NC College Connect extends college admission offers to tens of thousands of eligible high school seniors

RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Without submitting a single application, more than 67,500 high school seniors across North Carolina already have a seat at select four-year colleges and universities next fall through NC College Connect, a direct admission program that provides a streamlined path to higher education.

Today, students can check their admission offers by visiting NCCollegeConnect.org and logging into the student portal there. They will also receive an official letter by U.S. mail in the coming days.

The personalized letters will notify 64% of high school seniors of the four-year institutions where they are admitted for the 2027-28 academic year. The program offers college admission to eligible public high school students who begin their senior year with a weighted grade point average of at least 2.8 and are enrolled in a fourth-level math.

Additionally, all students on track for a high school diploma, regardless of their GPA, will be directly admitted to their local community college. In total, more than 105,000 seniors will receive a direct admission offer.

Participating institutions include 29 North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, 11 University of North Carolina System universities, and all 58 North Carolina community colleges.

"One of the positive aspects of NC College Connect is that thousands of students have learned about colleges and universities across our state that they may not have known previously," said NCICU President Dr. A. Hope Williams. "This program gives North Carolina students a clearer view and simple pathway to all that our independent colleges and universities offer – from small liberal arts campuses to research institutions – so more students can find not just a college, but the right college for their future." 

The program features a strong statewide partnership with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, GEAR Up North Carolina, the UNC System, the North Carolina Community College System, the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority, and the Office of the Governor.

Students can review their admission offers and submit a short form indicating their interest, without essays, recommendation letters or other requirements of a traditional application. If students confirm their admission to an institution during College Application Week, Oct. 19-25, they can avoid most application fees.

North Carolina students attending the state's independent, nonprofit colleges and universities may be eligible to receive the NC Need-Based Scholarship, which provides financial aid for the state's Pell-eligible and middle-income undergraduates. In addition, independent colleges and universities in North Carolina offer a combined $1.1 billion in institutional aid.

Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid programs by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, as the first step toward higher education.

For a list of participating colleges and universities, please see this NC College Connect factsheet. 

ABOUT NCICU

North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU) is the statewide office of private, nonprofit, liberal arts and research colleges and universities. NCICU supports, represents, and advocates for North Carolina's independent higher education in state and federal public policy and on education issues with other education sectors in the state. It also raises funds through the Independent College Fund of North Carolina for student scholarships and enrichment experiences, provides research and information to and about private colleges and universities, conducts staff development opportunities and coordinates collaborative programs. Presidents of the colleges and universities comprise NCICU's Board of Directors.

About the UNC System
The University of North Carolina System enrolls more than 256,000 students at 17 institutions, including the state's 16 public universities and the nation's first public residential high school for academically gifted students. The UNC System is among the strongest and most diverse higher education systems in the country, with more than $2.2 billion in research expenditures and campuses that serve every region of North Carolina. Affiliate organizations include PBS North Carolina, with 12 public television stations across the state, and UNC Health, with 19 hospital campuses and an extensive healthcare network.

About the North Carolina Community College System
The North Carolina Community College System provides open-access, affordable education and workforce training, reaching all 100 counties. Serving 600,000 North Carolinians each year, the System acts as a critical engine for economic mobility and workforce development. With 58 colleges located within 30 minutes of nearly every resident, community colleges offer accessible pathways for high school students, adult learners, and working professionals—delivering degrees, credentials, and skills that align with today's labor market and support long-term career success.

About the NC Department of Public Instruction
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) is charged with implementing the state's public school laws for pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade public schools at the direction of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and State Board of Education. The agency provides leadership and service to the state's 115 school districts, 200+ charter schools, North Carolina's Virtual Public School, and three residential schools for students with hearing and visual impairments.

About the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) is the State agency that has been helping North Carolinians pay for education since 1965. NCSEAA administers financial aid and savings programs, helps students and families understand how to make paying for college more manageable, and provides resources for education professionals about financial aid.

CONTACT: Demarcus Williams, [email protected]

SOURCE North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities