Applying to College

Senior Meetings:  We host meetings with our seniors early in the fall to discuss postsecondary plans and are available throughout the year for planning, applying, and paying for college.

College Application Week:  CFNC sponsors NC Countdown to College every year in October, which includes College Application Week, when there will be programming to help students complete and submit applications for NC Residency, the FAFSA, and college applications.  Many NC colleges waive application fees during this week.  This is a great chance to get started on or continue with your college applications.

Undocumented students should see their school counselor to further discuss college and career options. UndocuCarolina has curated a great resource guide for undocumented students as well.

Curious, or searching for tips, about how to submit the best application possible?  Check out UNC-CH's advice from a team of admissions counselors, which answers common questions about anything from your essay, to letters of recommendation, to extracurriculars, to what makes your application stand out, and more!

 

Common App, Coalition App, CFNC, Proprietary School Applications, and Naviance

There are a variety of ways students across the country can apply to 2- and 4-yr schools.

Common App and Coalition App are options at many 4-yr schools nationwide.  CFNC is an option for any 2- or 4-yr school in NC.  Many 2- and 4-yr schools have their own application linked through their website.  Some can be applied to using multiple of these options.

Naviance is a separate system through which transcripts and letters of recommendation must be submitted (other than CFNC submitting transcripts to in-state schools), in addition to completing other parts of applications through the mediums listed above.  It also provides a lot of career and college planning information and tools.

NC Residency Determination Service (RDS)

Students applying to in-state schools will need to complete the RDS at ncresidency.org, to verify residency for in-state tuition and financial aid programs. If you struggle with the RDS system, then you might look at the Alternate Account Creation steps here. Many thanks to CHS Class of 2025's Lillian Brumback for taking the time to put this together!

Read the Fine Print

However you apply to college, be sure to read all applications very thoroughly.  Pay attention to binding Early Decision vs. non-binding Early Action, when considering Early Notification options.  Wondering about early notification options?  Speak with your counselor.

Along with the rest of the application, be sure to submit any supplemental materials - be they essays or personal statements, recommendations, school report forms, counselor statements, or something else.  ALWAYS double-check, on the school's website, the checklist or requirements listed in their application procedures or application materials.

 

College Application Fee Waivers

***If you have used a fee waiver when registering for the SAT or ACT, then you could be eligible for college application fee waivers.  More information on testing fee waivers is available in our College and Career Readiness Tests section, and you can see your school counselor to inquire about a college application fee waiver.***

NC College Connect

The NC College Connect program offers North Carolina public high school students with a weighted GPA of 2.8 and above the opportunity for a simplified application process at select UNC System universities; including Appalachian State University, East Carolina University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, North Carolina Central University,  University of North Carolina Asheville, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Western Carolina University, and Winston-Salem State University; and their local North Carolina community college. You should receive a letter in the mail fall of senior year, or visit NCCollegeConnect.org. Submit during College Application Week to avoid application fees!  All you need to do is submit an NC College Connect form for each institution where you would like to claim your spot (no need to submit an additional traditional application, institutions will communicate directly about next steps for enrollment and financial aid).

NCICU Direct Admission is now also a part of NC College Connect!

The NC Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU) offer a simplified application process and direct admission to participating schools, including Barton College, Belmont Abbey College, Bennett College, Brevard College, Catawba College, Chowan University, Gardner-Webb University, Greensboro College, Guilford College, Johnson C. Smith University, Lees-McRae College, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Livingstone College, Louisburg College, Mars Hill University, Meredith College, Methodist University, Montreat College, North Carolina Wesleyan University, Pfeiffer University, Saint Augustine’s University, Salem College, Shaw University, University of Mount Olive, Warren Wilson College, William Peace University, and Wingate University. All you need to do is submit an NC College Connect form for each institution where you would like to claim your spot (no need to submit an additional traditional application, institutions will communicate directly about next steps for enrollment and financial aid).

College Redirection Service

If it gets to be late in the college application season (later in the spring) and you still have not received good news from the college you were hoping for, CFNC offers a College Redirection Service - a service matching denied or late applicants and others with colleges still admitting students.

 

Other College Application Process Resources

• Matriculate's High School Fellows Program matches high school juniors and seniors who have a 3.5+ GPA, an annual family income <$90,000, and a rigorous course load with a free, virtual undergraduate mentor to advise them through the college application, enrollment, and transition process.
• College y Consejos is a LatinxEd initiative focused on creating and providing culturally relevant resources for Latinx families and students pursuing postsecondary education.
• You should already be familiar with CFNC's range of resources from Planning for College.