American Indian College Fund Creates Transfer Data Guidebook for Tribal Colleges and Universities

The American Indian College Fund (College Fund) has recently unveiled a groundbreaking “Transfer Data Guidebook for Tribal Colleges and Universities,” following a three-year research project funded by a generous $625,000 grant from the Educational Credit Management Corporation. This initiative was specifically designed to enhance student success by establishing a seamless transfer system across the seven Montana tribal colleges and universities (TCUs).

The guidebook serves as a vital tool to facilitate educational pathways from certificate to baccalaureate degrees, ensuring smooth transfers among the Montana TCU institutions for timely degree completion. With nearly 40% of college students transferring at least once during their academic journey, transfer students represent a significant yet often overlooked demographic in the educational landscape. Unfortunately, studies show that a majority of transfer students lose around 37% of their college credits upon transferring, posing challenges for TCUs that primarily cater to Native and first-generation students.

The collaborative efforts between the College Fund and the Montana TCUs have led to the establishment of 14 articulation agreements among participating institutions, fostering a universal policy to support students, reduce credit loss, and facilitate on-time graduation despite transfers. The guidebook offers comprehensive guidance on transfer processes, software, security, transfer agreements, advising, and more, providing TCUs with essential resources to enhance their transfer data practices.

David Sanders, Vice President of Research, Evaluation, and Faculty Development at the College Fund, emphasized the guidebook’s significance in supporting transfer students within and outside TCU institutions. The guidebook is now available for download, offering valuable insights and strategies for TCUs to improve their transfer processes and ultimately enhance student mobility and success.