Part I.

Enacts new GS 116-44.9 requiring the UNC Board of Governors (BOG) to establish, to the extent funds are provided, a Completion Assistance Program (Program) at each eligible constituent institution, defined as: Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, North Carolina Central University, The University of North Carolina at Asheville, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and Winston-Salem State University. Gives students enrolled in the Program up to $1,000 per academic year to pay for the cost of continuing attendance and earning necessary credit hours. Sets out student eligibility requirements, including needing financial assistance to remain enrolled at the eligible institution and earn credits necessary to graduate on time, being an in-state resident, and making satisfactory academic progress. Requires the UNC BOG to report annually on each Program to the specified NCGA committee, with the report including specified information. Requires that funds be distributed to each eligible constituent institution proportional to the number of undergrads enrolled at the institution who are state residents and recipients of a federal Pell Grant.

Repeals Section 8.0 of SL 2023-234, which also required the establishment of a Completion Assistance Program. Requires that the $2 million allocated for those Programs be instead used for the Programs authorized by this act.

Appropriates $8.5 million in recurring funds for 2024-25 from the General Fund to the BOG for the Programs, as established in this act.

Part II.

Creates the Joint Legislative Study Committee on Infrastructure at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Committee), consisting of nine Senators and nine Representatives, with appointments made by September 1, 2024. Requires the Committee to consult with the BOG and the president or equivalent at each of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the state, in studying 9 specified topics related to building on HBCU campuses, including threats posed to HBCUs by the proximity to certain facilities to toxic sites, student enrollment in relation to classroom capacity, and facilities in significant disrepair and any deferred maintenance on those facilities. Sets out requirements for meetings and staffing. Requires Committee meetings to begin by August 15, 2024. Requires a final report to the specified NCGA committee by January 1, 2025, and terminates the Committee upon the earlier of the filing of the final report or January 1, 2025.

Part III.

Appropriates specified amounts from the General Fund to BOG for 2024-25 to be used for the specified infrastructure improvements at the following universities: Winston-Salem State University, Fayetteville State University, and Elizabeth City State University.

Part IV.

Adds new Part 3A, North Carolina Nursing Fellows Program, under Article 23 of GS Chapter 116, as follows. Establishes the 14-member North Carolina Nursing Fellows Commission (Fellows Commission) to determine program and forgivable loan recipient selection criteria and selection procedures, and requires it to select the recipients under the new North Carolina Nursing Fellows Program (Fellows Program). Sets out membership requirements and appointment authority, with terms set for two years.

Establishes the Fellows Program with the purpose of recruiting, preparing, and supporting students enrolled in an eligible nursing program for preparation as highly effective registered nurses in the State by proving forgivable loans to those interested in preparing to become a registered nurse in this State. Defines an eligible nursing program as any educational program in North Carolina leading to a bachelor of science in nursing that is offered by Winston-Salem State University and meant to prepare a person to meet the educational requirements for licensure under GS Chapter 90, Article 9A. Also establishes the North Carolina Nursing Fellows Program Trust Fund (Fund) to provide the financial assistance. Allows money in the Trust Fund to be used only for forgivable loans under the Fellows Program, administrative costs of the Fellows Program, mentoring and coaching support for loan recipients, and extracurricular enhancement activities. Specifies provisions related to these uses of the funds. Sets out provisions governing the appointment of a Fellows Program Director and appointment of staff. Requires the Fellows Commission to adopt standards for awarding the loan, including specified measures. Sets the amount of the forgivable loans as $5,000 per semester with the number of semesters dependent upon whether the recipient is a high school senior, a student applying to transfer to Winston-Salem State University, an individual with a bachelor's degree seeking preparation to become a nurse, or student matriculating at Winston-Salem State University who is changing to a program of study leading to a bachelor of science in nursing. Sets out provisions governing the administration of the loans and establishes reporting requirements, with annual reports due to the specified NCGA committee.

