NC S252

Reestablishes the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program to recruit and prepare students for careers as highly effective STEM and special education teachers in public schools through forgivable loans.

Establishes a 14-member North Carolina Teaching Fellows Commission appointed by the Board of Governors, General Assembly, and ex officio members to set selection criteria and choose loan recipients and participating educator preparation programs.

Provides forgivable loans up to $8,250 per year for high school seniors (4 years), transfer students (3 years), bachelor's degree holders (2 years), and matriculating students changing majors (2 years) to cover tuition, fees, and books.

Forgives loans for recipients who teach in STEM or special education licensure areas in North Carolina public schools for a number of years equal to their years receiving loans, with one year at low-performing schools counting double, or who experience permanent disability or death.

Creates a Trust Fund administered by the State Education Assistance Authority funded by appropriations, loan repayments, and interest earnings, with up to $600,000 annually available for administrative costs and program enhancement activities.