By Molly Burke / The Jambar
Youngstown State University will waive application fees for incoming students from Eastern Gateway Community College as part of the university’s plan to aid displaced EGCC students.
The community college announced in February it will pause enrollment and not offer classes and academic programs after spring 2024. YSU’s board of trustees passed a resolution March 7 to facilitate enrollment for EGCC students to YSU.
In a letter to Eastern Gateway students, YSU’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions announced the fees will be waived and described the transfer process. It stated students can use code “EGCC” to get the application fee waived.
According to YSU’s website, the non-refundable fee to apply is $45. A new page on the website was created specifically for Eastern Gateway students to enroll at YSU.
The transfer page states YSU will “conduct a transfer credit evaluation” to determine how each students’ coursework at EGCC will transfer to YSU.
EGCC students were invited to visit Eastern Gateway’s Steubenville campus March 11 and its downtown Youngstown location March 12 and 18 to aid with the transfer process, according to the transfer page.
In early March, YSU President Bill Johnson announced plans to establish a YSU campus in Steubenville to further expand the university’s opportunities to Eastern Gateway’s students.
Along with waiving application fees and establishing a campus in Steubenville, YSU’s Academic Senate met March 13 and unanimously approved 32 associate degrees and certificate programs to allow EGCC students to complete their education at YSU.
According to a letter from interim Provost Jennifer Pintar, YSU already offers 10 associates degrees that do not require approval:
- Associate of Arts
- Business Administration Associate of Arts
- Civil and Construction Engineering Technology
- Criminal Justice, Corrections track
- Early Childhood Associate Pre K
- Electrical Engineering Technology
- Information Technology
- Mechanical Engineering Technology
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Nursing (ADN)
The 32 programs can be viewed on the Academic Senate’s website.
While the programs are pending approval from the Ohio Department of Education and the Higher Learner Commission, Pintar stated EGCC students can start the transfer process by completing the YSU application.
“[Eastern Gateway students] are encouraged to indicate ‘undecided’ on the application until the programs are in the final stages of approval,” Pintar stated.
Pintar also stated she is proud of YSU’s efforts to expand its academic opportunities to EGCC students.
“The collaborative efforts across campus have been instrumental in making this transfer process smoother for our incoming students,” Pintar stated. “The tireless efforts of our faculty empower YSU to remain steadfast in our commitment to providing accessible pathway to higher education for students across the region.”
YSU will host virtual information sessions throughout March and April for EGCC students to learn about each program and meet advisors. The dates and times can be viewed on the transfer website.
