Belmont Abbey College and Gaston College have officially joined forces to help our local students achieve their goal of a Bachelor’s degree. In a signing ceremony held the afternoon of February 9th on the Gaston College Dallas Campus, both college presidents signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding outlining a new relationship which will enable Gaston College graduates to have direct-entry admission to Belmont Abbey College to pursue their Bachelor’s degree.

Named ‘Belmont Abbey College Connect,’ the new agreement provides qualified students an easier pathway to their next degree. The program allows currently enrolled Gaston College students a direct-entry pathway to Belmont Abbey College upon graduation from Gaston College. Qualified students must simply apply for admission, be in good standing at Gaston and other institutions attended, demonstrate good citizenship, and conduct, and earn and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 at Gaston College and a minimum GPA of 2.20 in their most recent term.

In addition candidates must earn their Associate’s degree from Gaston in a college transfer program for which an articulation agreement exists. They must also enroll at Belmont Abbey College within one year of their graduation and meet all admissions requirements at Belmont Abbey.

“We’re excited to provide a program that enables our local community streamlined access to their four-year degree in partnership with Gaston College. Any program that helps to ensure student success toward achieving their life goals is worthy of our investment and our commitment,” said Belmont Abbey College provost Dr. Travis Feezell. The program begins immediately at the execution of the agreement between the two institutions.

The program affords Gaston College students access to information about academic programs, faculty, and staff at the Belmont Abbey campus who will facilitate their transition to BAC. This program prioritizes the ability to receive admission, financial aid, registration, and orientation communications early in the transition process, setting up Gaston’s students for maximum success at both institutions.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to be a part of the ‘Belmont Abbey College Connect’ program,” said Dr. John Hauser, President of Gaston College. “This new agreement will provide a smooth transition for Gaston College students from all backgrounds to successfully transfer and pursue a Bachelor’s degree at Belmont Abbey College. As a partner, our focus is to ensure qualified students are well prepared academically, so they excel once they arrive, and after graduating they can successfully enter the workforce and contribute to the growth of our community and state economy,” said Dr. Hauser.