Dive Brief:
- The University System of Georgia has partnered with Parchment for the the "Credit When It's Due" program, which will offer reverse transfer opportunities to former community college students studying in their schools.
- Eligible students will be contacted via email and encouraged to apply for an associate degree through the program, which will give the community college and university permission to share student records and transfer credits.
- The program is funded by a Lumina Foundation grant that makes the reverse transfer process completely free for students, which USG leaders hope improves their chances in the job market and their likelihood of completing a bachelor's degree.
Dive Insight:
Millions of students leave community college for a four-year school just a few credits shy of earning a degree. While they plan to get a bachelor's degree and may not think the associate is worth staying for, research has shown students who have an associate degree are more likely to earn a bachelor's, and even if they don't, they are better situated in the job market.
Parchment already offers a common platform for participating two- and four-year institutions in Colorado interested in supporting a reverse transfer program. Additionally, the National Clearinghouse launched its path to reverse transfer in Texas over the summer.