Eligibility
Through NC College Connect, Appalachian State University recognizes your hard work and academic accomplishments. Students who are eligible will receive direct admission to App State by matching with us in the College for North Carolina (CFNC) student portal.
Eligibility (Based on the most recent transcript data made available to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction)
- Graduating from a North Carolina High School
- Earned a weighted GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Meets the UNC System Minimum Course Requirements
Finalize Your Application – It’s easy!
Match with App State through NC College Connect
Receive confirmation and next steps from App State
Complete the Common Application and Pay the $65 Application Fee*
Submit Transcripts** (Be sure to click the option to send transcripts in the NC College Connect portal)
*This step is required to ensure we have all information necessary for identity verification, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System reporting, and to ensure scholarship eligibility. Application fee waivers are available for qualifying students.
**If your high school does not participate in the electronic transcript system through CFNC, your transcripts can be emailed to processing@appstate.edu.
Important Dates
Priority Deadline (Scholarships & Honors): To receive priority consideration for scholarships and Honors programs, submit your Connect application by Nov. 1 and all supporting materials to Admissions by Nov. 15.
Final Direct Admission Deadline: To guarantee your space through the Direct Admission program, your application must be submitted by the Connect deadline of Jan. 8, with all remaining materials received by Admissions by Feb. 15.
Note: Submitting required materials after Feb. 15 may result in your Direct Admission offer being subject to space availability.
Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities
NC College Connect direct admits can apply for all university scholarships in their MyMountaineer portal after completing the Common Application. On-campus federal work study is also available for those who qualify. To receive priority consideration for scholarships and Honors programs, submit your Connect application by Nov. 1 and all supporting materials to Admissions by Nov. 15.
The Office of Student Financial Aid and University Scholarships is dedicated to helping students and families apply for and obtain financial aid to assist students with pursuing their educational goals. As an App State student, you’ll have access to financial counselors who can meet with you to help you navigate paying for college – including applying for financial aid and finding scholarships.
FAQs
NC College Connect is a program that directly admits eligible North Carolina public high school seniors to participating colleges and universities based on their academic record. Students are automatically matched with participating institutions based on information provided by their high school, including GPA and completion of program requirements. The higher your GPA, the more colleges and universities you may match with.
Beginning September 15, you can view your NC College Connect matches in your College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) portal. If Appalachian State University appears as one of your matches, you can complete a short form through NC College Connect to confirm your interest and accept your direct admission offer.
Once you complete the NC College Connect short form and select App State, you are admitted to Appalachian State University through NC College Connect. You will need to complete some additional steps to be considered for scholarships and to be able to confirm your enrollment.
Your admission is based on the academic information available at the time of your match. You must still successfully complete high school and submit your final official transcript after graduation to confirm your enrollment eligibility. All applicants currently enrolled in high school are granted provisional acceptance to App State until an official final high school transcript is received. Admission to App State does not guarantee acceptance to a specific major/program of study.
Students are identified for NC College Connect eligibility based on information provided by their high school.
Eligibility requirements include:
Being a senior at a participating North Carolina public high school
Being on track to graduate
Meeting GPA requirements
Completing required high school coursework, including fourth-level math
Meeting other program requirements
Your NC College Connect matches will appear automatically in your CFNC portal. Colleges have different criteria for matching. App State is matching students with GPA’s that are 3.5 or higher. If you did not match to App State through NC College Connect you can still apply through the Common Application!
Students may not see NC College Connect matches if their most recent transcript information submitted by their high school did not include all required information, such as a calculated GPA or updated student information.
If you believe you should qualify but do not see any matches, please contact your high school counselor to confirm your information is accurate and up to date.
Keeping your information current will also help when your final high school transcript is sent to App State.
Congratulations! If App State appears as one of your NC College Connect matches, you can complete the NC College Connect short form to confirm your interest and accept your direct admission offer.
After completing the short form, your next steps are:
Complete the Common Application and pay the $65 application fee or approved fee waiver.
Submit your transcript (this will happen automatically for many NC College Connect applicants).
