110 ILCS 150/21

(110 ILCS 150/21)

Sec. 21. Community college and State university transfer articulation agreements.

(a) A State university or community college shall, upon the request of the community college district or State university, enter into a transfer articulation agreement to provide a seamless pathway for transfer. The community college or State university may request to enter into multiple articulation agreements as appropriate and requested.

The agreement between the State university and the community college district may include 2+2 programs, which are designed for students to take half of a degree at the community college and the second half of the degree at the State university, or 3+1 programs, which are designed for students to transfer to the State university for completion of their final, senior-level coursework if permitted by 23 Ill. Adm. Code 1050, university policy, institutional accreditors, and professional licensure bodies.

(b) Community colleges and State universities are also encouraged to enter into agreements whereby community college students may indicate their transfer destination of choice on their application to the community college. If a transfer destination is provided, the community college may share the student's contact information with the destination university so that it may contact the student and co-advise the student on the recommended coursework for seamless transfer.

(c) A transfer articulation agreement shall be signed by the president or chancellor of the community college or the president's or chancellor's designee and by the president or chancellor of the State university or the president's or chancellor's designee.

A transfer articulation agreement shall include all of the following:

(1) A statement identifying the participating institutions or divisions of institutions that are part of the agreement.

(2) A list of the eligibility criteria for transfer admissions, including any minimum grade-point-average requirements and prerequisites needed. Any limitations to the agreement for admission to specific academic programs shall also be included.

(3) A list of any scholarships or financial assistance available to students participating in the articulation agreement.

(4) A standardized transfer-credit framework for general education and lower-division, major-specific courses that clearly identifies specific courses that will transfer between institutions, the number of credits that will transfer, the program at the State university to which credits will apply, if applicable, and an outline of how transferred credits will be applied toward degree requirements.

(5) A clearly defined transfer pathway outlining how students at the community college can progress from their program at the community college to the corresponding program at the State university and be granted junior or senior status as appropriate.

(6) Other degree requirements, including, but not limited to, standardized test scores, required clinical hours, internships, or residency requirements.

(7) A policy on the reverse transfer of credit for those students who transfer prior to completion of the community college degree as stated in the agreement and, as applicable, the transfer of credit earned for experiential learning, including, but not limited to, prior learning assessment and competency-based education.

(8) The academic and non-academic opportunities and support, such as designated transfer admission coordinators, academic advisors, or other support specific to student participating in the agreement, if applicable.

(9) Data-sharing requirements and limitations, including, if applicable, assessment policies to measure the effectiveness of the agreement.

(10) An agreement on the marketing process and responsibilities for programs covered by the articulation agreement, including any limitations imposed by either party.

(11) A clear and transparent policy and appeal process for resolving disputes over transfer credit acceptance.

(12) Dates of applicability of the agreement and conditions for renewal or termination of the agreement.

(d) A transfer articulation agreement executed under this Section does not negate any previous transfer articulation agreement between a community college and a State university.

(e) If, within 180 calendar days after the initial request to enter into a transfer articulation agreement, the community college and State university do not reach an agreement on the transfer articulation agreement, then the community college may submit a written request to the Illinois Community College Board or the State university may submit a written request to the Board of Higher Education, which shall jointly assist with facilitation of an agreement between the community college and State university.

(Source: P.A. 104-402, eff. 8-15-25.)