1. California Community Colleges: A Pathway to the UC and CSU
Advising Students on the Community College Transfer Option
Kia: Introductions
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2. California Community Colleges: A Pathway to the UC and CSU
Advising Students on the Community College Transfer Option
Kia Vue
University of California, Merced
Kia: Introductions
10 Campuses Statewide – Premier Research Institutions – 5 Medical Schools/Centers
1 in 3 UC students is a transfer student – UC transfer students do just as well as freshmen admits

3. California Community Colleges: A Pathway to the UC and CSU
Advising Students on the Community College Transfer Option
Shannon Gilley
California Community College
Sacramento College 10 15
Shannon: Introductions
112 Community Colleges Statewide – Transfer Programs - Career Technical Education Programs – High School Transition Program

4. California Community Colleges: A Pathway to the UC and CSU
Advising Students on the Community College Transfer Option
Amanda Segura
California State University- East Bay15
Amanda: Introductions
23 CSU Campuses Statewide – 8 Off-campus Centers – Highest Transfer Institution in the State – 2/3 CSU Students are Transfers – Largest Number of Teacher Credential Students

5. This session will cover:
CSU and UC’s commitment to transfer
New policies affecting CCC transfer students
How transfer from the CCC works
“Best advice” for prospective transfer students
Information resources
Counselor feedback
Amanda: Overview

6. Who should consider transfer?
Any student can benefit from starting his or her path to a public-four year degree at a California Community College
Students choose the transfer path for many reasons:
Undecided on academic or career goals
Have not met requirements for freshman admission
Second chance at first choice four year institution
Are not ready or able to leave home
Want the affordability of community colleges
Want additional academic preparation or exploration in specific academic areas
Amanda:
Key message #1: Students go to community college for many reasons
Additional reason: 2nd chance at your first choice

7. Transfer and the California Master Plan for Higher Education
The CA Master Plan for Higher Education specifies:
CSU and UC offer priority admission to all eligible California Community Colleges (CCC) students
Best path to transfer to CSU/UC is via the CCC
All CSU and UC campuses welcome transfer students
Amanda: Emphasize that UC/CSU prioritize California Community College students in transfer admissions. We do not encourage students attend another 4 year university, and then try to transfer to another CSU/UC because they are not given priority.

8. How Transfer Works Choice of coursework at CCC is very important
Students complete General Education at the CCC in most majors
Students must also complete major preparation courses which are critical to admission in many transfer majors
As with freshmen applicants:
Transfers must meet minimum eligibility at CSU/UC
Some campuses are more selective in their admission process
Kia - CSU GE-Breadth and UC & CSU IGETC
Certification of GE (why it’s valuable)
Reggie & Karen can help by elaborating on these points, for example: Karen “More CSU are looking for completion of LD major coursework”
Reggie – Some majors such as STEM may allow students to spread-out the general education throughout their program

9. Admission to UC as a Transfer Student
Minimum eligibility requirements for transfer to a University of California
60 semester (90 quarter) units of transferable coursework
2.4 min. college GPA (eligibility vs. selection)
7-course pattern with a “C” or better
In addition, transfer applicants should complete:
Lower-division general education requirements
Lower-division major preparation courses
Kia:
Thanks, Karen. I did want to mention that a sister bill to SB 1440 – called Assembly Bill 2302 – also was signed into law last year. This asked UC to look into participating in the associate degree pathway in a similar way. Our faculty are looking at this now.
(If pressed… the faculty have proposed to guarantee a comprehensive review of any applicant who has completed either an SB 1440 degree or a UC Transfer Curriculum. The details of this proposal have not yet been worked out.)
Distinguish between eligibility and selection…GPA is on average much higher.
Basic eligibility for transfer is fairly simple.

10. UC Transfer Preparation Initiatives
Online Transfer Admission Planner (UC TAP)
Transfer Admission Guarantees (TAG)
Excluding Berkeley, Los Angeles and San Diego
Transfer Preparation Programs
Summer and Residential Programs
Community College and High School Support
Peer Mentoring
Personal Advising and Motivation
Counselor Professional Development
Kia:

11. CSU Transfer Admission Requirements
Minimum eligibility requirements for transfer
Upper-Division Transfer**
60 semester (90 quarter) units of transferable coursework
Lower-Division Transfer
Minimum grade point average of 2.0 or better in transferable coursework attempted
Completion of the CSU General Education requirements in at least the four basic subjects:
Oral Communications
Written Communications
Critical Thinking
Quantitative Reasoning
Good standing at the last institution attended
Amanda-
** Lower – Division Transfer -- LESS THAN 60 Semester units (90 Quarter units)
Student Must meet:
- The minimum requirement in ALL of the a-g AREAS
- Meet the HS Eligibility Index (SAT/ACT)
- HS Subject Requirement CAN be made up with appropriate college courses.

