If it wasn’t for her transfer scholarship, Jacquelyn Barron probably would not have pursued her bachelor’s degree.
“I’d have to get loans,” said the 22-year-old El Pasoan. “I would have tried to find the best job I could with my associate degree.”
After graduating from high school in May 2005, Barron started her college career at EPCC. But thanks to the EPCC Transfer Scholarship Program, Barron was able to transfer to The University of Texas at El Paso in 2008 to finish a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She expects to graduate in May.
About 950 El Paso Community College students transferred to The University of Texas at El Paso in the fall of 2009 to pursue bachelor’s degrees. Of those, 70 received merit-based scholarships to help ease their transition from community college to the University.
The EPCC Transfer Scholars and some of the scholarship sponsors will be recognized at a special program at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, in the El Paso Natural Gas Conference Center.
The EPCC Transfer Scholarship Program started in 1997 when UTEP offered $1,000 scholarships to 10 students transferring from EPCC.
“We recognized that the differential in tuition costs between El Paso Community College and UTEP could be a significant barrier for transfer students, many of whom pursue their academic goals while also meeting full-time work and family responsibilities,” said University President Diana Natalicio. “For these students, transfer scholarships are often the key factor that determines whether they can continue their education, or must interrupt their studies for financial reasons.”
More than 70 percent of UTEP’s transfer students come from EPCC, and University staff members are dedicated to making the transition as easy as possible.
In 1997, Magnolia Coca-Cola Bottling Co. and Sun West Bank, now Bank of America, financed the first round of scholarships. Since then, new sponsors have signed on and the program has gown. This year, 70 transfer students each received $6,000, thanks in large part to the support of the San Angelo-based Wolslager Foundation.
To qualify for the scholarships, students must have 45 transferable credit hours and a 3.0 G.P.A.
In 2008, the University received a highly coveted Star Award from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for the EPCC Transfer Scholarship Program. Star Awards are given to programs that help close the gaps of participation, success, excellence and research that exist in Texas higher education.
Several other UTEP programs are designed to help EPCC students make a successful transition to the University. A Transfer Center at EPCC’s Valle Verde campus helps students find the information and support they need to come to UTEP.
Several other UTEP programs are designed to help EPCC students make a successful transition to the University. A Transfer Center at EPCC’s Valle Verde campus helps students find the information and support they need to come to UTEP. An Articulation Committee aligns the curriculum between UTEP and EPCC to make sure that courses offered at El Paso Community College are transferable for full credit at UTEP. And the College Readiness Initiative, a partnership among El Paso high schools, EPCC and UTEP, helps high school students transition into college coursework.
“We share a couple thousand students, so it’s really just something that benefits the students,” said Craig Westman, vice provost for enrollment management. “It’s unique. I’ve been to a lot of institutions and I’ve never run across something like this.”
An Articulation Committee aligns the curriculum between UTEP and EPCC to make sure that courses offered at El Paso Community College are transferable for full credit at UTEP.
And College Readiness Initiative, a partnership among El Paso high schools, EPCC and UTEP, helps high school students transition into college coursework.