RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- It's a big weekend for college students across the Triangle as thousands return to campus, including many first-time students.

At NC State, the university is welcoming one of its largest freshman classes ever, with 6,000 new students -- a trend that has been growing.

Donna McGalliard, the associate vice chancellor and associate dean of Student Life and Advocacy at NC State, said these numbers have been "inching up" the last few years.

" Engineering North Carolina's Future is one of our initiatives... and that has continued to come in the form of bigger class sizes," she said.

More students could face more challenges, especially as the university faces federal budget cuts.

"Without the legislative support from the North Carolina General Assembly, we rely on

See Full Page