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Top 19 Scholarships for Transfer Students in December 2023

Written by Will Geiger

Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut. Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University.

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Updated: November 30th, 2023

According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, more than one third of college students will transfer to another college. While students will transfer for many reasons, some students are transferring to save money. Regardless of why you are transferring, there are some great scholarships for transfer students that are available!

These scholarships for transfer students are generally applicable for students who intend to transfer to four year colleges or universities. Also note that some states will have special scholarships for community college students who are transferring to an in-state university. You can check with the financial aid office at your in-state university!

You can also keep on reading to learn everything you need to know about scholarships and financial aid as a transfer student.

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Making the Leap Scholarship for Transfer Students
Making the Leap Scholarship for Transfer Students

Offered by Scholarships360

1 award worth $500
Deadline Jan 31, 2024

The “Making the Leap” Scholarship is open to undergraduate students who are transferring to another educational institution in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. We know…

The “Making the Leap” Scholarship is open to undergraduate students who are transferring to another educational institution in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. We know…

The “Making the Leap” Scholarship is open to undergraduate students who are transferring to another educational institution in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. We know that getting from point A to point B isn’t always straightforward, and that sometimes there are twists, turns, and unexpected detours along the way. If you’re a transfer student making the leap to another school, you probably know what we’re talking about. Switching educational institutions can be challenging, which is why we’re offering a $500 scholarship to help one outstanding transfer student. See the “Application Information” section below for details regarding the short answer response. We look forward to reading your application!

Eligibility information

Grade Level: College Students

Citizenship: US Citizens, Permanent Residents

Next steps

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$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship
$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship

Offered by Scholarships360

1 award worth $10,000
Deadline Jun 30, 2024

The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high…

The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high…

The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high school student who hopes to go to college, a graduate student who’s in a master’s program, or an adult learner who wants to return to school, you are eligible for our no essay scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to students who get the most out of Scholarships360 scholarships and content. You will be a strong applicant if you apply to scholarships with the Scholarships360 platform. Finalists for this scholarship will be interviewed about their process for funding their education.

Eligibility information

Grade Level: All Grade Levels

Citizenship: US Citizens, Permanent Residents

Minimum GPA: No GPA requirement

Next steps

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Niche $50,000 No Essay Scholarship
Niche $50,000 No Essay Scholarship

Offered by Niche

1 award worth $50,000
Deadline Dec 14, 2023

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year.…

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year.…

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year. Niche is giving one student $50,000 to help pay for tuition, housing, books and other college expenses — no essay required!

Eligibility information

Grade Level: All Grade Levels

Citizenship: US Citizens, Permanent Residents, DACA

Minimum GPA: No GPA requirement

Next steps

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$2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship
$2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship

Offered by Sallie Mae

1 award worth $2,000
Deadline Dec 31, 2023

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for…

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for…

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for school.

Eligibility information

Grade Level: HS Upperclassmen, College & Graduate Students

Citizenship: US Citizens, Permanent Residents, DACA

Next steps

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$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship
$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship

Offered by Bold.org

1 award worth $25,000
Deadline Jan 2, 2024

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

Eligibility information

Grade Level: All Grade Levels

Minimum GPA: No GPA requirement

Next steps

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Darrel Hess Community College Geography Scholarship
Darrel Hess Community College Geography Scholarship

Offered by American Association of Geographers

2 awards worth $1,500
Deadline Dec 31, 2023

Are you a community college student planning to transfer to a four-year institution as a geography major? If so, you might be interested in the…

Are you a community college student planning to transfer to a four-year institution as a geography major? If so, you might be interested in the…

Are you a community college student planning to transfer to a four-year institution as a geography major? If so, you might be interested in the Darrel Hess Community College Geography Scholarship! The scholarship is open to students from community colleges, junior colleges, city colleges, or similar two-year educational institutions who will transfer as geography majors to four-year colleges and universities. The American Association of Geographers offers the program Darrel Hess, author of McKnight’s Physical Geography: A Landscape Appreciation, funds it. The AAG looks to “provide students, educators, practitioners, and partners with the resources they need to enter the field, develop their careers, and form professional friendships that can last a lifetime.” Every year, they choose two eligible applicants to earn $1,500 to be used for any educational expenses. If you are passionate about obtaining your geography degree, we encourage you to apply!

