NEBHE announced that eight Connecticut four-year independent institutions and all 12 of the state’s community colleges signed onto the Connecticut Independent College Transfer Guarantee (Connecticut Guarantee).
Supported by grants from the Teagle Foundation and the Davis Educational Foundation, the Connecticut Guarantee is a statewide effort to establish systematic transfer pathways between Connecticut’s community colleges and four-year independent institutions, which focus on the liberal arts. The Connecticut Guarantee is part of the New England Independent College Transfer Guarantee initiative.
NEBHE and it’s partners—the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges (CCIC) and the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU)—are co-signers to a memorandum of agreement. Preliminary institutional signatories to the agreement include: Albertus Magnus College, Goodwin University, Mitchell College, Sacred Heart University, Quinnipiac University, the University of Hartford, the University of New Haven and the University of Saint Joseph. Additional institutions are welcome to sign on to the agreement at any time.
The agreement ensures acceptance at a participating Guarantee institution for associate-degree-holding students who have met a minimum GPA requirement of either 2.0, 2.5 or 3.0 (varying by institution). The Connecticut Guarantee builds upon the foundation of the state’s existing transfer policy, with the intention of unifying transfer in the state’s public and independent institutions and expanding transfer options for all of Connecticut’s community college students.
After signing the Connecticut Guarantee Memorandum of Agreement, institutions will begin accepting transfer applications from Connecticut community college graduates who have met the minimum GPA requirement as soon as January 2021 for guaranteed admission. Admissions application fees will be waived for Connecticut Guarantee applicants. In addition to guaranteed admission, transfer applicants will have the option to take advantage of financial aid tailored to community college graduates and clearly defined transfer pathways (Guarantee-TAP Pathways) that align with Connecticut State Colleges and Universities’ existing Transfer Ticket pathways.
“NEBHE is very pleased to work with a distinguished group of state and institutional partners to create expanded transfer pathways for students in Connecticut,” said NEBHE President and CEO Michael K. Thomas. “Stronger links between our two-year institutions and our outstanding independent colleges and universities simply makes sense. The Connecticut Guarantee will expand the range of available high-quality, affordable bachelor’s degree programs-benefiting our students, our institutions and our workforce.”
“We are excited for the opportunity to work with NEBHE and CCIC in efforts to increase transparency, maximize the transfer of credits earned and assist students in meeting their academic goals,” noted CSCU Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Jane Gates. “The Connecticut Guarantee benefits students by providing clear pathways for those pursuing specific academic programs and providing information that allows them to plan for a smooth transfer process.”
CCIC President Jennifer Widness said she is “thrilled to be collaborating with NEBHE and CSCU on this important effort to promote transfer pathways for Connecticut community college students. Many community college students in Connecticut have found our member independent colleges to be an accessible and affordable option for transfer to complete their bachelor’s degree in a timely manner. This new effort seeks to expand those opportunities for more seamless transitions and allow even more transfer students to attend an institution in Connecticut that best meets their educational goals and increases their opportunity to succeed.”
About the New England Independent College Transfer Guarantee
The Connecticut Guarantee is part of the New England Independent College Transfer Guarantee, coordinated by NEBHE. Additional state-specific systematic transfer pathway development is underway in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The initiative is supported through grants from the Teagle Foundation and Davis Educational Foundation. The New England Independent College Transfer Guarantee will mitigate credit loss, increase persistence and degree completion and meet the geographic needs of students who lack proximity to a public four-year institution. It supports a student-centered approach to transfer by matching diverse student learning styles and providing high-caliber student support and career services, as well as institutional financial incentives. To learn more, click here.
About CSCU
The Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU) provide affordable, innovative and rigorous programs for students to achieve their personal and career goals as well as contribute to the economic growth of Connecticut.
About the CCIC
Founded in 1932, the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges (CCIC) is an association that represents 15 accredited nonprofit independent colleges and universities in Connecticut. CCIC provides public policy leadership and support of higher education, fosters cooperative efforts among colleges and universities and serves as a liaison between the state and the independent institutions. For more information, visit www.theccic.org.
Emily Decatur is associate director of NEBHE’s Regional Student Program & Transfer Initiatives.
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