS
3    TO SUPPORT PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND
4    UNIVERSITIES AND HISTORICALLY MINORITY-SERVING INSTITUTIONS IN
5    NORTH CAROLINA.
6 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
7
8 PART I. JOINT LEGISLATIVE STUDY COMMITTEE ON INFRASTRUCTURE AT
9 HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
10SECTION 1.(a) There is created the Joint Legislative Study Committee (Committee)
11 on Infrastructure at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
12SECTION 1.(b) The Committee shall consist of nine members of the Senate
13 appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and nine members of the House of
14 Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The President Pro
15 Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall each appoint a
16 cochair of the Committee from among its membership. These appointments shall be made no
17 later than September 1, 2025.
18It is expected that the makeup of the Committee reflect geographic and urban/rural
19 diversity. At least one member of the House of Representatives and at least one member of the
20 Senate shall be from the minority party of their respective chambers.
21SECTION 1.(c) In consultation with the Board of Governors of The University of
22 North Carolina and the president or equivalent officer of each HBCU in this State, the Committee
23 shall study all of the following related to buildings on HBCU campuses in the State:
24(1)      Threats posed to HBCUs by the proximity of certain facilities to toxic sites.
25(2)      Vulnerability of facilities to natural disasters and environmental risks.
26(3)      Age of facilities.
27(4)      Student enrollment in relation to classroom capacity.
28(5)      The condition of major systems, including heating, ventilation, air
29conditioning, electrical, water, and sewer.
30(6)      The condition of exterior components of facilities, including roofing,
31windows, and doors.
32(7)      Critical health of and other safety conditions of campus buildings.
33(8)      Facilities in significant disrepair and any deferred maintenance on those
34facilities.
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 General Assembly Of North Carolina  Session 2025
1(9)      Any other issue the Committee considers relevant.
2SECTION 1.(d) The Committee shall meet upon the call of its cochairs. A quorum
3 of the Committee is a majority of its members. No action may be taken except by a majority vote
4 at a meeting at which a quorum is present. The Committee, while in the discharge of its official
5 duties, may exercise all powers provided for under G.S. 120-19 and G.S. 120-19.1 through
6 G.S. 120-19.4. The Committee may contract for professional, clerical, or consultant services, as
7 provided by G.S. 120-32.02. If the Committee hires a consultant, the consultant shall not be a
8 State employee or a person currently under contract with the State to provide services. Members
9 of the Committee shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel allowance as provided in
10 G.S. 120-3.1. The expenses of the Committee shall be considered expenses incurred for the joint
11 operation of the General Assembly.
12SECTION 1.(e) The Legislative Services Officer shall assign professional and
13 clerical staff to assist the Committee in its work. The Director of Legislative Assistants of the
14 House of Representatives and the Director of Legislative Assistants of the Senate shall assign
15 clerical support to the Committee.
16SECTION 1.(f) Meetings of the Committee shall begin no later than August 15,
17 2025. The Committee shall submit a final report on the results of its study and development,
18 including proposed legislation, to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on or
19 before January 1, 2026, by filing a copy of the report with the Office of the President Pro Tempore
20 of the Senate, the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Joint Legislative
21 Education Oversight Committee, and the Legislative Library. The Committee shall terminate on
22 January 1, 2026, or upon the filing of its final report, whichever comes first.
23
24 PART II. PERMANENT COMPLETION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
25SECTION 2.(a) Article 1 of Chapter 116 of the General Statutes is amended by
26 adding the following new section to read:
27 "§ 116-44.9. Completion Assistance Programs.
28     (a)     Definition. – For purposes of this section, the term "eligible constituent institutions"
29 refers to the following constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina:
30(1)     Elizabeth City State University.
31(2)     North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
32(3)     The University of North Carolina at Asheville.
33(4)     The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
34(5)     The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.
35(6)     Winston-Salem State University.
