VCCS News Releases

Susan Hayden
Director of Public Relations
shayden@vccs.edu
(804) 819-4979 or
(804) 819-4961
(804) 819-7468 (fax)

Carol Patterson
Asst. Vice Chancellor for System Communications
cpatterson@vccs.edu
(804) 819-4949 or
(804) 819-4961
(804) 819-7468 (fax)

University of Virginia Establishes Guaranteed Admission Program with
Virginia Community College System

The University of Virginia will guarantee admission to graduates from Virginia's 23 community colleges. Effective immediately, the agreement between the University and the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) guarantees admission to the University’s College of Arts and Sciences, its largest school, based on a series of requirements.

"This new agreement will encourage more community college students to transfer to the University of Virginia," said Virginia President John T. Casteen III. "It makes clear how to use community college academic resources to prepare for transfer, and how to meet the standards.  Coupled with AccessUVa, it should attract students who might have thought previously that they could not qualify for admission or that they could not afford the cost of attendance. Together, these programs remove barriers."

“This gives Virginia students and their families one more tool for planning a tremendous higher education program,” said Glenn DuBois, chancellor of the Virginia Community College System. “Two years at community college, enjoying the financial advantage of lower tuition in a quality learning environment, followed by guaranteed admission into the University of Virginia is an unbeatable combination. Virginia’s community colleges are the gateway to opportunity.”

To qualify for guaranteed admission, students must complete a transfer-oriented associate’s degree at a Virginia community college within a two-year period preceding application to the University while maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.4 or better and satisfying other eligibility requirements. VCCS students who do not meet these requirements may still apply and will be considered for admission, although admission will not be guaranteed.

The full terms of the agreement will be available on the University of Virginia’s Office of Admission website at http://www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/index.html, and also on the VCCS website at http://www.vccs.edu/vccsasr/agreements.htm.

"The agreement that the University has formulated with Virginia's community colleges is an important move forward in our effort to attract a greater number of VCCS transfer students," added Gregory W. Roberts, transfer dean of admissions. "We are anxious to make the University more accessible to students who have not enrolled here immediately after finishing high school.  The new agreement makes it possible for some students to realize their dream by earning a degree from the University of Virginia."

VCCS students are eligible to apply for the AccessUVA financial aid package, which features caps on need-based loans, loan-free packages for low-income students, and a commitment to meet 100 percent of every student's need. In addition, any VCCS student who transfers under the guaranteed admission agreement will have an opportunity to apply for University housing and will receive assistance in course registration and access to other services.

The VCCS is comprised of 23 community colleges located on 40 campuses across the Commonwealth. Together, Virginia’s community colleges serve more than a quarter-million credit students each year.