Private Higher Education in North Carolina

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North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities

From about the turn of the century until the early 1960s, enrollment was fairly evenly distributed between the public and private sectors of higher education. Anticipating the effects of inflation on private college tuition and therefore enrollments, Governor Terry Sanford recommended in 1963 that the state assist North Carolina students desiring to attend North Carolina's private colleges. In 1968 this recommendation was reiterated by the Board of Higher Education, which was concerned by a gradual but constant enrollment shift away from private colleges due to the tuition differential between the public and private sectors.

In 1968 the North Carolina Association of Independent Colleges and Universities was organized to advocate for and represent the private colleges and universities. The purpose of the organization, as stated in its constitution, is "to promote and advance the interests of higher education in North Carolina, including both public and independent colleges and universities, with special concern for the dual nature of the system, its quality, freedom and responsibility to serve the educational and cultural needs of the state, nation, and world". Now called North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, the board of directors is composed of the presidents of the member institutions; a chairman and executive committee are elected from the board. The president of the organization is an ex officio member of the board and executive committee and is the chief executive officer of the organization.

Through the efforts of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, concerned citizens and legislators, the first private college student assistance programs were enacted by the General Assembly in 1971. North Carolina resident students attending a North Carolina independent college or university who demonstrate financial need are eligible for Contractural Scholarship Grants, which are funded by the General Assembly.

The contract grant was augmented in 1975 by the Legislative Tuition Grant. This program provides each North Carolina student with a fixed amount to be applied against his or her tuition, thereby reducing the gap between public and private tuitions. Currently every full-time North Carolina student who has resided in the state for at least 12 months prior to enrolling in a North Carolina independent college or university on a full-time basis, and meets requirements for state residency automatically receives a tuition credit of $1,950 from the State of North Carolina, based on the availability of funds.

There are also North Carolina Student Incentive Grants of up to $700 per year. These grants, funded by the federal and state governments, are offered to legal residents of North Carolina who are full-time undergraduate students and who have demonstrated substantial financial need. The program is administered by the College Foundation, Inc.

Information about financial aid opportunities is part of NCICU's web site (www.ncicu.org).

In 1975, the association assumed a wide range of educational and research activities by incorporating the North Carolina Center for Independent Higher Education. The center absorbed the functions of the Piedmont University Center, a consortium of twenty public and private institutions in the Piedmont region. The membership of the Piedmont Center was modified to include all private colleges and universities in the state. The North Carolina Center provided a range of service activities as an advocate for the institutions in the areas of student recruitment, teacher education, financial aid, and research. The center administered such programs as a visiting scholars program, campus tours for counselors and cooperative library purchasing. The center also coordinated activities of independent constituent groups such as academic deans, continuing education personnel and financial aid directors. The Independent College Fund of NC, the Association, and the Center, were merged in 2000 to form NCICU.

In order to continue to increase awareness of the importance of the private sector in higher education in North Carolina, the North Carolina Council of Governing Boards was formed in 1994. This organization, which is composed of the chair and vice chair from each of the 36 private colleges and universities, represents the 1,300 prominent citizens who serve as trustees for private colleges and universities.

Sources:

The preceding information was excerpted and adapted from the 2001-2002 North Carolina Manual published by the NC Department of the Secretary of State, and supplemented by information from the Staff of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities.