Application process
Eligible applicants may apply to NCSSM’s Residential (Durham and/or Morganton), Online, or Summer Ventures program or all three, using one electronic application. There is no application fee or cost for tuition, meals, room/board, or textbooks for these three programs.
In order to complete the 2023-24 application process and be considered for the NCSSM Class of 2026, potential applicants must complete ALL of the requirements within the required time frames.
The application process for the Class of 2026 will open on October 15, 2023, at noon and close on January 5, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
- Applicants must be in their second year of high school
- Applicants applying for the Class of 2026 must establish permanent legal residency in the state of North Carolina by December 1, 2023 , and are required to complete the residency application using the North Carolina Residency Determination Services (RDS) by January 30, 2024.
Standardized Test Update for the Class of 2026
The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) will waive the standardized test requirement (SAT and/or ACT) for the Class of 2026. For students who choose to submit standardized test score reports, those score reports will not be considered as part of the NCSSM admissions review process, as we strive to ensure equity for all students across the state of North Carolina.
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Admissions, admissions@ncssm.edu.
NCSSM has partnered with the College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) to create the NCSSM electronic application. To complete an application, you must have a CFNC account. Go to www.cfnc.org read through the instructions and create a CFNC account. Once you have created an account or if you already have a CFNC account, log into CFNC.org.
For specific instructions on filling out the NCSSM Application at CFNC.org, see the Application Help Guide below.
Applicants must have each section of the application completed via the CFNC.org electronic application by January 5, 2024, at 11:59 pm. There are no exceptions to this deadline.
Evaluations are required from each of these by February 28, 2024:
- 9th or 10th STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Teacher
- 9th or 10th grade English Teacher
- Guidance counselor—Must be your current 10th grade guidance counselor
February 15 to February 28, 2024
The window for submitting transcripts and report cards will open on February 15, 2024, and close on February 28, 2024. Applicants can submit or report their grades using one of the following methods:
- CFNC: Applicants can submit their official transcripts using www.cfnc.org. If the applicant is enrolled in a year-long course, they will need to request that their current year counselor submit an official report card to the Office of Admissions to accompany their transcript.
- Log in to CFNC.org
- Under the Apply Section, click To College, and then Transcript Manager
- Select North Carolina School of Science and Math from the pull-down menu
- Applicants can request that their counselor send an official copy by US Postal Service: Attn: NCSSM Office of Admissions, 1219 Broad Street, Durham, North Carolina, 27705 or by uploading it and sending it electronically to transcripts@ncssm.edu.
- Self Reporting: Applicants can upload an unofficial copy of their transcript in Blackbaud. If the applicant is enrolled in a year-long course, they will need to scan and submit a copy of their report card in Blackbaud to accompany their transcript. Note: Applicants who are extended an offer for enrollment will be contingent on NCSSM receiving an official transcript from their home high school.
Applicants for the Class of 2026 who apply to NCSSM residential campuses (Durham and/or Morganton) are required to take the NCSSM Math Assessment as part of their application. Applicants will register in their Blackbaud account to take the NCSSM Math Assessment on one of the following dates:
NCSSM-Durham
Saturday, February 10, 2024
Saturday, February 17, 2024
NCSSM-Morganton
Saturday, February 10, 2024
Saturday, February 17, 2024
Note: Applicants will receive information about registering for one of the assessment dates once the CFNC application process closes on January 5, 2024.
Important dates
NCSSM CFNC Application Closes:
Friday, January 5, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
Transcripts, Evaluations, Updates to Extracurricular Activities
Due: Wednesday, February 28, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
Status Notification in Blackbaud:
Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.
Resources for applicants
Contact Admissions
If you have questions regarding the admissions process, contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@ncssm.edu.