NC College Connect Opens a Direct Path to Higher Education for North Carolina High School Seniors

More than 105,000 North Carolina public high school seniors will receive direct admission to their local community college this fall through NC College Connect, an initiative designed to make the path from high school to higher education simpler and more accessible. 

The North Carolina Community College System, in partnership with College for North Carolina, the UNC System, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, and North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, is expanding NC College Connect this year to include all public high school seniors who are on track to graduate with a diploma and meet program requirements, regardless of GPA. 

That expansion means 105,036 seniors — more than 95% of current Grade 12 and 13 students in North Carolina public schools — are eligible to receive direct admission to their local community college. Of those students, 37,429 are being reached this year because of changes to the program’s eligibility criteria. In the previous two years, NC College Connect was limited to public high school seniors with a GPA of 2.8 or higher. 

The State Board of Community Colleges covered the cost of mailing admission letters to those 37,429 newly eligible students. 

Through NC College Connect, eligible seniors are guaranteed direct admission to their local community college with no essays, ACT or SAT scores, or letters of recommendation required. Applications to North Carolina community colleges are also always free. 

In addition to their community college admission offer, more than 67,000 students, or 64% of eligible seniors, meet criteria to receive direct admission offers from additional participating North Carolina colleges and universities. Students receive admission opportunities based on program criteria, with some students qualifying for offers from as many as 41 institutions, including their local community college. 

A total of 99 North Carolina colleges and universities are participating in NC College Connect. 

“Ask a North Carolinian what a community college credential did for them, and you’ll hear about a career. NC College Connect makes that path easier to find. This year, it’s open to all students. Less time lost to paperwork, more time in the classroom, and a straighter line to a job that pays,” said Dr. Monty Sullivan, Acting President & CEO of the North Carolina Community College System. 

Eligible students can log in to their College for North Carolina account to view their direct admission matches and complete a short form to claim their spot. 

Key milestones include: 

• Sept. 15, 2026 — Portal launch and direct mail: The NC College Connect portal opens on CFNC.org, and official admission letters will begin arriving at seniors’ homes following the launch.
• Oct. 19-25, 2026 — NC Countdown to College: Students are encouraged to claim their spots and participate in statewide College Application Week activities, including completing residency determination and financial aid forms such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  

Students and families can learn more and access their personalized NC College Connect portal beginning Sept. 15 at CFNC.org/NC-College-Connect/. 

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