Amends GS Chapter 116 by adding a new Article 35, (North Carolina Optometry Education Grant Program). Provides the terms and definitions to be used in this Article, including, academic year, approved institution, authority, optometry education program.

Establishes the North Carolina Optometry Education Grant Program, with the purpose of providing grants to qualified NC students pursuing doctorates of optometry degrees. Provides criteria by which a student can become eligible for the grant, including, but not limited to, qualifying as a NC resident for tuition purposes under GS 116-143.

Establishes the administration of the grants and provides that the amount of the grant will be $11,000 for each student per academic year. In cases of shortfalls in the program, students will receive a pro rata share of funds. Any remaining funds will revert to the General Fund. The number of eligible students enrolled in approved institutions and the State funds collected by those students will be documented and reported to the Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Education and the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee.

Appropriates from the Genreal Fund to the State Education Assistance Authority $825,000 for the 2013-14 fiscal year and $825,000 for the 2014-15 fiscal year to fund the grant program.

Effective July 1, 2013, applying to the 2013-14 academic year and each subsequent academic year.