A newly expanded transfer agreement between Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), will help more students begin at a community college and transfer seamlessly to EKU, so they can earn their four-year degrees.
EKU will expand its 23 transfer pathways to students at any of the state’s 16 community colleges. The partnership maximizes credit transfer, reduces time to degree and provides access to transfer scholarships valued at $4,000 per year.
“We have long been partners with KCTCS with more students transferring from KCTCS to EKU than any other university, and we’re proud to be the top choice for transfer students,” EKU President David McFaddin said. “This extended partnership reinforces our mission of access, affordability and student success and demonstrates a shared commitment to removing barriers to higher education for Kentuckians.”
The agreement maintains accreditation and financial aid standards, and provides students with advising, scholarships, free textbooks and priority registration. Students will also benefit from joint admission options, reverse transfer opportunities and guaranteed support from both institutions. The goal is to remove barriers to completing credentials between the two institutions.
“Our students prove time and again that they’re ready to succeed at the university level by earning an average 3.6 GPA post-transfer,” KCTCS President Ryan Quarles said. “I’m grateful to President McFaddin for his leadership to put students first and expand our collective impact across the commonwealth.”
In the 2023-24 academic year, 595 community college students transferred to EKU within one year. EKU once again earned a spot on Phi Theta Kappa’s Transfer Honor Roll in 2025, which recognizes the top four-year institutions in terms of transfer friendliness. Each year, about 14,000 KCTCS students transfer to a four-year college or university.
For more information and to learn about EKU’s transfer admission requirements, you can visit go.eku.edu/transfer.
By Tom Latek, Kentucky Today
