Scholarships for Transfer Students

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Are There Scholarships for Transfer Students?

There are some great college scholarships for eligible students who plan to transfer. Many accredited four year colleges offer them so it’s easier for students to make a change. Some schools may award scholarships for community college transfer students and even out of state admitted students. In addition, many promising students receive scholarships from other sources. These may include university departments, nonprofits, honor societies and private companies. 

University of Denver says 70% of undergraduate students who transfer in get some type of merit financial aid. Transfer college students may receive a merit scholarship ranging from $5,000 to $21,000. If you keep up good standing, the amount you receive is renewable for all 4 years. Eligibility is based on your high school GPA and test scores.

Students transferring from a community college may also find scholarship opportunities. University of North Florida offers several Community College Transfer Scholarships. It is open to accepted state residents who have an associate’s degree from an accredited two year college in Florida. Eligible applicants must also have a 2.5 GPA or higher.

How Do You Qualify for a College Transfer Scholarship? 

As a college transfer student, you may qualify for college scholarships based on financial need or merit. For need based awards, you must file a FAFSA. You must apply by a priority deadline. Merit scholarships are about academic excellence. For these, you must meet the school’s grade point average and test score range.

Eligible applicants may also need a certain number of completed college credit hours, earned at an accredited institution. Criteria might also include full time enrollment. This may equal from 12 to 15 semester hours per academic year, depending on the school.

Some scholarship application might also ask for the following info:

  • Letter of acceptance
  • School Transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Copy of visa if you’re a non U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident card
  • Essay

10 Transfer Student Scholarships You Should Apply for in 2021

Here are 10 scholarships for transfer students who plan to switch schools. If you meet eligibility rules, apply soon before the deadline.

  1. University of Denver Merit Scholarships for Transfer Students
  2. McMurry University Transfer Scholarship
  3. DePaul University Transfer Scholarship 
  4. Aquinas College Transfer Scholarship
  5. Concordia College of New York Fortress Grant for Transfer Students
  6. Concordia College of New York Scholarship for Transfer Students
  7. North Park University Academic Scholarship for International Transfer Students
  8. University of Louisiana at Lafayette Associate Degree Academic Transfer
  9. Stevenson University Honors Scholarship for Transfer Students
  10. Drury University Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Scholarship

Which Colleges Offer Transfer Scholarships?

Many accredited colleges like University of Maryland and University of Miami offer scholarships to students transferring in. Some awards may cover partial or full tuition and fees. You may also receive full ride scholarship awards. They typically pay tuition, fees, housing and a monthly sum for living costs or travel.

The Maryland Transfer Scholarship provides partial tuition awards ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. It is granted equally over four consecutive semesters. Only in state students transferring to the University of Maryland from a two year or four year college are eligible.

All transfer applicants are automatically considered for the President’s Scholarship at University of Miami. Award amounts range from $10,000 to $15,000 annually if you have a competitive GPA of 3.5 or higher. The school also strives to maximize need based financial aid for eligible students making the move. Their goal is to meet 100% of unmet need. 

Can You Transfer Your Scholarship to a Different College?

Scholarships don’t usually transfer from one college to the next. So if you received a scholarship from college A, it won’t transfer to college B. The new school you transfer to may calculate financial aid from scratch. However, if the scholarship for transfer students comes from a nonprofit or outside source, you may be able to transfer the award as long as you continue to meet their terms. 

Why Do College Students Transfer Between Schools?

Students transfer colleges for a variety of reasons and it’s more common than you might think. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there were over 1.3 million transfer in students at some 3,420 schools in the U.S. as of 2019. One of the main motivators is to save money. The average cost of a public two year college, cites the NCES, was $9,400 vs $14,600 at a four year school. 

As a result, many students start by enrolling in an associate’s degree program. This gets some of the general college coursework out of the way. The transferable credit hours then reduce the time and cost of a bachelor’s degree from a four year college. For others, the reasons may be less about finances and more about school fit or switching majors. Many students may also transfer due to life and academic challenges because of COVID.  

List of Scholarships for Transfer Students

Check out our list of 7,304 scholarships worth $33M below.

University of Arizona Phi Theta Kappa Award for Arizona Residents

U.S. students who are Arizona residents and have been members of Phi Theta Kappa for one or more years are eligible for this award. Students must be planning to transfer to the University of Arizona with 36 or more transferable credits.

Total: $10000

Awards: 10

Deadline: June 01, 2023

Bellarmine University Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Scholarship

U.S. students planning to transfer to Bellarmine University in Kentucky are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher and must be a member of Phi Theta Kappa.

Total: $29500

Awards: 4

Deadline: June 01, 2023

University of Louisiana at Lafayette Associate Degree Academic Transfer Scholarship

This award is for U.S. students who are transferring to the University of Louisiana Lafayette after earning an associate’s degree. Students must be residents of Louisiana and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

Total: $1800

Awards: 1

Deadline: July 01, 2023

Western New England College Merit Transfer Scholarship

U.S. students who have completed 12 or more college credit hours and have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must plan to transfer to Western New England College in Massachusetts.

Total: $42000

Awards: 20

Deadline: July 01, 2023

Western New England College Transfer Award

Great News for Transfer Students with an Associate’s Degree! You already qualify for our Transfer Distinction Award. Transfer Distinction Award for Fall semesters Your associate’s degree and a 2.5 GPA now guarantee you our highest transfer scholarship of $25,000 a year through our Transfer Distinction Award. Phi Theta Kappa recipients can receive an additional $2,000 per year, guaranteeing your total award of $27,000 per year.

Total: $21000

Awards: 15

Deadline: July 01, 2023

Cedar Crest College Transfer Student Scholarship for Freshmen

U.S. students who have completed one semester of college with an SAT score of 1150 and in the top 20 percent of their class are eligible for this award. Students must transfer to Cedar Crest College in Pennsylvania.

Total: $60000

Awards: 5

Deadline: January 03

Cedar Crest College Transfer Student Scholarship

U.S. undergraduate female students who have completed 24 or more credit hours at an accredited institution with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher are eligible for this award. Students must transfer to Cedar Crest College in Pennsylvania.

Total: $30000

Awards: 10

Deadline: January 03

AICPA Foundation Two-Year Transfer Scholarship Award

This scholarship is open to U.S. students who are currently completing courses at a two-year college/university with a declared intent to major in accounting or a related field at a four-year institution. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate some financial need (i.e., not already have educational expenses covered).

Total: $5000

Awards: 24

Deadline: March 01

OBU Transfer Scholarship Program

This award is available to U.S. undergraduate students who are planning to transfer to Ouachita Baptist University. Students must have a cumulative college grade point average of 2.0 or higher.

Total: $32000

Awards: 110

Deadline: March 01

Grace College FGBC Transfer Student Scholarship

This award is for U.S. undergraduate students who are planning to transfer to Grace College of Indiana. Students must demonstrate participation in a Fellowship of Grace Brethren Church (FGBC).

Total: $5000

Awards: 10

Deadline: March 01

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