Provide a step-by-step approach students should follow if they plan to start their education at a community college and then transfer to a four-year college.

1. Guide to
Academic
Transfer
Making a successful
transfer from one
college to another

2. Why students transfer…
• Students often transfer to a different college
because they:
o need prerequisite or remedial
classes
o move to a different location
o find that their current college
isn’t a good fit
o change their major
o are concerned about college costs
o want to transition to a 4-year college

3. Types of college transfers
• Vertical transfer
o From 2-year college to 4-year college
• Horizontal or lateral transfer
o From 2-year college to 2-year college
o From 4-year college to 4-year college
• Reverse transfer
o Start at 4-year college, graduate from 2-year
college
• Swirling transfers
o Enrolled in two or more schools simultaneously

4. Realities of “Gen Eds”
• Colleges have different “gen ed”
requirements
o Each college determines its own standards and
expectations for academic rigor
o Core classes for a major might not transfer
o Some majors might require foreign language,
math, or science
o Private schools might require religion classes
o Credit hours can be different among schools
o Semester, quarter or clock hours
o 3-hour course vs. 4-hour course

5. If transfer is unplanned…
• Some credits will not transfer
• May have to retake classes to meet
requirements
• Cost of your education may increase
• May spend more years in college
• Entrance into workforce may be delayed

6. If transfer is planned…
• Transition to 4-year college will
go smoothly
• All credits will transfer
• Cost of education may be lower
o credit hour cost at community
college is lower than 4-year college
• You’ll complete a bachelor’s
degree in a timely manner

7. College transfer process
while attending your first college
• Determine your aspirations and
goals Step
o
o
Consider major or area of study
Plan for bachelor’s or master’s degree 1
• Seek excellent academic advising
o Confirm that all classes will transfer
o Determine maximum transfer credit hours
o Discuss GPA requirements at the next school
o Utilize “transfer guides” found on college
websites

8. College transfer process
while attending your first college
• Apply for admission to transfer
college Step
o
o
Provide college and high school transcripts
Pay application fee
2
• Apply for financial aid
o Complete the FAFSA
o Inquire about scholarships for transfer
students
o Be aware that you can only receive
financial aid from one school at a time

9. College transfer process
for the “receiving” college
• The receiving college will review your
transcripts
• Classes must match in:
Step
o academic rigor 3
o course content
o requirements for the program of study
o sequence of courses – in correct order

10. Academic Transfer Programs
• Nebraska Transfer Initiative
• Articulation Agreements
• NU Academic Transfer Program
• Common Core Curriculum

11. Nebraska Transfer Initiative
• College classes are pre-approved
o Comparable in scope, quality and rigor
o Fulfills “Gen Eds” for the receiving college
• Students earn Associate of Arts degree and
work toward Bachelor’s degree
• Students given Junior status at the 4-year
institution

12. Articulation Agreement
• Contract between two colleges
o Stipulates classes that transfer and total
number of credits
• Must complete classes within time allowed

13. NU Academic Transfer Program
• If you complete associate degree program
from any Nebraska community college,
you are guaranteed admission to UNL,
UNO or UNK
• You will be considered for transfer student
scholarships
• Similar program exists for the Nebraska
state college system

14. Common Core Curriculum
• Good way for “undecided” students to
begin their undergraduate experience
o Includes 34 semester hours of classes that will
transfer