QUEENS COLLEGE–The CUNY Transfer Initiative, set to take effect in fall 2025, introduces necessary changes to address the national credit loss issue. The initiative aims to streamline the transition process for over 15,000 students, moving from community colleges to four-year degree programs.
The current transfer process is often taxing, forcing many students to retake courses due to an inefficient credit transfer system. This results in wasted time, money, and potential loss of scholarships. The CUNY Transfer Initiative seeks to resolve these issues and streamline the path to degree completion.
“The transfer overhaul will save our students time, money and frustration as they move from our community colleges to senior colleges. I’m grateful to our Board, my team and CUNY faculty for tackling this massive undertaking to benefit our students and the city,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. Matos Rodríguez was a member of a national task force formed in 2020 by the American Council on Education, which aims to improve the college transfer system.
In 2023, the CUNY Board of Trustees highlighted the challenges with credit transfers across the university system. Previously, each CUNY campus assigned an individual to oversee the process. However, as of Jan. 21, students can now use CUNYFirst to see how their credits transfer between colleges, eliminating the need for manual oversight.
