Southwestern Community College and UNC Asheville Announce Direct-Entry Program
This week, the University of North Carolina Asheville and Southwestern Community College announced a new direct-entry admission partnership designed to increase access to bachelor’s degree to students across Jackson, Swain, and Macon Counties and Qualla Boundary. Effective fall 2026, the program creates a clear, supported pathway from SCC directly to UNC Asheville — giving students from western NC a guaranteed route to a four-year degree while dramatically reducing the cost of their education.
“Southwestern Community College graduates looking to advance their education will find a welcoming home at UNC Asheville, and we’ve made it our mission to make that transition as smooth as possible,” said UNC Asheville Chancellor Kimberly van Noort. “Our dedication to accessible, affordable, career-focused education means that students who transfer here can expect real, tangible returns on their investment — an edge that will equip them to tackle the complex challenges facing our region and the state as a whole.”
The Bulldog Promise pathway allows students who can graduate from UNC Asheville with significantly less debt than those who enroll at a four-year institution from the state. The program has no participation fee, and students an even apply for waiver of the UNC Asheville application fee. Students who meet the straightforward eligibility requirements — including earning a minimum 2.0 GPA, maintaining good standing, and completing an associate degree in a college transfer program — are guaranteed admission to UNC Asheville. There are no surprises, no uncertainty about whether credits will count and no need to start the college search process from scratch.
“We are always eager to find new opportunities to help our students succeed, and our new partnership with UNC Asheville is a perfect example,” said Dr. Don Tomas, SCC’s President. “I’m thankful to all our administrators at Southwestern, and also to our friends in Asheville, for putting this MOU together. Ultimately, our students will benefit - and that’s good for all of us as well as for the communities we serve.”
Currently enrolled SCC students interested in the Bulldog Promise Program can sign up by completing a brief online form available through the UNC Asheville Transfer Counselor.
