Perspective | Gov. Stein celebrates NC College Connect in Wilmington
Gov. Josh Stein visited Laney High School in Wilmington on Sept. 15, the day that portals opened for North Carolina students eligible for NC College Connect.
He commemorated the day by sitting with students and talking to them about the opportunity presented by the program.
“On this day, many people are going to learn a whole bunch of schools to which they’ve been accepted to admission for next year,” he said. “And they didn’t even have to apply to do it.”
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NC College Connect is a program that directly admits North Carolina public high school seniors who are on track to graduate, have a weighted 2.8 GPA or higher, are enrolled in a fourth-level math, and meet program requirements to participating UNC System universities, North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities, and their local North Carolina community college.
Students without a 2.8 GPA who are on track to graduate will be directly admitted to their local community college.
Stein described the program as an “innovative way to smooth the transition from” high school and help students on their path to the future.
“What we’re trying to do is make it easy for you to find opportunities and options here in the state because we want you to stay here and we want you to succeed,” he said.
Stein toured the school before meeting with a group of high school seniors and watching as they found out what colleges they were directly admitted to.
He told the students that this program really demystifies the college-going process and gives them a sense of their options so they can consider what they want to do after graduation.
“The thing about going from high school to college or university, for some people it’s an easier process.” he said. “But for other people, it can be intimidating. For a lot of people, they might be the first person in their family.”
Stein asked the students what in their high school experience has helped prepare them for their next steps.
Laney High School students highlighted dual-enrollment classes, which allow students to take college courses while still in high school. One student said he took college-level fire protection classes as part of a firefighting curriculum.
“It just really opens your eyes to see what future careers you could have,” he said.
Stein said that getting exposure to possible workforce options is key. He emphasized that it’s not important that students know exactly where they’re going, just that they’re willing to try.
“Most people when they’re 18 don’t know what they want to do, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with not knowing,” he said. “The way you figure out what you want to do is to do something.”
Eligible students can check their admissions offers by logging into their student portal at NCCollegeConnect.org, and they will also receive a letter in the mail.
Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid programs by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, as the first step toward higher education, something Stein also highlighted.
“Now, you have this list, you have weeks to figure out what’s right for you,” he said. “You’ve got to do your FAFSA, figure out what your financial aid looks like; you need to reach out to campus, find out what their tuition is… this is the start of infinite possibilities.”
NC College Connect is a partnership between the UNC System, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, GEAR Up North Carolina, the North Carolina Community College System, North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities, the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA), and the Office of the Governor.
Kathy Hastings, director of outreach and communications for NCSEAA, said that having Stein promote NC College Connect is important, because it’s a program that can change students’ lives.
“Students who might not have thought of themselves as college material are finding out that there are opportunities just waiting for them next fall,” she said. “And with the governor’s help getting the word out, families across the state will know when they get a letter in the mail that it’s real and that their students’ future can start here.”