Florida is one of the most transfer student friendly states in the union. According to the State College System of Florida, over half of all university juniors are transfer students. Over 100,000 students arrived from other institutions last year.
The Florida Consortium represents over 60% of those transfer student destinations. Florida International University, University of Central Florida, and University of South Florida, are in the top ten universities in the country in terms of the size of their annual incoming transfer class. Students who start at a state college in Florida take on less debt. They also enjoy the convenience of staying at home and receiving a world class education. However, the road to success for a transfer student can be filled with barriers that are not common to first time in college (FTIC) students. Course transference, time to graduation, and other issues can derail or delay transfer students from graduating. That is why FIU, UCF, USF and Florida Atlantic University formed the Transfer Success Network. This group gathers a few times a year to discuss issues unique to transfer students. The Transfer Network focusses its work in four areas:
Technology Transfer and Human Resources
FIU, UCF, and USF are currently all in different stages of transitioning to Brainware an electronic reading software that is used to input transfer credit data faster and more accurately. However, the institution that is the furthest along has also determined ways to upskill and train existing human resources. As a result existing employees are able to help transfer students address unique concerns more effectively.
Advocacy
The State University System of Florida will likely introduce a new performance funding metric focused on transfer student success. This is a welcomed change but it is important to craft this policy to enable today’s transfer student. They are older, first generation, and often working. As such, effectively advocating for transfer students is a key area of focus for the Transfer Success Network.
Policy
Another area of opportunity for the network lies with reviewing and possibly revisiting existing articulation agreements and curriculum for key subjects to assure students credits not only transfer but provide the rigor to supports smooth transitions.
Reverse Transfer Methodology
Finally, the Transfer Success Network is committed to developing a better method for reverse transfer. The network aims to help students claim academic credentials. There is ample evidence to show when students receive their associates degree on their way to a bachelor’s degree, they are more likely to graduate, and improve lifetime earnings.
In closing, as Florida grows, more students will seek higher education. The path of a transfer student is critical to the Sunshine State’s future.