Transferring credits among colleges & universities just got easier

Office of the Premier of Ontario
News Release

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Starting next September, students will find it easier to transfer credits among Ontario colleges and universities -- saving them time and money.

Ontario's new credit transfer system will reduce the need for students to repeat similar courses or years at different institutions -- allowing them to complete their studies sooner. Under the new system, colleges and universities will work together to develop more opportunities to transfer credits between institutions and provide on-campus advisors and orientation programs to help students transfer their credits. Students will also have access to a centralized website that will help them identify which credits can be transferred.

In addition, the province will introduce a new Credit Transfer Innovation Fund to help universities and colleges develop more credit transfer options for students. This will make it easier for students to determine what programs and courses will work best for them.

Ontario's new credit transfer system will be implemented over the next five years. This is part of the McGuinty government's Open Ontario plan www.premier.gov.on.ca/openOntario/index.php?Lang=EN to help every student succeed and build a knowledge-based economy for the future.


QUOTES

"Research tells us that seven out of 10 jobs will need a postsecondary education in the future. That's why it's so important that we give our college and university students the support they need to pursue their passion and achieve the career of their dreams. The new credit transfer system will create flexibility for students so they won't have to repeat courses, saving students and their families' time in school and money." - John Milloy Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities

"Having postsecondary education or training is more important than ever before. And the new credit transfer system is great news, making college and university easier to access and postsecondary education more affordable." - Eric Hoskins MPP for St. Paul's


QUICK FACTS

* In Ontario, over 4,000 college graduates transfer to university every year.

* The government's Open Ontario plan will raise the number of Ontarians with a postsecondary education credential to 70 per cent.

* The government is providing $73.7 million over five years to support the development of a new credit transfer system. This includes the new Credit Transfer Innovation Fund.

* Currently there are about 500 individual credit transfer
agreements among colleges and universities.

* Ontario's 63 per cent postsecondary education rate is one of the highest in the world.


LEARN MORE

* Learn more about Ontario's colleges www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/postsecondary/schoolsprograms/college

* Learn more about Ontario's universities
www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/postsecondary/schoolsprograms/university

* Strengthening Student Support in Ontario
news.ontario.ca/tcu/en/2011/01/strengthening-student-support-in-ontario-1.html

* ontario.ca/tcu-news

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