36     (b)     Program. – To the extent funds are provided for this purpose, the Board of Governors
37 of The University of North Carolina shall establish a Completion Assistance Program (Program)
38 at each eligible constituent institution. At a minimum, each Program shall meet the following
39 criteria:
40(1)     A student enrolled in a Program established by this section may receive up to
41one thousand dollars ($1,000) per academic year under that Program to pay
42for the costs of continuing attendance and earning necessary credit hours at
43the eligible constituent institution.
44(2)     A student shall be eligible to receive funds under a Program if the student
45meets at least the following requirements:
46a.      Needs financial assistance to remain enrolled at the eligible constituent
47institution and earn credits necessary to graduate on time.
48b.      Is a resident for tuition purposes, as provided in G.S. 116-143.1.
49c.      Meets satisfactory academic progress, as determined by the Board.
50d.      Has completed or is on track to complete at least 60 academic credit
51hours by the end of the semester in which the funds are provided.
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1e.       Has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
2for the academic year in which the funds are provided.
3f.      Has an unpaid balance with the eligible constituent institution. This
4may include an unpaid balance for tuition, fees, room, board, or other
5expenses of attendance.
6     (c)     Report. – The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall report
7 on each Completion Assistance Program established pursuant to this section to the Joint
8 Legislative Education Oversight Committee no later than March 15 of each year. The report shall
9 include, at a minimum, an analysis of the impact of each Program on the following:
10(1)    On-time graduation rates.
11(2)    Student debt at graduation.
12     (d)     Allocation of Funds. – The Board shall allocate funds provided for the Program to
13 each eligible constituent institution of The University of North Carolina proportional to the
14 number of undergraduate students enrolled at each eligible constituent institution who are
15 residents of North Carolina and recipients of a federal Pell Grant."
16SECTION 2.(b) There is appropriated from the Escheat Fund to the Board of
17 Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) in
18 recurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year for the Completion Assistance Programs
19 established pursuant to G.S. 116-44.9, as enacted by this section.
20
21 PART III. INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS FOR CERTAIN HISTORICALLY
22 BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
23SECTION 3. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors
24 of The University of North Carolina the following sums in nonrecurring funds for the 2025-2026
25 fiscal year:
26(1)  To be allocated to Winston-Salem State University:
27a.      Five million one hundred thousand dollars ($5,100,000) for
28renovations to Hauser Hall.
29b.      Eight million dollars ($8,000,000) in nonrecurring funds for
30emergency steam room repairs.
31c.      Two million dollars ($2,000,000) to repair and replace the
32campus-wide steam distribution system.
33(2)  To be allocated to Elizabeth City State University:
34a.      Five million dollars ($5,000,000) for a sky bridge.
35b.      Two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) for a campus-wide
36lockdown system.
37c.      Two million two hundred forty thousand dollars ($2,240,000) for
38emergency generator power.
39
40 PART IV. NURSING FELLOWS PILOT PROGRAM AT WINSTON-SALEM STATE
41 UNIVERSITY
42SECTION 4.(a) Article 23 of Chapter 116 of the General Statutes is amended by
43 adding the following new Part to read:
44"Part 3A. North Carolina Nursing Fellows Program.
45 "§ 116-209.64. Definitions.
46     The following definitions apply in this Part:
47(1)    Commission. – The North Carolina Nursing Fellows Commission.
48(2)    Director. – The Director of the North Carolina Nursing Fellows Program.
49(3)    Eligible nursing program. – Any educational program in North Carolina
50leading to a bachelor of science in nursing that is offered by Winston-Salem
51State University and meant to prepare a person to meet the educational
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1requirements for licensure under Article 9A of Chapter 90 of the General
2Statutes.
3(4)     Forgivable loan. – A forgivable loan made under the Program.
4(5)     Program. – The North Carolina Nursing Fellows Program.
5(6)     Qualifying nurse. – A nurse who meets the following criteria:
6a.      Received a forgivable loan.
7b.      Graduated within 10 years from an eligible nursing program,
8excluding any authorized deferment for extenuating circumstances.
9c.      Is licensed and employed as a registered nurse in this State.
10(7)     Trust Fund. – The North Carolina Nursing Fellows Program Trust Fund.
