North Carolina has over 130 Cooperative Innovative High Schools across the state. These Early Colleges ( Wilmington Early College, Southeastern Technical High School and Isaac Bear Early College in New Hanover County and Pender Early College in Pender County) provide opportunities for our high school students to take college courses tuition free. The focus is to promote college to first generation students. The Supplementary Funding helps to pay for fees, textbooks and other essential resources for our Early College students. The NC Senate’s proposed budget eliminates this funding within three years. This could compromise the growth and future of our Early Colleges. Please sign this petition and bring awareness to this important issue. You can support our Early College Students by contacting your Senators and Representatives and asking them to continue Supplementary Funding for our Cooperative Innovative High Schools.