NORTH EAST, MD — Cecil College and Goucher College have solidified a partnership aimed at simplifying the pathway to a four-year degree for Maryland students. The newly established Goucher Transfer Guarantee offers a seamless transition for Cecil College graduates to continue their education at Goucher College.
Under this agreement, students earning an associate degree from Cecil College with a minimum 2.0 GPA are guaranteed admission to Goucher. To further encourage participation, application fees will be waived, whether students apply through the Common Application or Goucher’s Transfer Application.
“This partnership marks another step forward in creating accessible, high-quality educational pathways for our students,” said Dr. Mary Way Bolt, Cecil College President. “We are building bridges for Maryland students to achieve their academic and professional goals.”
Students who take part in this agreement will benefit from a variety of resources designed to ensure their success. Academic planning will begin early, with tailored success plans, personalized credit evaluations, and guidance from Goucher faculty advisors and peer mentors under the Transfer Goucher Guides program. Each academic term will include a dedicated transfer orientation, helping students transition smoothly into campus life.
Cecil College’s Early College Academy graduates stand to gain even more from the agreement, entering Goucher College as juniors while enjoying first-year housing and scholarship opportunities. This unique arrangement offers an advanced academic standing without sacrificing the traditional college experience.
“Creating access and equity in higher education is part of our mission, and we are honored to partner with Cecil College,” noted Goucher College President Kent Devereaux. “Our goal is for students to become global changemakers, leveraging educational and experiential opportunities such as our internship accelerator and summer science research programs.”
The transfer pathway includes generous financial aid options, such as need-based aid for FAFSA filers, academic merit scholarships, and additional awards for honors program participants and Phi Theta Kappa members. There is also a reverse transfer option allowing students who left Cecil College before completing their associate degree to finish it retroactively while enrolled at Goucher.
Further strengthening the partnership, Cecil College staff and faculty will receive a 20% tuition discount on Goucher graduate programs.
This agreement extends through March 31, 2030, with annual renewal options, and serves as a model for collaborative higher education partnerships. With Goucher’s transfer student graduation rate of 91% within three years, the agreement underscores the importance of strategic cooperation in advancing student achievement and accessibility.
Representatives from both institutions hailed the partnership as a forward-thinking solution, ensuring Maryland students have the opportunity to pursue their education with confidence and support.
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