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Even if you put in lots of hard work to get accepted to the university, it doesn’t mean you should stay if you are unhappy there.
You can transfer to another university with all the credits you’ve earned so far. In this post we’ll talk about how and give you 30 scholarships specifically for transfer students.
Who is a Transfer Student?
Transfer students come in all shapes and sizes.
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Check for scholarshipsGenerally, a transfer student is a student who completes at least one hour of college credit after graduating high school. They transfer to another school to finish their degree.
Transfer students typically transfer at the sophomore or junior level. Many schools ask that students have a minimum number of credits to transfer.
Schools usually don’t accept senior transfers. This is because schools require students to earn a minimum number of credits at their institution to graduate. Seniors do not have enough time for this.
Why Transfer?
Things don’t always work out as planned. You may have started college in a certain mindset, but after a year you change your mind. Here are several reasons why you might want to transfer to another institution:
- Academic reasons- Maybe you’ve decided on a major that isn’t offered at your current school. Maybe you want to find a better suited program elsewhere. Or, maybe your grades weren’t high enough to get into your first choice college. Maybe you started at an easier college in hopes of later transferring.
- Financial reasons- Maybe you wanted to save money. Maybe you started with your associate’s degree at a community college. Or, maybe you chose to attend an expensive four-year university and you can’t afford to keep paying the high costs. Now you need to transfer to one with lower tuition.
- Personal reasons- These just as valid as the financial and academic reasons. Maybe you chose a school that you thought was right for you (but wasn’t). Maybe you want a school that is closer to home, or a smaller campus.
Whatever the reason, transferring to another school isn’t such a difficult process. It also isn’t uncommon. 37.2% of college students choose to transfer at least once in six years.
Can I Get Scholarships as a Transfer Student?
When transferring to another institution, you might lose a scholarship that you receive. Many scholarships award students to attend a specific school or program.
Whatever the case, finding new scholarships will be key. The good news is that being a transfer student can open up new scholarship opportunities.
There are many scholarships that target transfer students. There are also many general scholarships that transfer students can apply for. You should apply to as many of these as you can to keep all your options open.
Scholarships for Transfer Students
Here are 30 great scholarships for transfer students.
Tau Sigma Honor Society Scholarship
The Tau Sigma Honor Society is an honor society designed for transfer students. There are chapters located at universities all over the United States. They offer scholarships up to $5,000.
Hipanic students making the switch from a community college to a four-year university can apply. Awards are based on merit. They range from $500-$5,000. Applicants must have a 2.5 minimum GPA and complete the FAFSA. There is an emphasis on STEM majors.
Transfer Times $6,000 Scholarship
Students who have finished two years at a community college or technical school may apply. They can win $6,000 to transfer to a four-year school. Applicants must be residents in Minnesota, Ohio, Michigan, or Wisconsin. There are 1,000 scholarships.
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship
Students transferring from a community college to a four-year school can apply. They must have a minimum 3.5 GPA. The scholarship awards up to $30,000 every year to 60 students. Students must be nominated to apply for the scholarship.
Pearson Scholarship for Higher Education
Students who are part of Phi Theta Kappa can apply for this $5,000 scholarship. They must be transfer students who are coming from community colleges. Applicants must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and between 12 and 36 credits.
Students transferring to the University of Tampa can win scholarships. Awards range from $6,000-$9,000. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
David Gall Memorial Scholarship
Students transferring to a member university of the Ohio transfer council can apply. Applicants can be residents and non-residents of Ohio. They need a minimum GPA of 3.0 and at least 23 transferable semester hours. They may receive $1,000. The scholarship is renewable.
Community College Excellence Scholarship – University of Alabama
Students transferring from a community college to the University of Alabama can apply. The scholarship covers full tuition.
Loyola University Chicago Transfer Merit Scholarship
Students transferring to Loyola University are automatically considered for the scholarship. They may receive up to $17,000. To win, they must show impressive academic performance.
