Bear Bound
Expanding access and lowering costs for community college transfer students seeking a four-year degree.
The Bear Bound program provides community college students with a seamless and affordable pathway to a four-year degree. The program enhances student pathways and removes the obstacles transfer students often face when seeking a bachelor degree.
And, with a combination of merit and need-based financial aid, a Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ education is now more affordable than ever.
Transfer students are eligible for our Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Tuition-Free Guarantee, as well as our competitive merit scholarships, with awards up to $30,000.
Co-Admission
Apply today! Be a part of Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ while still enrolled at your community college. Co-Admission students receive an Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ student ID card, allowing you to engage with our student body and campus experience before transferring.
Undergraduate Transfer Application
Ready to transfer now and become an Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ bear? Submit your application for admission and receive an admission decision within two weeks.
As a transfer student, the counselors and professors have worked with me to decide what I wanted to major in and draw out a detailed map to help me reach that goal of getting a bachelor degree.
Participating Community Colleges
The following community colleges are partnering with Ä¢¹½´«Ã½:
Program Overview
- Co-Admission
Ä¢¹½´«Ã½'s Co-Admission program provides students the opportunity to engage with Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ early, while still earning an associate's degree, and receive direct admission to Ä¢¹½´«Ã½. - Transparent and seamless transfer of general education credits
Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ now accepts general education core requirements completed at community colleges. This means you will not have to take additional general education courses to satisfy Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ requirements. - Financial aid packaging (merit and need-based aid)
Community college students with a minimum 3.5 GPA qualify for at least 50% off tuition before other financial aid is applied. - Expedited pathways for professional programs
Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ is dedicated to working with each institution to develop a clear roadmap for students pursuing these programs. For example, a high school graduate who completes an associate degree from a community college may apply for direct entry into all Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ programs (upon meeting admissions requirements like auditions or background checks). This includes programs such as nursing, education, computer science, exercise science and business. - Campus housing for community college students
Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ now offers on-campus housing for students enrolled at local community colleges, hosting between 10 and 12 such students per semester over the previous two years.
Go Beyond What Expected
We don™t just offer a world-class education”we create a community of passionate learners to lift you up and inspire you to become your best self.
Across ceremonies held in Hickory, Asheville and Columbia on May 7-9, Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ celebrated 578 undergraduate and graduate students earning their degrees and stepping into their next chapters as alumni.
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