Transfer International Students: Scholarships Available?

Transfer students often have lower admissions rates than non-transfers, and transferring into top programs can be difficult. However, there are scholarships available for transfer students, including international students. These include scholarships from the Tau Sigma Honor Society, the University of Maryland, Florida International University, Loyola University, Mississippi State University, Lebanon Valley College, the University of Tampa, and Augustana College. Additionally, some scholarships are funded by sources outside of the university, and can therefore be transferred between institutions.

Can I get a scholarship as a transfer international student?

Scholarships for international transfer students in the US

International transfer students in the US have various scholarship opportunities available to them. These scholarships are offered by individual universities and external organisations, and they can provide significant financial support for eligible students.

For instance, Whitworth University offers scholarships to international transfer students who are enrolled full-time and working towards their first bachelor's degree. The scholarship amount is determined based on the student's academic performance, with a combined cumulative GPA calculated if the student has attended multiple universities. Additionally, Whitworth University also provides a $1,000 scholarship for students registered at an EducationUSA centre worldwide, which can be combined with other academic scholarships or need-based grants.

The University of Alabama also offers scholarships for international transfer students, including the Roll Tide Transfer Scholarship and Capstone Transfer Scholarship. They provide a range of financial aid options, such as grants, loans, work-study programmes, and student employment opportunities.

Another notable scholarship is offered by EducationUSA, which is available to students from two-year post-secondary institutions within the US or approved institutions outside the country. To be eligible, students must have completed 24 credits with a 3.2 GPA, and the scholarship amount is $2,000, renewable each semester for up to four years.

Tau Sigma, a national honour society exclusively for transfer students, also offers scholarship programs for international students transferring schools to pursue their bachelor's degrees.

Additionally, Scholarships360.org offers a $1,000 scholarship to one outstanding transfer student, selected based on the quality of their application and their activity on the Scholarships360 platform.

It is important for international transfer students to research the specific requirements and application processes for each scholarship, as they may vary. Some scholarships may require a separate application, while others may be automatically included in the university admission application. Students should also be aware that transferring schools can impact their financial aid, and they may need to go through the financial aid process again with their new institution.

Scholarships for international transfer students outside the US

Scholarships are a great way to fund your education, and they can be highly competitive, especially for international students. While some scholarships are indeed reserved for first-year applicants, there are still plenty of opportunities for international transfer students to secure funding for their studies outside the US. Here are some tips and scholarships to consider:

University-Specific Scholarships:

Some universities in the US offer scholarships specifically for international transfer students. For example, the University of Houston in Texas, Fordham University in New York, and Clark University in Massachusetts provide scholarships for international transfers. These scholarships can be a great way to fund your studies and continue your education at a new institution.

Tau Sigma Scholarships:

Tau Sigma is a national honour society exclusively for transfer students. They offer several scholarship programs, including ones tailored for international students transferring to different colleges. This can be an excellent opportunity if you're planning to pursue your bachelor's degree at another institution.

"Making the Leap" Scholarship:

This scholarship, offered by Scholarships360, is open to undergraduate students transferring to another educational institution to pursue a bachelor's degree. It provides a $1,000 award to one outstanding transfer student. Scholarships360 also provides a platform for students to find vetted scholarships, with some offering amounts like $10,000.

Bold.org Scholarships:

Bold.org is a fantastic resource for transfer students seeking scholarships. They offer hundreds of exclusive scholarships, including those designed specifically for transfer students. You can use their scholarship search feature to find opportunities that match your profile and academic goals.

Other Considerations:

When applying for scholarships as an international transfer student, it's important to read the fine print and understand the terms and conditions. Scholarships are like contracts, and transferring schools may impact your eligibility or ability to retain the scholarship. Additionally, some schools may have specific requirements for international transfer students, such as English proficiency tests (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English test) and admissions exams.

