Reverse Transfer Policy
Eastern Wyoming College (EWC) supports students who transfer to four-year institutions before completing their associate’s degree by participating in a Reverse Transfer process. This policy enables eligible students to combine credits earned at EWC and at a four-year institution (e.g., the University of Wyoming) to complete an associate degree, without additional cost or burden. By awarding the credential students have earned, EWC reinforces its commitment to student success, workforce readiness, and degree completion.
This policy applies to:
1. Former EWC students who have transferred to a four-year institution while enrolled in a bachelor’s (or higher) degree program.
2. Partner institutions, including but not limited to the University of Wyoming, other Wyoming community colleges, and institutions participating via WyoTransfer or other articulation frameworks.
Eligibility Criteria
To participate in Reverse Transfer, students must:
1. Opt-In Consent: Provide written consent (e.g., via institutional form) allowing the four-year institution to share academic records / transcripts with EWC for review. This consent should comply with FERPA and institutional data-sharing agreements.
2. Minimum Credit Requirements:
- Have completed at least 60 total semester credit hours (or the threshold defined jointly by EWC and UW / partners), inclusive of credits earned at EWC and elsewhere.
- Have earned at least 15 credit hours from EWC (or another minimum as defined in agreement), consistent with UW’s existing reverse transfer criteria.
3. Academic Standards: Meet EWC’s minimum grade point average requirement for graduation (e.g., 2.0 GPA), and satisfy any program‐ or degree‐specific requirements.
4. Degree Audit: Complete an internal audit (via EWC Registrar’s Office) to verify that combined coursework (EWC + transfer institution) fulfills all requirements for the applicable associate degree (AA, AS, AAS, etc.).
Process / Procedures
1. Notification & Opt-In
- Partner institutions (e.g., UW) will identify eligible students and send notification (email or portal message) inviting them to opt in. This aligns with UW’s current reverse transfer structure. This may also be done via the National Student Clearinghouse for other institutions.
- The notification will include a link/form for students to provide consent to share transcript data with EWC’s Registrar.
2. Transcript Sharing
- Upon receiving consent, the four-year institution will securely transmit the student’s transcripts (or relevant course data) to EWC.
3. Degree Audit & Evaluation
- EWC’s Registrar (or designated Records Office) will perform a combined audit of credits earned at EWC and at the partner institution to assess if the student meets associate degree requirements.
- Degree requirements include general education/core courses, major-specific courses (if applicable), residency (if required), and other institutional policies.
4. Awarding the Associate Degree
- If the student meets all requirements, EWC will confer the associate degree (AA, AS, AAS, etc.).
- EWC will apply no additional fee for evaluation or awarding the degree, mirroring UW’s approach.
- Upon awarding, EWC will issue an updated transcript indicating the conferment of the degree.
- EWC will send a confirmation of the completed degree to the four-year institution to update the student’s academic record.
5. General Education / Transfer Credit Policy Alignment
- EWC will recognize UW (or other partner institution) lower-division general education credits for reverse transfer purposes, as outlined in existing UW-EWC articulation or block transfer agreements.
- EWC and UW will maintain articulation and block transfer agreements (via WyoTransfer) to ensure clear pathways and degree requirement alignment.
6. Fee Waivers or Substitutions for Graduate Assessments (If Applicable)
- For students who complete the reverse transfer associate degree and then return to or remain at a four-year institution for upper-division coursework, EWC may establish a policy to waive or substitute graduation fees or assessments (e.g., capstone, comprehensive exams) with upper-division coursework.
- Specific terms (which assessments or fees are covered; what upper-division substitution is acceptable) will be defined in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between EWC and the partner institution(s), ensuring academic integrity and alignment with institutional policies.
7. Student Communication & Support
- EWC (Registrar, Advising) will actively promote the Reverse Transfer option to students via orientation, advising, and the WyoTransfer portal.
- Advisers at both EWC and partner institutions will be trained to assist students in understanding the benefits, consent process, and academic audit.
- Students will be informed of the timeline for evaluation, degree conferment, and transcript updates.
Data Sharing & Privacy
- EWC and partner institutions will formalize a data-sharing agreement (if not already in place) consistent with FERPA and institutional policies.
- Student consent for transcript sharing must be explicit, documented, and revocable.
- Institutions must ensure secure transfer and storage of academic records.
Financial Aid Considerations
- Reverse transferring the associate degree should not negatively impact students’ federal financial aid, loans, or scholarships (consistent with UW’s policy).
- Students with private scholarships or conditions based on degree status should consult their financial aid office to confirm any implications.
Continuous Review & Governance
- EWC’s Registrar, as needed to ensure alignment with statewide practices, UW policies, and WyoTransfer systems.
- Amendments to the policy (e.g., credit thresholds, required GPA, fee waivers) will be approved through EWC’s governance structure and documented as needed.
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