11 "§ 116-209.65. North Carolina Nursing Fellows Commission established; membership.
12     (a)     Commission Established. – There is established the North Carolina Nursing Fellows
13 Commission. The Commission shall determine program and forgivable loan recipient selection
14 criteria and selection procedures and shall select the recipients to receive forgivable loans under
15 the North Carolina Nursing Fellows Program in accordance with the requirements of this Part.
16 The Director of the North Carolina Nursing Fellows Program shall appoint staff to the
17 Commission.
18     (b)     Membership. – The Commission shall consist of 14 members who shall be appointed
19 or serve as ex officio members as follows:
20(1)     The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall appoint
21four members to the Commission in even-numbered years as follows:
22a.      Two deans of schools of nursing at postsecondary constituent
23institutions of The University of North Carolina.
24b.      The president of a North Carolina community college.
25c.      A nurse who graduated from a school of nursing located in the State
26within three years of appointment to serve on the Commission.
27(2)     The General Assembly shall appoint two members to the Commission in
28odd-numbered years in accordance with G.S. 120-121 as follows:
29a.      One dean of a school of nursing at a private postsecondary institution
30operating in the State upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the
31House of Representatives.
32b.      One dean of a school of nursing at a private postsecondary institution
33operating in the State upon the recommendation of the President Pro
34Tempore of the Senate.
35(3)     The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall appoint a representative of
36the Office of Rural Health of the Department of Health and Human Services.
37(4)     The following seven members shall serve as ex officio members to the
38Commission:
39a.      The chair of the Board of the State Education Assistance Authority, or
40the chair's designee.
41b.      The Director of the North Carolina Nursing Fellows Program.
42c.      The President of the Winston-Salem State National Alumni
43Association, or the President's designee.
44d.      The chair of the Board of Nursing, or the chair's designee.
45e.      The chair of the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Health Care
46Facilities Association, or the chair's designee.
47f.      The Secretary of Health and Human Services, or his or her designee.
48g.      The State Treasurer in his or her capacity as Chair of the State Health
49Plan, or a designee of the State Treasurer who represents the State
50Health Plan.
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1     (c)      Terms of Office. – Appointments to the Commission shall be for two-year terms,
2 beginning July 1 and expiring June 30.
3     (d)      Vacancies. – Except as otherwise provided, if a vacancy occurs in the membership of
4 the Commission, the appointing authority shall appoint another person meeting the same
5 qualifications to serve for the balance of the unexpired term.
6     (e)      Chair; Meetings. – The Director of the Program shall call the first meeting of the
7 Commission. The Commission members shall elect a chair and a vice-chair from the membership
8 of the Commission to serve one-year terms. The Commission shall meet regularly at times and
9 places deemed necessary by the chair or, in the absence of the chair, by the vice-chair.
10     (f)      Conflict of Interest. – A member of the Commission shall abstain from voting on the
11 selection of a postsecondary constituent institution of The University of North Carolina or a
12 private postsecondary institution operating in the State under G.S. 116-209.62(f) if the member
13 is an officer or employee of the institution or sits as a member of the institution's board of
14 directors.
15     (g)      Expenses. – Commission members shall receive per diem, subsistence, and travel
16 allowances in accordance with G.S. 138-5 or G.S. 138-6, as appropriate.
17 "§ 116-209.66. North Carolina Nursing Fellows Program established; administration.
18     (a)      Program. – There is established the North Carolina Nursing Fellows Program to be
19 administered by the System Office of The University of North Carolina, in conjunction with the
20 Authority and the Commission. The purpose of the Program is to recruit, prepare, and support
21 students enrolled in eligible nursing programs for preparation as highly effective registered
22 nurses in the State. The Program shall be used to provide a forgivable loan to individuals
23 interested in preparing to become registered nurses in the State.
