State Rep. Cynthia Ball has introduced a bill targeting updates to the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program to broaden support for prospective teachers, according to the North Carolina State House.
Filed as HB 1197 on April 30 in the 2025 regular session, the measure carries the short title: ‘Revise NC Teaching Fellows Program.’
Outlined below is our summary, reflecting specific points from the actual bill text, with added clarification to explain its elements.
This legislation proposes raising the forgivable loan awards through the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program to as much as $10,000 each academic year for a maximum of four years, or two years for those already holding a bachelor’s degree, while authorizing funds to cover all educator preparation and licensure costs. The measure applies past program revisions retroactively for all participants starting with the 2024-25 academic year, modifies requirements and evaluation procedures for partner institutions, and institutes a reporting obligation for evaluation findings. Additionally, the bill allocates $50,000 in a one-time appropriation for the Friday Institute to research participation and loan repayment preferences. The effective date is July 1, 2026, and pertains generally to the 2026-27 academic year.
Among the four sponsors supporting this legislative proposal, Lindsey Prather led with 48 bills presented during the 2025 regular session.
Legislative measures in North Carolina undergo a multi-phase review routine before becoming law. The process begins as a lawmaker files a bill for committee consideration. Each chamber must conduct three separate readings. Any post-passage changes by one chamber require mutual approval to finalize the full bill. Once both sides concur, the legislation moves to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the Assembly is adjourned) to either sign, veto, or allow the enactment without action.
Access additional details on state bills and measures here.
Ball earned a BA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and also graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University.
A Democrat, Ball joined the North Carolina State House in 2017 as the representative for the 49th House district, succeeding former state Rep. Gary Pendleton.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cynthia Ball, Julie von Haefen, Lindsey Prather, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 1197 | 04/30/2026 | Revise NC Teaching Fellows Program. |
| Cynthia Ball, Stephen M. Ross, and Vernetta Alston | HB 1157 | 04/30/2026 | Red Wolf Special Registration Plate. |
| Cynthia Ball, Maria Cervania, Mary Belk, and Sarah Crawford | HB 1175 | 04/30/2026 | Affordability in Healthcare Act. |
| Cynthia Ball, Phil Rubin, Rodney D. Pierce, and Tracy Clark | HB 1184 | 04/30/2026 | Voucher School Transparency Act. |
| Cynthia Ball and Laura Budd | HB 1207 | 04/30/2026 | Keeping NC Open for Business. |
| Cynthia Ball, Laura Budd, Lindsey Prather, and Rodney D. Pierce | HB 1209 | 04/30/2026 | Strengthen Ed by Embedded New Teacher Support. |
| Cynthia Ball, Donny Lambeth, Erin Paré, and Ray Pickett | HB 1124 | 04/29/2026 | Interstate Compact for School Psychologists. |
| Cynthia Ball, Dante Pittman, Garland E. Pierce, and Gloristine Brown | HB 1138 | 04/29/2026 | Aging With Dignity Act. |
| Cynthia Ball, Julie von Haefen, Lindsey Prather, and Zack Hawkins | HB 1017 | 04/21/2026 | Sound Basic Education for Every Child. |
| Cynthia Ball, Julie von Haefen, Lindsey Prather, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 941 | 04/10/2025 | Expand & Enhance the Teaching Fellows Program. |
| Cynthia Ball, Bryan Cohn, Dante Pittman, and Frances Jackson, PhD | HB 943 | 04/10/2025 | Turning High-Achieving Students into Teachers. |
| Cynthia Ball, Gloristine Brown, Julia Greenfield, and Mike Colvin | HB 979 | 04/10/2025 | Update Volunteer System/LTC Ombudsman Program. |
| Cynthia Ball, Tim Longest, Vernetta Alston, and Zack Hawkins | HB 823 | 04/08/2025 | County Service Districts/Research & URSD. |
| Cynthia Ball, Julie von Haefen, Lindsey Prather, and Phil Rubin | HB 815 | 04/07/2025 | Voucher School Accountability Act. |
| Cynthia Ball, Cecil Brockman, Lindsey Prather, and Phil Rubin | HB 816 | 04/07/2025 | Voucher School Transparency Act. |
| Cynthia Ball, Brandon Lofton, Dante Pittman, and Garland E. Pierce | HB 786 | 04/03/2025 | Working Families Act. |
| Cynthia Ball, Allison A. Dahle, Amber M. Baker, and Phil Rubin | HB 691 | 04/02/2025 | Voter Protection and Reliance Act. |
| Cynthia Ball, Brandon Lofton, Carla D. Cunningham, and Cecil Brockman | HB 715 | 04/02/2025 | Universal Pre-K. |
| Cynthia Ball, Julie von Haefen, Mary Belk, and Pricey Harrison | HB 686 | 04/01/2025 | Safe Cosmetics Act. |
| Cynthia Ball, Amber M. Baker, Donny Lambeth, and Erin Paré | HB 588 | 03/31/2025 | School Psychologist Omnibus. |
| Cynthia Ball, Brandon Lofton, Phil Rubin, and Rodney D. Pierce | HB 608 | 03/31/2025 | Protect Health and Gov’t Personnel Info. |
| Cynthia Ball, Julie von Haefen, Lindsey Prather, and Rodney D. Pierce | HB 531 | 03/26/2025 | Addressing NC’s Teacher Crisis/NTSP. |
| Cynthia Ball, Becky Carney, Carla D. Cunningham, and Mary Belk | HB 495 | 03/24/2025 | Accessing Midwives Act. |
| Cynthia Ball, Carla D. Cunningham, Donna McDowell White, and Donny Lambeth | HB 464 | 03/19/2025 | Healthy Students – A Nurse in Every School. |
| Cynthia Ball, Allison A. Dahle, Maria Cervania, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 429 | 03/18/2025 | Turtle Rescue Team Special Registration Plate. |
| Cynthia Ball, Amos L. Quick, III, Julie von Haefen, and Lindsey Prather | HB 445 | 03/18/2025 | Fairness & Transparency in Education Salaries. |
| Cynthia Ball, Julie von Haefen, Lindsey Prather, and Zack Hawkins | HB 420 | 03/17/2025 | Sound Basic Education for Every Child. |
| Cynthia Ball, Marcia Morey, Mary Belk, and Pricey Harrison | HB 293 | 03/05/2025 | Marine Life Stewardship Act. |
