There are a few housekeeping tasks you have to do before you can apply to any college in North Carolina:
Research programs and universities
Don't go in blind
For 4-year institutions: have a vague idea of what major to pursue
Complete your Residency Determination Service (RDS)
So you're charged in-state tuition
Available through CFNC as well
Gather documents
High school transcripts (can send automatically through CFNC)
Test scores (ACT and SAT) if needed
If your GPA is between a 2.5 and a 2.8, test scores are required for the 17 UNC schools
Main Research and Application Sites
IMPORTANT NOTE: Know your start date!
If you graduate in December 2025 and plan to start attending college in January 2026, you need to fill out two FAFSA forms, one for the 2025-26 year and one for the 2026-27 year. The 2025-26 award covers the January 2026 semester, while the 2026-27 award covers the August 2026 semester.
For students graduating in June 2026, ONLY do the 2026-27 FAFSA form.
Financial Aid