Navigating Barriers to Success for Community College Science Students: A Review of Transfer Challenges

Abstract

This paper examines the challenges community college students encounter when transferring to four-year higher-education institutions, focusing on the gap between their transfer aspirations and actual success. Despite the availability of substantial financial aid in higher education, transfer students continue to face numerous challenges that impede their integration and success at new institutions. These obstacles arise from a combination of institutional factors and individual student characteristics. Utilizing Pascarella’s model, this study underscores the importance of support programs in raising institutional awareness of the diverse challenges transfer students face and the necessity for tailored strategies to facilitate their successful transition and retention.