Salem State University To Offer $3K To Community College Transfers

SALEM, MA — Salem State University is launching a new scholarship program designed to encourage regional community college graduates to continue their education path to a four-year degree.

The university will offer $3,000 to qualifying students from North Shore Community College and Northern Essex Community College who transfer to SSU within a year of receiving their associate's degree.

Students enrolling at one of the community colleges can also apply for joint admission to Salem State, guaranteeing their admission to the university upon completing an associate degree.

"We are continually looking for ways to make a bachelor's degree as accessible as possible, and NSCC and NECC have been outstanding partners," Salem State University President John Keenan said. "This scholarship and dual admissions continue our efforts to put the opportunities that Salem State offers within reach for more students in the region and beyond."

The three institutions are also streamlining the transfer process through a joint transfer coach position created in spring 2022.

"Starting at a community college is an excellent, affordable pathway to earning a bachelor's degree but we know students and families can find the idea of going to two different institutions daunting and always worry about the costs going up after they transfer," NSCC President William Heineman said. "With this agreement, NSCC, NECC and Salem State are making the journey even simpler and Salem State University is generously addressing the concern about costs with this new scholarship.

"We are proving that collaboration among public higher education institutions delivers for our students, their families, and our communities."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)