Grand Valley offers five separate scholarships for transfer students. Students can win between $1,000-$6,000 for transferring from a community college in Michigan.
The University of Alabama offers ten different scholarships to students transferring from a community college. There are scholarships for both in-state and out-of-state students. Students must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and have completed 45 credits. Scholarships range from $1,000 to full coverage.
Cedar Crest Transfer Scholarship
Cedar Crest in Pennsylvania offers two types of transfer scholarships. One scholarship awards transfer students who have finished one semester of college. They must have a minimum SAT score of 1150. They can earn up to $15,000. The second scholarship awards female transfer students. They must have at least 24 credits from an accredited university and a minimum 3.0 GPA. They can receive up to $16,000.
LTU Bulldog Out-of-State Fee Waiver
Out-of-state transfer students can win a scholarship at Louisiana Tech University. To be eligible, they must have at least 12 college credits and a minimum GPA of 2.75.
Heidelberg University Transfer Academic Award
Transfer applicants must have at least 15 credits and a minimum 2.5 GPA. Students must attend classes on Tiffin campus. Winners may receive up to $14,000.
Manor College Transfer Scholarships
Manor College in Pennsylvania offers several merit scholarships to transfer students. Students are automatically considered for the award upon acceptance. The Presidential Scholarship awards $5,000. They must have less than 11 college credits. They also must have a minimum SAT score of 1030/20 ACT and 3.2 GPA.
Lebanon Valley College Multicultural Fellowship
The MCF awards minority students, including transfer students. Students must identify as African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic-American, Native American, or multiracial. Applicants may win up to $5,000.
The Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship
African-American transfer students may apply for this scholarship. They must have a financial need and commitment to public service. They may win up to $8,000.
The Community College Scholarship Program
LGBTQ leaders who are transfer students can apply for this scholarship program. Applicants must show academic excellence, financial need, and involvement in their community. They may receive between $2,000-$4,800 in tuition scholarship. They also get financial education, a personal coach, and access to the Point Foundation network of LGBTQ scholars.
Washington Society of Professional Engineers Engineering Scholarship
The WSPE Educational Foundation awards $3,000 scholarships to students. Applicants must transfer to ABET-accredited engineering programs in Washington from Washington community colleges.
The University of Central Florida awards Florida transfer students. Students must have their associate degree. They may receive $500 a semester for four semesters.
First generation Hispanic students transferring from community college can receive $5,000. Applicants need a minimum 3.0 GPA and must show financial aid.
Clifford H. Spicer Memorial Scholarship
Transfer students who are residents of Michigan may apply for this scholarship. Students must study education in land surveying or civil engineering. Students also must be transferring into an ABET-accredited program.
Horatio Alger Scholarship Program
Students transferring to a four-year university from a community college may apply. The scholarship awards students who have overcome adversity. Students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA and show financial need. They also must be involved in their community.
Loyola in Chicago offers four different scholarships for transfer students. Students may receive up to $17,000. They must transfer with at least 20 completed college credits.
The National Society of Accountants
The NSA awards several scholarships to transfer students. Applicants must transfer to four-year schools from community college. Applicants must be majoring in accounting and have at least a 3.0 GPA. Awards range from $500 to $2,200.
The American Association of Geographers
The AAG awards scholarships to students studying at a two-year college. They must be transferring to four-year colleges to study geography majors. Applicants must submit two recommendation letters.
Johnson & Wales University offers a transfer scholarship of up to $10,000. Applicants must have a minimum of 45 credit hours from another college. Students are considered for the scholarship upon acceptance. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years.
Boston University offers transfer students several full-tuition scholarships. Students must be coming from specific community colleges within Boston.
Final Thoughts
Transfer students are also eligible for traditional scholarships, like any other student. If the scholarship doesn’t specify, check with the committee to see if you qualify.
Remember, the more scholarships you apply for, the greater your chance is to win money. Get started on those applications and don’t forget to file your FAFSA!
