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NCICU launches direct admission program for eligible high school seniors

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Courtesy of NCICU

Twenty-six North Carolina private colleges and universities are offering eligible students more immediate acceptance to their campuses for the 2025-26 academic year, according to a press release.

North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU) announced last week the NCICU Direct Admission Program for North Carolina high school seniors and their families.

This initiative simplifies the college application process for North Carolina high school seniors with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or higher.

“In just five minutes, students can complete their application at www.ncicu.org without the worry of any application fees,” says the press release. “By answering a few straightforward questions, students will receive information directly from the colleges and universities of their choice, including details about conditional acceptance, specific campus requirements, and available financial aid options.” Here is more information about the direct admission program.

Of the 36 NCICU campuses, 26 are part of this innovative program, including:

  • Barton College
  • Belmont Abbey College
  • Bennett 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
  • Shaw University
  • St. Andrews University
  • Saint Augustine’s University
  • University of Mount Olive
  • Warren Wilson College
  • William Peace University
  • Wingate University

The streamlined process, says NCICU, is designed to make the college application experience as stress-free as possible for students and their families.

NCICU sent letters to superintendents and principals and is also distributing handbooks to more than 1,000 school counselors across North Carolina about the opportunity.

“We believe that informing students about their options at these 26 private, nonprofit colleges and universities can only enhance their educational opportunities,” said NCICU President Dr. Hope Williams. “We believe having more acceptances to college will help students find their ‘right fit’ and will also contribute to meeting the state’s myFutureNC educational attainment goal.”

The press release says NCICU encourages all students to prioritize completing their FAFSA and seize the opportunities presented by the North Carolina Need-Based Scholarship, Federal Pell Grants, and significant Institutional Aid available at NCICU campuses. “These financial aid programs provide crucial financial support to help ease the burden of college expenses,” it says.

All NCICU colleges and universities will continue to offer the traditional admissions process.