Which NC students qualify for new program with ‘simplified’ college application process?

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — NC College Connect is the name of a new process that is intended to make applying to colleges and universities in the state more accessible to qualified students.

The freshly launched pilot program is described by the University of North Carolina System as a way to bypass the traditional application process in certain schools.

“It’s well known that one of the major barriers to students pursuing college is the application process,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Catherine Truitt. “NC College Connect removes this hurdle, offering a streamlined and simplified way for our state’s future workforce to pursue their degree.”

Who’s Qualified?

NC College Connect is open to all North Carolina public high school students in their senior year who ended their junior year with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher. These qualifying students must maintain their weighted GPA of 2.8 or above throughout their senior year, in addition to meeting the state’s graduation requirements and the minimum requirements set by the UNC System.

The schools participating include the entire North Carolina Community College System of 58 different schools as well as:

• 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

“NC College Connect will make higher education more accessible for many students in North Carolina who may not have previously considered attending college,” said Dr. Jeff Cox, president of the North Carolina Community College System. “At a time when the state needs to move quickly to meet growing workforce needs and close the educational attainment gap, this new program will make higher education within reach for thousands of students.”

What Steps to Take

According to the announcement made on Thursday, qualifying high school seniors will receive a letter in the mail with an offer to participate in NC College Connect for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Recipients of the letter can scan the included QR code—or visit NCCollegeConnect.org —where they can access an online portal with a list of their matched colleges.

For more information, view the full announcement from the UNC System.

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