Eligibility information

Grade Level: College Underclassmen

Academic Interest: Environmental Science

Next steps

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Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship
Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship

Offered by Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Multiple awards worth up to $55,000
Deadline Jan 11, 2024

Are you a community college student looking to transfer to a four-year college or university? You might consider applying for the Jack Kent Cooke Transfer…

Are you a community college student looking to transfer to a four-year college or university? You might consider applying for the Jack Kent Cooke Transfer…

Are you a community college student looking to transfer to a four-year college or university? You might consider applying for the Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship! This scholarship is open to high-achieving community college students seeking financial support to earn their bachelor’s degree. The scholarship is funded by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting promising students who have financial need. Since 2000, the foundation has awarded more than $222 million in scholarships. The Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Scholarship typically accepts applications from early October through early January of each year. To see if you qualify, check out the eligibility section below!

Eligibility information

Grade Level: College Sophomore

Citizenship: US Citizens, Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents, DACA, Other

Minimum GPA: 3.5

Next steps

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eQuality Scholarships for Community College Transfer Students
eQuality Scholarships for Community College Transfer Students

Offered by eQuality Scholarship Collaborative

Multiple awards worth $6,000
Deadline Jan 31, 2024

eQuality scholarships for Community College Transfer Students recognize northern and central California community college students for their service to the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community. Applicants must plan…

eQuality scholarships for Community College Transfer Students recognize northern and central California community college students for their service to the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community. Applicants must plan…

eQuality scholarships for Community College Transfer Students recognize northern and central California community college students for their service to the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community. Applicants must plan to attend or have begun attending an accredited 4-year college or university for the first time in the award year.

Eligibility information

Grade Level: College Upperclassmen

Citizenship: US Citizens, Canadian Citizens, Other

Other Category: LGBTQ+

State: California

Next steps

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Tennessee HOPE Scholarship
Tennessee HOPE Scholarship

Offered by Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation

Multiple awards worth up to $2,850
Deadline Feb 1, 2024

Discover the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship, an incredible opportunity for recent high school graduates in Tennessee. This scholarship is exclusively for Tennessee residents who enroll in…

Discover the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship, an incredible opportunity for recent high school graduates in Tennessee. This scholarship is exclusively for Tennessee residents who enroll in…

Discover the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship, an incredible opportunity for recent high school graduates in Tennessee. This scholarship is exclusively for Tennessee residents who enroll in an eligible Tennessee postsecondary institution within 16 months of graduation. Tennessee residents who enrolled in an out-of-state institution after high school are also eligible if they transfer to an eligible Tennessee postsecondary institution. The HOPE Scholarship program awards courses leading to an associate or baccalaureate degree program. Don't miss out on this chance to receive financial assistance for your education. Submit your application by September 1st for the fall semester or February 1st for the spring and summer semesters. Keep reading for more information!

Eligibility information

Grade Level: High School Seniors & College Students

Minimum GPA: 3.0

Other Category: Low Income

State: Tennessee

Next steps

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Frederick Douglass Scholarship
Frederick Douglass Scholarship

Offered by University of Maryland, College Park

45 awards worth Varies
Deadline Mar 1, 2024

The Frederick Douglass Scholarship (FDS) is a prestigious University of Maryland - College Park scholarship for academically talented transfer students from Maryland community colleges. To…

The Frederick Douglass Scholarship (FDS) is a prestigious University of Maryland - College Park scholarship for academically talented transfer students from Maryland community colleges. To…

The Frederick Douglass Scholarship (FDS) is a prestigious University of Maryland - College Park scholarship for academically talented transfer students from Maryland community colleges. To be eligible, applicants must be Maryland residents with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Additionally, applicants must have earned an associate's degree from a Maryland community college or be in the process of completing 56 college credits, with the most recent 30 credits earned at a Maryland community college. If you're a Maryland resident and current or former community college student who has or will transfer to the University of Maryland, College Park, we encourage you to apply. Be proud of being a Testudo and don't miss out on this opportunity to receive financial support for your education!

