Lakeland Community College is celebrating National Transfer Student Week (NTSW) Oct. 19-23 by holding several educational events that highlight the opportunities to transfer credits to bachelor's degree programs. NTSW is an annual campaign launched by the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students, a nonprofit dedicated to the study of, and advocacy for, community college students who transfer credits.

Since 1967, Lakeland has served primarily as a transfer institution to thousands of students in Lake County and the surrounding areas. As such, the college has dedicated resources and staff to assist and guide students about which specific classes will transfer into their chosen Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree program at a four-year institution.

In today's environment, Lakeland has seen an increase in students transferring in from four-year institutions. Many now choose to stay close to home and take general education classes, either in-person or via remote learning. An added benefit to these students is saving thousands of dollars on tuition. They will then transfer these credits back to their original four-year institution to complete their bachelor's degree.

Transfer information events for 2020 include:

• On-Demand Transfer Fair – Top transfer schools in the area will be featured in this virtual event where students will be able to browse information on-demand. Each school will detail their transfer process including transcript evaluation, available scholarships, popular programs, admissions and more. Lakeland's Transfer Center will facilitate communication with other transfer counselors at these schools. Visit lakelandcc.edu/transfer to access on demand beginning Oct. 19.

• Transfer Credit Evaluations – Lakeland's Counseling and Advising Center will provide preliminary transcript reviews. Preliminary transcript reviews can be done with an unofficial transcript. However, before any credit can be awarded, an official transcript must be received and evaluated. Call 440-525-7200 to schedule an appointment. To learn more about transferring and to see if classes you have taken at four-year institutions are equivalent to Lakeland classes, visit transferology.com or transfercredit.ohio.gov.

• Coffee Conversations: Celebrating NTSW – For those interested in degree options available through the Holden University Center of Lakeland, students are encouraged to set up a date and time to speak casually (over a cup of coffee!) and one-on-one with a specialist. To register, visit lakelandcc.edu/ucevents.

Students are encouraged to take the time to plan and gather information beforehand as well as contact the destination institution to verify course transfer.

Additionally, October marks two important key steps students need to take to begin classes at Lakeland in fall 2021.

The first step is to apply for financial aid. On Oct. 1, 2020, The U.S. Department of Education released the 2021–22 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. Students and parents many now complete the form at studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa and add Lakeland as a college of choice by entering the school code 006804. For questions about financial aid, call 440-525-7070 or email finaid@lakelandcc.edu.

The second key step is to apply to Lakeland. Fall 2021 admissions applications opened Oct. 1, 2020. The application is available online at lakelandcc.edu/apply. For questions, email sscenter@lakelandcc.edu.

For more information, visit lakelandcc.edu.

By: Jessica Novak