Sets out the terms of the forgivable loans with the loan amount received over one year of enrollment and any interest that has accrued forgiven for every year a nurse remains a qualifying nurse (defined as a nurse who received a forgivable loan, graduated within 10 years from an eligible nursing program, and is licensed and employed as a registered nurse in this State).

Makes conforming changes to GS 116-204.

Requires initial appointments to be made to the Fellows Commission by August 15, 2025, to expire on July 1, 2027.

Requires recipients to be selected and initial awards to be made by April 1, 2025.

Appropriates $2.5 million in recurring funds for 2024-25 from the General Fund to the BOG to be allocated to the State Education Assistance Authority to develop and administer the Fellows Program.

Effective July 1, 2024, and applies beginning with applications for enrollment in the Fellows Program in the 2025-26 academic year.

Part V.

Amends GS 116-290 by expanding upon the institutions participating in the Cheatham-White Scholarships to also include Winston-Salem State University. Allows up to 40 scholarships for resident students and 10 for nonresident students to be awarded each year to students at Winston-Salem State University. Makes conforming changes to GS 116-292 and GS 116-294.

Appropriates $6 million in recurring funds for 2024-25 from the General Fund to the BOG to make these changes.

Part VI.

Appropriates the specified amounts from the General Fund to BOG for 2024-25 to be allocated to Elizabeth City State University to expand the aviation science program, renovate Roebuck Stadium, and build a residence hall.

Part VII.

Requires the BOG, by August 15, 2024, to revise its Policy on Non-Resident Undergraduate Enrollment so that the maximum percentage of non-resident students at North Carolina Central University in the first-time fall undergraduate class is 50%.

Amends GS 116-143.1, as it applies to persons enrolled at North Carolina Central University only, by charging the in-state tuition rate when: (1) the person graduated and received a high school diploma from a school within North Carolina or received a high school equivalency diploma within North Carolina; (2) the person attended North Carolina schools for a minimum of two consecutive years immediately prior to completing high school; (3) if the person does not have lawful immigration status, the person submits an affidavit within 60 days of enrollment asserting that, to the extent permitted under federal law, he or she has filed an application to legalize his or her status or he or she intends to file an application to legalize his or her status upon becoming eligible to do so; and (4) the person enrolled in a constituent institution. Makes information obtained under these provisions confidential. Applies beginning with the 2024-25 academic year.

Part VIII.

Appropriates specified amounts from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) for 2024-25 to be allocated to Johnson C. Smith University for capital improvements; academic program support, including health professional preparedness programs; and specified transformative initiatives.

Part IX.

Appropriates specified amounts from the General Fund to the OSBM for 2024-25 to be allocated to Shaw University for capital improvements and support of the teacher preparation program.

Part X.

Appropriates specified amounts from the General Fund to the OSBM for 2024-25 to be allocated to Barba-Scotia College for capital improvements and for workforce development initiatives.

Part XI.

Appropriates $5 million in recurring funds for 2024-25 from the General Fund to BOG to be allocated to the State Education Assistance Authority to increase need-based scholarships for students attending private institutions of higher learning in accordance with Article 34 of GS Chapter 116 (Need‑Based Scholarships for Students Attending Private Institutions of Higher Education).

Part XII.

Appropriates $10,660,661 in recurring funds for 2024-25 from the General Fund to the BOG to be allocated to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University for its agriculture research and extension program.

Part XIII.

Appropriates specified amounts from the General Fund to the OSBM for 2024-25 to be allocated to Bennet College for facility maintenance needs and to support the education degree program.

Part XIV.

Appropriates specified amounts from the General Fund to the OSBM for 2024-25 to be allocated to Livingstone College to support the College and for the Livingstone College Center for Aging Out to support students aging out of foster care.

Part XV.

Appropriates specified amounts from the General Fund to the OSBM for 2024-25 to be allocated to Saint Augustine’s University for a completion assistance grant program to address gaps in degree completion rates, and construction of a new academic building. States the NCGA’s intent to annually appropriate a portion of funds in the Education Lottery Fund to support scholarships for needy students at Saint Augustine’s University.

Part XVI.

Effective July 1, 2024.