Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College has guaranteed admissions agreements with UNC Asheville, Western Carolina University, Mars Hill University, and East Tennessee State University, for A-B Tech students who satisfy specific requirements.
These direct-entry admission programs give students the opportunity to save money by completing their first two years of college at A-B Tech before transferring to a four-year school. Each university has its own set of requirements that include program completions and certain GPA minimums.
The Aspire Appalachian Pathway Program ensures guaranteed admission to App State after completing an eligible associate degree at partner community colleges.
Program Benefits
- Guaranteed admission to App State
- Assigned community college advisor
- Academic advising by App State so you can select the right courses at your community college to set you up for success
- Access to financial aid advising and planning to assist you in maximizing your aid and minimizing your student debt
- Early registration for premier transfer events
- Priority consideration for the Appalachian Excellence Scholarship ($1,000)
Eligibility
Community college students* who meet the following criteria are eligible to participate:
- are continuously enrolled (fall and spring semesters) at their community college
- are on track toward completion of an eligible two-year associate degree transfer program
- Early college and other innovative high school students are eligible to participate.
* Students in the Career & College Promise transfer pathway are not eligible to apply while still enrolled in high school. Students who graduate from high school and then continue at the community college are eligible.
Transfer Admissions & Engagement | Aspire Appalachian
Step 1: Submit an Aspire Appalachian intent form (Aspire Appalachian) for your community college.
Questions?
Avery Pitts - Assistant Director of Transfer Recruitment, Transfer Admissions & Engagement
Appalachian State University
- Main: (828) 262-7877
- Direct: (828) 262-6806
- Text: (828) 457-8025
- Email: pittsar@appstate.edu
The Buccaneer-Trailblazer Promise program guarantees admission to ETSU for A-B Tech graduates who meet the eligibility requirements.
Eligibility Requirements
- Become a GAA student (graduate with an associate degree designed for transfer at A-B Tech with
- Hold at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average on a four-point scale with intent to transfer to ETSU)
- Submit an official transcript showing completion of the associate degree
- All other collegiate work must be submitted to the ETSU Office of Admissions for inclusion in the overall academic record and consideration in the admission decision
The Bear Bound co-admission program guarantees admission to Lenoir-Rhyne University for A-B Tech graduates who meet eligibility requirements. Eligibility Requirements
- Be a currently enrolled, degree-seeking student at A-B Tech Community College in one of the following programs with an intent to transfer to Lenoir-Rhyne University:
- Associate in Arts (AA)
- Associate in Science (AS)
- Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation (AATP)
- Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation (ASTP)
- Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
- Associate in Fine Arts (AFA)
- Associate in Engineering (AE)
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- Minimum 2.25 cumulative GPA overall transferable credit
- Be in good academic and disciplinary standing at previous institutions
- Complete an admission application by July 1 (for fall admits), December 1 (for spring admits), or April 15 (for summer admits)
The Mountain Lion-Trailblazer Promise program guarantees admission to MHU for A-B Tech graduates who meet the eligibility requirements.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a currently enrolled student at A-B Tech Community College in a degree-seeking capacity
- Submit MHU application for admission and disciplinary forms by MHU deadlines
- Submit the application fee or waiver and fulfill all commitment action steps
- Be in good academic standing at A-B Tech and other institutions attended
- Demonstrate good citizenship and conduct
- Earn and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 at A-B Tech
- Earn an Associate's degree from A-B Tech in a college transfer program or in an applied program for which an articulation agreement exists
- Enroll at MHU within one academic year (within the next two regular terms (fall/spring) of completion of the Associate's degree)
The Bulldog-Trailblazer Promise program guarantees admission to UNC Asheville for A-B Tech graduates who meet the eligibility requirements.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a currently enrolled student at A-B Tech in a degree-seeking capacity
- Complete the UNC Asheville application for admission and the disciplinary form
- Be in good standing at A-B Tech and other institutions attended
- Submit the application fee or waiver and enrollment deposit
- Bulldog Trailblazer Promise applicants should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 at A-B Tech
The PathWays guaranteed admission program provides guaranteed admission for students transferring between the North Carolina Community College System and the UNCW System.
Eligible Students
Students who are currently attending a partner community college and pursuing a transferable Associate's degree are eligible to join PathWays. Transferable Associate's degrees include:
- Associate in Arts (AA)
- Associate in Science (AS)
- Associate in Engineering (AE)
- Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation (AATP)
- Associate in Science in Teacher Preparation (ASTP)
- Associate in Fine Arts (AFA)
Only students who are planning to apply as a transfer student are eligible for guaranteed admission. Dual-enrolled or early college students who plan to apply as first-year students are not eligible for PathWays.
Benefits of PathWays
- · Guaranteed transfer admission to UNCW and an $80 application fee waiver
- · $2,000 one-time PathWays transfer scholarship (for eligible students)
- · Tailored transfer assistance from a dedicated transfer success coach
- · Access to unique campus visits, events, and opportunities to meet other transfer students and prepare for the transition to UNCW
How to Join
Complete the PathWays form to enroll in the program. The enrollment form is open year-round, so there are no deadlines, but we do encourage students to join PathWays within their first year at their partner community college to receive the most benefit.
The Owl-Trailblazer Promise program guarantees admission to Warren Wilson College for A-B Tech graduates who meet eligibility requirements.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a currently enrolled student at A-B Tech Community College in a degree-seeking capacity
- Submit WWC application and required forms for admission by WWC deadlines
- Be in good academic standing at A-B Tech and other institutions attended
The Catamount-Trailblazer Program guarantees admission to WCU for A-B Tech graduates who meet the eligibility requirements. Learn more about Western Carolina University's Undergraduate Admissions.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a currently enrolled student at A-B Tech in a degree-seeking capacity
- Submit WCU application for admission and records by WCU deadlines
- Submit the application fee or waiver and fulfill all commitment action steps
- Be in good standing at A-B Tech and other institutions attended
- Demonstrate good citizenship and conduct
- Earn and maintain a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 2.50 at A-B Tech and a minimum GPA of 2.20 in their most recent term
- Earn an Associate's Degree from A-B Tech in a college transfer program or in an applied program for which an articulation agreement exists
- Enroll at WCC within one academic year (within the next two regular terms (fall/ spring semesters) of completion of the Associate's Degree)
The Pirate Promise is a guaranteed admissions program to ECU after completing an eligible associate degree from A-B Tech.
Program Benefits
- Guaranteed Admission to ECU
- Access to academic advising from a Transfer Coach
- Waived application fee to ECU
- Financial aid Counseling
- Invitation to Pirate Promise Campus Events
- Eligibility to purchase an ECU 1 Card for $10: with access to campus resources
- Discounted Athletics Tickets
How do I apply?
The Pirate Promise fall application period will open on September 1 and close on November 1. Pirate Promise Apply
Contact us at piratepromise@ecu.edu if you have any application questions.
What is the Bronco Benefit Program?
Guaranteed admission to Fayetteville State University.
- Access to transfer assistance/guidance from FSU’s Office for Adult Learners, Transfer, and Military Students upon successful completion of 30 semester
- Waived application fee
Eligibility
- Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
- Must be enrolled in one of the following associate degree programs: Associate in Arts Associate in Engineering, Associate in Fine Arts, Associate in Science
- Must complete a letter of intent to confirm your intention to enroll at FSU upon graduation from A-B Tech Community College. Find out more at Transfer To FSU
How to Apply
Complete a letter of intent form here: A-B Tech Letter of Intent