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Explore NC College Connect This Week's Scholarships

4grade specific roadmaps

20practical next steps

1confident direction

Featured this week · Class of 2027

You may already have college admission offers.

NC College Connect gives North Carolina public high school seniors a personalized list of participating colleges where they already meet admission requirements.

What seniors need to know

Students with at least a 2.8 weighted GPA, a fourth-level math course, and other program requirements may receive direct admission offers from participating four year colleges.
Every public high school senior who is on track to graduate can receive direct admission to a local North Carolina community college, regardless of GPA.
Check your letter or sign in to the NC College Connect portal with your CFNC account to see your personalized list. A short form lets you claim each offer you want.
No essays, recommendation letters, test scores, or traditional application are needed to claim the offers shown in the portal.
Students may claim spots at more than one college. Claiming a spot is not a commitment to enroll.

Check My College Offers This is a college admission program, not a scholarship. Students should still complete the FAFSA and watch college deadlines for scholarships, financial aid, housing, honors programs, and specific academic programs. If a college you want is not on your list, you may still apply through its regular process.

Week of October 18, 2026

This Week on Pryor 2 College

Explore two national opportunities that recognize students for their goals, experiences, service, and voice.

Scholarship Spotlight

Two opportunities for the Class of 2027

BK Scholars Program: awards from $1,000 to $60,000Open to eligible high school seniors and Burger King employees and their families. Selection considers GPA, work experience, extracurricular activities, financial need, and community service. The 2027–2028 application is open through December 15, 2026.Review eligibility and apply →
VFW Voice of Democracy: national award up to $35,000Students in grades 9–12 can submit a recorded audio essay on the 2026–2027 theme, “What a Veteran Taught Me About America.” Submit the essay and entry form to a participating local VFW Post by midnight October 31, 2026.Read the rules and find a local post →

Deadlines verified October 18, 2026 on the official program pages

College Prep Tip

Show your impact, not just your involvement

When you describe an activity, job, or service project, include what you did, who benefited, and what changed. Specific details help scholarship reviewers understand the difference you made.

Pryor 2 Tip of the Week

Action Step

Write three impact statements

Choose three activities from school, work, home, church, or your community. For each one, write a sentence that includes your role, one action you took, and a result you can explain or measure.

Complete this before October 25

See Past Weekly Highlights →

2026–2027 School Year

Past Weekly Highlights

Previous scholarships, College Prep Tips, and Action Steps stay here through June. Always check the official scholarship page for current details before applying.

Week of October 11, 2026Scholarships, tip, and action step

Scholarship Spotlight

Ron Brown Signature Scholarship: $40,000 over four years; application deadline December 1, 2026.
Hagan Scholarship: up to $60,000 over eight semesters; application deadline December 1, 2026.

Originally verified October 11, 2026. Both opportunities were still open when archived on October 18, 2026. Confirm current status on each official program website.

College Prep Tip

When requesting a recommendation, share the scholarship deadline, your activity list, two or three accomplishments you value, and a short note about your goals.

Action Step

Choose a trusted teacher, counselor, coach, or mentor. Ask for a recommendation, then share a one-page activity list, your goals, the scholarship link, and the exact deadline.

Original completion date: October 18, 2026

Week of October 4, 2026Scholarships, tip, and action step

Scholarship Spotlight

Levine Scholars Program at UNC Charlotte: full four-year award; nomination or self-nomination deadline October 15, 2026. Expired
BigFuture Scholarships: $500 and $40,000 drawings; balanced college list step deadline October 31, 2026.

Originally verified October 4, 2026. The Levine nomination deadline has passed. Confirm current status on each official program website.

College Prep Tip

Some scholarships require a nomination, college admission application, or planning activity before the final application. Read the full process early so you do not miss the first deadline.

Action Step

If Levine is a good fit, speak with your counselor or complete the self-nomination form. If you use BigFuture, build a balanced list with three reach, two match, and one safety college.

Original completion date: October 11, 2026

Week of September 27, 2026Scholarships, tip, and action step

Scholarship Spotlight

Coca-Cola Scholars Program: $20,000; deadline September 30, 2026. Expired
Morehead-Cain Scholarship: fully funded UNC–Chapel Hill experience; deadline October 1, 2026. Expired

Originally verified September 28, 2026. Both application deadlines have passed.

College Prep Tip

Work backward from each deadline, list every required piece, and plan to submit at least one day early.

Action Step

Check NC College Connect offers, then choose one urgent scholarship and begin the official application.

Original completion deadline: October 1, 2026

Week of September 20, 2026Scholarships, tip, and action step

Scholarship Spotlight

Cooke College Scholarship: up to $55,000 per year; deadline November 11, 2026.
Elks Most Valuable Student: up to $30,000; deadline November 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Originally verified September 20, 2026. Both opportunities were still open when archived on September 27, 2026. Confirm current status on each official program website.

College Prep Tip

Compare each college's estimated net price after grants and scholarships, not only its published tuition.

Action Step

Compare three possible colleges by program options, estimated net price, graduation rate, and application deadline.

Original completion date: September 27, 2026

Week of September 7, 2026Scholarships, tip, and action step

Scholarship Spotlight

Coca-Cola Scholars Program: $20,000; deadline September 30, 2026. Expired
Chick-fil-A Community Scholars: $25,000; deadline November 3, 2026.

Originally verified September 7, 2026. The Coca-Cola Scholars deadline has passed. Confirm current status on each official program website.

College Prep Tip

Create a professional email address just for college planning, and check it several times each week.

Action Step

Choose one trusted adult who can encourage you, review your work, or help you track deadlines.

Original completion date: September 13, 2026

Your personalized roadmap

What should I do now?

Build your foundation

Start strong, explore your interests, and learn how every year contributes to your college story.

Before this school year endsCreate your portfolio, know your graduation plan, and identify interests you want to explore.

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Explore colleges, compare programs and costs, understand financial aid, and find options that fit your goals.

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Compare colleges across the country by location, programs, costs, graduation rates, and other important information.

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Understand Financial Aid

Learn about the FAFSA, federal grants, work study opportunities, student loans, and the financial aid process.

Visit Federal Student Aid →

NC Spotlight03

Plan for College in North Carolina

Explore North Carolina colleges, careers, applications, scholarships, and financial aid resources through CFNC.

Explore CFNC →

Alternative Pathways & Resources

More Ways Forward.

College is still possible. Your path may look different, begin at a different place, or start later.

Start locally and transfer

Begin at a community college, earn credits close to home, and explore transferring to a college with four year programs when you are ready.

Explore colleges and programs →

Build skills for a career

Explore certificates, technical programs, apprenticeships, and shorter training options that can lead to work or future education.

Find career training →

Finish school or return later

If you need a high school equivalency credential, adult education, or time before college, your opportunity is not over.

Find adult education support →

For parents, caregivers, and trusted adults: You do not need to have every answer. Help the student identify one next step, connect with a counselor or program, and keep moving forward.

Scholarship readiness

Prepare once. Apply often.

Strong scholarship applications begin before the deadline. Create one organized digital folder for materials you can use again in different applications. Start with the five items listed here.

View My Roadmap

Activity and leadership listRoles, service, awards, work, and dates

Personal story draftYour goals, values, growth, and impact

Recommendation teamAsk early and share your accomplishments

Financial aid documentsKeep required family information organized

Deadline trackerRecord requirements and submit dates

Start where you are

Small steps now create more choices later.

Your path does not have to look like anyone else’s. Choose your grade, complete one task, and keep building from there.

View My Roadmap