News

South Bend, Ind. — Indiana University South Bend and Ivy Tech Community College are strengthening their partnership to ensure an even clearer path to a bachelor’s degree for Indiana’s residents.

Beginning June 1, Ivy Tech associate-level graduates from across Indiana will be guaranteed admission, based on select provisions, into IU South Bend, eliminating any loss of credits earned while minimizing cost to students. The fee for an application to IU South Bend will also be waived for associate degree holders.

Aligning the state’s higher education initiatives and best practices, the Guaranteed Admission Agreement (GAA) between both institutions outlines specific coursework that will fulfill requirements at both institutions, ensuring a seamless transfer for students and ensuring they are able to complete their bachelor’s degrees on time. 

“Ivy Tech and IUSB share the common goal of fueling regional economic, social, and community advancement,” said Chancellor Susan Elrod of IU South Bend. “This agreement will allow opportunities for more Ivy Tech students to complete their bachelor’s degree and continue to make valuable contributions to our community.”

“This guaranteed admissions agreement speaks to the high quality of our Ivy Tech “transfer as a junior” programs and the great partnership that we have, as Indiana’s Community College, with Indiana University statewide,” said Ivy Tech Community College South Bend – Elkhart Chancellor David Balkin. 

The GAA joins other Ivy Tech-Indiana University South Bend collaborations designed to support students’ transition to a bachelor’s degree. Full-time Ivy Tech students can enroll in the ABC Program early in their studies. In this program, students are eligible for scholarships, have a personalized advising relationship with an ABC Transfer Specialist, and can receive financial literacy training and early career counseling. Students in the ABC Program are guaranteed admission to IU South Bend if they maintain program standards.

“We were fortunate to have champions at the highest level of leadership at both Ivy Tech and IU South Bend to help ensure support for these programs,“ said Cathy Buckman, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs. “We are pleased with the student success outcomes our transfer partnership has achieved so far, especially with the high percentages of minority and low-income students. We look forward to supporting Ivy Tech graduates with this new transfer pathway.”

Students can further maximize savings on their degree by taking advantage of scholarship and grant opportunities at both institutions, which is critical to Hoosiers now more than ever during the COVID-19 crisis. 

To learn more about transferring to IU South Bend, contact the Office of Admissions at (574) 520-4839 or visit admissions.iusb.edu.