NC H744

Establishes a five-year pilot scholarship program at community colleges serving Mecklenburg, Halifax, and Cumberland counties beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year, covering full tuition and fees for eligible students at no cost.

Requires scholarship applicants to graduate from a public high school in a participating county with at least a 2.7 unweighted GPA, demonstrate household income below $85,000, complete 20 hours of community service, and enroll in STEM, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, transportation/logistics, information technology, or regional demand programs.

Scholarships cover actual tuition and fees after other state and federal grants are applied, with priority given to renewal applicants before new recipients; students must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA to renew.

Appropriates $1,000,000 in recurring funds for the 2022-2023 fiscal year with intent to appropriate additional $1,000,000 annually for successive cohorts of students.

Requires the State Board of Community Colleges to report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by February 1, 2023, and annually thereafter on student enrollment, demographics, funds expended, and recommendations for statewide expansion.