Following the recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down race-based admissions policies at U.S. colleges, the University of North Carolina (UNC) has announced that it will offer free tuition to certain students. The ruling, which came on June 29, was in favor of Students for Fair Admissions in their cases against Harvard College and UNC, stating that race-based admissions policies violate the Equal Protections Clause of the 14th Amendment.
With the new ruling, it is now unlawful for universities and colleges to consider race as a specific factor in their admissions decisions. In response to this, UNC Chancellor Kevin M. Guskiewicz made an announcement on Friday stating that the university will provide free tuition and waive required fees for incoming undergraduates from North Carolina whose families make less than $80,000 per year. Chancellor Guskiewicz emphasized that financial constraints should not stand in the way of students’ dreams and that more details about the program will be shared in the coming weeks.
In addition to the free tuition program, UNC has taken steps to reach out to under-resourced communities and raise awareness about the university’s affordability. The school has hired additional outreach officers as part of its admissions team to recruit students from across the state, with the goal of ensuring that the best students are aware of the possibility of a UNC-Chapel Hill education.
Tuition and fees for full-time students in North Carolina for the upcoming academic year are estimated to average around $9,000, not including housing, meals, and other expenses. Chancellor Guskiewicz confirmed that the university will fully comply with the Supreme Court’s decision, meaning that race will no longer be a factor in admissions decisions. However, he also stated that an applicant’s lived racial experience may still be considered under certain circumstances if it can illuminate their character and contributions.
Chancellor Guskiewicz emphasized that while the university is committed to complying with the law, it will not abandon its fundamental values. UNC will continue to prioritize access and affordability, and ensure that every student who earns admission to the university can thrive. The recent ruling does not change the university’s commitment to creating a culture of belonging for all students.
UNC’s decision to offer free tuition follows a similar move by its sports rival, Duke University. Last month, Duke announced that it would provide free tuition to students in North Carolina and South Carolina whose families make less than $150,000 per year. The private university also pledged to offer financial assistance for housing, meals, and some course supplies to students from families making $65,000 or less per year.
Overall, these recent developments reflect a growing trend among universities to address the financial barriers that prevent deserving students from accessing higher education. By offering free tuition and expanding financial assistance programs, universities like UNC and Duke are taking tangible steps to ensure that education remains accessible to all, regardless of race or socioeconomic background.
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