CFEED Research Leads to $1.3M Helios Transfer Scholars Grant to Help Valencia College Students Become UCF Knights

Orlando, Fla., February 12, 2024 — The Central Florida Education Ecosystem Database’s (CFEED) research is helping hundreds of Valencia College transfer students get closer to a coveted university education. CFEED research recently played a vital role in securing a $1.3M grant from Helios Education Foundation to help Valencia College and University of Central Florida (UCF) launch the “The Helios Transfer Scholars” program.  

Dr. Wendy Givoglu, Valencia College Campus Provost for UCF Downtown, UCF Winter Park, and Transfer Initiatives, recently shared data showing that Valencia College awarded stipends to 466 students in the UCF DirectConnect program since the program’s start. This amounts to $203,750. The program’s first recipients included students enrolled at Valencia College in Fall 2023, and students who transitioned from Valencia College to UCF as DirectConnect students for Fall 2023.  

In a recent presentation, Dr. Givoglu said early results look promising, with 88% of students who received an incentive for CPP (Common Prerequisite Program) completion at Valencia College before transfer to UCF, enrolled for a second term. In addition, 89% of students who received incentive for part-time attendance in the first semester at UCF enrolled for a second semester. 

The UCF/Valencia Improving Student Success Task Force led the grant effort, to support Valencia College transfer students in the DirectConnect to UCF program. DirectConnect guarantees admission (consistent with university policy) to UCF with an associate degree (A.A.) or articulated (A.S.) degree from partner state colleges.  

“The grant was awarded in part based on CFEED research, which revealed groups of VCC to UCF transfer students with a high shock event risk. The primary data was based on a Fall 2022 pilot which focused on students transferring to UCF’s College of Business,” said Ashton Terry, Senior Data Analyst, CFEED. “This data can be used to inform multiple interventions that could increase the success of transfer students between UCF and Valencia,”  

Dr. Givoglu noted that CFEED’s research on relevant courses, effort levels, and shock events were key to securing the grant. For example, CFEED research on relevant courses, such as projects C0007 and C0138, showed that completing more UCF major relevant courses while at Valencia increases UCF graduation rates and reduces time to completion. (Relevant courses are courses that CFEED has found to be related to better outcomes at UCF for Direct Connect students when they are taken prior to entry at UCF.)  

CFEED research on effort levels, such as project C0114, showed that maintaining a similar effort level (part time/full time) in the Valencia to UCF transfer also contributes to better transition outcomes. CFEED research on shock events, such as projects C0138 and C0022, revealed six unique shock events that can impact a student transitioning from Valencia College to the University of Central Florida. Shock events are disruptions within a student’s first term that can increase the likelihood of attrition. 

Indeed, the Helios Transfer Scholars program responds to these CFEED findings. It provides stipends to address the effort, shock, and relevant course findings, and thereby helps students increase preparation and reduce risk in the crucial transition from college to university. Students can use the stipends to take two to three more relevant courses if they complete an AA degree or run out of time; or maintain a similar effort level in the first semester at UCF. The program thus improves the transfer success rate between Valencia and UCF.  

Fall 2023 Helios Transfer Scholars Program Award Summary 

In addition, the Helios Transfer Scholars program also provides funds to revive the UCF “Students’ Early Exploration (SEE)” program. Valencia students considering transferring to UCF can take a field trip to UCF to familiarize themselves with the campus.  

Although the Helios Transfer Scholars program is fresh off the launch pad it is showing early short-term indicators of success. With the $1.3 million grant, Helios, Valencia College, and UCF are paving the way for students to complete their UCF degrees with fewer obstacles and a few incentives to stay on the course as they Sail to their post-secondary degrees. The grant will continue to provide funds through the Summer 2024 semester. 

“CFEED has the infrastructure in place to follow Valencia students’ progression paths as they complete courses, earn credits, and get closer to their transfer to UCF. We can identify students by their likelihood of completion at Valencia, and their UCF program readiness alignment. At these varying stages, CFEED has created the possibility to connect with students and help with next steps in their academic careers,” said Michael Holt, CFEED Product Director/Innovation Manager. 

For more information about the research, contact Diana Pienaar, CFEED Director, Valencia College, at dpienaar@valenciacollege.edu or visit www.cfeedhome.com. 

For more information about the grant, visit the Helios Education Foundation blog.  

About CFEED 

Central Florida Education Ecosystem Database (CFEED) is a partnership, comprised of the Helios Education Foundation, the Orange County Public Schools (OCPS), School District of Osceola County (SDOC), University of Central Florida (UCF), Valencia College and Midtown Consulting Group, that is engaged in a collaborative program to develop insights and create impacts for students in Central Florida.