Northern Kentucky Community Colleges Launch National Transfer Week to Support Student Pathways to Four-Year Universities

Northern Kentucky Community Colleges Prepare for National Transfer Week

Northern Kentucky — The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) is set to kick off National Transfer Week today, highlighting the growing trend of students transferring from community colleges to four-year universities. Recent data shows that in the last academic year, 13,661 students, including dual credit students, made this crucial transition.

Among those, 3,777 associate degree earners who transferred in the 2019-20 academic year demonstrated that 57% completed a bachelor’s degree within four years. The community college route is increasingly viewed as a viable option by students, as it significantly lowers the annual net price—less than half of what they would pay at universities—while keeping them on track to graduate.

Financial considerations also play a key role. KCTCS reports that 74.4% of students graduate debt-free, and during the most recent financial aid year, 81.4% of enrolled students received financial aid. Notably, 67% of students paid $0 in out-of-pocket tuition, benefiting from a state allocation of $334 million in financial aid awards for 2022-23.

Partnerships Enhance Transfer Success

According to Tyra Frick, director of curriculum alignment and credit mobility at KCTCS, collaborations with four-year universities are vital to helping students achieve their goal of obtaining a bachelor’s degree. As a first-generation college graduate herself, Frick emphasizes the importance of better guidance and resources to facilitate smoother transitions.

“Students can now choose from 300 transfer pathways developed in partnership with the state’s public universities,” Frick stated. These pathways also extend to private institutions and out-of-state colleges. High school students can work with their counselors or community college advisors to map out their transfer options before even enrolling at a community college.

The KCTCS general education core is integrated into these pathways, ensuring that credits are accepted at all Kentucky public universities. This transformative legislation initiated in 2011 aimed to reduce barriers for students and optimize transfer credits.

New Agreements and Support

This year, KCTCS finalized transfer agreements with several institutions, including the University of Kentucky and Ohio University, expanding opportunities for students. Frick noted that such agreements often come with additional student benefits, like waived application fees and scholarships.

A recent initiative, the “last dollar” scholarship for KCTCS students transferring to Kentucky State University, is one example of the support made possible through these agreements. Although transfer pathways are clearer than ever, Frick acknowledges the challenges faced by first-generation students, who make up 54% of KCTCS’s student body.

“Personalized support through transfer advising is crucial to making the process as smooth as possible, especially for first-gen students,” Frick said. “We are dedicated to making the bachelor’s degree attainable for all students,” she added, encouraging individuals to visit the KCTCS website to learn more about transfer planning.