Aspire Appalachian is a co-admission program between Appalachian State University (ASU) and Wake Tech intended for successful community college students who plan to transfer to ASU after completing their Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS) or Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degrees. Aspire Appalachian also provides advising support for students during their education at Wake Tech and prepares them for a successful transition to ASU.

To be eligible, students must have completed, or be in the process of completing, ACA-122 with a grade of "C" or higher, have at least two semesters remaining to complete at Wake Tech and are on track to completing the AA, AS or AAS degree. They must graduate with a 2.25 or higher GPA.

Students participating in Aspire Appalachian receive guaranteed admission to ASU, on-site admissions and academic advising by an ASU-assigned advisor at Wake Tech, coordinated financial aid programs and invitations to special webinars, events and newsletters designed to help students successfully transfer to and succeed at ASU.

If you have questions for Wake Tech about this program, email [email protected].

Pirate Promise is a co-admission program designed to improve transfer student access and success. To be eligible, a student must be enrolled in an Early College, a Career & College Promise program or be in their first year of community college enrollment pursuing an eligible degree, such as Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Engineering, BS Industrial Technology or BS Nursing.

Through the program, qualified students enjoy guaranteed admission – students must meet East Carolina University's (ECU) admissions requirements, including a cumulative GPA of 2.5 – a waived transfer application fee, joint academic advising and financial aid counseling, scholarship opportunities, access to ECU's libraries, ECU transit, discounted athletic tickets, workshops and more.  

The Bronco Benefit program offers guaranteed admission to students who plan to transfer to Fayetteville State University (FSU) after completing their Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate in Engineering, Associate in Arts – Teacher Prep or Associate of Science – Teacher Prep degrees. The program also provides admission, advising and financial aid support for students during their time at Wake Tech and prepares them for a successful transition to FSU.

Students must be currently enrolled at Wake Tech, complete the intent-to-enroll form prior to completing 30 credit hours and maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA. They must also meet all FSU transfer admission requirements.

Students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher qualify for the Bronco Bridge Scholarship, which covers the cost of tuition for up to two years toward the completion of a bachelor's degree at FSU. The scholarship is also available to Associate in Applied Science degree students in programs where an articulation agreement with FSU exists.

If you have questions for Wake Tech about the program, email [email protected].

The Aggie Plus Program provides enhanced advising (career, financial and academic) to Wake Tech students who are enrolled in the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Engineering and Associate in Applied Science programs where an articulated agreement exists for credit transfer. Students will also enjoy access to a special orientation session, an Aggie Plus program event each semester and priority review in North Carolina A&T State University's admissions process.

For more information on the Aggie Plus program, email [email protected].

C3 – the Community College Collaboration – is a dual-admission, dual-enrollment program designed for community college students from low- to moderate-income backgrounds with demonstrated potential for academic success and who want to transfer to North Carolina State University after completing their associate degree.

The C3 program offers benefits such as academic and program support for students during their time in community college, access to advisors at both institutions and transfer events designed to enable a successful transition to N.C. State and timely completion of a bachelor's degree.

Eligible degrees include Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Engineering. Students must have and maintain a 3.0 GPA to join and stay in the program. Admission is competitive, and a higher GPA may be necessary for transfer admission.

For more information on C3, email [email protected].

Wolfpack Connect offers guaranteed admission to students who complete an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree at Wake Tech and enroll in one of more than 100 majors at North Carolina State University.

The program is available to new and continuing students who have completed fewer than 30 transferable college credits when they submit the Wolfpack Connect eligibility form. Students should have at least one year of coursework remaining at Wake Tech to be eligible and must maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA.

The Wolfpack Connect eligibility form will become available in late January 2026 for students interested in participating beginning in Fall 2026. The application deadline is June 1.

C-STEP – the Carolina Student Transfer Excellence Program – aims to enable more community college students to transfer to and graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill. C-STEP focuses on high school seniors and community college students who are not more than halfway toward their Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree.

Admission to UNC-Chapel Hill requires a GPA of at least 3.2. The university also considers a demonstrated ability to overcome obstacles, first-generation college status, employment history and family responsibilities.

If you have questions for UNC-Chapel Hill, email the program at [email protected].

Have questions for Wake Tech? Email [email protected].

49erNext is a program for students who plan to transfer to UNC-Charlotte after graduation from Wake Tech. The program is available to new and continuing students who have earned fewer than 15 credit hours. Eligibility may also include being enrolled full-time at Wake Tech in an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science or Associate in Engineering program. (The program is not available to students who plan to study architecture or nursing.)

The benefits of the 49erNext program include career, financial and academic advising from both institutions, access to UNC-Charlotte's campus and student and cohort events on Wake Tech's campuses. Once enrolled in the program, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA and remain enrolled in an eligible program.

If you have questions for Wake Tech about the 49erNext program, email [email protected].

The BraveNation Advantage program offers guaranteed early admission to UNC-Pembroke – some specific majors have additional admission criteria – for students enrolled in an associate degree program that aligns with transfer to a four-year institution who are in good academic and disciplinary standing at Wake Tech, have a minimum 2.0 GPA and are enrolled in at least 12 credit hours.

Students who participate in the BraveNation Advantage program receive pre-transfer advising support and have access to UNC-Pembroke's online tools, special webinars and campus events prior to their transfer. Students receive priority consideration for institutional aid, specifically transfer scholarships, and additional support in accessing campus housing. Students also are invited to participate in UNC-Pembroke academic clubs and leadership workshops and attend special events at the university for Wake Tech students.

UNC-Wilmington guarantees admission to graduates of Wake Tech's Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Engineering programs, provided that the student completes the degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 and that all other admission requirements are met. Students who graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher accrue additional benefits.

The PathWays program includes scholarship consideration and access to a regional advisor based at Wake Tech.

If you have questions for Wake Tech about this program, email [email protected].

WCU Connect is a guaranteed admission program designed to offer many benefits and a seamless transfer experience for North Carolina community college students.  Students pursuing an associate degree or Associate in Applied Science degree are eligible for the program.

NOTE: WCU Connect does not guarantee acceptance of all AAS courses, and some degrees may have additional requirements.

Students must have a 2.5 GPA to be eligible to apply, can opt in at any time during their degree program at Wake Tech and must attend Western Carolina University within one year of graduation from Wake Tech.

Students who participate in WCU Connect receive priority registration access, early access to a specific advisor, a personal WCU admission counselor, free or discounted tickets to WCU events, a discount in the bookstore and a WCU Connect Cat card. These benefits are available one year prior to admission to Western Carolina.

Campbell Assured provides an assured entry pathway to Campbell University upon graduation from Wake Tech. Students must be enrolled in the Associate in Arts or Associate in Science programs or an Associate in Applied Science program where an articulation agreement exists.

Students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA, demonstrate good citizenship and submit a Campbell University application by posted deadlines. They must enroll at Campbell within one year of completing a Wake Tech degree. Students receive admissions and financial aid assistance as well as early advising from Campbell. Students are also eligible for limited access to Campbell activities, services and facilities.

Designed for community college students who plan to continue their education at North Carolina Wesleyan University, Wesleyan Works guarantees admission for graduates of Wake Tech's Associate in Arts, Associate in Fine Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science programs.

Students who participate in Wesleyan Works have access to academic advising and financial aid counseling through N.C. Wesleyan University, as well as access to attend events on the university's campus.

Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA and be in good academic standing.