Martha Ellis, Ph.D. Associate Vice Chancellor, Community College Partnerships University of Texas System TG Conference Transfer and Financial Aid

State of Texas UT System  9 general academic institutions  6 health science centers  195,107 students 33% of all students enrolled in academic institutions 67% of all students enrolled in health-related institutions 7 other university systems in Texas 50 Community College Districts—Independent 610,500 students  75% of the state’s freshmen and sophomores  78% of all Texas minority students in higher education

Definitions Transfer student is one who has successfully completed 30 SCH at another institution Core completer—completion of general education hours at community college Associate Degree completer

A few facts that impact financial aid at community colleges 1 in 5 Ph.D. holders began at a community college Low income students are less likely to enroll in college Community colleges are the entry point for most low income students Only 25% of students who have top test scores and are low income go to college TEXAS Sixth highest poverty rate in nation 55% of cc students are independent of their parents in Texas 60% of cc students attend part time 41% of cc students are 1 st generation

Suggested reading Bowen,W.G., Chingos, M.M., & McPherson, M.S. (2009). Crossing the Finish Line: Completing College at American Public Universities. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press. Creusere,M., Fletcher,C.,& Shook, M. (2010). State of Student Aid and Higher Education in Texas. Round Rock, TX: TG

UTS Community College Initiative 75% of freshman and sophomore students enrolled in community college 40% in AS, AA, and AAT programs University GPA comparable between community college transfer and native students Graduation rates higher for community college transfer students

UTAUTAUSUTBUTDUTEPUTPAUTPBUTSAUTTTotals Core Curriculum Completer GPA First Year: < GPA First Year: GPA First Year: GPA First Year: GPA First Year: 3.5 > GPA First Year UNK UTS: Core Completers and GPA

UTAUTAUSUTBUTDUTEPUTPAUTPBUTSAUTTTotals Academic and Technical Degree Transfers GPA First Year: < GPA First Year: GPA First Year: GPA First Year: GPA First Year: 3.5 > GPA First Year UNK UTS: Associate Degree Completers and GPA

UTS Exploratory Survey, Fall 2008 Administrators at 2 and 4 year institutions respond to survey regarding opportunities and challenges of current transfer system Financial aid results  Need for better communication and collaboration between 2 and 4 year institutions  Lack of financial aid information is barrier  4 year institutions need financial aid physical presence at 2 year colleges with advisors or at workshops  Students generally know approximate cost and financial aid opportunities at nearest 4 year institution but do not know what is available and how to apply  Competition for financial aid between freshmen and transfers

UTS: Qualitative Research Focus Groups with successful community college transfer students  Credit hours upon transfer Hours lost upon transfer Demographics: 50 %male/female 46% 1 st Generation 47%Hispanic, 38% White, 7% African American, 7% Asian 59% yrs of age 41% 25 yrs and older

Transfer Students speak Students say:  Advising is lacking at both cc and university  Academically well prepared by cc for university  Customer service needs to be improved in student services  Must be highly self motivated to navigate the system Recommendations:  Use transfer students as ambassadors,  Provide better information and utilize technology  Eliminate competitive attitudes between institutions

Community College Partnership University of Texas System Texas A&M University System Texas Association of Community Colleges

Policy changes Accountability report includes transfer enrollments and graduation htm htm Statewide initiative with UTS, Texas A&M University, and Texas Association of Community Colleges Applied research projects Joint legislative platform Public awareness campaign Transfer101.org

Policy issues for financial aid TEXAS grant TEOG 6 drop 120 hour/30 maximum Input from you

Challenges Student unit tracking data and definitions Comprehensive transfer action plans that include sharing of student data and communication plans Consistent information about state policies Competition for students based on current funding model and therefore reluctance to share information Communication Financial Aid