Reverse Transfer is a process which allows students to be considered for an associate’s degree who started at a community college and transferred to a four-year institution of higher education before earning a degree. In other words, course credits earned at the four-year institution can be “reverse transferred” back and combined with the credits earned at the community college in consideration for an associate’s degree. Reverse transfer exists in many states, and is called “Degree Within Reach” in Colorado.
This means if you are a transfer student who meets the above conditions, you can complete the associate’s degree you started at your community college while still working toward your bachelor’s degree. You could be eligible even if you recently left a four-year institution before earning any degree.
Thanks to a grant from the Lumina Foundation, the Colorado Department of Higher Education (publisher of this website) is working with the Community College System of Colorado and several other institutions of higher education to identify eligible transfer students who are currently or recently enrolled at a participating Colorado four-year institution. To see which institutions participate and read more about eligibility requirements for Degree Within Reach, click here.
Through this program, students who have enough – or close to enough – credit to earn an associate’s degree will be contacted by their universities. If a student agrees to have his/her course information sent to the community college, he/she will either be granted a degree or notified about how many more credits are still needed. This program is a win-win for students. There is no negative impact on your current academic standing, progress toward your bachelor’s, financial aid or anything else. It’s simply a way for you to get the credential you deserve.
The research is clear: a degree boosts earning potential and career opportunities.
Similar reverse transfer programs are in 15 states and growing. Projects were selected from a competitive grant process which is referred to as; “Credit When It’s Due”. Read all about it. We hope you find this website helpful!
Colorado Reverse Transfer 