Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

PROVIDENCE, R.I. --As part of an effort to attract more out-of-state students, Rhode Island College is offering a $6,000 tuition break to Massachusetts students who transfer to the public four-year college from Bristol Community College in Fall River.

RIC President Nancy Carriuolo signed a formal transfer "articulation" agreement with BCC President John Sbrega on Nov. 24, the first such collaboration between RIC and an out-of-state institution.

Instead of paying $15,488 in average out-of-state tuition and fees, students who transfer from BCC will pay $9,118 a year, benefiting from RIC's "Metropolitan Tuition Policy," which offers a reduced price for students who live in nearby communities in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Last year, RIC expanded the radius of its reduced out-of-state tuition from a 20-mile radius from Providence to 50 miles and as a result, attracted about 250 more out-of-state students for the 2009-2010 academic year.

Now RIC officials hope that by entering into a formal agreement with BCC, more community college students from Massachusetts will transfer and receive a bachelor's degree from RIC.

This year, 42 BCC students paid deposits to RIC, an increase of 17 percent over the previous year, said RIC spokeswoman Jane Fusco.

"We have had a very positive relationship with Bristol Community College over the years," said Holly Shadoian, RIC's assistant vice president for academic affairs. "BCC has become our largest transfer partner outside of Rhode Island and with the new MTP agreement, there is even more reason to formalize that relationship."

The transfer agreement makes it easier for students to plan their courses, ensuring that RIC will accept credits. Both institutions have agreed to provide lists of classes that transfer.

RIC also has a transfer agreement with the Community College of Rhode Island. This year, about 350 CCRI students transferred to RIC, 34 of whom participated in a formal "joint articulation agreement," that provides students with extra advising that helps the students select courses that will transfer to RIC and other four-year institutions.

 Tags  economy education Fall River Mass. Providence RI Rhode Island College

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