These North Carolina HBCUs Now Welcoming More Out of State Students
These Historically Black Colleges and Universities in North Carolina are now welcoming more out-of-state students. The Raleigh News and Observer reports that the UNC System Board of Governors raised the enrollment cap on Thursday. The board is raising the cap from 25% to 35% at North Carolina A&T and North Carolina Central University. They are also raising the cap from 25% to 50% at Elizabeth City State University, says the Raleigh News and Observer.
North Carolina A&T
North Carolina A&T is one of the nation’s largest HBCUs and has seen a rise in out-of-state student applications. with an increase of 31% since this time last year. From their growing reputation, athletics programs, and strong alumni support they have been able to see a significant rise. In previous years, North Carolina A&T had to turn away tons of students due to the previous enrollment cap said Dawn Nail to News and Observer. Nail is the head of undergrad admissions and interim associate vice provost for enrollment and management.
The new increase in the enrollment cap will allow the school to diversify the student body and provide financial gain. Nail reports that the school is looking at nearly 14,000 students within the next year or so. Nail tells the Raleigh News and Observer that this is an opportunity to showcase North Carolina A&T across the country.
The majority of the schools in North Carolina get penalized for admitting more than 18% of freshmen from out of state. The system in North Carolina focuses on educating North Carolina students primarily. The board raised the cap last year to 25% for all HBCUs to help with their individual enrollments. Fayetteville and Winston Salem University will remain at that cap.
What’s Next for ECSU?
As for Elizabeth City State, the raise in enrollment will help attract more people to this smaller HBCU. They can accept up to 50% of first time freshman students. This change will help with the growth of students attending ECSU.
The Raleigh News and Observer reports that the NC Promise program will set tuition at $1,000 a year for in state students and $5,000 a year for out of state students.
The new cap is not meant to take away from in-state students, but to help open opportunities up for out-of-state students and help with the growth of North Carolina universities. The new enrollment caps will begin with the fall 2022 semester.
Source: Raleigh News and Observer
