Committee Members FAQs

Currently, Alabama Transfers is funded entirely through Alabama taxpayer dollars. There is no cost to students or participating institutions for using the Alabama Transfers system and its resources.

The program is funded through a separate line item in the annual budget of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE), providing statewide support for Alabama’s transfer students and institutions.

While Alabama Transfers is currently provided at no cost, future funding needs could impact the program’s sustainability. If adequate public funding is no longer available to support the program, a fee for some Alabama Transfers services could be considered in the future.

Get in contact with us through our contact us page.  We would love to hear from you.

As required by state law, all accredited public two-year and four-year institutions in Alabama that receive state funding are required to participate in the AGSC/Alabama Transfers Program, formerly known as STARS.

This statewide participation ensures that Alabama’s public colleges and universities follow a consistent transfer and articulation process designed to help students move between institutions while protecting their earned college credits.

No. The Alabama Articulation and General Studies Committee (AGSC) does not mandate a specific curriculum for all public institutions of higher education in Alabama. However, public institutions that receive state funding are required to adhere to the statewide transfer policies established by the AGSC.

In practical terms, this means that Alabama’s public four-year institutions must honor and accept transfer credit as prescribed by a student’s Official Transfer Guide, in accordance with established statewide transfer policies.

Although the AGSC does not mandate a statewide curriculum, many Alabama public two-year and four-year institutions have aligned their general studies programs with the AGSC’s statewide general studies framework. This framework is organized into Areas I–V, representing approximately 60–64 semester hours of general studies coursework.

Learn more about Areas I–V.

Much of the work of Alabama Transfers academic committees is coordinated and directed by the Executive Director of Alabama Transfers. However, the committee chair serves as the primary point of contact and provides leadership and oversight for the committee’s work.

Action items are typically initiated by the Alabama Transfers office through email to the committee chair and members. Committee members are encouraged to review, discuss, and respond to requests or vote on issues using online forms or other electronic methods. The chair is responsible for overseeing the committee’s work, ensuring action is taken, recording and reporting votes, and communicating the committee’s decisions to the Alabama Transfers office by the designated deadlines.

In most cases, committee business can be conducted efficiently through email, regular mail, telephone, or other electronic communication. When necessary, the chair may arrange a face-to-face or virtual meeting if an issue requires additional discussion or collaboration.

The chair should contact the Alabama Transfers office whenever questions arise regarding the committee’s responsibilities, action items, activities, or deadlines. The Alabama Transfers office is available to provide guidance and support to help each committee successfully fulfill its role.

During the 2002–2003 academic year, the Alabama Articulation and General Studies Committee (AGSC) commissioned an outside evaluation that identified a need for improved communication and coordination between the AGSC & STARS Office and Alabama’s public two- and four-year institutions.

To address this need, the AGSC established Institutional Points of Contact (POCs) at each institution impacted by the work of the AGSC and STARS. These individuals serve as the primary campus contacts for AGSC and Alabama Transfers matters and help facilitate communication between their institution and the Alabama Transfers office.

Institutional Points of Contact play an important role in keeping their campuses informed about AGSC and Alabama Transfers initiatives, activities, policies, and action items.

Click here to view the current roles and responsibilities of Institutional Points of Contact and access the current listing of individuals serving in this role at Alabama’s public institutions.

Once submitted, an Official Transfer Guide must be honored for four years by all Alabama public universities that offer the specified major.

There is one important exception. If a recognized accrediting body, regulatory agency, or other governing organization requires academic or curricular changes that apply to all students—both native students and transfer students—in a particular field of study, those requirements must be followed. In such cases, transfer students and native students must be treated equally and comply with the new academic requirements.

For example, changes resulting from a federal or accreditation mandate may require institutions to modify degree requirements for all students, regardless of whether they began their education at that institution or transferred from another college or university.

If you experience any technical difficulties using this site, please contact us.  If you can describe your problem or issue on the contact form, that will greatly help us as we look into the issue or problem and try to find a solution.