Keeping the promise: KCTCS celebrates transfer student success

Published on Oct 16, 2023

VERSAILLES, Ky - National Transfer Student Week begins on Oct. 16, and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System is proud to support thousands of transfer students each year. In the 2021-22 school year alone, 13,617 KCTCS students transferred to four-year colleges and universities to continue their education.

Students who enroll at a community and technical college for an associate degree and then transfer to a university for a four-year degree can significantly reduce their college costs.

“Our system is built on a promise to ensure every student can succeed in the classroom, workplace and their community – while also strengthening the economic vitality of the commonwealth,” said Larry Ferguson, KCTCS acting president. “We’re meeting Kentuckians where they are, through their communities, school districts and employers, to provide affordable and reliable options. From transfer pathways to workforce programs, KCTCS empowers students to choose the future that’s right for them.”

KCTCS invests in virtual tools for transfer student success, and quickly became the state’s largest provider of online learning. Across the system, 65% of students take at least one online class and 37% take only online classes. In total, KCTCS offers more than 100 fully online programs.

Most students graduate debt-free from colleges in the system, with 78.5% receiving financial aid and 66% paying $0 for their postsecondary education. The process of paying for college can often appear daunting, but KCTCS offers guidance and resources to secure financial aid. In the 2021-22 school year, KCTCS students were awarded $294 million in financial aid. You can find in-depth resources and connect with your college at www.KCTCS.edu/affording-college.

Over the last 25 years, KCTCS has established systemwide transfer agreements with public and private schools across Kentucky and the nation to ensure students have a seamless transfer experience Students interested in exploring transfer opportunities can visit www.KCTCS.edu/transfer.