Setbacks to Success: The Role of Credit Loss in Post-Transfer Outcomes

• In Event: Examining College Student Success Policies

Abstract

The rise of debt from student loans is an issue of growing concern, yet most studies have not considered the role of in higher education inefficiencies in contributing to this problem. Our study examines the issue of credit loss: a common transfer penalty that occurs when credits are not accepted by a student’s new institution. Though presumed to exacerbate the time to degree and college costs, there is no evidence for the extent of the credit loss risk. Using data from the Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study, our preliminary findings suggest that there is credence to the hypothesis regarding the credit loss risk—demonstrating that as more students engage in transfer, they are likely to incur a financial penalty.

Authors

• George Spencer, University of Georgia

• Tamara Minott, New York University

• Maurice Shirley, Indiana University