NC Promise- Best Kept Secret
In January 2022, the Chronicle of Higher Education covered the NC Promise program that began in 2016. The article implies this program may have saved 2 participating schools in our University system while shoring up the third. It is too long to copy and paste in this blog, so I will provide pertinent points to consider.
First, what is NC PROMISE? It is a legislatively designed plan to provide $500 per semester in-state tuition at three under-attended Universities. Those are Elizabeth City State University in the far-flung and sparsely populated northeast corner of NC, Pembroke State University, a historically Native American school near Fayetteville, and Western Carolina University in the equally sparsely populated western mountains around Cullowhee, NC. Here are the critical information points.
1) This is a well-seasoned, five-year experienced program. The NC legislature is funding the difference between what the student pays and the tuition charges, so no campus loses precious tuition dollars. The good news is the current Senate Pro Tem leader indicates there is no sunset provision on this plan.
2) This fiscal year, the taxpayer cost is $82.5 million. That is eye-catching, as most other states who have iterations of a Promise program, do not fund it at that level. It is noteworthy that NC’s Constitution uses the phrase to provide education as “free as practicable.” So, this laser-focused plan to drive students towards under-utilized campuses IS increasing student enrollment at those locations. In addition, the legislature is sending additional funds to tackle long overdue facilities and maintenance issues. This fall, HBCU Fayetteville State will be added to the program at their request.
3) Here is where the “magic” happens. This low tuition is offered to ALL registered students, BEFORE any Federal grants, scholarships, or loans. AFTER this magic, if you qualify for the max Pell Grant, your borrowing needs might be a few thousand a year, not $ 20k plus at other schools.
4) Sadly, this great news is not translating to a huge influx of first-year students. Transfer students from Community Colleges and out-of-state students lead the enrollment surge at Elizabeth City State University. Out-of-state students are only charged $2,500 per semester which is a boon for students from just over the state line of Virginia, south of Norfolk.
5) In addition, major issues remain at ECSU, the featured campus in the Chronicle story. It has a paltry 30% 4-year graduation rate, and only a 40% rate at 6 years. Those are roughly 1/2 of the national average. Pembroke is slightly higher, and Western Carolina has the highest of the three. I believe strongly that schools with abysmal graduation rates are making their students pay twice. Once, to attend, and forever thereafter while they pay back their loans with no degree. I stand firm and challenge every university administration to make 4-year graduation rates of 70% and higher their top priority.
Here’s the truth- 75% of all college students end up attending a school within 50 miles of where they live. But WHERE you live should not reduce your chances of graduating by 50%, either. It is an issue that must be prioritized, admitted, and passionately addressed.
NC Peeps- Please, send this email to your friends, coworkers, etc. In addition to this, don’t book written to help all families, ENOUGH! The College Cost Crisis. There are LOTS of ideas for chopping down the cost of college in there beyond this option.
Knowledge is Power. In this case, it could be worth a LOT of money. Less debt, lower debt, and no debt must be a huge factor in your choice of higher education schools and colleges.
Next week, we are looking for missing students. Where IS everybody?
Until Next Time,
All My Best,
Bonnie Burkett
