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FOR HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELORS
Educate students on college transfer options in New Hampshire
Not all students are eager or ready to enter a four-year college or university, or attend college on a full time basis right out of high school. For students who are looking for other higher education options, continuing their studies part-time at a four-year college or full or part time at a community college with the option to transfer to a four-year college may be better choices.
 Recent articulation agreements between the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) and the University System of New Hampshire (USNH) allow for the transfer of many CCSNH course credits to USNH colleges. (A course grade of a "C" or higher is required for credit transfer.) This agreement enables students to begin their college studies and build their confidence while taking classes at a two-year community college. At the same time, students may chart a specific academic path for effectively transferring credits to a USNH college or university.
Advantages of college credit transfer options
Which students are good candidates?
Some students are especially well suited to begin their education part time or at a two-year college before matriculating to a full four-year program. These students include those who are seeking:
 Academic development
Students who need learning support and opportunities to develop effective study strategies are candidates for this approach. Other students may want to enhance already strong academic abilities; some campuses offer honors courses.
- Career path exploration
For students who are unsure of their career path, taking courses in a variety of subject areas that meet general education requirements is a cost-effective way for them to discover their true interests before pursuing an associate or bachelor's degree.
 More affordable tuition fees
While students miss some of the benefits of a full time, residential four-year college experience, CCSNH courses are less expensive on a per credit basis than those taken at USNH colleges. Students can save money by taking general education requirements at CCSNH colleges before transferring these credits to a USNH college to continue their studies.
- Opportunities for staying close to home
Some students may not yet be ready or financially able to live on their own when beginning their college studies. Commuting to one of the regional College for Lifelong Learning (CLL) locations or CCSNH colleges is a convenient way to begin taking college classes.
How to get high school students started
- Discuss student goals and career plans
Actively ask students about their career interests. Refer them to this website as well as the websites of all NHCC and USNH colleges to explore degree listings, certificate programs, and various options for attendance.
 Outline
advantages of starting part time, at GSC, or at an CCSNH college
For students who need extra time to develop their study skills or
explore career interests, beginning their post-secondary education
part time, at an CCSNH college or at GSC is an affordable option
close to home. - Encourage campus visits
Seeing a program firsthand or meeting with faculty or students can be the best way for students to decide if a program is right for them.
 Discuss credit transfer options
For students who are considering earning an associate degree and who
may want to continue their education at a four-year college, encourage
them to explore credit transfer options at the same time they are
choosing an associate degree program. Students should contact an academic
advisor at the two-year college to discuss which courses should be
taken if they want to transfer their credits to a four-year college
program. Students should also contact an academic advisor at the four-year
college to verify acceptable general education course requirements
for the four-year program. For example, specific math and English
courses need to be taken in the associate degree program to be eligible
for course credit transfer to the four-year college. To begin, students
should consult our Program Transfer
Matrix.- Explain dual admission
With some programs, students can apply to a CCSNH college for a specific two-year program at the same time they apply to a USNH college to continue the program at the end of two years at the four-year college.
- Review types of degrees
Students should understand the differences among an Associate in Arts (AA) degree, an Associate in Science (AS) degree, and an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree.
Students who want to transfer into humanities, social sciences, education, and business should generally pursue an AA degree. Students planning to transfer into science-related fields, such as pre-med, engineering, computer science and many of the traditional sciences, should generally pursue an AS degree. Students interested in a professional technical career who are not interested in transferring to a bachelor's program should consider an AAS degree, typically nontransferable to four-year colleges. AAS programs equip students with the skills necessary to directly enter the workforce.
Students should also understand the differences between a bachelor's of Arts (BA) degree and a bachelor's of Science (BS) degree as they consider their path over the longterm.
The more communication between your student and the admissions office at the four-year institution the student is considering attending, the better.
 Explain lower- and upper-division classes
Lower-division classes are generally considered freshman- and sophomore-level classes and upper-division classes are the senior-level classes. Four-year colleges and universities require a certain percentage of upper-division classes for graduation.
- Encourage application and financial aid inquiry
Once students understand the advantages of the college credit transfer process, encourage them to contact the college's admissions office for an application or to download a copy from the college's website. Direct students with questions about financial aid to the link on this site or to the link on individual college websites. Financial aid is available at all of the CCSNH and USNH colleges.
- Discuss assessment testing
Freshmen applicants may be required to take an assessment test. Direct students to the institution's website or to the admissions office to determine whether testing is required and when it is offered.
If you have questions about a specific program, contact an CCSNH or USNH admissions counselor. We also invite you to visit our campuses.
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