Bill > S643

This bill expands and enhances the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program by removing previous restrictions on specific licensure areas and broadening the program's scope to address the state's teacher shortage. The bill increases the forgivable loan amount from $5,000 to $6,000 per semester for students pursuing teacher education, with varying maximum semesters based on their educational status. The program will now accept students from all University of North Carolina constituent institutions with approved educator preparation programs, as well as up to four private institutions. The bill establishes more flexible loan forgiveness terms, allowing recipients to fulfill their service requirement by teaching in any North Carolina public school within 10 years of graduation, with additional incentives for teaching in low-performing schools. The program will continue to prioritize recruiting high-quality candidates through stringent selection criteria, including academic performance, career readiness assessments, and demonstrated commitment to teaching. The bill also allocates $10 million in recurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to support the program's revised structure, with the goal of addressing the state's critical teacher shortage, particularly in rural counties. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025, and apply to student applications for the 2025-2026 academic year.

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S643