C- STEP offers transfer to Chapel Hill – Steps To The Future

C- STEP offers transfer to Chapel Hill

Date: 06/13/2016

Many students transfer from community colleges to four-year colleges and universities. Inside Higher Ed reports approximately 20% of community college students successfully transfer to institutions of higher education. Students beginning their journey to a bachelor’s degree can save a significant amount of money by starting at their local community college.

One program in North Carolina that may lead to the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill is the Carolina Student Transfer Excellence Program or C-STEP. Nine of the community colleges in North Carolina participate in this program, including Fayetteville Technical Community College.

A comprehensive student guide provides extensive information on the process to qualify for this transfer program. Starting with the required 3.0 GPA in an approved associates program, students learn about other requirements such as participation in mandatory activities, mentoring opportunities, and eventually, a personal librarian to assist students with research and library related questions. The C-STEP program has many resources for students in the program to ensure a greater success rate.

Students apply several ways depending upon the program: (1) the Common Application, (2) the Common Application and program specific supplemental materials, or (3) program applications specific for the Nursing and the Pharmacy programs.

C-STEP students who show demonstrated financial need receive grants, loans, and possibly work study to help meet their financial obligations. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS PROFILE determines students’ financial aid packages and both forms are mandatory.

The Office of Institutional Research & Assessment at Chapel Hill reports 3,271 students applied as transfers for Fall Semester 2014 with 42% (1,383) accepted; slightly more women (43%) than men (41%) gained admission.

If students in North Carolina are considering UNC –Chapel Hill and cost of attendance is a concern, C-STEP may be a good alternative if qualified.

May 2021 Update

Professional development continues to be a major factor in my work life. With physical visits to campuses curtailed during 2020 (most are re-opening for in-person visits), I spend about 7 -10 hours per week on virtual visits with college admission counselors. The IECA, one of my professional organizations, regularly conducts College Conversations, an hour-long presentation with time built in for Q & A. To date, members of IECA had sessions with the colleges on the chart. Additionally, I added to this list by facilitating sessions in my capacity as the college counselor for the Montessori School of Raleigh where, along with the students, we learned more about UNC Charlotte, UNC Wilmington, the College of Wooster, Queens University of Charlotte, Muhlenberg, Elon, Western Carolina, North Carolina Central, the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Did you know UNC Wilmington has a major in Coastal Engineering or that Western Carolina (along with UNC Pembroke and Elizabeth City State) is a NC Promise institution? A NC Promise school’s in-state tuition is $500 while non-residents pay $2500 per semester.

Our virtual world allows for hours upon hours of accessible college information sessions. I had to step back and limit myself to a reasonable number of hours of “college visits”.

I challenge my students regularly to move beyond their comfort zone and during the height of the pandemic, I stretched myself way beyond my level of comfort. I am one of 14 co-authors of Becoming The Shero, an anthology depicting the journeys of entrepreneurs at different stages of their lives. My story is in the Embracing the Pivot section.

Another way I stay current is through my new position at Providence College. As of August 2020, I am the College Supervisor for the School Counseling Program. What does the college supervisor do? I supervise the students in the program during their 2-semester internship at a school, where they are directly supervised by their Site Supervisor, a certified professional school counselor. It is the student teaching equivalent for school counseling.

Reading is a daily pleasure for me. Here are nine books (not in chronological order) that helped me to educate myself about current events and issues of social justice:

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents ~ Isabel Wilkerson
How to Be An Anti-Racist ~ Ibram X. Kendi
Stamped From The Beginning ~ Ibram X. Kendi
I’m Still Here ~ Austin Channing Brown
The Color Of Law ~ Richard Rothstein
We Want To Do More Than Survive ~ Bettina Love
Down Along With That Devil’s Bones ~ Connor Towne O’Neill
Interrupting Racism: Equity and Social Justice in School Counseling ~ Rebecca Atkins & Alicia Oglesby
Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race ~ Beverly Daniel Tatum, Ph.D.

To stay up-to-date on trends in college, career and paying for college, see my list of books under the “Parent Resources” tab.

I challenge my students to be lifelong readers. I am practicing what I preach. What are you reading today?