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North Carolina postsecondary education bonds.
From $100.

North Carolina conditions licensure of a postsecondary school on a student-protection bond, filed with the UNC Board of Governors for degree-granting institutions or the State Board of Community Colleges for proprietary schools. The licensing authority sets the amount. Premiums are 1% of the bond amount, with a $100 minimum.

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Required to license a degree-granting or proprietary postsecondary school in North Carolina
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Amount is set by the licensing authority — often sized to prepaid tuition on hand
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No credit check up to $25,000 — above that, a soft pull at most, which never affects your score
From $1001% of the bond amount, $100 minimumInstantapproval for mostNo credit check up to $25,000above that, a soft pull at most, never a hard inquiry
Trusted by industry leaders
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
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Capital Development Partners
McKinney Properties
Terra Capital
JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)
Triple Five Group
The Georgetown Company
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
Blumenfeld Development Group (BDG)
Capital Development Partners
McKinney Properties
Terra Capital
JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)
Triple Five Group
The Georgetown Company
Price

How much does a North Carolina postsecondary education bond cost?

1% of the bond amount, from $100. Enter your amount in the calculator for the exact price.

How it works

Three steps. One sitting.

No underwriting queue for the standard school bond — enter your amount, pay, and file with your licensing authority. Here is the whole thing:

TODAY · ONLINE

Apply online

Your school details, the bond amount your licensing authority required, and the effective date — that is the application.

INSTANTLY

Issued on the spot

Most applications approve instantly — the executed bond is generated as soon as you pay. No credit check up to $25,000. Above $25,000, a soft pull may add a short review.

SAME DAY

File with your licensing authority

Submit the executed bond with your licensure application — to the Board of Governors' licensure office or the State Board of Community Colleges. Wet-ink originals mailed whenever required.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the school bond actually covers

North Carolina licenses postsecondary schools through two different authorities depending on what the school offers. Degree-granting institutions are licensed by the UNC Board of Governors under G.S. 116-15; non-degree proprietary (career, trade, and vocational) schools are licensed by the State Board of Community Colleges under G.S. 115D-90.

Both require a student-protection (tuition guaranty) bond as a condition of licensure. The bond protects students if the school closes or fails to deliver the instruction they paid for — it backs refunds of prepaid, unearned tuition. The licensing authority sets the amount, which is generally sized to the prepaid tuition the school holds.

For degree programs, the tuition guaranty bond filed with the Board of Governors must be at least $10,000 and sufficient to cover the maximum prepaid tuition on hand. Proprietary schools often start a first-time applicant at $25,000. Enter the figure your authority set; premiums start at $100 and no credit check up to $25,000.

G.S. 116-15 · G.S. 115D-90North Carolina licenses degree-granting postsecondary institutions through the UNC Board of Governors under G.S. 116-15 (tuition guaranty bond of at least $10,000, sufficient to cover maximum prepaid tuition on hand) and non-degree proprietary schools through the State Board of Community Colleges under G.S. 115D-90 (bond commonly $25,000 for first-time applicants). The licensing authority sets the exact amount — confirm it on your licensure paperwork.

You need this bond if you are

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A degree-granting institution licensing with the UNC Board of Governors
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A proprietary, career, or trade school licensing with the State Board of Community Colleges
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An out-of-state school seeking authorization to operate or recruit in North Carolina
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Renewing your school license where the student-protection bond must stay on file
After you buy

Claims, renewal, filing, and what sets the price.

If a claim is made

A claim comes from the party the bond protects, the obligee named on the form, when the duty the bond guarantees is not met.

The surety investigates and pays a valid claim, up to the bond amount. You then repay the surety: a surety bond is a guarantee of your performance, not insurance for you.

Renewal and term

The premium covers a one-year term from the effective date you choose.

Renew before the expiry date to keep the bond in force: the license, permit or contract it backs expects continuous coverage.

How to file it

File with your licensing authority. Submit the executed bond with your licensure application — to the Board of Governors' licensure office or the State Board of Community Colleges. Wet-ink originals mailed whenever required.

What sets the price

The premium is 1% of the bond amount, $100 minimum: the amount the obligee sets moves the price, not your business profile.

No credit check up to $25,000. Above that, the carrier may run a soft pull, which never affects your score.

Where a check runs, it decides approval; the rate is the same for everyone approved.

One application, issued on the spot.

Submit the application with the bond amount your licensing authority required — the executed bond is generated instantly, ready to file.

Start the application →
FAQ

Common questions.

Which authority licenses my school?It depends on what you offer. Degree-granting institutions are licensed by the UNC Board of Governors (G.S. 116-15); non-degree proprietary, career, and trade schools are licensed by the State Board of Community Colleges (G.S. 115D-90). Each requires a student-protection bond.
How much is the bond?Premiums are 1% of the bond amount, with a $100 minimum. The amount is set by your licensing authority — at least $10,000 (and enough to cover prepaid tuition) for degree programs, commonly $25,000 for first-time proprietary schools. Enter your figure and your exact price appears at the application.
What does the bond protect?Students. If the school closes or fails to deliver the instruction they paid for, the bond backs refunds of prepaid, unearned tuition. If the surety pays a student claim, you repay the surety — it is not insurance for you.
Is there a credit check?No credit check up to $25,000. Above that, the carrier may run a soft pull, which never affects your score. Most applications approve instantly.
What amount should I choose if I'm not sure?Use the figure on your licensure paperwork — your licensing authority sets it. If you are a new proprietary school, $25,000 is a common starting point; degree programs start at $10,000 but must cover prepaid tuition on hand. Send us your paperwork and we will confirm.
Which A-rated carriers underwrite these bonds?Typically Arch Insurance Company (A.M. Best A+) or Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (A.M. Best A). Which one writes your bond depends on the bond type and your state. The carrier's name and official signature are printed on the bond you receive.
How do I contact Light RFP about this bond?Email insurance@lightrfp.com. It reaches the bond team at Light RFP Risk Management Services LLC (NY DFS License # PC-1978982). Write to us about quotes, applications, bond forms or certificates. We will respond within 24 hours.
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