ADDRESSING NONACADEMIC BARRIERS TO SUCCESS.

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View NCGA Bill Details2021
Senate Bill 604 (Public) Filed Tuesday, April 6, 2021
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS NONACADEMIC BARRIERS TO SUCCESS GRANT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE COMMUNITY COLLEGES GRANTS TO SUPPORT STUDENT ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS.
Intro. by Crawford.

Status: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate (Senate action) (Apr 7 2021)

Bill History:

S 604

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Apr 7 2021 - View Summary

    Includes whereas clauses.

    Requires the State Board of Community Colleges (State Board) to develop and administer a grant program to improve student academic success by addressing nonacademic barriers impacting students, to be known as the Community College Support Student Academic Success Program (Grant Program). Defines nonacademic barriers as including the lack or insufficient availability and accessibility of: (1) mental health and other behavioral health services, (2) affordable and stable housing, (3) sufficient and healthy nutrition, (4) affordable health care services and health insurance, or (5) legal and other support services. Grants to community colleges are in an amount of up to $150,000. Requires the funds to be used to improve existing services or to provide new services to students to address these nonacademic barriers; sets out three allowable uses of the funds. Sets out information that must be included in the grant application. Sets out six things the State Board must consider when awarding grants, including the demonstrated need for services for students enrolled in the community college with priority given to colleges located in catchment areas where fewer mental and behavioral health services are available, the extent to which the proposal targets underserved and at-risk populations, and the extent to which the proposal demonstrates the greatest potential for replication and dissemination. Requires grant awards to be made by March 31, 2022. Prohibits a community college from receiving more than one grant in the 2021-23 fiscal biennium. Grant funds remain expendable for two years and at least 80% of the funds must be used for personnel and allows up to 20% of the funds to be used for professional development and to acquire technology and other equipment and supplies to implement the grant. Requires grant recipients to report on the use of the funds to the State Board. Allows the State Board to award up to $80,000 in additional funds to each community college that meets its benchmarks after one year and requests additional funding. 

    Appropriates $1.6 million for 2021-22 from the General Fund to the Community College System to establish the Grant Program; sets out how these funds are to be allocated. Appropriates $1.1 million for 2022-23 from the General Fund to the Community College System with specified amounts to be used to extend successful grant programs, and to evaluate the Grant Program. 

    Requires the State Board to report annually beginning October 1, 2022, and ending in 2025 to the specified NCGA committee; sets out items to be included in the report.

    Effective July 1, 2021.