NC S561

Removes incarceration as a barrier to federal Pell Grant eligibility by exempting incarcerated individuals from incarceration-related federal eligibility requirements.

Allows incarcerated individuals ineligible for federal financial assistance to receive North Carolina state financial assistance through community college and university need-based grant programs.

Establishes incarceration in a North Carolina state penal institution as prima facie evidence of legal residency, allowing incarcerated individuals to enroll as residents and receive in-state tuition rates without meeting the standard 12-month durational requirement.

Requires community college courses in state prisons and local jails to be tied to clearly identified job skills and transition needs; beginning with the 2019-2020 academic year, courses offered in local jails earn regular budget full-time equivalents.

Effective July 1, 2019, with financial assistance provisions applying to the 2020-2021 academic year and beyond.