24     (b)      Trust Fund. – There is established the North Carolina Nursing Fellows Program Trust
25 Fund to be administered by the Authority, in conjunction with the System Office of The
26 University of North Carolina. All funds (i) appropriated to, or otherwise received by, the Program
27 for forgivable loans and other Program purposes, (ii) received as repayment of forgivable loans,
28 and (iii) earned as interest on these funds shall be placed in the Trust Fund. The purpose of the
29 Trust Fund is to provide financial assistance to qualified students for completion of eligible
30 nursing programs to fill needed positions for registered nurses in the State.
31     (c)      Uses of Monies in the Trust Fund. – The monies in the Trust Fund may be used only
32 for (i) forgivable loans granted under the Program, (ii) administrative costs associated with the
33 Program, including recruitment and recovery of funds advanced under the Program, (iii)
34 mentoring and coaching support to forgivable loan recipients, and (iv) extracurricular
35 enhancement activities of the Program in accordance with the following:
36(1)    The Authority shall transfer the greater of six hundred thousand dollars
37($600,000) or ten percent (10%) of the available funds from the Trust Fund to
38The University of North Carolina System Office at the beginning of each
39fiscal year for the Program's administrative costs, the salary of the Director of
40the Program and other Program staff, expenses of the Commission, and to
41provide the Commission with funds to use for the extracurricular enhancement
42activities of the Program.
43(2)    The Authority may use the greater of two hundred fifty thousand dollars
44($250,000) or four percent (4%) of the funds appropriated to the Trust Fund
45each fiscal year for administrative costs associated with the Program.
46(3)    The Authority shall provide the Commission with up to six hundred thousand
47dollars ($600,000) from the Trust Fund in each fiscal year for the Commission
48to provide mentoring and coaching support to forgivable loan recipients in an
49amount of up to two thousand two hundred dollars ($2,200) for each Program
50recipient.
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1     (d)     Director of the Program. – The Board of Governors of The University of North
2 Carolina shall appoint a Director of the Program. The Director shall appoint staff to the
3 Commission and shall be responsible for recruitment and coordination of the Program, including
4 proactive, aggressive, and strategic recruitment of potential recipients. Recruitment activities
5 shall include (i) targeting regions of the State with the highest nursing attrition rates and nurse
6 recruitment challenges, (ii) actively engaging with registered nurses, business leaders, experts in
7 human resources, elected officials, and other community leaders throughout the State, and (iii)
8 attracting candidates to the Program. The Director shall report to the President of The University
9 of North Carolina. The Authority shall provide office space and clerical support staff, as
10 necessary, to the Director for the Program.
11     (e)     Student Selection Criteria for Forgivable Loans. – The Commission shall adopt
12 stringent standards for awarding forgivable loans based on multiple measures to ensure that only
13 the strongest applicants receive them, including the following:
14(1)     Grade point averages.
15(2)     Performance on relevant assessments.
16(3)     Experience, accomplishments, and other criteria demonstrating qualities
17positively correlated with highly effective registered nurses, including
18excellent verbal and communication skills.
19(4)     Demonstrated commitment to serve in North Carolina.
20     (f)     Program Administration. – The Authority shall administer the Program in cooperation
21 with Winston-Salem State University.
22     (g)     Awards of Forgivable Loans. – The Program shall provide forgivable loans to selected
23 students to be used at Winston-Salem State University for completion of an eligible nursing
24 program, as follows:
25(1)     North Carolina high school seniors. – Forgivable loans of up to five thousand
26dollars ($5,000) per semester for up to eight semesters.
27(2)     Students applying for transfer to Winston-Salem State University. –
28Forgivable loans of up to five thousand dollars ($5,000) per semester for up
29to six semesters.
30(3)     Individuals currently holding a bachelor's degree seeking preparation to
31become a registered nurse. – Forgivable loans of up to five thousand dollars
32($5,000) per semester for up to four semesters.
33(4)     Students matriculating at Winston-Salem State University who are changing
34to a program of study leading to a bachelor of science in nursing at a selected
35institution of higher education. – Forgivable loans of up to five thousand
36dollars ($5,000) per semester for up to four semesters.
37     Forgivable loans may be used for tuition, fees, the cost of books, and expenses related to
38 obtaining licensure.
