Delaware County Community College and Susquehanna University have signed a transfer agreement whereby qualified students at the College can earn a bachelor’s degree at substantial tuition savings by transferring after earning their associate degree into the four-year University. Through this partnership, qualified students also can receive merit-based scholarships of up to $32,000 a year, with an additional $5,000 scholarship available per year for students in Phi Theta Kappa, the College’s academic honor society.
This new dual admission agreement may be of particular interest to students seeking a bachelor’s credential at a small, rural university with a low student-to-faculty ratio. Students may be able to pursue some or all of their associate degree coursework online at Delaware County Community College and then transfer to Susquehanna University in Central Pennsylvania for an on-campus experience to complete their baccalaureate degree.
Located in Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a private school that offers educational opportunities that combine a liberal arts and sciences curriculum through its 100+ majors and minors with a strong focus on career development. It is the College’s first dual admission agreement with the University. The agreement allows qualifying students who graduate with either an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science or an Associate in Fine Arts to receive guaranteed acceptance to the University. Students transferring into a parallel major who have properly sequenced their coursework will only have four full-time semesters remaining to earn their bachelor’s degree.
“This agreement will offer significant opportunities for Delaware County Community College students who choose to transfer to Susquehanna University after completing their associate degree,” said Delaware County Community College President Dr. L. Joy Gates Black. “We are appreciative of all the work that has gone into making this agreement a reality and we are excited about what this will mean for our students and our communities.”
“There are few, if any, investments that have a greater impact on our nation than providing an affordable pathway to higher education, and the return on this investment is very real,” Susquehanna University President Jonathan Green said. “On average, college graduates earn more than $1 million in lifetime income above those who do not complete college degrees, are more likely to remain employed in times of high unemployment, and are well prepared to be informed and engaged citizens. We look forward to ensuring a smooth transition for Delaware County Community College graduates who come to Susquehanna to complete their bachelor’s degrees in preparation for an even brighter future.”
The agreement, which waives the University’s application fees, also requires students complete an “Intent to Enroll” form with a Delaware County Community College transfer advisor prior to having earned 30 credits. Interested students can apply by June 1 for fall semester enrollment or by October 1 for spring semester enrollment this year. All scholarships may be renewed for up to four (4) semesters for students earning an associate degree contingent upon students earning at least 30 credits each academic year at the University. Scholarships are for the fall and spring semesters only. Students must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and students may be eligible for need-based and other types of financial aid.
First opened in 1858 as The Missionary Institute of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Susquehanna University was founded to serve first-generation students. In the 2020-21 academic year, 47 percent of all Delaware County Community College’s students were first-generation students. Today, 3 out of 10 of the University’s students are first in their families to attend college.
For additional information about the new dual admission transfer agreement, contact Delaware County Community College’s Transfer Office at 610-359-5060 or email transferoffice@dccc.edu, or contact the Susquehanna University’s Office of Admission at 570-372-4260 or email suadmiss@susqu.edu.
