Many people who enter community college intend to transfer to a four-year university. However, a significantly smaller number of people graduate from a four-year university. There are a variety of different reasons why students end up not transferring. If you’re planning on transferring to a four-year university, here are some steps you can take to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible:
1. Look at scholarships/financial aid/work opportunities.
A significant reason people who intend to go to a four-year university start at a community college is to save money. Transitioning from community college to a four-year university can be very stressful financially, so it’s essential to get a good grasp on what you can do to prepare.
Look into scholarships: one primary source of scholarships for community college students is the honor society Phi Theta Kappa. Some schools in Alabama offer varying amounts of scholarship money to transfer PTK members. PTK members are also eligible to apply for multiple other scholarships.
Many universities also offer transfer scholarships, which you can apply for. They’re likely to be found on any given university’s website.
Taking a look at a university financial aid page will give necessary information about the grants, loans, and work-study options available to students.
2. Make sure that your credits will transfer
One thing that often gets in the way of students transferring is the confusing process of transferring credits. Many students find out once they try to transfer which credits the universities they intend to attend will and will not accept. Regardless of where you are in your community college journey, it’s worth looking into which credits universities will accept. Suppose you plan on transferring to a university in Alabama. In that case, https://alabamatransfers.com/ is a handy source for finding out which credits will transfer, as well as a variety of other helpful information you will need for your transferring process. If you plan on attending a university outside of Alabama, finding the credit transfer policies likely available on the university’s website will be beneficial.
3.Talk to advisors
The advisors at Calhoun are very open and willing to help students with their plans to transfer. Consider making an appointment to talk to them at least a few times while at Calhoun. It will be beneficial when the time comes to transfer. Not only that, Calhoun has multiple resources for students who plan on transferring. Constant information about transferring is being shared online and displayed around the school. Also, every once in a while, representatives from universities in Alabama will come and be available in the Sparkman building lobby. Being mindful of the information you can use to plan your transferring process will help make yours as successful as possible.
If you’re interested in setting up an appointment with a Calhoun advisor, click on this link!