NC S578

The Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at NC State University shall conduct a study on establishing a fixed in-state tuition rate of $2,500 per semester for four academic years at UNC constituent institutions, excluding those in the NC Promise Tuition Plan.

The study must examine feasibility of implementing the plan starting in 2022-2023, economic impacts on families and student loan debt, enrollment effects by institution, and projected state appropriation obligations.

The study must evaluate campus sustainability for institutions already near the $2,500 per semester rate, the impact of fixed fees on campus projects and programs, and the extent to which fees may be raised for student services.

The Friday Institute shall report findings by February 1, 2022, to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Education/Higher Education, House Appropriations Committee on Education, Fiscal Research Division, and Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee.

$100,000 in nonrecurring General Fund appropriations are allocated to the Board of Governors of UNC for fiscal year 2021-2022 to conduct the study, effective July 1, 2021.