12. California Community Colleges Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT)
CCC Associate Degrees for Transfer (AA-T/AS-T) includes:
60 semester units/90 quarter units of coursework including:
General Education (CSU GE-Breadth or CSU-IGETC)
18 semester unit/27 quarter units of lower division coursework (defined by the CCC)
No additional local CCC graduation requirements
Advantages to Pursuing this Transfer Pathway:
Allows students at the California Community Colleges to earn an Associate Degree (AA-T/AS-T)while preparing for transfer to the California State University
Guaranteed priority admission consideration at the California State University with Junior status in a program deemed similar
No more than 60 additional semester (90 qtr.) units if admitted to a CSU Degree Major deemed “Similar”
Amanda

13. 60 semester units/90 quarter units of coursework including
The Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act (STAR Act /SB 1440) The Associate Degrees for Transfer includes:
60 semester units/90 quarter units of coursework including
General Education (CSU GE-Breadth or CSU-IGETC)
18 semester unit/27 quarter units of lower division coursework (defined by the CCC)
No additional local graduation requirements required
The Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T/AS-T) degrees target the top 20 transfer majors offered at the CSU, which will cover 91% of the students transferring.
For more information visit
Amanda: Earn an Assoc Degree that ALSO PREPARES them for transfer
39 units of GE, 18 units of lower division area-specific courses that fulfill comparable major preparation requirements, and 3 elective units, ( =60)

14. Transfer is a Partnership
High Schools
University of California
&
California State University
Community
Colleges
Amanda

15. ‘Best Advice’ for High School Students
#1 Improve college readiness: Students should take rigorous college preparation courses throughout high school
Take math all four years in high school
Take advantage of the early assessments programs
CSU’s Early Assessment Program (EAP) CST exam in 11th grade English and mathematics
Community college assessment/placement exams
Students should consider concurrent enrollment opportunities which enable students to experience college while in high school
Students should consider taking advantage of community college summer sessions following high school graduation
Amanda: If there is only one message we all need to leave here with today, it is : get students engaged in course-taking in high school. We need to increase students’ readiness for college before they arrive and this needs to start early.
While in high school, students should prepare for community college the same way that they would prepare for a four-year college: take English and math every year. If students are not prepared academically for college-level work, they will find community college work difficult and it could take longer to graduate.
The CSU Early Academic Assessment Program helps students prepare – we are all in this together (HS/CSU/UC) – by giving important diagnostic information that helps them strengthen skills while in high school Students will also be required to pass CCC placement tests in English and mathematics to demonstrate their ability to handle UC-transferable courses. Take these assessments as early as possible in the senior year; take these seriously; may be able to take more than once. And, they should begin taking their required English and mathematics courses in their first term at community college.
Other options…
We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to stay strong throughout high school
[weave in that it is never too late … some students don’t really engage with high school until the 11th and 12th grade– it is never to late to reinvent yourself as a student

16. ‘Best Advice’ for High School Students
#2 Research their options
Not all CCCs offer the same programs or opportunities
Some CCCs offer more transferable courses in a major(s)
Explore colleges and majors at
#3 Enroll in community college on time!
Competition for CCC courses is increasing
The CCC admission process has several steps that should be completed early in the spring semester of 12th grade in order to register for classes when summer/fall registrations opens in late April or May
Amanda: upcoming changes may result in advance deadlines for enrollment and assessments

17. Steps for Enrolling at a California Community College
Advise your students on the CCC admission & enrollment steps:
Apply online at
Schedule and take the assessment exams at the community college
Attend the college’s new student orientation session
Apply for financial aid prior to the March deadline ( & Board of Governors Fee Waiver (BOGFW)
Meet with a CCC counselor to schedule first semester classes
Register for classes and pay registration fees on time
Meet with a CCC counselor to create a long-term educational plan
Shannon:
Advise students to take the assessment exams seriously
SB 1456 Student Success
Steps with stars at the end are mandatory matriculation steps *
New Student Orientation –
Once enrolled at the community college, participate in new student orientation or take an orientation course your first term.  A good orientation course will introduce you to the college environment by showing you what it takes to be successful in completing your transfer program.  You will learn about counseling and academic support services, explore academic aspirations and develop program goals, become part of a learning community with other students who plan to transfer, and enhance your chances for success.
Financial Aid –
Low-income students forgo financial aid at community college because registration fees are low. However, assistance is available for the cost of books, transportation and parking, room and board, and childcare expenses
We all know that many students and families underestimate the costs of college and often do not know about financial aid.
While our community colleges have the lowest fees in the nation, this does not mean they are affordable for students with limited resources. In fact, fees represent less than five percent of the costs of attendance for a typical student, due primarily to California’s high cost of living. But getting students to apply for financial aid to attend a community college can be more of a challenge than it is at other colleges because fees are low, and because students don’t realize that aid can be used for more than fees.
Applying for financial aid while attending community college can be a very wise choice for many students since aid covers more expenses than just enrollment fees. The cost of textbooks, transportation and parking, room and board, and childcare expenses can be a significant and surprising burden on students.
Students applying to four-year colleges are sent eligibility letters, while students applying to community colleges typically don’t receive anything in the mail – they have to take their “Student Aid Report” to the community college to be processed. Often time students don’t know they have to be proactive (this is a new experience for them, it can be intimidating)
Community colleges may require verification forms; some may ask for supplemental information; every community college is different. The deadline for the Cal Grant application is March 2 for 4-year college applicants, but CCC have a second chance – September 2 (ccc students only)
Student Support Services –
Help students achieve early success by directing them to the right classes at the beginning and connecting them with services that promote success

