Financial Aid Available Beginning in August to Elevate Program Students (07/29/26)

HIGHLIGHTS

• The university's degree-completion programs use a new online model called Competency-based education (CBE), which is a self-directed, self-paced learning structure that provides maximum flexibility for adult learners at an affordable cost.
• The addition of federal financial aid starting in August marks an important milestone for the Winthrop Elevate program, said Melissa McCartney, dean of the School of Graduate, Continuing, and Online Education.

ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA - Winthrop University now offers financial aid for its degree-completion programs designed for adults in the region who started college but weren't able to finish their four-year bachelor's degree.

The university's degree-completion programs use a new online model called Competency-based education (CBE), which is a self-directed, self-paced learning structure that provides maximum flexibility for adult learners at an affordable cost.

The addition of federal financial aid starting in August marks an important milestone for the Winthrop Elevate program, said Melissa McCartney, dean of the School of Graduate, Continuing, and Online Education.

"Combined with our affordable subscription-based tuition model, generous transfer credit options, and flexible online format, financial aid makes earning a bachelor's degree more attainable than ever for working adults," she said. "We are especially proud to celebrate our first graduates, whose success demonstrates the power of a student-centered model designed to recognize prior learning and help learners achieve their goals more efficiently."

A subscription period for CBE is 14 weeks long, which is a similar length to a traditional college semester. The cost is $1,750 for a part-time subscription, for up to 11 hours, and $3,500 for a full-time subscription or 12 hours.

Delivered through subscription periods instead of rigid class schedules, Elevate will allow adult learners to manage their own schedules and maximize their learning experiences.

To join the program, prospective students can transfer in up to 90 credit hours from a variety of sources:

*Transfer credit from other colleges and universities;
*College-Level Examination Program (CLEP);
*Prior Learning Assessments (PLA);
*military credit; or
*ACE-approved courses and programs.

The Bachelor of Professional Studies has four concentrations from which students may choose:

*Organizational Leadership

*Organizational Operations

*Health Informatics

*Community and Health Services

Coming in 2027, there will be a second degree option, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.).

The Bachelor of Professional Studies (B.P.S.) was the first degree to debut as part of the Winthrop Elevate suite of CBE programs through the School of Graduate, Continuing, and Online Education. Started in January 2025, the first graduates of a CBE program were given degrees in May 2026. These graduates, who included local business owners and military veterans, finished the program in 17 months.

Pending approval from the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) will provide a flexible, well-rounded business education designed to prepare students for a wide range of careers. Students will build a strong foundation in core business disciplines while customizing their coursework to match their interests and goals. The program will emphasize analytical thinking, leadership and problem-solving skills that are highly transferable across industries and would prepare graduates to move on to an M.B.A. if they chose to.

Accredited by AACSB International, the B.S.B.A. will reflect a commitment to academic excellence, continuous improvement and real-world relevance, ensuring graduates are prepared to succeed in today's competitive marketplace.

The first concentration will be in General Business offered through the College of Business and Technology.

"Today's students need educational pathways that fit their lives while maintaining the highest academic standards," said P.N. Saksena, dean of the College of Business and Technology. "The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration offers exactly that balance. Through Winthrop Elevate, students can build valuable business knowledge and leadership skills in a flexible format that prepares them to meet the evolving needs of employers and advance their careers with confidence."

For more information, email [email protected], contact Hunter Huggins, recruiter and communications coordinator, at [email protected] or call 803/323-3445.