Paving the Vertical Transfer Pathway: Components of a Student-Ready Advisement Program

Vertical transfer students, those who transition from community colleges to 4-year institutions, embark on a challenging path that often presents academic, logistical, and financial obstacles. For many, this journey is marked by disruptions in financial aid, unfamiliar campus environments, and credit transfer complications, leading to frustration and detachment. While community college enrollment can be an entry point to higher education, research shows that only a small fraction of these students complete a bachelor’s degree, despite many entering with that intention. According to the Survey of Entering Student Engagement (SENSE, 2023), a comprehensive survey used by community and technical colleges to assess the behaviors of new students, 75% of respondents aspire to transfer and earn a 4-year degree, yet only 15% achieve this goal within six years (Shapiro et al., 2017).