Fayetteville State offers free tuition, room, board for summer sessions, and students are eager to take advantage

For many students, summer school is something to be avoided, but not at Fayetteville State University. There, summer enrollment is setting records.

In the third year of summer sessions, two-thirds of Fayetteville State students are enrolled in summer school, partly because the classes are a free way to progress toward a degree. FSU students enrolled in the university's 30, 60, and 90 programs can earn up to seven credit hours in summer school tuition-free.

"Summer school is a big opportunity for a lot of students to take advantage of," said Keturah Haynes. "Free summer school – that's very good!"

The university also provides room and board for those in need.

This summer, there are more than 4,000 students enrolled in summer school.

Just as vibrant as this campus is in fall and spring, it's just as vibrant in the summer," said Chancellor Darrell Allison.

"These are students catching up, and, more importantly, students that are speeding up. Because here at Fayetteville State University, it's four years or less to get your degree."

The program saves students like Brianna Alston, who is a double major, both time and money.

"It's a lot less debt that I will have to pay back and my parents will have to pay back," she said.

FSU used federal COVID relief money to pay for the program, but that money is running out. They're hoping to pick up local supporters to help keep the program alive.

Allison is also asking the state to approve $1.5 million in funding to continue the program that is improving student retention and graduation rates.