Supporting Students After College Closures: Transfer Strategies

As the number of high school graduates declines, more and more colleges and universities are looking to the Some College, No Credential (SCNC) population as an opportunity for growth. According to the National Student Clearinghouse, there are 36.8 million people in this group, an increase of 2.9% from the previous year.

While many SCNC individuals stop out of higher education due to cost concerns, life changes, and mental health challenges, there is a segment of this population that has been forced to discontinue their degree program for reasons outside of their control.

Increased closures and mergers in higher education

The higher education landscape has been undergoing significant upheaval in recent years, with an increasing number of colleges and universities facing financial challenges and being forced to close or merge with other institutions. This trend has been driven by a variety of factors, including the looming “enrollment cliff” — a projected decline in the number of high school graduates due to demographic shifts — as well as rising costs, changing student preferences, and the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For those of us following higher education news and trends, it can feel like a new school closure is announced every week. Higher Ed Dive publishes a tracker that indicates 118 colleges have been impacted by closures or mergers since 2016 (as of June 18, 2024).

Closures often leave students in a precarious position, scrambling to find alternative paths to complete their education. Tragically, a staggering 53% of students from closed colleges ultimately give up on their education altogether, according to a study by the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO). The challenges of navigating the transfer process, coupled with the loss of credits and mounting financial obligations, can become overwhelming, leading many students to abandon their academic aspirations.

Those who do manage to transfer to another institution often face additional hurdles. Fewer than half of the students who transfer stay long enough to earn their degrees, further highlighting the difficulties they encounter in adapting to a new academic environment and overcoming the setbacks caused by the college closure.

Understanding students affected by college closures

The SHEEO study shows the similarities and differences at an aggregate level of students from closed colleges versus students at open colleges. Students from closed institutions are more likely to be black, female, and federal Pell Grant recipients, which are awarded to students from low-income families. They are also likely to be under age 24 and attending college full-time.

Students who experienced college closures but enrolled within 120 days of closure were mostly female, white, and older than 30 at the time of closure.

Challenges faced by students impacted by school closures

The biggest hurdle students face is understanding their options and next steps. This requires having access to experienced advisors to help them understand and navigate these options. They need guidance on how to access their academic transcripts, which colleges will accept their previously earned credits, and what the implications are for their financial aid and student loans. These are complex issues that can overwhelm students. For those blindsided by their school’s closure, attempting to navigate this landscape alone often leads to confusion and frustration, and many ultimately give up on completing their degree.

Supporting impacted students: Transfer strategies for colleges and universities

Here are some recommendations your school can adopt to support students impacted by closures in your region.

Understand the mindset of students impacted by school closures

Having your school shut down in the midst of your degree program is an incredibly disruptive experience. The path forward seems unclear and daunting. Students impacted by these closures often feel a mix of emotions: anger at the situation, sadness over the loss of their school community, fear about their future prospects, and a sense of hopelessness or of being cheated out of their educational journey.

Many start to question whether continuing to pursue a degree is worth the effort. They may feel the same stresses and anxieties they experienced as high school seniors, having to re-evaluate options, navigate application processes, and make major life decisions all over again. And they’ll be looking for signs of stability and program viability in their next school.

Partner with schools in financial trouble to support student transfers

The more notice a student has of their school closing, the better they do. Unfortunately, some schools have given as little as two weeks’ notice. Students impacted by schools that were transparent about the challenges they were facing, and the possibility of closure, have been able to navigate their experience with more resilience. Proactively offering to partner with schools in financial distress to develop transition plans for their students will not only provide a lifeline for students but also demonstrate your commitment to higher education and the well-being of the community at large.

Transition plans should outline clear pathways for seamless credit transfers, financial aid assistance, and academic advising. By working together, you can ensure that students’ academic progress is not disrupted and their hard-earned credits are recognized.

Engage students impacted by closures and offer transfer options

Help students navigate this challenging time by activating a marketing strategy that provides resources to students who’ve been impacted by a school closure. Key questions students will be asking themselves:

• Does my school have a teach-out plan to help me complete my degree?
• Which schools will accept the credits I have already earned?
• How do I get official copies of my transcript?
• What is the status of my financial aid?
• Can I/should I discharge my student loans?

We recommend including the following tactics in your marketing strategy to reach these students:

• Create a landing page specifically for the identified school with messaging that speaks to their students. Messaging should encourage them to continue with their studies while offering support and detailing the options available at your school. Be as specific as possible around teach-out/transfer details. All marketing activities should direct students to this page.
• Create organic social media posts offering support to students from the identified school. Feature testimonials of transfer students from the closed school if available.
• Prepare statements for leadership and faculty to share on their own social media channels.
• Distribute the messaging and approach for managing inquiries with the admissions team.
• If applicable, plan targeted media campaigns for the geographical area in paid search and paid social channels.

Streamline credit transfer policies and maximize credit acceptance

Ensure your transfer policies are straightforward and lean toward accepting as many credits as possible. Take the time to evaluate course-substitution options from the closing institution to maximize the number of credits that can transfer.

Your admissions team should also be prepared to suggest alternative degrees if they are more aligned with the student’s existing credits. When possible, work with the closing school to receive students’ transcripts to take that burden off the student. Promise students prompt transfer evaluations, ensuring that internal operations are organized to complete evaluations in 24 hours or less.

Waive application fees to remove barriers

You may charge nominal fees during the application process to demonstrate an applicant is serious about wanting to attend the institution. But paying those fees often requires accessing unfamiliar systems and can be one more cumbersome hurdle these transfer students don’t need while their lives are in upheaval.

Ensure support services facilitate adjustment to your school

Students who are motivated to transfer right away are focused on their goal of finishing their degree. They need an institution that is willing and able to move quickly. Identify a core group of employees who can be dedicated to ensuring these students are accommodated. Streamline your admissions process to remove unnecessary requirements for students in this circumstance.

Provide additional support for their transition to your program, understanding that the majority are younger full-time students. Help residential students find appropriate housing or adapt from on-campus learning to an online program.

Once impacted students express interest, create an automated communication journey to help them move through the process of application, transfer evaluation, scholarship and financial aid packages, and enrollment.

Build an agile, student-centered transfer process

According to Jospeh Sallustio, senior vice president for Lindenwood Global at Lindenwood University, schools that can be agile will have increased administrative and academic expenses; but in the long run, they will enjoy a stronger brand through earned respect of their students and alumni.

As you plan to support transfer students from closing schools in your region, Collegis can help you navigate this complex landscape. Through close collaboration with our partners, we meticulously craft processes and messaging that instill confidence in students as they chart their path forward. By testing the effectiveness of our messaging and adapting to their preferred engagement styles, we guide students seamlessly through the enrollment process and illuminate the profound impact that your programs can have on their careers and lives.

To ensure an effective, student-centered approach, we can also map your enrollment process, identify opportunities, and execute strategies that prioritize these students’ unique needs. As an extension of your team and institution, we’ll build a collaborative approach to help students from closing colleges and universities beat the odds and continue their education. Contact us to learn more.