UNC System Simplifies Application for Community Colleges, Some Universities

Applying for college in North Carolina is getting easier. Qualifying North Carolina students now have access to a simplified application to their local community colleges and six universities. They’ll also pay $500 per semester or less in tuition at some institutions.

The University of North Carolina (UNC) System announced the NC College Connect program Sept. 5. This pilot program allows all public high school seniors with a 2.8 or higher weighted GPA to apply using a simplified application to participating colleges and universities.

Half of the six participating universities are historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

“We believe that college should be accessible to those who are ready to pursue their passions at one of North Carolina’s exceptional public universities or community colleges,” UNC System President Peter Hans said in a press release.

“The NC College Connect program opens pathways for more North Carolinians, delivering on our promise to provide quality, affordable higher education to the people of our state.”

Qualifying seniors will receive a letter this October for the 2025-26 academic year. They can either scan the QR code included in the letter or go to the program’s website to start their application.

All qualifying seniors must submit basic contact and identification information, an NC Student number, their intended major, and their start term.

While the application is simplified, qualifying students will still have to pay $30-$75 for each application. That’s unless they’re applying at their local community college — all community college applications in the state are free.

The UNC System encourages students to submit applications during College Application Week, Oct. 21-27, when all universities — except the University of North Carolina at Greensboro — waive application fees.

Colleges and universities participating include:

In-state students from families making $80,000 or less can qualify for free tuition at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and any community college through the Next NC Scholarship.

If students do not qualify for the scholarship, they won’t have to pay more than $500 in tuition per semester to attend the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Elizabeth City State University, and Fayetteville State University.

Students at Fayetteville State University can also receive up to seven free credit hours of classes during the summer — up to 28 credits over their college careers.

Qualifying seniors with the same GPA requirements who want to attend a private North Carolina college also have the opportunity for direct admissions into 26 private colleges, including five HBCUs. Students can apply for free with a simplified application through North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities’ new program, which launched Sept. 4.

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education was one of the first systems to open direct admissions to 38 colleges after being inspired by Idaho’s success in the first state-level program.

Since then, the University of Wisconsin, Georgia, and the Common App have all created direct admissions programs at different scales.