Eligibility information

Grade Level: College Sophomore

Minimum GPA: 3.5

State: Maryland

University: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK

Next steps

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Malcolm Baldrige School of Business Scholarship
Malcolm Baldrige School of Business Scholarship

Offered by Connecticut Community Foundation

Multiple awards worth $1,000
Deadline Mar 15, 2024

The Malcolm Baldrige School of Business Scholarship annually grants one-time awards of $1,000 or more to first-year or transfer students pursuing a full-time undergraduate degree…

The Malcolm Baldrige School of Business Scholarship annually grants one-time awards of $1,000 or more to first-year or transfer students pursuing a full-time undergraduate degree…

The Malcolm Baldrige School of Business Scholarship annually grants one-time awards of $1,000 or more to first-year or transfer students pursuing a full-time undergraduate degree at the School of Business at Post University's main campus in Waterbury, Connecticut. To apply, interested students must provide two letters of support from teachers, guidance counselors, or community leaders who have had direct interactions with the student. In addition, applicants must submit an essay on how "an organization can benefit from emphasis on quality." If you're a student at Post University's School of Business, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.

Eligibility information

Grade Level: College Students

Minimum GPA: 2.8

Academic Interest: Business

State: Connecticut

University: POST UNIVERSITY

Next steps

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NMU Presidential Scholars Competition
NMU Presidential Scholars Competition

Offered by Northern Michigan University

Multiple awards worth $1,000
Expected deadline October 2024

The NMU Presidential Scholars Competition is an amazing opportunity for incoming freshmen and transfers to Northern Michigan University (NMU) to earn money towards their educational…

The NMU Presidential Scholars Competition is an amazing opportunity for incoming freshmen and transfers to Northern Michigan University (NMU) to earn money towards their educational…

The NMU Presidential Scholars Competition is an amazing opportunity for incoming freshmen and transfers to Northern Michigan University (NMU) to earn money towards their educational expenses. Applicants must be current high school seniors or transfers who have applied and been admitted as degree-seeking students at NMU for the upcoming Fall semester. To be considered, applicants must hold at least a 3.5 GPA and apply by the competition registration deadline, then be willing to take part in an interview with the program committee. Each year, 15 applicants are awarded a full-ride scholarship through the program, and an additional 200 students earn between $1,000 and $3,000 toward their tuition. If you're an incoming NMU student, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.

Eligibility information

Grade Level: High School Seniors & College Underclassmen

Minimum GPA: 3.5

University: NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY

Next steps

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NCCPA Foundation Scholarships
NCCPA Foundation Scholarships

Offered by NCACPA & NC CPA Foundation Inc.

Multiple awards worth $2,000
Expected deadline October 2024

The NCCPA Foundation Scholarships offer three levels of scholarships: Community College, Undergraduate, and Graduate. They are open to open to undergraduates pursuing a course of…

The NCCPA Foundation Scholarships offer three levels of scholarships: Community College, Undergraduate, and Graduate. They are open to open to undergraduates pursuing a course of…

The NCCPA Foundation Scholarships offer three levels of scholarships: Community College, Undergraduate, and Graduate. They are open to open to undergraduates pursuing a course of study and degree in accounting in North Carolina, students enrolled at North Carolina community colleges who are pursuing an associate degree in accounting with the intent to enroll in a four-year program and have the potential to become a CPA, and students entering or enrolled in graduate programs in North Carolina that will allow them to achieve the accounting concentration required to sit for the CPA Exam, respectively. While all applicants must be North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (NACACPA) members, student membership is free. Applications are encouraged from applicants who enjoy finding practical significance in abstract ideas, have strong interpersonal skills, and are technologically adept, highly disciplined, and equally productive whether working alone or with others. If this sounds like you, and you're passionate about accounting, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.

Eligibility information

Grade Level: College & Graduate Students

Academic Interest: Accounting

State: North Carolina

Next steps

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NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium Community College Transfer Scholarship
NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium Community College Transfer Scholarship

Offered by NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium

3 awards worth $3,000
Expected deadline October 2024

The NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium Community College Transfer Scholarship is open to students who began their postsecondary education at a community college where they…

The NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium Community College Transfer Scholarship is open to students who began their postsecondary education at a community college where they…

The NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium Community College Transfer Scholarship is open to students who began their postsecondary education at a community college where they enrolled for a minimum of two terms and are currently enrolled in or have been admitted to a 4-year Consortium Member postsecondary education institution. To apply, interested individuals must submit a written narrative detailing their academic and career goals, their previous experiences and how they influenced applicants to want to pursue a STEM career, and how they believe receiving a NASA CTSGC scholarship will benefit them. If you're a current or former community college student who has or will transfer to a four-year Consortium Member institution, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.

