More than 62,000 public high school seniors in North Carolina will be offered direct admission to select colleges and universities through the NC College Connect program beginning this fall. The initiative aims to streamline the admissions process for eligible students across the state.
Students who have completed their junior year with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher and meet other requirements are eligible for the program. Participating institutions include several UNC System universities, independent colleges and universities, and all 58 community colleges in North Carolina.
Eligible seniors will receive an official letter from NC College Connect offering them direct admission for the 2026-27 academic year. Students can also verify their eligibility by visiting NCCollegeConnect.com or consulting with their high school counselors.
“NC College Connect represents a fundamental shift in how we approach college admissions in North Carolina,” said Peter Hans, President of the University of North Carolina System. “We started this initiative with a simple question: how can we make the path to college clearer for students who are ready to succeed? By eliminating unnecessary complexity, we’re ensuring that college-ready students can focus on choosing the right institution for their goals, not navigating bureaucratic hurdles.”
The program was piloted last year, reaching over 70,000 students. It has since expanded to include more institutions and further simplify the admissions process by offering direct admission where students qualify.
“This is a defining moment for North Carolina education,” said Maurice “Mo” Green, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. “When our entire education community works together like this, students win. NC College Connect removes barriers and creates clear pathways to college for thousands of our students.”
Students are encouraged to confirm their admission during College Application Week from October 20-26, 2025, through the NC College Connect portal at NCCollegeConnect.org. Confirming during this week allows most applicants to avoid application fees.
“NC College Connect is making it easier than ever for students to take that first step toward a college education,” said Dr. Jeff Cox, President of the North Carolina Community College System. “By removing barriers and simplifying the process, we’re helping more students access the life-changing opportunities our community colleges provide—close to home and at a price they can afford.”
Hope Williams, President of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, stated: “We are delighted to be a part of this joint initiative, bringing the unique strengths and characteristics of our independent colleges and universities—with locations across the state, small class sizes, specialized programs, and personalized attention—into this streamlined pathway for students.”
North Carolina offers financial aid resources such as the Next NC Scholarship for families earning $80,000 or less per year. This scholarship covers full tuition and fees at any community college or more than half—sometimes all—tuition and fees at public universities in North Carolina (https://www.nextncscholarship.org/). For those attending independent nonprofit colleges or universities in North Carolina who qualify as Pell-eligible or middle-income undergraduates, there is also an NC Need-Based Scholarship (https://www.cfnc.org/pay-for-college/apply-for-financial-aid/nc-grants-scholarships/nc-need-based-scholarship/). Both scholarships require completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Additionally, four UNC System institutions—Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and Western Carolina University—offer tuition at $500 per semester under the NC Promise plan (https://www.northcarolina.edu/future-students/nc-promise/).
NC College Connect is supported by multiple partners including the University of North Carolina System; North Carolina Department of Public Instruction; GEAR Up North Carolina; North Carolina Community College System; North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities; North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority; and Office of the Governor.
A complete list of participating institutions includes ten UNC System schools such as Appalachian State University and Winston-Salem State University; all 58 community colleges; and numerous independent colleges statewide.
For more information about eligibility or confirming admission offers through NC College Connect visit https://nccollegeconnect.com/.
