NC H702

Establishes the Minimum Wage Worker Scholarship Fund to provide scholarships to students who have worked long-term in minimum wage jobs and are pursuing college degrees, with scholarships available for part-time or full-time coursework.

Requires applicants to have worked full-time in minimum wage or subminimum wage jobs for at least 18 consecutive months within the 24 months immediately preceding application, with preference given to those with the greatest number of consecutive months worked.

Limits scholarship awards to $11,000 per year for basic skills students and undergraduate students not eligible for federal Pell Grants; $12,500 per year for Pell Grant-eligible students; and $4,000 per year for other eligible students.

Restricts scholarships to a maximum of 2 academic years in basic skills programs and 4 total academic years across all programs, and requires students to maintain satisfactory academic progress to remain eligible.

Mandates that the Authority report annually to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by December 1 on the Fund and scholarships awarded.