39     (h)     Administration of Forgivable Loan Awards. – Upon the naming of recipients of the
40 forgivable loans by the Commission, the Commission shall transfer to the Authority its decisions.
41 The Authority, in coordination with the Director, shall perform all of the administrative functions
42 necessary to implement this Part, which functions shall include rulemaking, disseminating
43 information, acting as a liaison with participating institutions of higher education, implementing
44 forgivable loan agreements, loan monitoring, loan canceling through service and collection,
45 determining the acceptability of service repayment agreements, enforcing the agreements, and
46 all other functions necessary for the execution, payment, and enforcement of promissory notes
47 required under this Part.
48     (i)     Annual Report. – The Commission, in coordination with the Authority, the North
49 Carolina Board of Nursing, and Winston-Salem State University, shall report no later than
50 January 1, 2026, and annually thereafter, to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee
51 regarding the following:
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 General Assembly Of North Carolina  Session 2025
1(1)       Forgivable loans awarded from the Trust Fund, including the following:
2a.      Demographic information regarding recipients.
3b.      Number of recipients by institution of higher education.
4(2)     Placement and repayment rates, including the following:
5a.      Number of graduates who have been employed as a registered nurse
6in the State within two years of graduation.
7b.      Number of graduates who have elected to do loan repayment and their
8years of service, if any, prior to beginning loan repayment.
9(3)     Mentoring and coaching support, including the number of forgivable loan
10recipients who received mentoring and coaching support.
11(4)     Selected nurse employer outcomes, including the following:
12a.      Turnover rate for forgivable loan graduates, including the turnover rate
13for graduates who also received mentoring and coaching support.
14b.      Fulfillment rate of forgivable loan graduates.
15 "§ 116-209.67. Terms of forgivable loans; receipt and disbursement of funds.
16      (a)      Notes. – All forgivable loans shall be evidenced by notes made payable to the
17 Authority that bear interest at a rate not to exceed ten percent (10%) per year as set by the
18 Authority and beginning on the first day of September after completion of the eligible nursing
19 program or 90 days after graduation, whichever is later. If a forgivable loan is terminated, the
20 note shall be made payable to the Authority 90 days after termination of the forgivable loan. The
21 forgivable loan may be terminated upon the recipient's withdrawal from the Program or by the
22 recipient's failure to meet the standards set by the Commission.
23      (b)      Forgiveness. – For every year a qualifying nurse remains a qualifying nurse, the
24 Authority shall forgive the loan amount received over one year of enrollment in an eligible
25 nursing program and any interest accrued on that amount. The Authority shall also forgive the
26 loan if it finds that it is impossible for the recipient to work for up to eight years, within 10 years
27 after completion of the eligible nursing program, as a nurse in the State because of the death or
28 permanent disability of the recipient. If the recipient repays the forgivable loan by cash payments,
29 all indebtedness shall be repaid within 10 years after completion of the eligible nursing program
30 supported by the forgivable loan. If the recipient completes an eligible nursing program, payment
31 of principal and interest shall begin no later than the first day of September after the completion
32 of the program. Should a recipient present extenuating circumstances, the Authority may extend
33 the period to repay the loan in cash to no more than a total of 12 years."
34SECTION 4.(b) G.S. 116-204 reads as rewritten:
35 "§ 116-204. Powers of Authority.
36      The Authority is hereby authorized and empowered:
37…
38(9)     To collect loan repayments for loans awarded under the Teaching Fellows
39Program pursuant to G.S. 115C-363.23A following programs if the loan
40repayment is outstanding for more than 30 days.days:
41a.      The Teaching Fellows Program pursuant to Part 3 of this Article.
42b.      The Nursing Fellows Program pursuant to Part 3A of this Article.
43…."
44SECTION 4.(c) Initial appointments to the North Carolina Nursing Fellows
45 Commission shall be made no later than August 15, 2026. Initial appointments to the Commission
46 shall expire July 1, 2028.
47SECTION 4.(d) The Commission shall select recipients and award the initial
48 forgivable loans for the 2026-2027 academic year no later than April 1, 2026.
