Senate Passes $15 Million Boost To Low Tuition Program Print
Education
By Administrator   
Wednesday, 24 June 2020 08:54
The North Carolina Senate unanimously passed $15 million in additional funding for N.C. Promise, which guarantees $500 in-state tuition at Elizabeth City State University (ESCU), UNC Pembroke, and Western Carolina University. 
 
Senator Bob Steinburg (R-Chowan) said, "N.C. Promise is based on the idea that an education should be accessible to everybody, especially communities for which a quality, affordable education often seems out of reach. The program has been wildly successful, despite the unfortunate accusations leveled against Republicans when we created it." 
 
The program has turned around the fortunes of all three participating schools. ECSU in particular was at risk of closure before the program became law. Since then, the school has seen rapid enrollment growth. Last month, Moody's referenced N.C. Promise as a reason for the university's stable credit rating. 
 
ECSU's chancellor has previously credited N.C. Promise with the school's success, saying enrollment growth "is a direct result of N.C. Promise." Western Carolina University's leaders have called N.C. Promise a "booster rocket." 
 
Last Updated on Wednesday, 24 June 2020 10:06