Summer Bridge Programs

May 1, 2026: Claim your seat by submitting your enrollment deposit and the Summer Bridge application 
(ASP students do not need to submit an application: your seat is held by your deposit)
May 31, 2026: Complete pre-registration, orientation registration and payment, and submit immunization forms
June 22, 2025: Final transcripts must be received by this date

Move-in: Wednesday, June 17, 2026
WCU Orientation: Thursday and Friday, June 18-19, 2026
Summer Bridge Session with Students and Guests: Friday afternoon, June 19, 2026
Summer Bridge Kick-Off: Saturday, June 20, 2026
Classes Begin: Monday, June 22, 2026
Classes End: Friday, July 24, 2026
Closing Ceremony and Move-out: Saturday, July 26, 2026

2025 Summer Bridge In-State Tuition, Fees, Room and Board: $2,672-2,843*

2025 Summer Bridge Out-of-State Tuition, Fees, Room and Board: $3,838-4,177*

*This serves as an estimation of the 2025 Summer Bridge Programs. 2026 Summer Bridge fees will be finalized throughout the 25-26 school year. Actual cost is affected by many factors and is not final until posted to students' accounts. Single rooms are available for additional costs, but are limited. Contact Residential Living for more information.

Financial Aid: Students participating in the Summer Bridge Programs are eligible to apply for federal and state financial aid to cover costs of the program. Students interested in financial aid for the summer must complete the FAFSA for 2024-2025 (this is the PRIOR year than what's required for fall financial aid). Students may apply for summer FAFSA now. Questions about financial aid should be addressed to the Financial Aid Office at 828.227.7290 or finaid@wcu.edu.

An additional fee for Student Health Insurance will be added if a student does not complete their insurance waiver. The amount for summer coverage is yet to be determined, but will be added to the student's bill and removed if a student submits a health insurance waiver for the year.

Housing and Tuition Deposits ($300 total) will be deducted from the total summer charges.

Note: students only need to pay one set of deposits for the summer and fall terms. Deposits are non-refundable. 

Orientation charges for students and parents must be paid prior to attending orientation. More information about Orientation will be sent in April.

The University reserves the right to alter any changes without prior notice upon direction from the appropriate governing authorities. 

Class #1: USI 130 (The University Experience) or USI 101 (Honors Forum)

Introduction to the univerisity and to higher education. Discussion of issues involved in the transition from high school to college like time management, brain-based study techniques, etc. Overall emphasis on academic and career planning and personal development.

Classes #2 and #3:

• ART 104: Introduction to Visual Arts

• COMM 201: Foundations of Communication

• EDCI 190: Teachers, Schools and Society

• ENGL 101: Writing and Rhetoric

• ENGL 190: Freshman Seminar in Literature

• GEOL 141: Earth History and Prehistoric Life

• HEAL 111: Stress Management

• MATH 130: Precalculus I (and MATH 100: Precalculus I Support, depending on placement)

• PSC 101: Introduction to American Government

• PSY 150: General Psychology

Offerings are subject to change prior to the start of the Summer Bridge Programs.

Class Size: Summer Bridge classes are small, approximately 20 to no more than 25 students per course section, so that students receive personal attention from their instructors.

Study Hall: In addition to the coursework above, students are required to attend study hall sessions throughout the week.

Catamount Basics: Once a week, we host a required full-group session with updates and reminders about the upcoming week and to discuss important lessons about transitioning to college.

Case Management Meetings: Summer Bridge staff meets weekly with instructors to discuss student progress and concerns to allow for appropriate interventions or to celebrate success!

Peer Academic Leader: In addition to staff and faculty support, students are also assigned a Peer Academic Leader (PAL), an upperclassman student who will work with students on their academic and social transition to college. Students are required to meet with their PAL at least once a week and will join a group chat to receive reminders about class and events!

The Academic Success Program is an invite-only admission pathway that focuses on building academic skills and utilizing campus resources. Students who participate in ASP are required to start in the summer in order to attend WCU. ASP students do NOT need to apply for Summer Bridge - they are automatically added to the summer once they submit their enrollment deposit. 

Students who take part in ASP are also provided continued support through a required class (USI 131: Thriving in College) in the Fall and have continued access to peer mentoring and academic coaching until graduation.

Check out our frequently asked questions or contact us at summerbridge@wcu.edu!