North Carolina Principal Fellows Program (PFP)

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Program Type
Scholarship-Loan

Description
Created by the 1993 General Assembly, this program was established to train qualified individuals to enter school-based administrative positions in the public schools of North Carolina. The program provides a full year of academic study at the master's level, followed by a one-year internship in a school system. A 12-member Principal Fellows Commission selects the scholarship/loan recipients of the program.

Eligibility
Applicants must be a domiciliary (legal resident) of North Carolina by the time studies begin, must have at least a 3.2 GPA in the most recent 60 semester hours of college study, must be admitted to a master's program in school administration at a participating UNC institution, must have completed no more than 2 courses (6 hours) that apply toward the masters in school administration, must have at least 4 years of teaching experience and must sign a promissory note and scholarship agreement with the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority, promising to seek and obtain employment as an assistant principal or principal in a public school or a United States government school in North Carolina for four years.

Value
First year Principal Fellows will receive $30,000 per year, and 2nd year Principal Fellows receive 60% of a beginning assistant principal's salary on the state salary schedule, for full-time study. Second year Principal Fellows will also receive a stipend over a 10 month period from the Department of Public Instruction.

Application Procedure
Contact, Harry Starnes
Principal Fellows Program
UNC Center for School Leadership Development
PO Box 4440
Chapel Hill, NC 27515-4440
(919) 962-4575
E-mail: cogreen@northcarolina.edu

For information visit the Web page: www.ga.unc.edu/Principal_Fellows/pfpinfo.html or contact one of the following participating institutions:
  • Appalachian State University
  • East Carolina University
  • Fayetteville State University
  • NC A&T State University
  • NC Central University
  • NC State University
  • UNC Chapel Hill
  • UNC Charlotte
  • UNC Greensboro
  • UNC Wilmington
  • Western Carolina University
Other Information
Recipients who graduate with a master's degree in school administration may cancel their loans through 4 years of service in North Carolina. Should the individual not complete the program or not serve in an eligible school administration position, the debt must be repaid in cash at an interest rate of 10 percent within a period of 12 years or less.

Related Links
http://www.ga.unc.edu/Principal_Fellows