After a five-year break, English major Oscar Gatson returns to Cerritos College to complete the requirements needed in order to transfer to Cal State Long Beach.

Gatson has been going to Cerritos College since he graduated high school in 2002, but took a five-year break after attending for three years consecutively.

“There is a math class that I need to take next semester so hopefully I could get in and get a good grade and get out,” Gatson said about what he needs to transfer.

Illustration major Matthew Ned commented on how Cerritos College is helping students transfer to higher educational institutions.

“They’re (Cerritos College counselors) very helpful. They care about the specific where you want to go in to,” Ned said.

The transfer center at Cerritos College has many resources to help students to be less confused about transferring.

On Wednesdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., students can see a counselor and ask quick questions about transfer procedures, deadlines, and admissions.

During the academic year, there are numerous college fairs on campus where representatives from different colleges and universities attend and provide information to Cerritos College students about their perspective educational institution.

There are also college workshops that inform students on the transfer process, the academic programs offered at universities, and how to fill out a college application.

Students also have the opportunity to take a three-day tour to universities in Northern California such as the University of Santa Cruz.

With class registration right around the corner, most students tend to make appointments with counselors at the last minute.

Brittany Lundeen, Cerritos College counselor and transfer center co-director, recommends students to see a counselor earlier in the semester.

“It’s not the same kind of help that we can get them (students) if they were to come earlier in the semester when walk-ins are almost dead, or when we have appointments available and we can sit with them for half an hour and really plan out on what can they do the next multiple semesters,” Lundeen said.

Over the last few years, the cost of higher education has been sky rocketing, making a lot of students stressed and confused with figuring out a way to cover the cost of tuition.

There are ways for students to cover the cost of higher education like applying for financial aid, waivers, grants and scholarships.

Lundeen said, “I tell students not to be afraid of a loan, it’s okay to get a loan.

“We don’t want to get crazy with loans but If you need a loan in order to finish off your education, you’re going pay it back most likely.”