NC College Connect is Here for Everyone!

The NC College Connect program offers all North Carolina public high school seniors a simplified pathway to higher education. In Fall 2026, graduating seniors will receive direct admission to select colleges and universities participating in the NC College Connect program. Each student's tailored list of admitted institutions is based on their weighted GPA at the close of their junior year, along with being on track to graduate, completion of a fourth-level math course, and fulfillment of program requirements. Note that the higher a student’s GPA, the more schools to which they will be directly admitted!

This year, all students on track to graduate will be eligible -- yes, everyone! Here you will find resources to help spread the word about this program to students and families, answers to some specific questions we've heard from you, and information to help you understand the students’ process for accepting their admission.

We are also hosting a series of webinars to answer questions in real-time – please join us at the links below.

For students:

For education professionals: 

Resources to Share With Students & Families

We recommend reviewing the Toolkit Guide to learn more about the assets provided, including recommendations for use.

English Resources

  • Full English Toolkit (.zip file): All toolkit assets you need in one easily downloadable .zip file.
  • Toolkit Guide: This overview of materials will help your institution or organization promote NC College Connect and includes recommendations for use.
  • Print-Ready One-Pager: You can share this directly with students and parents as a take-home material or at school events.
  • Student Flyer: This asset is a more visual version of the one-pager, also perfect for printing and sharing with students.
  • PowerPoint Explainer: Include these slides in your next presentation to students or parents to give them an overview of NC College Connect.
  • Messaging & FAQ: Keep these message points and frequently asked questions handy for when you're talking about NC College Connect to your communities, networks, parents or students.
  • Social Media Graphics & Example Posts: Use these graphics and suggested language to share NC College Connect on social media.
  • Email Newsletter Language (Student-Facing) & Email Newsletter Language (General): Language to use in any internal or external newsletters to spread the word about NC College Connect.

Frequently Asked Questions

For easy reference, these FAQs and more are included in the Messaging & FAQ section of the Toolkit.

  • NC College Connect is a program created with the goal of increasing access to higher education by matching North Carolina public high school seniors with specific UNC System universities, North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, and their local North Carolina community college where they already meet admissions requirements.
  • This program allows students to bypass the traditional application process – including essays, test scores, and recommendation letters.
  • All students in membership, who begin their senior year at a North Carolina public high school and are on track to graduate, are eligible for the NC College Connect program.
  • All North Carolina public high school students are eligible for NC College Connect.
  • The student must:
    • be in membership of a public high school on the date of the data pull (September 8) and on track to graduate with a diploma.
    • meet course requirements and any additional criteria required by individual institutions, as well as complete and submit the form for each interested college or university.
    • start senior year at a NC public high school and be on track to graduate in order to be directly admitted to their local community college in the fall of their senior year.
    • start senior year at a NC public high school, be on track to graduate, have a weighted 2.8 GPA or higher, have a fourth-level math, and meet program requirements in order to be directly admitted to additional 4-year colleges and universities. 
  • Students with a higher GPA will be eligible for more institutions. 
  • Occupational Course of Study students are eligible for NC College Connect as long as they are on track to earn a high school diploma and not a certificate.

Have your student check their CFNC profile account. It must match exactly what is in Infinite Campus/NC-SIS. Have them check the exact spelling of their first and last name. Also, be sure their birthdate and NC student number are correct. If any of these pieces are not matched correctly based on the data pull, the student will receive an “ineligible” message. Use your validation report to help with this process.

There are several ways for you to get your questions answered. Use of the following paths:

  • District Director of Student Services
  • CFNC Resource Center
  • CFNC Associate Outreach Director


Education partners across the state are aware of program details and are here to support you as you help students navigate their journey to college.

The CFNC Resource Center can answer many general questions about the program. Students can use the chat, call, or email any questions they may have.

CFNC Resource Center
Mon-Thu 8am-6pm
Fri 8am-5pm
866.866.CFNC (2362) Option 1
336.814.2138 (text messages only)
questions@cfncresources.org
https://nccc-cfnc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us#faqs

High School Counselors/Staff: 
cfnc@cfnc.northcarolina.edu

Universities and Colleges: 
Cfnc-campus@cfnc.northcarolina.edu

District Leaders & Lead School Counselors:
nccollegeconnect@dpi.nc.gov

Student Walkthrough Video

Click here to watch the NC College Connect Walkthrough video or use it for your communications.