Applying to Community College

There are many benefits to attending community college, including:

• greater affordability

• the ability to earn a professional certificate

• smaller class sizes

• academic flexibility

Find a complete list of NC's community colleges here.

Community College may be the best option for you if one or more of the following apply:

• you want to save money

• you need a gpa "reset" 

• you are unsure of your post-secondary goals

• you need some more time before attending a 4-year university

• you would like to receive a license, professional certificate, or associate's degree

Find a complete list of NC's community colleges here.

If you are applying to a community college in North Carolina, the answer is nothing! The applications for NC community colleges are free.

1. Create an account at CFNC.org. To create your account, you will need a username, password, email address, date of birth, and address.

2. Complete the NC Residency Determination Service (RDS)

   • RDS is the application that allows students to qualify for in-state tuition and NC state grants.

   • To complete the RDS, login to your CFNC account, search up RDS, and click on Complete Residency Determination. You can also click here.

   • See Ms. Rawls in Rm 212 if you need assistance.

3. Use the Application Hub on the CFNC website to begin your application!

4. Once you've started the application, request CFNC to send your transcript, which is required by NC community colleges.

5. Once you've submitted your application, fill out the free application for federal student aid or FAFSA. This year, the FAFSA application opens December 1st. Go to the "Financial Aid" tab for more assistance, or see Ms. Rawls in 212.

Most community colleges do not have a specific application deadline. Instead, most community colleges offer "rolling admissions," meaning that interested students can apply year round.

However, classes can fill up quickly, so it's recommended you apply as soon as you know you wish to attend community college.

If wanting to attend a community college in the Fall of 2025, seniors can begin applying now!!!

For dual enrollment, students should apply the semester before they want to dually enroll. View our dual enrollment page for more details.

First and foremost, it's important to note that, in most cases, the cost of attending community college is less than the cost of attending a 4-year university. The average cost of attendance at a North Carolina community college is approximately $3,920 per year. That being said, here are ways to apply for financial aid and scholarships for community college.

1. After submitting your college application, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. Submitting the FAFSA will put you in the running to receive federal grants, state-funded grants, local aid, work study opportunities, and loans.

2. Apply for scholarships within the NC Community College system. Click here to learn more.

The NC Community College Grant is a grant specifically for students enrolled in a community college in North Carolina who demonstrate financial need. Students who are awarded this grant can qualify for up to $2,200 each year.

To be eligible:

• Complete and submit an application to an NC community college

• Complete and submit the FAFSA application. (You only need to submit the FAFSA. There is NO SEPARATE APPLICATION for this grant.)

• Enroll in at least six credit hours at your community college