The University of Denver strengthens its commitment to community college students

Beginning in the fall of 2018, the University of Denver will launch its new Pathways Scholarship program, awarding up to $7,500 in additional need-meeting financial aid grants to eligible students transferring from the Community College of Aurora or the Community College of Denver. Additionally, the University is currently creating Guided Pathways, a new system to help Colorado Community College System (CCCS) students more easily transfer their credits to DU.

“This is a true partnership that can be a model for two and four-year institutions working together in the future,” says Chancellor Rebecca Chopp. “With these new programs, we want to ensure a seamless academic and financial transition for students moving from a two-year institution to our four-year campus.”

Currently, the average total merit and need-based grants for transfer students exceeds $35,308. The Pathways Scholarship will add up to $7,500 in additional grants, and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society transfer students will be awarded an automatically renewing scholarship of $2,500 beginning in the fall of 2018.

In addition to the scholarships, a new program called Guided Pathways will help students understand how their CCCS courses will transfer to DU. The tool details course equivalencies, and is now available online.

“The Pathways Scholarship program and our new credit evaluation system highlight our commitment to access and affordability,” says Todd Rinehart, vice chancellor of enrollment management. “We want to continue developing these partnerships with our local community colleges. Our community college transfer students play an important role on our campus, and they will have an even larger impact in future years.”

DU continues to improve its offerings for transfer students. The 2016-17 academic year saw the creation of the new Transfer Living Community, which includes programming and housing options specially designed to benefit transfer students.

With current transfer students’ input, DU continues to build additional programming to help address academic success, professional growth, social engagement and leadership development.