A new bill filed by State Rep. Cynthia Ball aims to expand support for future educators through changes to the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 1197 on April 30 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Revise NC Teaching Fellows Program.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill revises the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program by increasing forgivable loan awards to up to $10,000 per academic year for up to four years, or two years for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree, and allowing funds to cover all expenses related to educator preparation and licensure. It applies prior program changes retroactively to all participants beginning with the 2024-25 academic year, updates criteria and an optional evaluation and term-renewal process for partner institutions, and requires reporting on evaluation outcomes. The bill also appropriates $50,000 in one-time funds for a Friday Institute study on program participation and loan repayment choices. It takes effect July 1, 2026, generally applying to the 2026-27 academic year.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Lindsey Prather proposed the most bills (48) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Ball graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a BA and again from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Ball, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2017 to represent the state’s 49th House district, replacing previous state representative 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. |
