CHOOSING BETWEEN A 2 YEAR AND 4 YEAR UNIVERSITY
At a 2- year community college, you can earn a certificate, diploma, or associates degree. Some career fields only require a certificate, diploma or associates (for example, cosmetology, veterinary medical tech, RN (Registered Nursing), welding, visual arts, plumbing, IT/cybersecurity, etc.)
At a 4 year college or university, you earn a bachelor’s degree. Some jobs may require a Bachelors (for example, teaching, mental health counseling, business administration, etc.
GET ORGANIZED
3 Tips to Help you Prepare
Use a note on your phone or an actual folder to keep all college admissions login passwords and personal info in one safe place
Get in the habit of checking your email daily (especially emails from your high school counselor, colleges, and TRIO)
Make a list of all your activities, accomplishments, awards/honors, volunteering, and work (you will use this info on your applications, scholarship applications, and in emails to people when you request a recommendation)
FIND THE UNIVERSITIES THAT FIT YOU THE BEST
College ScoreCard, U.S. News Best Colleges, and CollegeSimply to find the right college fit for you. Search and compare colleges: their fields of study, costs, admissions, results, and more. Click these links to get started.
TAKE VIRTUAL COLLEGE TOURS
CampusTours and YouVisit are great resources that allow you to virtually tour a college campus from the comfort of your home. Click here to begin.
You can always go directly to a college’s website to schedule a personal tour with your parent or to find their virtual tour (if available).
If you cannot find a way to visit a school where you’ve applied, email Ms. Thomas! We may be able to take you.
NC RESIDENCY DETERMINATION SERVICES (RDS)
Complete Residency Determination Services (RDS) to receive in-state tuition. Click here to get started! If you need some help, contact us or look at the video we have included.
2026-27 FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA) IS NOW OPEN!
Ready to apply for financial aid? The first step is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®).
You must fill out this essential form to request aid from the federal government and access financial assistance for college.
Need help with your application? You can connect directly with Molly Bea Vogus, our Financial Aid Specialist:
- Email: vogusm322@clevelandcc.edu
- Call: 704-669-4008
APPLY FOR COLLEGE
Applying for college can be stressful, but if you have the right tools it doesn’t have to be.
You can apply to most colleges through COMMON APP. Its a one stop shop for applying to most colleges.
You can use the CFNC.org to apply to most UNC schools and they offer an event every year called FREE APPLICATION WEEK.
OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS
High school transcripts can be sent for free by logging in to your CFNC account and going to Application Hub.
If you are a high school senior in our TRIO Talent Search Program, we can send your official college transcript (CCP courses you have taken through CCC) to the 4-year school(s) of your choice. Simply email Ms. Thomas at sdthomas@clevelandcountyschools.org and state that she has permission to send your transcripts. Remember to send the list of colleges where you are applying! Any CCC student who is not in TRIO TS should go to the Transcript Request link under current students.
APPLY FOR INSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
An institutional scholarship is a type of scholarship that comes directly from an individual college or university. Instead of scholarships’ that come from organizations that you can use at any campus you want to attend, you must use the scholarships at the college that offers them. An institutional scholarship is a need or merit based type of financial aid awarded by higher education institutes.
- UNC CHAPEL HILL
- UNC GREENSBORO
- UNC WILMINGTON
- UNC PEMBROKE
- NC STATE UNIVERSITY
- UNC ASHEVILLE
- APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY
- EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
- UNC CHARLOTTE
- WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
- WINSTON SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY
- FAYETTEVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY
- NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY
- ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY
- NORTH CAROLINA A&T UNIVERSITY
SCHOLARSHIPS AT YOUR HIGH SCHOOL & SCHOLARSHIP WEBSITES
Scholarships are a great way to get free money that you do not have to pay back. You can apply for scholarships through your Senior Counselor’s general scholarship application. This will make you eligible for local scholarships offered to your particular school.
The colleges you’re applying to offer institutional scholarships. Be sure to check the website of the schools you’re applying to in order to find deadlines and qualifications. You can use websites, like FASTWEB, that have you create a profile to find specific scholarships for which you are eligible. Also, we provide a TRIO database of scholarships listed by deadline.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Their are questions that our seniors end up asking at some point in the college application process. Click the links to the right to see a video that answers our TRIO students most frequently asked questions. If you still have questions afterwards feel free to email Sarah Thomas, Kevin Kollock or Jada Robbs.