Advance Your Education: Transfer from Coastline to a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) and Unlock New Opportunities!
Minority Serving Higher Education Institutions
Explore your option and opportunities to transfer to a federally designated Minority Serving Institution (MSI) to complete your bachelor's degree (BA or BS).
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Why consider transferring to a MSI? Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) are federally designated colleges and universities that support underrepresented students through inclusive missions, targeted support, and federally funded programs.
Benefits of MSIs:- Focused on serving minority communities.
- Support students in overcoming systemic barriers.
- Proven to boost economic mobility and career outcomes.
- Access to federal and state funding for students and programs.
MSI Categories:
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AAPISIs).
- Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs).
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
- Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs).
In California:
Five University of California (UC) campuses are currently designated as Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs): UC Irvine, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Santa Cruz.
All nine UC undergraduate campuses are designated as Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI).
Twenty-one out of 23 California State University (CSU) campuses are designated as Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).
CSU Sacramento (Sacramento State University) has been designated as California's first Black-Serving Institution (BSI) by the California State Assembly. While it is not a historically Black college or university (HBCU), the designation recognizes Scramento State's commitment to serving a significant population of Black students.
The AAPI community is one of the fastest growing populations in the U.S. Projections indicate that by 2050 this population will double in size. As a result, the education of AAPIs will be critical in achieving the educational goals of the US.
The AANAPISI designation was established by Congress in 2007 for institutions serving students who are Asian American or Pacific Islander, particularly students from low-income or otherwise disadvantaged backgrounds.
HSIs are accredited, post-secondary, higher educational institutions with at least 25% total full-time enrollment of Hispanic undergraduate students. HSIs are defined by federal law as accredited, degree-granting, public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education where Hispanic students represent 25 percent or more of the full-time undergraduate enrollment. The number of HSIs is subject to change each year based on annual changes in college enrollment.
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) represents nearly 450 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Latin America, Spain and Portugal. HACU mission includes a commitment to improving access to and the quality of post-secondary educational opportunities for Hispanic students.
HBCUs include 91 four-year and 17 two-year institutions of higher education established prior to 1964, for the primary purpose of educating African Americans. The majority of the 102 HBCUs are located in the Southeastern states, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands. HBCUs comprise 3% of America's institutions of higher education yet enroll 16% of all African American students in higher education and award 24% of all baccalaureate degrees earned by African Americans nationwide.
Join HBCU Connect.
The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) is an organization of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). Founded in 1969, NAFEO represents the presidents and chancellors of diverse Black colleges and universities. NAFEO serves as international voice and advocate for preservation and enhancement of HBCUs and PBIs and for Black people in higher education.
Did you know? Sacramento State University is California’s first recognized Black-Serving Institution! If you’re considering transfer options, connect with an Umoja counselor to explore your goals, potential majors, and even Sac State’s fully online bachelor’s degree programs.
Make an appointment with Carisa Montooth, Umoja counselor.
Join Coastline's Umoja Community!
CA Community College - Coastline College - to a HBCU = Guaranteed Admission
Our program guarantees admission to more than 30 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), allowing students to complete their undergraduate degree journey.
Guaranteed Admission from Coastline to more than 30 HBCUs.
Thinking About Transferring? Discover Support & Communities Waiting for You!
When you transfer to a four-year university, you're not leaving support behind—you’re gaining even more! Most universities, including those in the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems, offer robust student services and programs—many similar to, or even more expansive than, those at Coastline College.
Both UC and CSU campuses have transfer centers with dedicated staff ready to help you successfully transition into their academic environment.
Curious if programs like Umoja exist at your transfer school? If you’ve already got a few universities in mind, a quick search can help you find out!
Try searches like:
“Does CSU Fullerton have an Umoja community?"
"Does UCLA have an Umoja community?"
"What clubs and services does CSULB offer for African American/Black students?"
You’ll often find that these campuses offer a wide range of services, clubs, and student organizations designed to support your academic success, cultural identity, and sense of belonging.
Scholarships Available Now - This Academic Year!
HBCU Scholarship Explorer has 60+ scholarship opportunities to qualifying HBCUs. Get the financial support you need to realize your dreams. Check back for added scholarship opportunities.
TCUs were created to serve Native American students, particularly in geographically isolated areas with limited access to higher education. These are unique institutions that combine personal attention with cultural relevance to encourage their students, especially those living on reservations, to overcome the barriers they face to higher education. The first TCU was created on a remote reservation community on the Navajo Nation. They now exist throughout Native Country.
MSI Designation
MSI designation is defined under the Higher Education Act (HEA) as colleges or universities where at least 25% of the undergraduate, full-time enrollment identifies as students of color, and at least half of the institution's degree-seeking students are low-income. Coastline College is designated as an Asian American and Pacific Islander and Hispanic Serving Institution (AAPISI and HSI).
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Get Support Every Step of the Way with Transfer Services!
When you are ready Transfer Services is here to help you successfully complete your four-year university application.
We offer a range of workshops designed to guide you through the entire transfer process-from understanding requirements to completing your application.
Universities may have their own application or have an application through the Common Application.Transfer Workshops Include:
- Application preparation and step-by-step guidance.
- Hands-on help (via Zoom or in-person).
- One-on-one application review appointments before submission.
Find upcoming California Private, Out-of-State, CSU, UC, and Common Application workshops on the Transfer Services Calendar, and don’t forget your access to schedule 30-minute Transfer Appointments to get personalized support.
Petition to Graduate
Have you racked up enough units during your semesters at Coastline to graduate with a degree or certificate? Congratulations! This is a major milestone. Do not forget: you must petition to graduate. Once you've arranged for the paperwork to be completed, you can focus on celebrating and taking part in Coastline's Commencement Ceremony (held in spring).
All the details you need can be found on the Graduation page.
Related Pages

Career Services
Coastline's Career Center provides career services to guide, provide, and empower you to figure out your path and achieve your goals.
Get In Touch
Helen Ward, Transfer Center
Student Services Center - 11460 Warner Ave., Fountain Valley, CA 92708
8am - 5pm
P: 714.241.6171