Eligibility information

Grade Level: College Students

Citizenship: US Citizens

Academic Interest: Science, Technology, and Society

State: Connecticut

Next steps

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Irving K. Barber B.C. Scholarship Society Transfer Scholarships
Irving K. Barber B.C. Scholarship Society Transfer Scholarships

Offered by British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training

Multiple awards worth $5,000
Expected deadline May 2024

Are you a soon-to-be transfer student? If so, the Irving K. Barber B.C. Scholarship Society Transfer Scholarships may be a great opportunity for you! The…

Are you a soon-to-be transfer student? If so, the Irving K. Barber B.C. Scholarship Society Transfer Scholarships may be a great opportunity for you! The…

Are you a soon-to-be transfer student? If so, the Irving K. Barber B.C. Scholarship Society Transfer Scholarships may be a great opportunity for you! The scholarships are open to students who have completed one or two years of study and are transferring their credits to another institution to finish their program. Applicants should be academic achievers (at least a "B" average GPA required) who have made a difference in their community through volunteerism. If you've made a difference in your community, consider making a difference in your own life by applying to the Irving K. Barber B.C. Scholarship Society Transfer Scholarship!

Eligibility information

Grade Level: College Students

Citizenship: Canadian Citizens

Minimum GPA: 2.5

Next steps

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Martin Achievement Scholarship
Martin Achievement Scholarship

Offered by University of Washington

Multiple awards worth $5,000 - $41,000
Expected deadline April 2024

The Martin Achievement Scholarship is for first-year community college students wanting to eventually transfer to the University of Washington, Seattle. Applicants must be Washington state…

The Martin Achievement Scholarship is for first-year community college students wanting to eventually transfer to the University of Washington, Seattle. Applicants must be Washington state…

The Martin Achievement Scholarship is for first-year community college students wanting to eventually transfer to the University of Washington, Seattle. Applicants must be Washington state residents, have earned a minimum of 15 community college transfer credits at a community college in the state of Washington by the scholarship application deadline, and have demonstrated signs of exceptional ability in sciences, engineering, math, business, humanities, social sciences, music, art (all academic disciplines are supported), leadership and/or service to the community. Please note that students must apply for this scholarship nearly 1.5 years in advance of when they would hope to transfer to UW. With that said, if you're a Washington state first-year community college student with dreams of being a Husky, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.

Eligibility information

Grade Level: College Freshman

Citizenship: US Citizens, Permanent Residents, DACA

Academic Interest: Engineering, Humanities, Math, Social Science, Visual & Performing Arts, Music, Business

State: Washington

University: UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Next steps

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U.S. Western Digital STEM Scholarships
U.S. Western Digital STEM Scholarships

Offered by Silicon Valley Community Foundation

Multiple awards worth up to $5,000
Expected deadline March 2024

The U.S. Western Digital STEM Scholarships are a fantastic opportunity for students from underrepresented populations who are currently attending a two-year university and will be…

The U.S. Western Digital STEM Scholarships are a fantastic opportunity for students from underrepresented populations who are currently attending a two-year university and will be…

The U.S. Western Digital STEM Scholarships are a fantastic opportunity for students from underrepresented populations who are currently attending a two-year university and will be transferring to a four-year university in the upcoming school year to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM major. This scholarship is particularly aimed at those from underrepresented populations and those who are experiencing financial need or hardship. If you're an underrepresented minority pursuing a STEM major at a community college (with will be transferring to a four-year), we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more.

Eligibility information

Grade Level: College Underclassmen

Minimum GPA: 2.7

Race/Ethnicity: Black/African, Hispanic/Latino, Native American

Academic Interest: Engineering, Math, Science, Technology, and Society

Other Category: Low Income, First-Generation Student, Women

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Scholarships for Military Children Program
Scholarships for Military Children Program

Offered by Fisher House Foundation, Inc.

