Maryland's Public System of Higher Education

New Website Eases Transfer Process for Maryland's Community College Students

ADELPHI, Md. (July 31, 2007) - Community college students looking to enroll in one of the University System of Maryland's (USM) 11 degree-granting universities now have an online resource to ease the transfer process. USM has launched Maryland TransPort, http://mdtransfer.usmd.edu, a one-stop information portal designed to facilitate smoother transitions to four-year institutions and degree programs for Maryland's community college students.

Through one convenient portal, Maryland's community college students can enter their course information via the online ARTSYS articulation system to determine which institutions and programs will accept their credits toward general education or specific program requirements. In addition, the site provides transfer scholarship and tuition information for Maryland's public and private colleges and universities.

"More and more students are starting the journey to their four-year degrees at community colleges," said Teri Hollander, associate vice chancellor of academic affairs at USM. "Over the last decade, USM's institutions have worked with Maryland's community colleges to set up articulation agreements that simplify the transferring of credits to four-year programs. Our goal has been to reduce the confusion and streamline the transfer process for students, families, and advisors. TransPort is one part of this ongoing effort."

According to the Maryland Association of Community Colleges (MACC), every year, on average, 61 percent of Maryland's graduating high school seniors enter the state's community colleges as their first step toward a four-year degree. The number of community college students transferring to USM institutions has risen 20 percent since 2000. Community college students now comprise 30 percent of new undergraduate students entering the system. To address this trend, USM and MACC formed the USM/MACC Joint Leadership Council to enhance access, increase affordability, ease transitions, and reduce time-to-degree for community college students entering the state's four-year institutions.

The University of Maryland, College Park's Maryland Transfer Advantage Program (MTAPS) is one outgrowth of this effort. Established in 2005, MTAPS helps to link community college students to a four-year institution in a more direct way.

"Through MTAPS, we have agreements in place with Anne Arundel Community College, College of Southern Maryland, Montgomery College, and Prince George's Community College, and look forward to working with other community colleges in the state," said Donna Hamilton, UMCP's Associate Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Studies. "The chief advantages for community college students include early identification with a four-year school, access to advising services, and invitations to special events-all of which increase the chances that they will transfer well-prepared to complete a bachelor's degree."

UMCP currently has 200 community college student enrolled in MTAP. Enrolled students can take up to nine course credits at UMCP supported by a 25 percent tuition scholarship.

In addition to expanding formal transfer agreements and dual admissions programs, USM is working to enhance access by dedicating more need-based financial aid to community college transfer students, Hollander added.

In FY 2007, need-based financial aid to community college transfer students increased by 16 percent, a total of $1.3 million, and the number of recipients grew by 11 percent (523 students). USM anticipates increasing such scholarships by more than 33 percent in both dollars and recipients during FY 2008.

"The better informed that students are about the transfer process, the easier it is for them to maximize the number of earned credits that may be applied toward degree requirements," said Stephanie Fowler, Associate Director of Admissions at Towson University, who oversees the university's transfer services. "TransPort is a great tool for those who plan to move from community colleges to four-year degree programs. It allows students to take ownership of their academic course plans and budget their time and academic resources appropriately."

For more information, visit Maryland TransPort at http://mdtransfer.usmd.edu.

• Maryland has 16 community colleges serving about 120,000 credit and 370,000 continuing education students each year.

• Every year, on average, 61% of Maryland graduating high school seniors enter the state's community colleges as their first step toward a four-year college degree.

• In Fall 2006, 5,947 students transferred from Maryland's community colleges to University System of Maryland (USM) institutions.

• In Fall 2006, 85% of Maryland community college students who applied to transfer to USM institutions were admitted versus 80% in 2004.

• Community college students comprise 30% of new undergraduate students entering USM institutions.

• Most of the Maryland community college transfers enter USM institutions as sophomores and juniors.

Contact: John Buettner
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: jbuettner@usmd.edu