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North Carolina Students Can Apply To Many Colleges For Free October 21 - 27

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By Hannah Vinueza McClellan, EdNC

As part of the College Foundation of North Carolina’s (CFNC) Countdown to College initiative, North Carolina students can submit college applications for free to many North Carolina colleges and universities next week, Oct. 21-27, as part of College Application Week.

During the week, participating colleges will waive application fees for applicants who apply through CFNC. In addition to the waived application fees, the CFNC initiative also highlights resources for North Carolina students and families to help plan, apply, and pay for college.

“Each year, the Countdown to College campaign helps tens of thousands of students as they prepare for college throughout their senior year,” said Andrea Poole, executive director of the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (SEAA). “While this is an important initiative, the aftermath of Hurricane Helene means that the college planning process will look different for many western North Carolina students. SEAA and its education partners are working diligently to provide additional resources and programs in the coming months for students impacted by the hurricane.”

Many North Carolina colleges have early application deadlines in early November. A CFNC press release said that some students in western North Carolina may need to apply later than planned in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

CFNC resources will be available all year long to “help students and families navigate the college-going process when the time is right,” the release said.

Here is the list of North Carolina colleges waiving application fees for high school seniors and first-year applicants Oct. 21-27:

  • All 58 colleges in the N.C. Community College System (NCCCS).
  • Barton College 
  • Belmont Abbey College
  • Bennett College
  • Brevard College
  • Campbell University
  • Carolinas College of Health Science
  • Catawba College
  • Chowan University
  • Davidson College
  • East Carolina University
  • Elizabeth City State University
  • Elon University
  • Fayetteville State University
  • Gardner-Webb University
  • Greensboro College
  • Guilford College
  • High Point University
  • Johnson & Wales University – Charlotte
  • 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 Agricultural and Technical State University
  • North Carolina Central University
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University
  • Pfeiffer University
  • Queens University of Charlotte
  • Saint Augustine’s University
  • Salem College
  • Shaw University
  • St. Andrews University
  • University of North Carolina Asheville
  • University of North Carolina at Pembroke
  • University of North Carolina School of the Arts
  • University of Mount Olive 
  • Warren Wilson College
  • Western Carolina University
  • William Peace University
  • Wingate University
  • Winston-Salem State University

“Research from the Lumina Foundation shows that a primary barrier for students to enroll in college is cost — highlighting the positive financial impact of initiatives such as CFNC’s College Application Week, which could save students hundreds of dollars during their college-going journey.”

CFNC press release

Nationally, the average college application fee was $48 in 2024, based on Best College data. Some colleges charge upward of $100. For reference, UNC-Chapel Hill’s application fee is $85.

You can view the full list of participating colleges — for transfer, readmission, and NC College Connect — on CFNC’s website. Students can access the waived fees through CFNC’s application hub starting at 7:30 a.m. on Oct. 21, through 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 27.

Here are some other ways you can request application fee waivers at any college, at any time:

  • If you receive a fee waiver for your ACT and SAT, you can also request college application fee waivers.
  • Talk with your high school guidance counselor. They probably have the correct waiver form you need, and their signature will improve your chances of having the fee waived.
  • International students don’t have to pay an application fee for many universities.
  • Request a National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Fee Waiver, which the majority of schools accept. If you meet the NACAC requirements, you’ll be able to apply for up to four schools without paying the application fee.

 

CFNC also provides other college resources for students and families, including residency verification, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and filling out applications. Learn more on CFNC’s website.