Fayetteville State to provide free tuition to military-connected students through scholarship
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Fayetteville State University will provide free tuition to all military-connected undergraduate students through a new Military Tuition Scholarship starting in the fall.
“We;re making the military a top priority,” FSU Chancellor Darrell T. Allison said. “For any military that wants to be at Fayetteville State University this fall, we’re making that tuition free.”
Any active-duty member of the military, anyone who is retired military, any military spouse and anyone whose mother or father served can attend FSU free starting with the Fall 2022 semester.
Allison announced the initiative on Thursday during a ceremony at Fort Bragg with FSU administrators. The news comes concurrently with the release of a report that shows FSU educates the most military-connected students among all historically Black colleges and universities.
The report, Deeds, Not Words: FSU’s Call to Serve, was commissioned by FSU and ranked the university as a top provider of education to military-connected students.
FSU is also the highest-ranked four-year HBCU in the Military Times 2021 ranking of Best for Vets Colleges.
“Fayetteville State University is proud to be the premier destination, not just in North Carolina but in the nation, for educating military-connected students,” said Chancellor Allison in a statement. “FSU is perfectly positioned here in the Sandhills region to change the landscape on how we think about workforce readiness in today’s ever-changing job market and how we, in higher education, can support veterans and their families in their transitions to the civilian workforce. We’re excited to announce the Military Tuition Scholarship to further support those who sacrificed for our nation in their next chapter in life.”
The offer is valid for active duty, veteran, military spouses and dependents.
“How fitting for today when Fort Bragg is about to deploy 2,000 of our leaders,” Allison said.
N.C. Rep. Marvin Lucas and his wife, Brenda, were on hand for the announcement. Both are alumni.
“This just transcends to a boon not only for Fayetteville State but for the community, the state and this nation,” Rep. Lucas said.
Last fall, it was announced the new state budget included about $164 million for the university, the most allotted in more than 35 years. That amount is being used to lower tuition to $500 per semester for in-state students. The university also fully owns the Bronco Square shopping center near campus, an acquisition announced in October.
FSU also announced a major scholarship, called the FTCC Keen Scholarship, that will provide two years of free tuition to qualified Fayetteville Technical Community College students who earn an Associate degree at FTCC. Over the first four years of the program, the scholarship aims to serve up to 900 students. In order to be eligible for the scholarship, students must have a minimum GPA of at least 3.0 and meet all requirements for admissions to FSU.
FSU is one of several Historically Black Colleges and Universities in North Carolina and has more than 6,700 students.
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