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Exploring Transfer Policies in Higher Education and Their Impact on Transfer Student Success and Degree Completion

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Title: Exploring Transfer Policies in Higher Education and Their Impact on Transfer Student Success and Degree Completion
Language: English
Authors: Jennifer Strobel
Source: Online Submission. 2026Ed.D. Scholarly Research Project, Bradley University.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 127
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Reports - Research
Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Higher Education, College Transfer Students, Student Mobility, Transfer Policy, Educational Policy, Educational Attainment, Student Experience, Barriers, School Policy, Educational Practices, Transfer Programs, College Credits
Abstract: This study examines the predominant challenges faced by transfer students in higher education and explores strategies for improving institutional transfer practices to better support student mobility and academic success. As transfer pathways become an increasingly common route toward degree completion, students frequently encounter barriers that complicate the transition between institutions. Using a qualitative case study approach, this research investigates the experiences of transfer students within a higher education institution to better understand the structural and procedural barriers affecting their transition. Data was collected through an individual case study and a review of transfer policies and support structures. This approach allowed for an in-depth examination of how institutional processes influence the experiences and outcomes of transfer students. Findings reveal that transfer students frequently encounter three primary challenges: inconsistent academic advising, financial complications related to transferring, and unclear or restrictive transfer credit articulation agreements. Participants reported difficulty accessing timely and specialized advising to help them navigate degree requirements, credit evaluations, and academic planning after transferring. Additionally, many students experienced unexpected financial burdens due to changes in tuition structures, loss of scholarships or financial aid eligibility, and extended time to degree completion. Compounding these issues, unclear credit articulation agreements between institutions often resulted in previously completed coursework not being fully recognized, forcing students to repeat courses. The results of this study suggest that institutions can better support transfer students by implementing more proactive and specialized academic advising models, addressing financial barriers through clearer financial aid guidance and support, and strengthening transfer credit articulation agreements between institutions. Improving these areas can reduce uncertainty, minimize credit loss, and promote more equitable and efficient pathways for students transferring between higher education institutions.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: ED680044
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: Exploring Transfer Policies in Higher Education and Their Impact on Transfer Student Success and Degree Completion
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Jennifer+Strobel%22">Jennifer Strobel</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Online+Submission%22"><i>Online Submission</i></searchLink>. 2026Ed.D. Scholarly Research Project, Bradley University.
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  Data: N
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  Data: 127
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  Label: Publication Date
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Reports - Research<br />Tests/Questionnaires
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Transfer+Students%22">College Transfer Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Mobility%22">Student Mobility</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Transfer+Policy%22">Transfer Policy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Policy%22">Educational Policy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Attainment%22">Educational Attainment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Experience%22">Student Experience</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Barriers%22">Barriers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Policy%22">School Policy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Practices%22">Educational Practices</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Transfer+Programs%22">Transfer Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Credits%22">College Credits</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This study examines the predominant challenges faced by transfer students in higher education and explores strategies for improving institutional transfer practices to better support student mobility and academic success. As transfer pathways become an increasingly common route toward degree completion, students frequently encounter barriers that complicate the transition between institutions. Using a qualitative case study approach, this research investigates the experiences of transfer students within a higher education institution to better understand the structural and procedural barriers affecting their transition. Data was collected through an individual case study and a review of transfer policies and support structures. This approach allowed for an in-depth examination of how institutional processes influence the experiences and outcomes of transfer students. Findings reveal that transfer students frequently encounter three primary challenges: inconsistent academic advising, financial complications related to transferring, and unclear or restrictive transfer credit articulation agreements. Participants reported difficulty accessing timely and specialized advising to help them navigate degree requirements, credit evaluations, and academic planning after transferring. Additionally, many students experienced unexpected financial burdens due to changes in tuition structures, loss of scholarships or financial aid eligibility, and extended time to degree completion. Compounding these issues, unclear credit articulation agreements between institutions often resulted in previously completed coursework not being fully recognized, forcing students to repeat courses. The results of this study suggest that institutions can better support transfer students by implementing more proactive and specialized academic advising models, addressing financial barriers through clearer financial aid guidance and support, and strengthening transfer credit articulation agreements between institutions. Improving these areas can reduce uncertainty, minimize credit loss, and promote more equitable and efficient pathways for students transferring between higher education institutions.
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 127
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Higher Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Transfer Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Mobility
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Transfer Policy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Policy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Attainment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Experience
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Barriers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Policy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Practices
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Transfer Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Credits
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Exploring Transfer Policies in Higher Education and Their Impact on Transfer Student Success and Degree Completion
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            – D: 01
              M: 05
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Online Submission
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