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HB 957

Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Historically Minority-Serving Institutions Omnibus.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Amber Baker and 18 co-sponsors

HB 957 funds a Completion Assistance Program at six NC HBCUs/HMSIs, giving up to $1,000 per eligible student annually to stay on track for graduation, plus infrastructure funding.

Passed 1st Reading
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Bill Summary · HB 957

HB 957 — HBCU / HMSI Omnibus — Summary

Status: Passed 1st Reading
Introduced: Nov 12, 2024 (bill information)
Primary sponsor(s): Representatives Hawkins, Ward, Baker (NC)
Scope: North Carolina omnibus bill to study, support, and fund Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and historically minority‑serving institutions (HMSIs)

Purpose / Intent

HB 957 is a multi‑part legislative package intended to strengthen HBCUs and HMSIs in North Carolina by (1) studying campus infrastructure needs, (2) creating student completion assistance programs to reduce barriers to on‑time graduation, and (3) funding targeted capital and emergency infrastructure projects at specified institutions.

Key Provisions

Part I — Joint Legislative Study Committee on HBCU Infrastructure
- Creates a 18‑member Joint Legislative Study Committee (9 House, 9 Senate) on infrastructure at HBCUs.
- Appointments due by September 1, 2025; meetings begin no later than August 15, 2025.
- Committee duties (in consultation with UNC Board of Governors and HBCU leaders) include assessing: proximity to toxic sites, natural‑disaster vulnerability, facility age, classroom capacity vs. enrollment, status of major systems (HVAC, electrical, water/sewer), exterior components (roof/windows/doors), health/safety issues, deferred maintenance, and related topics.
- Final report with recommendations (including proposed legislation) due to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by January 1, 2026. Committee terminates upon filing or on January 1, 2026.

Part II — Completion Assistance Program (G.S. 116‑44.9)
- Directs the UNC Board of Governors to establish, to the extent funds are provided, a Completion Assistance Program at specified eligible constituent institutions:
- Eligible institutions named: Elizabeth City State University; NC A&T State University; UNC Asheville; UNC Greensboro; UNC Pembroke; Winston‑Salem State University.
- Benefits: up to $1,000 per eligible student per academic year to cover costs needed to continue enrollment and earn credits to graduate on time.
- Minimum student eligibility criteria include: NC resident for tuition purposes, completion or on‑track to complete at least 60 credit hours by the end of the semester, satisfactory academic progress, completed FAFSA for the academic year, and an unpaid institutional balance (tuition, fees, room/board, or other attendance expenses).
- Annual reporting by the Board to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by March 15 on program impact (on‑time graduation rates, student debt at graduation).
- Allocation of funds: distributed proportionally to eligible institutions by the number of NC resident undergraduates who are Pell Grant recipients.

Appropriation for Completion Assistance
- Appropriates $5,000,000 in recurring funds (from the Escheat Fund) to the UNC Board of Governors for 2025–2026 to fund the Completion Assistance Programs.

Part III — Infrastructure Appropriations (selected)
- Provides nonrecurring General Fund appropriations for 2025–2026 to support capital/repair projects at certain HBCUs. (Document is partly truncated; examples included:)
- Winston‑Salem State University: $5,100,000 for renovations to Hauser Hall; $8,000,000 in nonrecurring funds for emergency .
- Additional allocations and institution lists appear in the full bill text (Part III).

Who is Affected

  • Students at the named eligible constituent institutions (especially Pell recipients and students with unpaid balances) who may receive up to $1,000 per year.
  • The UNC Board of Governors and campus administrations (implementation, reporting, allocation of funds).
  • HBCU campuses targeted for capital and emergency infrastructure funding.
  • State budget: recurring and nonrecurring appropriations (noted $5 million recurring for completion assistance plus additional one‑time infrastructure appropriations).

Fiscal and Administrative Notes

  • $5,000,000 recurring from the Escheat Fund is explicitly appropriated for completion assistance in 2025–2026.
  • The bill directs further nonrecurring infrastructure appropriations (specific totals partially truncated in provided text). Full fiscal impacts require the complete list of appropriations in Part III.
  • Reporting and committee deadlines impose near‑term administrative work for legislative staff and UNC system officials.

Timeline / Procedural Highlights

  • Committee appointments by Sept 1, 2025; Committee meetings begin by Aug 15, 2025.
  • Committee final report due Jan 1, 2026 (committee terminates then).
  • Board reporting on Completion Assistance due each year by March 15.
  • Current status per provided bill information: Passed 1st Reading.

If you want, I can:
- Pull the full Part III appropriation table (list every institution and amount) if you provide the complete bill text; or
- Prepare a short briefing on implementation issues (eligibility verification, fund flow, reporting mechanics) for the UNC Board of Governors.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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