18. Student Success Act
Provide abbreviated educational plan to first time students
Provide orientation, assessment and placement, and counseling, advising, and other education planning services to first-time students
Shannon

19. SSA Con’t.
Provide students a comprehensive educational planner by the end of the third term but no later than completion of 15 units.
Provide follow-up services, especially to students identified as at-risk (basic skills courses, students who have not identified an education, or students on academic or progress probation.)
A first-time student is defined as a student who enrolls at the college for the first time, excluding students who transferred from another institution of higher education, and concurrently enrolled high school students.
Shannon

20. Important Considerations!
For students to receive priority registration at the community college, they must have an educational goal AND a student educational plan
Financial aid recipients must now have an educational goal
Student should apply for financial aid in January of senior year
Make sure their community has received the aid
Monitor Cal Grant B utilization to save for 4-yr
Go full time, if possible, to “efficiently” use aid
AB 540 Affidavit (if needed)
Board of Governors Fee Waiver (BOGFW)
Visit
Shannon
Talking Point for the First Bullet: Although we’ll discuss this later, it’s important to note that students must now be more intentional in their course taking strategies to avoid the potential impact or consequences of the new PELL grant limits such as the LEU /Lifetime Eligibility Units

21. Tips for Transfer Success in CCC
If possible, attend full time, work part time
Four strong predictors for success:
1. full-time enrollment
2. continuous enrollment
3. work no more than 15 hours per week
4. complete transfer level English and math in first year of college
Helps to utilize financial aid efficiently
Consult financial aid staff at your college for expert advice on grants, loans and scholarships
Shannon
1. A CCCCO sponsored study by Peter Riley Bahr of the University of Michigan revealed that the strongest indicator of community college students’ success is full-time enrollment (Learning Works 2012)
2. Enrolling right after high school, attending full time (or at least half time)
3. Enroll in units each term
4. Work no more than 15 hrs. per wk. ,
Students who need to attend community college part-time or less than continuously enrolled need to be prepared to Encouraging students to follow effective enrollment patterns, such as attending full-time and continuously (without starting and stopping) will facilitate transfer.

22. Tips for Transfer Success in CCC
Students should decide on a major and campus no later than the start of sophomore year at CCC
Know which campus(es) and major(s) they want to target and which have transfer guarantee programs
Some majors such as STEM (i.e.engineering and biology) require that students declare their intent in their freshman year;
Follow recommended curriculum for majors ( including competitive GPA
Students need to make sure they are following the appropriate GE pattern for their intended major and campus
Shannon

23. Tips for Transfer Success in CCC
Student should be advised to:
Work closely with their CCC counselors, transfer center staff and CSU or UC rep to develop a transfer plan early
Develop, then follow, a plan, but update it regularly
ASSIST (assist.org) is helpful but no substitute for personal academic advisement
Review the admission and program information on the website of the CSU or UC campuses you are interested in transferring to
Shannon
Help students establish clear educational goals and pathways for achieving those goals.
Another strategy to promote success: work closely with an academic advisor or a Transfer Center Director:
Develop, then follow an academic advisement plan and update it annually (or more often, as necessary); ccc students are no different than students who enter a four-year college – they all change their majors, often more than once
Follow recommended course placement – do not jump ahead and take college level courses before you are prepared to succeed
The registration process can be challenging – use a counselor to help you
Select a major prior to transfer and complete as many preparation courses as possible. ASSIST and Transfer Preparation tools can be helpful but are no substitute for personal academic advising.

24. Counselor Best Practices
Include CCC and transfer information in student general college-going presentations starting in 9th grade to ensure students are aware of academic expectations in CCC and transfer opportunities and requirements
Provide awareness of the enrollment timeline and matriculation process for CCC
Emphasize the importance of the placement test for transferring in a timely manner
Include the CCC as a viable/positive option
Kia

25. Counselor Best Practices
Provide introduction to the transfer process workshops:
Invite representatives from four-year universities, local community colleges and successful transfer students to speak to students
Encourage students to explore careers and majors while in high school (
Investigate the higher education website
Utilize the Transfer Center website at the local CCC
Kia

26. Information Resources
Admission Requirements/Applications
uctransfer.universityofcalifornia.edu (UC Admission)
Uctap.universityofcalifornia.edu (UC Transfer Planner)
Locate Transferable Coursework by CCC, CSU or UC
Associate Degree for Transfer (STAR Act)
Advisement Resources
Kia

27. Thank you, Now it’s Your Turn
Kia
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