Monitor your MyMountaineer Portal for scholarships, financial aid information, housing, and additional enrollment steps.
Great question! If App State is one of your NC College Connect matches and you complete the NC College Connect short form, you are admitted to Appalachian State University through NC College Connect.
After receiving a direct admission offer, all participating colleges require students to complete additional steps to prepare for enrollment. At App State, we use the Common Application for these next steps.
Many students are already using the Common Application to apply to other colleges, making it a familiar and convenient option. It also allows us to collect the information we need to:
Verify your identity
Meet federal reporting requirements
Determine scholarship eligibility
Create your MyMountaineer Portal so you can complete enrollment steps
Completing the Common Application does not determine whether you are admitted. Your admission comes through NC College Connect. The Common Application simply helps App State prepare your student record and connect you with scholarships, financial aid, housing, and other important next steps.
You can still apply to App State through the Common Application! There are many ways to become a Mountaineer! Students who apply through our regular admissions process receive a complete review of their application.
After you submit a complete application and need materials, you should expect an admission decision within 2–4 weeks. You can see the steps to apply here.
No. NC College Connect provides your admission to App State, but you must complete additional enrollment steps to become a Mountaineer.
After completing the Common Application and required next steps, you will be able to move forward with important items such as financial aid, scholarships, housing, and enrollment confirmation.
Students must submit their enrollment deposit by May 1 to secure their spot at App State.
Students who match with App State through NC College Connect must complete the Common Application and pay the $65 application fee.
The application fee can be paid when you submit your Common Application or later through your MyMountaineer Portal.
Application fee waivers are available for qualifying students with financial need.
Yes! Students who qualify for an application fee waiver may submit an approved waiver to App State.
Please note that App State does not participate in CFNC’s College Application Week.
We encourage you to complete your next steps as soon as possible.
Students who complete the Common Application and submit all required materials by November 15 will be considered for App State scholarships.
Students who complete their application after November 15 may still be considered for admission but may not be eligible for university scholarships.
An App State education is among the most affordable in North Carolina. With in-state tuition and fees among the lowest in the Southeast, competitive rates for out-of-state students, and more than 60% of students receiving financial aid, we are committed to helping students access a high-quality education.
Students admitted through NC College Connect can apply for university scholarships after completing the Common Application and accessing their MyMountaineer Portal.
Federal financial aid, including work-study opportunities for qualifying students, is also available.
The Office of Student Financial Aid and University Scholarships is dedicated to helping students and families understand financial aid, paying for college, and scholarship opportunities. Financial aid counselors are available to support you throughout the process.
Contact Financial Aid:
financialaid@appstate.edu
Yes!
Complete your Common Application by November 15 to be considered for App State scholarships. After completing your application, you will receive access to additional scholarship and Honors College information through your MyMountaineer Portal.
Additional opportunities may include:
Chancellor’s Scholarship
Health Sciences Scholarships
Education Scholarships
Other competitive scholarship programs
Yes.
NC College Connect provides your admission to App State, but you must complete all required enrollment steps, including applying for on-campus housing if you plan to live on campus.
Students admitted through NC College Connect must submit their final official high school transcript after graduation.
If your academic performance changes significantly during your senior year, App State may request additional information or review your admission status.
Many students begin college without knowing exactly what they want to study—and that is completely normal!
College is a time to explore your interests, discover your strengths, and prepare for your future career. App State offers resources to help you explore majors and career options, including support from our Career Development Center.
Appalachian State University is a member of the University of North Carolina System and participates in NC College Connect, a statewide initiative coordinated through College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC).
NC College Connect helps eligible North Carolina students connect with colleges and universities based on their academic achievements.
Remember: Your NC College Connect match and completed short form provide your admission to App State. Completing your required next steps - including the Common Application, transcript submission, and enrollment steps - helps us prepare you to become a Mountaineer.
For additional questions, contact the Office of Admissions:
admissions@appstate.edu
828-262-2120
Our office is available Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., except for university holidays and closures.