Press Release
See all Press Releases

College Transfer Students Share Their Stories During National Student Transfer Week

First-Hand Accounts Highlight What’s at Stake When Credits Don’t Transfer

Haas, Jr. Fund, Sova, and Transfer Nation California work together to tackle credit loss.

From the
Student Transfer Stories
Curated Collection
Share This

Today, the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund, Sova, and Transfer Nation California released videos featuring students who transferred from community colleges to four-year universities, in recognition of National Transfer Student Week (October 19-23).

The videos pose these questions: What happens when students transfer from community college to a four-year college or university? Which courses count and which do not? What should students be able to count on when they transfer?

Through firsthand accounts, students share the decisions, setbacks, and support that shaped their experiences, revealing what’s at stake when credits don’t transfer with them.

Community college is an affordable, accessible on-ramp to a bachelor’s degree—especially for students who are from low-income households, first-generation, or from communities of color. With 2.2 million students at 116 colleges, the California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the country.

But too many students aren’t moving from community college to a bachelor’s degree. Even though the vast majority of students who start at a community college say they want to transfer, only one in five California community college students (21%) who intend to transfer succeed in doing so within four years; and less than 30% transfer within six years. And that’s only if they’re lucky enough to navigate a system full of barriers, delays, and roadblocks.

Improving the transfer process is one of the most powerful ways to advance equity in higher education. Too many students lose valuable credits along the way, creating unnecessary barriers to earning a degree. But we have solutions to address this. If we get it right, we can help more students earn a bachelor’s degree on time, close racial equity gaps, and unlock untapped talent across California. 

Monica Martinez, Program Director for College Success at the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund

One of the largest barriers is that students take and pass courses at community college, only to find out that those credits don’t transfer or they only count as elective courses.

Overview of the student stories:

  • Adam Acosta: Adam had a plan – to graduate on time and without debt. As a low-income student, the financial impact of student loans was a top concern. After transferring from a community college, he learned that he had to take many classes over again.
  • Mya Vickers: Mya was on track with 71 credits when she transferred from Los Angeles Valley College. Then she transferred, assuming most of her credits would transfer with her. She experienced numerous delays and setbacks after being accepted to Howard University. To her surprise, only half her credits transferred.
  • Natalia Medina: Natalia had a positive experience with a guidance counselor who was clear on what community college credits would transfer, to help her decide whether to transfer to a CSU or UC. She ultimately decided to transfer to a CSU, and nearly all her credits transferred.
  • Shay: When Shay transferred from San Diego City College to San Diego State University, she thought she had done everything she needed to earn her degree. Years later, she’s still fighting for it.

Additional Background and Resources: