Interim
UW System Administrative Policy 100-Interim 11

Interim: UW System Transfer Policy- Guaranteed Transfer Amendments

Original Issuance Date: January 21, 2025
Expiration Date: January 1, 2026 or upon the approval of substantive revisions to SYS 135, whichever is first.

1. Interim Policy Purpose

This interim policy action amends sections of SYS 135, UW System Undergraduate Transfer Policy. These amendments are being made concomitantly with the rescission of procedure SYS 135.A, Guaranteed Transfer and the associated guidance. The rescission is intended to remedy the inconsistency among these documents. The current amendments to SYS 135 under this interim policy action are intended to address pieces of the policy that are no longer applicable and/or create transfer challenges for students. University of Wisconsin System Administration will conduct a thorough review and revision of SYS 135 in 2025 to conclude this work.

2. Related Policies

This policy temporarily amends portions of SYS 135, UW System Undergraduate Transfer Policy.

3. Scope

This interim policy action applies to all UW universities’ transfer students.

4. Definitions

The terms and definitions listed in SYS 135, UW System Undergraduate Transfer Policy, apply to this interim policy action. Specific terms found in the amended sections include:

Credits: Semester hour units (distinct from quarter or trimester).

Major: A field of specialization in undergraduate studies, with specific course requirements that may be fulfilled by transfer coursework.

5. Interim Policy Statement

A. Amend Section 6.C.III.6

Section 6.C.III.6 details the UW System Guaranteed Transfer Admissions Program (formerly UW Colleges Guaranteed Transfer Program). For the duration of this interim policy action, Section 6.C.III.6 reads as follows:

“6. UW System Guaranteed Transfer Admission Program (formerly UW Colleges Guaranteed Transfer Program)

  1. Students who are admitted as a new freshman at a UW university receive “guaranteed” admission to any other UW university as a junior by participating in the UW System Guaranteed Transfer Admission Program. After fulfilling certain credit and grade point average requirements, students transfer with the same rights and privileges as those who begin their education pursuing a degree at that UW university. Students are encouraged to contact the UW university to which they intend to transfer for more information on the Guaranteed Transfer Admission Program as early as possible to begin planning for transfer.
  2. Requirements:
    1. Student must be admitted as a new freshman in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program at a UW university and be enrolled in that program at the time they submit a transfer application.
    2. Students must complete the number of credits required for junior status at the UW university they intend to transfer to with a minimum grade point average of 2.0; or 3.0 for UW-Madison. The UW university may make exceptions to the required number of credits for those majors/programs for which early transfer is recommended.
    3. Students have three academic years from the time of enrolling in the associate’s or bachelor’s degree program in which to complete the minimum credits required.
    4. Transfer G.P.A.s are calculated using the formula/method of the receiving UW university.
    5. Each UW university has unique application deadlines, admission criteria, and admission procedures to which all transfer students must adhere. Students must apply to the intended UW university and must meet the same criteria (e.g., GPA, course requirements, etc.) for admission to specific majors/programs as continuing students. The Guaranteed Transfer Admission Program guarantees admission to the UW university only and not to the specific program or major.”

6. Supplemental Documents

None listed.