Enrollment has increased at three state universities in western North Carolina, which were severely impacted by Hurricane Helene last fall. Appalachian State University, the University of North Carolina Asheville, and Western Carolina University all reported higher student enrollment compared to last spring, according to the UNC System.
Compared to the spring 2024 semester, enrollment rose by 2.2% at Appalachian State, 1.9% at UNC Asheville, and 1.7% at Western Carolina. The state also reported that, compared to spring 2023, the three universities have gained a combined total of 34,000 students.
State officials and educators credit the rebound to emergency funding from the General Assembly, which provided resources to repair campus buildings and increase financial aid for affected students. UNC System President Peter Hans praised the recovery efforts, stating, “That public support makes a real difference in the lives of those students and the recovery of the mountains. It speaks volumes about the strength of our universities and the people of western North Carolina that Hurricane Helene has not stopped our students from pursuing their dreams.”
Hurricane Helene devastated the region, causing extensive flooding and forcing all three universities to shut down. The city of Asheville’s water system was knocked out, leading UNC Asheville to switch to remote learning for the remainder of the fall semester. The hurricane killed 104 people in North Carolina and 233 across seven states.
In response to the disaster, the university system waived application fees for high school students in 39 affected counties. Additionally, the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority expanded financial aid for students from families earning less than $80,000, providing grants averaging $850 to help cover storm-related expenses.
The increased enrollment figures indicate a strong recovery for the region’s higher education institutions, demonstrating resilience despite the challenges posed by Hurricane Helene.