500 awards worth $2,000
Expected deadline February 2024

Are you a current or prospective college student whose parents are serving or retired from the military? If so, consider applying for the Scholarships for…

Are you a current or prospective college student whose parents are serving or retired from the military? If so, consider applying for the Scholarships for…

Are you a current or prospective college student whose parents are serving or retired from the military? If so, consider applying for the Scholarships for Military Children Program! The program is open to incoming and current college students at two- and four-year institutions whose parents are serving or retired from the military. The program is offered by the Fisher House Foundation, Inc, a Maryland-based nonprofit organization that focuses on building homes for military and veteran families to help them while a loved one is in the hospital. Every year, the Scholarships for Military Children Program awards $2,000 each to 500 postsecondary students whose parents have previously or are currently serving in the military. If you are from a military family and are looking for a scholarship opportunity, we encourage you to apply!

Eligibility information

Grade Level: High School Seniors & College Students

Minimum GPA: 2.5

Other Category: ROTC, Relative of Current or Former Military Member

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Washington CPA Foundation Accounting Scholarships
Washington CPA Foundation Accounting Scholarships

Offered by Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants

Multiple awards worth $5,000 - $10,000
Expected deadline February 2024

The Washington CPA Foundation Accounting Scholarships are open to students entering their junior year or higher in the upcoming Fall. This includes fifth-year, master's, and…

The Washington CPA Foundation Accounting Scholarships are open to students entering their junior year or higher in the upcoming Fall. This includes fifth-year, master's, and…

The Washington CPA Foundation Accounting Scholarships are open to students entering their junior year or higher in the upcoming Fall. This includes fifth-year, master's, and PhD candidates, as well as community college transfers. So, if you're transferring from a community college to a 4-year college or university accredited in Washington State, you're eligible too! Applicants must be attending a college or university that is accredited in Washington State. The Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants, the organization offering the scholarship, is looking for students who are involved in on-campus, off-campus, or community activities. To apply, you'll need to submit two essays of 500 words. If you're a past scholarship recipient, don't hesitate to re-apply!

Eligibility information

Grade Level: College Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors & Grad Students

Citizenship: US Citizens

Minimum GPA: 3.0

Academic Interest: Accounting

State: Washington

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According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, more than one third of college students will transfer to another college. While students will transfer for many reasons, some students are transferring to save money. Regardless of why you are transferring, there are some great scholarships for transfer students that are available!

These scholarships for transfer students are generally applicable for students who intend to transfer to four year colleges or universities. Also note that some states will have special scholarships for community college students who are transferring to an in-state university. You can check with the financial aid office at your in-state university!

You can also keep on reading to learn everything you need to know about scholarships and financial aid as a transfer student.

How to win scholarships for transfer students

Like any type of scholarship, transfer student scholarships are highly competitive and the vast majority of opportunities receive way more applications than they can give awards to. For this reason, it’s important to put together compelling applications in order to maximize your chances of winning. One of the best ways to do this is doing some research into the organization offering the scholarship, and giving the scholarship listing a close read. Try to find what values and principles they are looking for in a candidate, and emphasize these in your application.

It’s also important to fine-tune your essays in order to maximize your chances. We can help you through this process with a collection of guides on assembling scholarship applications. These include guides on how to write a winning scholarship essayhow to write about yourself, and how to tailor your writing to 250 or 500 word limits. We can also walk you through the steps of making a scholarship resume, and give you tutorials on answering some of the most common scholarship prompts.

You should also be sure to contact the financial aid and admissions offices at schools you are considering transferring to, in order to see if they offer any scholarships for incoming transfers. Finally, don’t forget about local scholarships! Local scholarships have a much lower number of applicants, so you have a higher chance of winning. Try looking at some local community organizations to see if they offer any opportunities.

Resources for transfer students & students considering transferring

The process of transferring schools can be complicated and involves a lot of choices. Luckily, we have some guides to help you through. Check out our guides on how to transfer colleges, how to transfer from a community college to a four-year university, and how to write a transfer essay. It’s important to use a different focus in your transfer essays than you did in your initial admissions essay, and this guide will help you with those differences. Finally, don’t forget to fill out the FAFSA and/or CSS Profile for your prospective school!

Also see: Can you transfer into an ivy league school?

