This seems odd, but it happens at colleges throughout the US: A student doesn't know he or she has graduated. So GRCC went out looking for them.

A new initiative in Michigan is called 'Degrees When Due' and it has schools contact people who have enough credits to earn their degree but don't know it.

Grand Rapids Community College has begun looking for over 300 folks who have earned an associates degree with the school.

"I think it's important to make sure that students who earn their degrees get their degrees," Valerie Butterfield, registrar at the college recently told FOX 17 News. "I think it's important that we get them their credentials."

GRCC may have more incidences of this because part time students come in and out of the system and may not know they've earned the diploma. Others transfer to other schools and may not know what credits they left on the table.

But Butterfield says many are overjoyed when they find out. "They're like, 'Great. Thanks for letting me know. I'm happy to have this.'"

Another estimated 2000 students are within a few credits of graduating and may not know it.

Michigan is one of eight states nationwide participating in the 'Degrees When Due' program.

 

 

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