NC H640

Establishes "Know Before You Go" website maintained by State Education Assistance Authority providing information on career options, salary ranges, and institutional outcomes for public/private higher education institutions and vocational/technical schools.

Requires local school boards to provide sophomore students with information from the website and compiled data to enable informed decisions about postsecondary education and career choices.

Mandates Department of Commerce, Department of Labor, and Department of Public Instruction to collect and compile annual data including in-demand jobs, average costs, loan default rates, graduation rates, and starting salaries by region and institution type.

Establishes Career Path Options Grant Pilot Program for 2023-2024 school year with $500,000 appropriated for local boards to apply for funds to distribute program materials and hire career coaches or career development coordinators.

Provisions on website and sophomore information programs become effective January 1, 2024; grant program becomes effective July 1, 2023.