Our thoughts and support are with you.
We know that the road to recovery for communities in western North Carolina will be challenging. We want to assure you that whenever you are ready, NC College Connect will be available to you as part of your path to higher education.

Your Opportunity for Admission is Here

This is your moment. Why not meet it with momentum? You’ve worked hard, and now you can make a choice that leads to a career that changes everything for you – and maybe even your family too.

NC College Connect is a new program that provides a simpler way to apply to college. The best part? If you’re a high school senior at a public high school with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above, you are eligible.

Ready to apply to college? Learn about the program details, explore possible majors, and claim your spot today!

We've made your college application process simpler. After all, you’ve earned it. Have questions about how it all works? We’ve got the answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NC College Connect?

  • NC College Connect is a program that offers qualified students the opportunity for a simplified application process at select UNC System universities and their local North Carolina community college. Participating institutions include:
    • Elizabeth City State University
    • Fayetteville State University
    • University of North Carolina Asheville
    • University of North Carolina at Greensboro
    • University of North Carolina at Pembroke
    • Winston-Salem State University
    • North Carolina community colleges (all 58 colleges)
      • Students will be offered a simplified admissions process for their local community college.

Who is eligible for NC College Connect?

  • Public high school students, including charter school students, with a weighted GPA of 2.8 and above are offered a simplified application process at select UNC System universities and all North Carolina community colleges.
  • A student’s qualification for NC College Connect is determined based on their weighted GPA at the close of their junior year. Qualifying students must maintain a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above throughout their senior year, in addition to meeting the state’s basic graduation requirements as set by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and meeting the UNC System minimum requirements.

What if a student is not eligible for the NC College Connect program or the college or university they’re interested in is not participating?

How and when will students find out if they’re eligible for this program?

  • Public high school students with a weighted GPA of 2.8 and above will receive an official letter in the mail in October.

Where do students go to claim their spot?

  • Students should scan the QR code on their letter to visit this page.
  • Once the program is live, students will find a “Received a Letter? Claim Your Spot” link on this page that will take them to the NC College Connect portal if they are already logged into their CFNC account.
  • If they are not logged in, they will be asked to log in using their CFNC credentials or create a new CFNC account.
  • After logging in, students will see a list of colleges and universities where they can complete a simplified application for each college. Students can complete as many simplified applications as they’d like.

What information should students have ready for the simplified application forms?

  • Students will only need to provide basic contact or identification information, including their name and personal email address, their NC Student number, their intended major and intended start term (fall 2025 or spring 2026).

What is the deadline for a student to submit the simplified applications?

  • Each college or university within the NC College Connect program will have its own application deadline, ranging from February 1 to June 30, 2025, and many community colleges have flexible or rolling application deadlines. Students who are applying to college via the NC Collect Connect program should check the application deadlines for the colleges and universities they are interested in.

Does this program cover the cost of application fees and tuition for the selected institutions?

  • No, the cost of application fees and tuition is not covered by the NC College Connect program.
  • For each application, the student will be required to pay an application fee on the CFNC portal, ranging between $30 and $75, as determined by each college. NC community college applications are always free.
  • Students are encouraged to submit their simplified applications during College Application Week, October 21-27, 2024, when most NC colleges and universities waive application fees. Of note, University of North Carolina at Greensboro will not waive application fees as a part of College Application Week.
  • Qualifying students can use the College Board or ACT fee waiver at all participating universities. Students should see their high school for more information.
  • Students are encouraged to visit CFNC.org to explore additional avenues to pay for college, including completing the FAFSA to determine the state and federal financial aid as well as college-based scholarships and grants they qualify for.
  • Students may be eligible for the Next NC Scholarship, a simplified financial aid program that helps most North Carolinians making $80,000 or less pay for their education. Students can get at least $3,000 per year that covers all tuition and fees to attend any NC community college or at least $5,000 per year that covers more than half, if not all, tuition and fees at any public university in the state. Most eligible students will qualify for more, they just need to complete a FAFSA, and they will be considered for Next NC. Students should also discuss financial aid options with their school counselors to inform their college decisions.

Can eligible students still apply to colleges outside of the NC College Connect program?

  • Yes. Students are encouraged to apply to college via CFNC.org or individual college application portals, including other UNC System institutions and private colleges and universities throughout the state. Explore and compare colleges using our college search tool. CFNC is here to help with every step of the process – planning, applying, and paying for college.

What is the last date students can access NC College Connect?

  • There is no program deadline or final access date. Students instead should consider the application deadlines for each participating college or university and the respective programs they are interested in, and submit their applications before that date.

Will a student have to complete their Residency Determination (RDS) when they submit their simplified applications?

  • No. A student will not have to indicate or complete Residency Determination, or RDS, when they submit their application(s). However, establishing in-state residency is an important step in the college application process to help students save money on college admission expenses.

If I apply to college through NC College Connect, am I still eligible for scholarships from participating colleges?

  • Yes, students will still be eligible for scholarships. Students should check their email for requests for additional information that may be required from the colleges and universities where they applied, which may be necessary for determining scholarship eligibility.
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Countdown to College

Take advantage of activities to help you complete residency, FAFSA, and admission applications during NC Countdown to College in October. Many colleges waive application fees during the third week of the month. 

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