49SECTION 4.(e) There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of
50 Governors of The University of North Carolina for the 2025-2026 fiscal year the sum of two
51 million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) in recurring funds to be allocated to the State
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1 Education Assistance Authority to develop and administer the Nursing Fellows Program
2 established in Part 3A of Article 23 of Chapter 116 of the General Statutes, as enacted by this
3 section.
4SECTION 4.(f) This section becomes effective July 1, 2025, and applies beginning
5 with applications for enrollment in the Nursing Fellows Program in the 2026-2027 academic
6 year.
7
8 PART V. EXPAND CHEATHAM-WHITE SCHOLARSHIP AND INCLUDE
9 WINSTON-SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY
10SECTION 5.(a) Article 35 of Chapter 116 of the General Statutes reads as rewritten:
11"Article 35.
12"Cheatham-White Scholarships.
13 "§ 116-290. Cheatham-White Scholarships; establishment and purpose; benefits.
14     (a)     Scholarships Established; Purpose. – The Cheatham-White Scholarships are
15 established as a merit scholarship program at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State
16 University University, Winston-Salem State University, and at North Carolina Central
17 University. The purpose of the scholarships is to provide an outstanding educational experience
18 for students who are exceptional scholars, versatile and well-rounded individuals with a broad
19 range of interests, and who are accomplished and proficient in areas of both the arts and the
20 sciences. They must also demonstrate leadership potential and a strong commitment to service.
21     …
22     (c)     Number of Scholarships Awarded. – Up to 50 scholarships, 40 for resident students
23 and 10 for nonresident students, may be awarded each academic year to students admitted to
24 North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Up to 50 scholarships, 40 for
25 resident students and 10 for nonresident students, may be awarded each academic year to students
26 admitted to Winston-Salem State University. Up to 50 scholarships, 40 for resident students and
27 10 for nonresident students, may be awarded each academic year to students admitted to North
28 Carolina Central University.
29 …
30 "§ 116-292. Cheatham-White Scholarships; eligibility and selection criteria.
31     (a)     Eligibility. – To be eligible to be nominated as a potential candidate for a
32 Cheatham-White Scholarship, a person must satisfy all of the following criteria:
33(1)     Be a competitive applicant for admission as a freshman in the fall semester
34into a baccalaureate program at either North Carolina Agricultural and
35Technical State University University, Winston-Salem State University, or
36North Carolina Central University.
37(2)     Be a United States citizen or permanent resident.
38(3)     Be on course to graduate from high school in the spring semester prior to
39college admission.
40     (b)     Selection Criteria. – Candidates for Cheatham-White Scholarships shall be selected
41 on the basis of academic merit, honorable character, outstanding leadership potential, and a
42 demonstrable commitment to service. Financial need shall not be a consideration.
43 …
44 "§ 116-294. Cheatham-White Scholarships; administration of scholarships.
45     The University of North Carolina System Office shall administer the Cheatham-White
46 Scholarships, in consultation and collaboration with North Carolina Agricultural and Technical
47 State University University, Winston-Salem State University, and North Carolina Central
48 University, pursuant to policies adopted by the Board of Trustees of both constituent institutions.
49 each constituent institution. As part of its administrative responsibilities, The University of North
50 Carolina System Office, in consultation and collaboration with North Carolina Agricultural and
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 General Assembly Of North Carolina  Session 2025
1 Technical State University University, Winston-Salem State University, and North Carolina
2 Central University, shall do all of the following:
3…."
4SECTION 5.(b) There is appropriated from the Education Lottery Fund to the Board
5 of Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of three million one hundred fifty
6 thousand dollars ($3,150,000) in recurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to add
7 Winston-Salem State University as a participating school in the Cheatham-White Scholarship
8 and expand opportunities for all students to receive the Cheatham-White Scholarship.
9
10 PART VI. FUNDS FOR ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY
11SECTION 6. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors
12 of The University of North Carolina the following sums in nonrecurring funds for the 2025-2026
13 fiscal year to be allocated to Elizabeth City State University:
14(1)      Sixty-six million dollars ($66,000,000) to expand the aviation science
15program.
