ROBESON COUNTY -- It's the season for students to decide where they want to go to college, and now, the NC Promise tutition plan could make that choice a little easier. 

Starting this fall, in-state students at UNC Pembroke, Western Carolina University and Elizabeth City State University will pay just $1,000 dollars per year in tuition. 

For undergraduate students planning on attending all four years, the savings are significant.

"Well that's a whole $10,000 dollars that I can save and put towards my future or graduate shcool," said UNC Pembroke student, Demitria Boyd.

In-state students aren't the only ones seeing savings. Out-of-state tuition will be reduced to $5,000 dollars from $15,000 dollars. 

UNC Pembroke says right now, they have received 50 percent more applications than they did last year.