Transfer Application Checklist

If you are considering transferring to another college or university it is often recommended that you begin your application for admission at least 1 full semester prior to when you plan to start your program. For example, if you are interested in transferring to a college or university for the start of the Fall 2022 semester, you should begin preparing your transfer application at the start of the Spring 2022.

As part of the transfer application process, colleges and universities typically require you to submit a formal application for admission, as well as official transcripts from your High School and all colleges and universities where you have earned college credit, as part of the minimum requirements.

Depending on your status as a student (e.g. first-semester college student vs finishing the last semester for your associate degree) a school or college may also require additional information, including official SAT/ACT scores, official AP Exam scores, and letters of recommendation. High School transcripts may also be excluded if you have earned an Associate Degree.

Often times, yes, many institutions do require an application fee as part of their transfer process. However, it is always recommended that you ask the admissions office about any application fees and whether or not you qualify to have those fees waived. In addition to application fees, you may also need to pay for copies of other required application materials as part of the transfer process (e.g. official college transcripts, test scores, etc.).

Institutions may also require a deposit before you register for classes. This is an out of pocket expense that you may want to prepare for.

Yes, you will need to apply to your transfer institution. Admission to the school is guaranteed upon completion of the degree. For students pursuing Social Work, you will also be required to apply to that particular program. Acceptance to any BSW program is not guaranteed with the completion of the Social Work Transfer Ticket.

As part of the transfer application process, the institution that you are applying to will evaluate your official transcripts from the colleges and universities where you have previously earned, or are currently earning, college credit. When the evaluation process is complete a school official will often review the results with you, informing you of which of your college credits were accepted and which were not accepted (if applicable).

There is a difference between how many credits are accepted and how the credits are applied to your degree. By asking the follow-up question, "How are my credits being applied to my degree?" will help clarify any confusion.

Each college and university will often set a minimum required GPA for transfer students. In addition to an institutional minimum for GPA, certain highly competitive degree programs (i.e. Nursing, Education, Social Work, etc.) may also have a minimum GPA requirement, pre-requisite coursework, and an additional application process that you must meet as well. As you begin the transfer admission process with a college or university you should plan to ask about both – a required minimum GPA for overall admission and additional requirements for the program you are interested in pursuing.

To apply for federal student aid students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. We encourage students to apply early. The FAFSA application can be found online at www.studentaid.gov and is available on October1 for each upcoming academic year.  

In addition to the FAFSA application, the Federal Student Aid website also provides students and families comprehensive information about federal student aid, including information about eligibility requirements, FAFSA deadlines, types of federal aid, and how to manage and repay your loans.  

By listing a school, that allows that institution to create a financial aid award package for you once you apply. If the school is not listed, their Financial Aid Office will not have access to your information and your award may be delayed. You can always add or remove schools to your FAFSA application, and an institution cannot access your information unless you apply to that school.

Each student’s costs are individually calculated and often depend on a variety of factors (e.g. Will you be commuting or living on campus?). For the most accurate estimate of your potential bill students should reach out to the Financial Aid office at the school or university you are interested in attending for further information. Institutions are also required to provide a “Net Price Calculator.” The Net Price Calculator will provide estimates for tuition, fees, cost of course materials, etc.

Colleges and Universities often facilitate on-campus housing assignments through their office of Residential Life. For more information about housing options, eligibility, and housing costs students should reach out to the Residential Life offices at the institution they are interested in attending.

Every institution is different. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of any opportunity to acclimate to your new school's campus life and culture. You can do this by scheduling a campus tour, talking to faculty and staff, and most importantly attending orientation if provided.

Colleges and Universities typically offer a wide variety of clubs,  activities, and athletic opportunities for undergraduate students.  Typically, a college or university will share that information on their  website, often through their offices of student affairs and/or their  athletics department.