16(2)      Thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) to renovate the Roebuck Stadium.
17(3)      Forty-five million dollars ($45,000,000) for a residence hall.
18
19 PART VII. FUNDS FOR JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY
20SECTION 7. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Office of State
21 Budget and Management the following sums for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to be allocated to
22 Johnson C. Smith University:
23(1)    Two million dollars ($2,000,000) in nonrecurring funds as a directed grant for
24capital improvements.
25(2)    Two million dollars ($2,000,000) in recurring funds to support academic
26programs, including health professional preparedness programs.
27(3)    Three million dollars ($3,000,000) in nonrecurring funds as a directed grant
28for the following transformative initiatives:
29a.      To develop a consortium with other universities.
30b.      To support shared services and other resources across higher education
31institutions.
32c.      To increase student retention, completion, and success with
33wrap-around academic and non-academic support services.
34d.      To prioritize recruitment, retention, and graduation of
35high-performing students through scholarships and internships.
36e.      To align aspects of the Charlotte Mayor's Racial Equity Initiative
37(MREI) with a transformative University and Community framework
38(West End) for Black Economic Development and Educational
39Opportunities (BEDEO).
40
41 PART VIII. FUNDS FOR SHAW UNIVERSITY
42SECTION 8. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Office of State
43 Budget and Management the following sums for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to be allocated to
44 Shaw University:
45(1)    Two million dollars ($2,000,000) in nonrecurring funds as a directed grant for
46capital improvements.
47(2)    Two million dollars ($2,000,000) in recurring funds to support the teacher
48preparation program.
49
50 PART IX. FUNDS FOR BARBA-SCOTIA COLLEGE
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1SECTION 9. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Office of State
2 Budget and Management the following sums for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to be allocated to
3 Barba-Scotia College:
4(1)     Two million dollars ($2,000,000) in nonrecurring funds as a directed grant for
5capital improvements, including renovation of historical buildings on campus.
6(2)     Two million dollars ($2,000,000) in recurring funds for workforce
7development initiatives.
8
9 PART X. FUNDS FOR NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING
10 PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
11SECTION 10. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of
12 Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) in
13 recurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to be allocated to the State Education Assistance
14 Authority to increase need-based scholarships for students attending private institutions of higher
15 education in accordance with Article 34 of Chapter 116 of the General Statutes.
16
17 PART XI. FUNDS FOR BENNETT COLLEGE
18SECTION 11. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Office of State
19 Budget and Management the following sums in nonrecurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year
20 to be allocated to Bennett College:
21(1)     The sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000) as a directed grant for deferred
22facility maintenance needs, including maintenance of residence halls.
23(2)     The sum of one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) to support
24the education degree program at that private postsecondary institution.
25
26 PART XII. FUNDS FOR LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE
27SECTION 12. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Office of State
28 Budget and Management the following sums in nonrecurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year
29 to be allocated to Livingstone College:
30(1)     Two million dollars ($2,000,000) to support the college.
31(2)     Two million dollars ($2,000,000) for the Livingstone College Center for
32Aging Out to support students aging out of foster care.
33
34 PART XIII. FUNDS FOR SAINT AUGUSTINE'S UNIVERSITY
35SECTION 13.(a) There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Office of State
36 Budget and Management the following sums in nonrecurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year
37 to be allocated to Saint Augustine's University:
38(1)     Ten million dollars ($10,000,000) for a completion assistance grant program
39to address gaps in degree completion rates for students.
40(2)     Twenty-five million dollars ($25,000,000) for the construction of a new
41academic building for collaborative learning and innovation.
42SECTION 13.(b) It is the intent of the General Assembly to annually appropriate a
43 portion of available funds in the Education Lottery Fund in G.S. 18C-164(a) to support
44 scholarships for needy students enrolled at Saint Augustine's University.
45
46 PART XIV. EFFECTIVE DATE
47SECTION 14. Except as otherwise provided, this act becomes effective July 1, 2025.
 Page 10  House Bill 957-First Edition