H 1140 Summary

• Creates a new scholarship program for minimum wage workers in North Carolina, requiring applicants to have worked full-time in minimum wage or subminimum wage jobs for at least 18 consecutive months during the preceding 24 months.

• Eligible students must be North Carolina residents and can enroll in either basic skills programs at community colleges or matriculated undergraduate programs at eligible postsecondary institutions.

• Scholarship maximum amounts are $11,000 per academic year for minimum wage workers in basic skills programs or without federal Pell Grant eligibility, and $12,500 per academic year for those eligible for federal Pell Grants.

• Limits minimum wage worker scholarships to a maximum of two years in basic skills programs and four total academic years, with continuation contingent on maintaining satisfactory academic progress.

• Allocates at least 5% of available net income for minimum wage worker scholarships with first priority in funding, increasing to 10% if initial funds prove insufficient; first scholarships to be awarded for the 2010-2011 academic year.