Oct. 24, 2026
Grand Rapids Community College students planning to continue their education at Aquinas College will soon have access to expanded financial support that can make completing a bachelor’s degree more affordable than ever.
Starting in January 2026, Aquinas College will extend its Aquinas Assurance Program — which already provides eligible first-year students from low-income families with full tuition, including mandatory fees — to include transfer students.
This expansion means GRCC students who meet eligibility criteria can complete their associate degree here, then transfer to Aquinas to finish their bachelor’s degree with their remaining tuition fully covered.
What This Means for GRCC Students
Aquinas’ updated policy allows students to transfer up to 90 community college credits toward a bachelor’s degree, significantly reducing time and cost to graduation. With 120 credits required to earn an Aquinas bachelor’s degree, qualified students could need as few as 30 additional credits to finish, often just one more year of study.
For many GRCC students balancing work, family and other commitments, this makes a four-year degree a more realistic and attainable goal.
A Strong Transfer Partnership
GRCC maintains strong partnerships with many four-year institutions, and this expansion further strengthens the relationship with Aquinas College. It gives GRCC students a clear, affordable path to completing their bachelor’s degree close to home while continuing to benefit from the supportive, community-based environment they’ve experienced at GRCC.
Students interested in learning more about transferring to Aquinas and exploring financial aid options can visit grcc.edu/transfer.
This article was originally published by Aquinas College