An overwhelming majority of community-college students hope to continue their education at a four-year institution, yet despite decades of concern and dedicated efforts to improve the process, transferring from a two-year to a four-year institution remains stubbornly problematic. Only a small number manage to make the leap — and an even tinier fraction eventually graduates. The transfer pathway is particularly difficult to navigate for those students who are low income, first generation, and/or from underrepresented backgrounds. Why do these obstacles endure? And how can colleges do a better job eradicating the barriers standing in students’ way? Watch our explainer to gain a concise — yet comprehensive — understanding of the hurdles many transfer students encounter, and what can be done about them.