If you’re a parent (or student!) dreading the college application process, here’s some good news: your child may automatically be admitted to numerous North Carolina colleges and universities—both public and private. That’s right—no essay or test scores required.
This year’s seniors should have already received an official letter in the mail letting them know the colleges and universities to which they have already been admitted. Called NC College Connect, the program offers North Carolina public high school students with a weighted GPA of 2.8 and above who meet certain requirements direct admission to selective colleges and universities participating in the program. Participating schools include 11 UNC System Institutions (note: not UNC Chapel Hill or NC State), many NC Independent Colleges and Universities, and all 58 NC Community Colleges.
According to State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green, the aim of the program is to increase access to higher education by removing barriers and creating clear pathways to college. In other words, make it simpler and faster.
In the letter students receive, there is a QR code they scan, or they can visit NCCollegeConnect.org, to see the list of institutions where they’ve been admitted. Some students may be admitted to all of the participating institutions, while some may be admitted to select ones based on their GPA. Once on the site, students can login to their existing CFNC.org account or create a new CFNC account. Students should then complete an NC College Connect form for each college or university to which they’ve been admitted and would consider attending. If students accept admission to a local community college (which will be the one closest to their address), they will be redirected to that school’s traditional application, which they will need to fill out, even though they already meet admission requirements.
Note that some institutions will require application fees ranging from $20 to $75. NC College Connect encourages students to submit their forms during College Appreciation Week which is Oct. 20 – 26, 2025, when most schools waive their application fees. For forms submitted to NC Independent Colleges and Universities, application fees are waived, and applications to NC Community Colleges are always free.
The NC College Connect requirements include the same as state graduation requirements, along with a fourth-level mathematics course. However, some independent colleges and universities have additional requirements, which will be marked on each institution’s NC College Connect form. All North Carolina colleges and universities also require students to answer safety questions about any behavioral misconduct during high school and criminal activity.
Once a student has submitted all of their NC College Connect forms, that’s it—no traditional application through the school, Common App, or CFNC needed. Each school will then be in touch about enrollment and financial aid opportunities. Just like when submitting applications and getting accepted to schools the traditional way, students will need to let their chosen college know they will be attending by a certain deadline, typically in May.
Applying for college can be stressful, so here’s hoping this new program eases a little bit of that worry for parents and students as they navigate what comes after high school and take that exciting next step toward their future.
Visit nccollegeconnect.org for more information and to see the list of participating schools.