IHEP Applauds the Reverse Transfer Efficiency Act of 2017
Published Sep 14, 2017
WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 14, 2017 — Today U.S. Representatives Messer (R-Ind.), Polis (D-Colo.), and Ferguson (R-Ga.) introduced the Reverse Transfer Efficiency Act of 2017. Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) Vice President of Applied Research Julie Ajinkya Ph.D. released the following statement:
"The Reverse Transfer Efficiency Act of 2017 introduced today by U.S. Representatives Messer, Polis, and Ferguson takes a smart approach to streamlining a complicated and often convoluted process in our postsecondary education system – reverse credit transfer. We know that many of today's college students begin the hard work of earning a degree or credential at one institution, and for any number of reasons – family obligations, financial challenges, or illness – press pause on their studies. Put simply, life just happens. And many of these students complete enough credits to earn a valuable credential or associate's degree but are unaware of their eligibility.
"The Reverse Transfer Efficiency Act of 2017 will enable more seamless institution-to-institution reverse credit transfers with full consent, and award hardworking students the credentials they have earned. An associate's degree or other credential can result in a pay bump or even a title change within the field; our postsecondary systems should aid, not impede, the transfer of credits."
In 2009, IHEP launched Project Win-Win, an institution-led effort at 61 colleges to address degree completion challenges among students who stop-out with enough credits to qualify for an associate's degree. Another multi-state reverse transfer initiative, Credit When It's Due, helped thousands of students earn their degrees. Together, Project Win-Win and Credit When It's Due strategies – collectively referred to as degree reclamation -have been implemented at 556 institutions in 17 states, producing over 20,000 new associate's degrees.
This fall IHEP will launch Degrees When Due, an effort to scale degree reclamation strategies nationwide.