Transfer scholarships from honor societies

There are several academic honor societies out there that offer transfer scholarships to students. If you are a member in any of the organizations or are considering membership, these scholarships can be a great opportunity.

Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is a national honor society with over 3.8 million members. They offer a whole host of transfer scholarships for members, which you can access through their PTK Connect portal. Some are based on GPA whereas others may depend more on financial need and other extracurricular achievement.

Tau Sigma

Tau Sigma is a national honor society exclusively for transfer students. They run several scholarship programs, including ones for international students who are transferring schools. If you are looking to pursue your bachelor’s degree at a different college, don’t forget to check out Tau Sigma!

How does transferring affect financial aid?

When considering whether to transfer schools, it’s important to investigate how the decision would affect your financial aid. You will have to go through the financial aid process with your new school and see how much money they can offer you. Remember, institutional need-based and merit-based financial aid will not transfer with you.

Transferring does not affect your Pell Grant or federal loans, but all other forms of institutional aid will change, and some renewable private scholarships may not transfer. So, if you already are on a private scholarship, make sure to be in touch with the servicers to ensure that the scholarship awards would transfer to your new school.

Frequently asked questions about scholarships for transfer students

Can transfer students get full merit scholarships?

Transfer students may be eligible for full merit scholarships, but this will vary from college to college. It is best to check with the specific college you are looking at. If you talking about private scholarships, most of these awards will not cover full tuition, room, and board. To get an idea of what full scholarships are, and how they differ from full rides, check out our article on the subject

How do transfer scholarships work?

Transfer scholarships work in a similar way to other college scholarships. Students will need to complete the required application materials and apply by the stated deadline. There is nothing else that you need to worry about just because you are a transfer student! You’ll submit any materials to the college you are transferring into rather than the one you transfer from.

Do transfers get financial aid?

It depends! Just like when you applied to college the first time, your financial aid will depend on your financial need. Some colleges will offer generous financial aid for transfer students, while others may not commit to meeting 100% of demonstrated need for accepted transfer students. We always recommend talking to a financial aid officer at the college in question. Luckily, when it comes to federal aid, transfer students are just as eligible as anyone else. That means you’ll still be eligible for the Pell Grant if your finances qualify you. You can also take out federal subsidized loans, Parent PLUS loans, and more.

Do transfer students who are transferring from community colleges qualify for scholarships or financial aid?

All of the above scholarships will be available to community college students who are applying to four year colleges or universities. In fact, some states have special programs for students who transfer from in-state community colleges to in-state colleges (the NJ STARS program is one such initiative in the state of New Jersey).You will also continue to qualify for federal aid such as the Pell Grant, Stafford Loans, unsubsidized loans, and Parent PLUS loans. It’s also a good idea to reach out to the college you’re transferring into, as they might have resources for local scholarships to apply to.

What colleges give transfer scholarships?

There are a good number of colleges which offer transfer scholarships. Grand Valley State University, for example, offers transfer scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 per semester. The University of Alabama also has a wide variety of transfer scholarships, some of which range up to full tuition. Oftentimes, these programs are set up for in-state students who graduate from a community college.

Can transfer students receive Pell Grants?

Yes! Transfer students are just as eligible to receive Pell Grants as any undergraduate student. As long as you are below your Pell Grant lifetime limit, you will be eligible. However, this limit equates to about six years of full-time school, so it is very rare to exceed it.

Should transfer students use the FAFSA?

Yes! Every student should fill out the FAFSA to qualify for federal, state, and institutional aid. It’s just as important for transfer students to fill out the FAFSA as it is for students who have attended the same university throughout their whole tenure. Make sure to fill out the FAFSA before the deadline! Although transferring can be a hectic process, you want to make sure not to fall behind on FAFSA paperwork and lose out on financial aid.

When should I apply for scholarships as a transfer student?

It’s never too early to apply for scholarships as a transfer student. Whether you’re applying to transfer-specific scholarships, or any scholarship opportunity, you’ll see year-round deadlines. Remember to apply early and often to maximize your chances at earning great scholarship opportunities. A great place to start for this is our free scholarship search tool. It’ll match you with vetted scholarship opportunities custom-matched to your demographics and academic interests. Opportunities auto-update as new ones open, and you can use the tool to plan your application strategy and keep track of deadlines.

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