NCICU Expands College Access through NC College Connect

New direct admission program offers eligible students a streamlined pathway to higher education

RALEIGH, N.C., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting this fall, more than 62,000 North Carolina public high school seniors will be offered direct admission to select institutions in North Carolina as part of the NC College Connect program. NC College Connect provides a simpler and faster way for eligible seniors to be admitted to colleges and universities in North Carolina.

"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," said NCICU President Dr. A. Hope Williams. "With 29 NCICU campuses participating this year, we believe this expansion of college access will help over 62,000 students find their 'right fit' and will also contribute to meeting the state's myFutureNC educational attainment goal."

Public high school students who complete their junior year with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above and meet the NC College Connect requirements will be eligible. Participating institutions include select UNC System universities, North Carolina independent colleges and universities, and North Carolina community colleges across the state. A full list of participating institutions can be found below.

Eligible high school students entering their senior year will receive an official NC College Connect letter in the mail this fall, offering them direct admission for the 2026-27 academic year. Students can also check their eligibility by visiting NCCollegeConnect.com and logging into the portal or speaking 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."

NC College Connect began as a pilot program last year, offering a simplified process to more than 70,000 students and creating a path to college for our state's seniors. Likewise, NCICU launched its Direct Admission Program last year with the support of North Carolina district superintendents and high school principals. This year's program has expanded to more colleges and universities and has made the process more streamlined for students by directly admitting them to colleges where they're eligible.

"This is a defining moment for North Carolina education," added 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."

To learn more about the program and confirm admission at select colleges and universities, eligible students should visit NCCollegeConnect.org. There, they will see a "Claim Your Spot" button and can login to the NC College Connect portal to see the institutions where they have been offered direct admission. Students are encouraged to confirm their admission to institutions during College Application Week, October 20-26, 2025, to avoid most 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."

North Carolina has also invested resources to ensure that students have financial aid opportunities to help pay for college. This includes opportunities such as the Next NC Scholarship, which helps most North Carolinians from households making $80,000 or less pursue higher education by fully covering tuition and fees at any community college or more than half, if not all, of tuition and fees to attend any public university in the state. 

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 undergraduate students. Students can apply for both scholarships by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

In addition, admitted students who enroll in Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, University of North Carolina at Pembroke and Western Carolina University will only pay $500 per semester in tuition as part of the low-cost NC Promise plan.

Participating institutions include:

NC College Connect was created in partnership with the University of North Carolina System, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), GEAR Up North Carolina, the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA), and the Office of the Governor. For more information about the program, please visit NCCollegeConnect.org.

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 independent higher education in the areas of state and federal public policy and on education issues with the other sectors of education 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 nearly 248,000 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 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 Community College System:
The North Carolina Community College System provides open-access, affordable education and workforce training, reaching all 100 counties. Serving more than 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.

SOURCE North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities