The Student’s Guide to Transferring Colleges

According to a 2018 report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, 38% of students in the fall 2011 cohort transferred at least once during their first six years of college. Furthermore, 59% of two-year students who transferred moved to a four-year institution.

Students transfer schools for many reasons, including financial constraints, changes in majors, and new jobs. But transferring colleges isn’t the right move for everyone.

In this guide, we take a look at what a transfer student is, how the transfer process works, and how to transfer credits from one college to another.

Understanding the transfer landscape is paramount. Here are some of the most common types of transfer students.

Many students transfer from a four-year college or university to another four-year institution. Common reasons include a desire to switch majors, financial burdens, and wanting a better fit with a school — especially in terms of campus life and community.

Transferring from a community college to a four-year college or university is another popular path for students.

According to a 2017 report from the NSC Research Center, about 1 in 2 graduates who earned a four-year degree in 2016 had attended a two-year school at some point in the past decade.

Many students begin their college careers at community colleges to save money, get general education credits out of the way, and/or make a more informed decision about potential majors.

Moving and interruptions in routines are a natural part of military life, so students in the military may find themselves transferring colleges frequently. The GI Bill® provides numerous educational benefits to service members and even allows students using these benefits to attend more than one college at a time.

International transfer students face mostly the same challenges as domestic transfer students. Learners with an F-1 or M-1 visa may only transfer to colleges certified by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program. M-1 students in particular must do so within six months of arriving in the U.S.

Students transferring to the U.S. from abroad should review degree requirements and international credit and degree transfers before initiating the transfer process.

Leaving school can be a difficult decision, but sometimes emergencies, job opportunities, or financial concerns mean students must step away from their education temporarily. About 40% of U.S. students drop out of college, with 3 in 10 leaving before their sophomore year.

Fortunately, you can return to college anytime (though you may need to reapply for admission if going back to the same school you originally attended — check your school’s student leave policy to learn more).

Before you return to college as a nontraditional student, check whether your school will accept any of the college credits you earned back when you initially enrolled. If it accepts some or all of these credits, you may be able to enter as a second- or even third-year transfer student rather than as a first-year student.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Transferring colleges can seem intimidating, but the process isn’t too different from applying to college as a first-year student. Here are the basic steps to follow if you’re considering becoming a transfer student.

Once you’ve decided to transfer colleges, think about the features you’d like in your new program. Key factors to consider when researching colleges include academic quality, school size, cost, campus environment, and available resources and support systems.

You should also look into how to transfer credits from one college to another.

“Those who are thinking of transferring [should] reach out to the schools they are interested in to inquire about a preliminary evaluation of credits,” said Diane Kahle, assistant director of admissions and transfer counselor at Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

It’s important to work with both your current and prospective schools to determine how many of your credits will transfer and whether those credits will count toward your major. “Students should ‘shop’ their colleges to see how their credits would be received,” advised Kahle.

Be aware that some schools may not calculate your potential transfer credits until after you’ve applied and been accepted.

Meeting with your academic advisor allows you to ask questions about the transfer process and get more insight into whether such a move is right for you.

Another benefit of reaching out is learning how to transfer college credits. Your advisor can help you fill out the correct forms, request transcripts, and provide information about possible transfer agreements the school holds with other institutions.

As you research potential schools to transfer to, try to find out whether they hold any articulation agreements, particularly with your current institution.

An articulation agreement is a formal agreement between colleges that simplifies the transfer process for students. These agreements normally mean that more (or all) of your college credits can transfer, saving you time and money toward your degree.

The application process for a transfer student differs from that for a first-time college student. For example, many schools don’t require SAT or ACT scores for transfer students. Instead, they focus more on your academic performance in previous college courses.

As a transfer student, you’ll also need to request transcripts from all previously attended colleges. Be sure to verify whether a prospective school requires official or unofficial transcripts with your application.

Other materials you may need to submit include letters of recommendation and a personal statement that explains your reasons for wanting to transfer. Note that many institutions maintain separate college transfer deadlines.

Once you submit your application, begin researching scholarships and other financial aid opportunities. Try to prioritize scholarships that specifically target transfer students or another attribute of yours, such as your intended major.

Several websites make it easy to search for college scholarships using various criteria. Taking the time to explore financial aid opportunities allows you to select the best option for your budget.

Before you commit to transferring, spend some time determining why you want to transfer. Are you simply dissatisfied with your campus environment? Maybe you’re experiencing financial challenges and can no longer afford your current college.

Consider whether you can resolve the issue first without transferring colleges. For instance, if you’re feeling disconnected from campus life, you could join a student club to try to make friends. Or, if you’re feeling homesick, you might try calling or visiting home more often or starting a new hobby.

If you’re still interested in transferring colleges, talk with your academic advisor, who can offer guidance and more information on the transfer process.

If possible, it’s a good idea to explore potential campuses as well. “I think it is important for [prospective transfer] students to make a physical visit to campuses to help find their fit,” said Kahle.

Other factors to take into account when deciding where to transfer include financial aid. “Students shopping for a new school can learn who has scholarships available, and this can become part of the decision of where to ultimately apply,” explained Kahle.

If you decide to transfer, make sure you transfer at a practical time. Normally, it’s best for students to transfer between school years or semesters. If you leave your current school in the middle of a term, you could lose money on tuition and fees.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

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