S257 - 2026 Appropriations Act. (SL 2026-41)

• Clarifies that all students enrolled in an approved educator preparation program and participating in the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program (Teaching Fellows Program) are eligible to receive a forgivable loan for up to $5,000 dollars per semester.
• Allows individuals who are pursuing loan forgiveness under the Teaching Fellows Program to be subject to the expanded definition of "qualifying teacher" and expanded loan forgiveness criteria enacted by the Geneal Assembly in 2023, even if the individuals have already graduated from the education preparation program and the Teaching Fellows Program.

This section became effective July 1, 2026.