Fayetteville State University announced an all-time high for summer school enrollment in 2023 on Thursday, July 6, at a 9:00 a.m. event in front of its historic Charles W. Chesnutt Library. Chancellor Darrell T. Allison, J.D., welcomed honored guests, including UNC System Acting Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs David English. Members of the FSU Board of Trustees, faculty, staff and students were also present. 

This summer, FSU enrolled a record 4,270 students in summer school, a 17 percent increase from summer 2022 (3,649).

FSU’s 30-60-90 Completion Program encourages students to graduate in four years or less and brings together critical resources, programs, and services to not only enroll students at FSU, but also to help them persist, succeed, and ultimately graduate.

According to Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Monica T. Leach, Ed.D., FSU has seen a 6.4 percent increase in retention rates compared to the previous year and a 2.5 percent increase in the four-year graduation rate per the most recent data.  

“Our free summer school transforms the academic landscape for our students through this great opportunity to earn up to seven (7) credits at no cost. Facing fewer barriers, students can achieve and earn a degree that will lead to exciting careers and brighter futures,” Leach said in a press release. 

FSU’s Free Summer School program is a key component of the University’s 30-60-90 Completion Program. Launched in 2021, FSU’s 30-60-90 Free Summer School program aims to address historical and systemic disadvantages that hinder students from matriculating and graduating in four years or less — cost among the greatest obstacles.

“We launched this program on the heels of the pandemic utilizing federal dollars as we are deeply committed to our mission of student success through robust matriculation, retention and persistence initiatives that will take our students to and through graduation in four years or less,” Chancellor Allison said in a press release. “Thousands of students took us up on the Free Summer School program. Although we knew that federal dollars would be limited, we were determined to raise the necessary funding to sustain this worthwhile effort, as student retention and graduation are key UNC System priorities.The timing of this amazing news – where nearly two-thirds of our entire student population are enrolled in summer school – couldn’t come at a more important and pivotal time.”

The UNC System legislative proposal advocates for a recurring funding allocation of $10.5 million ($1.5 million per institution) to establish completion assistance programs at Historically Minority Serving Institutions such as Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, N.C. Agricultural & Technical State University, North Carolina Central University, UNC-Pembroke, Winston-Salem State University as well as UNC-Asheville.  If approved, the $1.5 million legislative allocation would allow FSU to continue to support student success and retention. 

“The opportunity to help our students significantly reduce costs, paving the way to a degree in four years or less, was just too important to us. We are fortunate to have raised millions of dollars to support our 30-60-90 Free Summer School program. Moreover, if the North Carolina General Assembly fully funds the UNC System legislative request for Completion Assistance Programs this budget cycle, FSU will have the necessary funding to build upon our student success model for many years to come. This critical state investment would greatly impact the students in the greater Sandhills Region and beyond,” Chancellor Allison added in a press release.

FSU’s 30-60-90 Completion Program includes: 

Free Summer School  

• Enables eligible undergraduates to earn up to seven credit hours and College of Education graduate students to earn three credit hours at no cost, including tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies and campus housing. 
• For the 2023-2024 academic year, 30-60-90 student ambassadors will be onboarded to increase programming and develop more robust outreach measures for students and the campus community. 

Bronco Boost – A Summer Bridge Program  

• A free, immersive, seven-week, residential program that allows incoming FSU freshman students to take three college courses and adjust to campus life during the summer following their high school graduation. Participants also attend weekly workshop series that address issues related to campus life and the educational process. 

Bronco One Stop 

• Centralized location in the Charles W. Chesnutt Library where students can access resources and services to help them better navigate FSU.  
• Services include: 
  • Academic advising 
  • Business services 
  • Bronco Navigate online student app 
  • The Learning Center 

FSU Matriculation Institute

(Academic year 2022-2023 marked the institute’s first full year) 

• A four-year program that provides students with academic-focused support programs, life skills, financial literacy, and resiliency training. The initiative also provides students with intensive leadership development, career readiness, and social and emotional support. The institute also includes the Mentoring Initiative, and includes workshops, speaker series, and one-on-one mentoring. 
• Offers specialized components for adult learners and military/military-affiliated students.  

To learn more about FSU’s 30-60-90 Summer School program, visit FREE Summer School (uncfsu.edu).