Crossing the Shapeless River on a Government Craft: How Military-Affiliated Students Navigate Community College Transfer

Abstract

ABSTRACTMany community college entrants, attracted by these institutions’ variety of academic offerings and low cost, intend to earn a baccalaureate degree but never transfer to a four-year institution. A growing number of researchers seek to understand transfer patterns and behavior, but they often overlook some student groups, including those who receive military benefits. Military-affiliated students may fail to transfer at the same rate as their peers, or their unique supports may help them navigate the transfer process more successfully. In this paper, we draw from three years of longitudinal qualitative interviews to investigate the transfer journey of 16 veterans and active duty soldiers in Central Texas, as well as the experiences of nonveteran students who have access to family members’ veterans’ benefits. We focus on the institutional factors and the individual characteristics that contribute to transfer. Our findings suggest that receiving military benefits increases students’ interactions with college staff, limits financial pressures, and encourages students to pursue behaviors that may contribute to a successful transfer process. We conclude with suggestions for practice and future research.