Sandhills Community College and NC College Connect open enrollment to high school seniors

Sandhills Community College is helping make the path from high school to college simpler for students across Moore and Hoke Counties through NC College Connect, a statewide effort that provides eligible North Carolina high school seniors with a direct path to college admission.

This fall, 105,036 North Carolina public high school seniors who are on track to graduate with a diploma and meet program requirements are eligible to receive direct admission to their local community college through NC College Connect. That represents more than 95% of current Grade 12 and 13 students in North Carolina public schools.

The program has also expanded this year to reach more students. In the previous two years, NC College Connect was limited to public high school seniors with a GPA of 2.8 or higher. This year, 37,429 additional students are being reached because eligibility for community college direct admission has been expanded to all public high school seniors who are on track to graduate, regardless of GPA.

Through NC College Connect, eligible students are guaranteed direct admission to their local community college with no essays, ACT or SAT scores, or letters of recommendation required. In addition, more than 67,000 students, or 64% of eligible seniors, meet criteria to receive direct admission offers from additional participating North Carolina colleges and universities.

A total of 99 North Carolina colleges and universities are participating in NC College Connect.

“We are very committed to removing barriers, creating a simpler path to college and encouraging local high school seniors to take advantage of the opportunity,” said Chad Williams, VP for Student Services at Sandhills Community College. “Our Sandhills Promise has attracted thousands of students to SCC as well as our Career and College Promise program. We look forward serving additional students with the NC College Connect program with new admission opportunities.”

NC College Connect is coordinated through a statewide partnership that includes the North Carolina Community College System, College for North Carolina, the UNC System, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, and North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities.

“Ask a North Carolinian what a community college credential did for them, and you’ll hear about a career. NC College Connect makes that path easier to find. This year, it’s open to all students. Less time lost to paperwork, more time in the classroom, and a straighter line to a job that pays,” said Dr. Monty Sullivan, Acting President & CEO of the North Carolina Community College System.

Eligible students can log in to their College for North Carolina account to view their direct admission matches and complete a short form to claim their spot. Applications to North Carolina community colleges are always free, removing another potential barrier as students take the next step in their education.

 “Students who claim their spot at Sandhills Community College can choose from more than 100 programs that cross a huge array of departments – from healthcare to advance manufacturing, to collision repair to engineering, and from aviation to golf greenkeeping and turf mangement – we have a great variety to get your studies and career started,” said Williams. “College staff are also available to assist students with enrollment, financial aid and choosing a program that aligns with their goals.”

Students and families can learn more and access their personalized NC College Connect portal beginning Sept. 15 at CFNC.org/NC-College-Connect/.

To learn more about enrolling at Sandhills Community College visit www.sandhills.edu/apply or contact (910) 695-3725.

Jennifer J. Pearce

Director of Marketing and Communications

Sept. 16, 2026

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