Lastly, remember that transferring schools can affect your financial aid. Need-based and merit-based financial aid typically do not transfer with you, but your Pell Grant or federal loans will not be impacted. Reach out to your new school to understand their financial aid offerings and how they can support your educational journey.

Losing financial aid when transferring

Transferring colleges can significantly impact your financial aid package, including scholarships and grants. While credits earned at one school can be transferred to another, financial aid packages rarely follow. This is because the cost of attendance at a school is a factor in determining financial aid awards and eligibility for student loans. Additionally, most scholarships and some grants are specific to an institution, so you may lose that funding upon transferring.

If you are relying on financial aid to help cover the cost of higher education, it is important to understand how transferring schools may impact your aid package and the steps to take to ensure continued assistance. Firstly, you must officially withdraw from your current school and request to cancel any remaining financial aid. As a mid-year transfer, you will not lose access to Pell Grant money, but your Pell Grant eligibility at your new school may be reduced if you received this grant at a previous school for the same award year. If you received the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, you will only receive it at your new school if they have FSEOG money left to award. The same goes for federal work-study, as it depends on the college you are transferring to and whether they can award this type of aid.

To receive a new financial aid offer, you must update your FAFSA with your new school's information. Your financial aid award will be based on several factors, including your expected family contribution and the cost of attendance at your new school. It is important to note that federal student loans have annual loan limits, and you may not have enough funds left when you transfer schools to cover the additional tuition. You will only be able to borrow an amount equal to the difference between the applicable annual loan limit and the amount you borrowed at your previous school for the same academic year.

It is recommended that you work with your new school's financial aid department and private lenders to ensure you receive the financial assistance you need for your future studies. Your new school might not issue the same amount of aid as your former school, so it is unlikely that your new financial aid package will match your previous one. Additionally, some institutions may prioritize incoming first-year students for financial aid, resulting in less aid available for transfer students. Therefore, it is crucial to engage in research and open communication when planning to transfer schools while relying on financial aid.

Scholarships for transfer students with good grades

Transfer students can access scholarships, and there are even scholarships designed specifically for them. However, it is important to note that institutional need-based and merit-based financial aid will not transfer with you, and you will have to apply for financial aid at your new school.

International transfer students can also get scholarships, as long as the scholarship program does not specifically require that applicants be from a certain country.

If you are a transfer student with good grades, there are several scholarships you can apply for. Merit-based scholarships are competitive and require a minimum GPA of 3.0 and 30 transferable credits from a regionally accredited institution. The University of Maryland awards full-tuition and partial-tuition Frederick Douglas Scholarships for transfer students with a minimum GPA of 3.5 and an Associate's degree from a Maryland community college. Transfer students with a 4.0 GPA, two letters of recommendation, and 60 transferable credit hours or an Associate's degree can apply for the Transfer Academic Achievement Scholarship at Florida International University, which covers 50% of tuition and fees. Mississippi State University also offers a transfer scholarship for students with at least 48 transferable credits and a 3.5 or higher GPA.

Additionally, the Tau Sigma Honor Society, an organization exclusively for transfer students, offers scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000 per year. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is another option for students transferring to a four-year institution after attending a community college.

To find scholarships, you can use scholarship search websites such as Bold.org, Going Merry, and Scholarships360, which allow you to filter and match with scholarships based on your qualifications and preferences.

Scholarships for transfer students with a degree

Transfer students can get scholarships, and there are even scholarships designed specifically for transfer students. International transfer students can also get scholarships as long as the scholarship programme does not require that applicants be from a specific country.

If you are a transfer student with a degree, there are a few scholarships you may be eligible for. For example, the University of Maryland awards several full-tuition and multiple partial-tuition Frederick Douglas Scholarships for transfer students. To be eligible, you will need a minimum GPA of 3.5 and an Associate's degree from a Maryland community college. Similarly, transfer students applying to Loyola University are automatically considered for up to $19,000 in Transfer Merit Scholarships upon submitting their admissions application.

If you are transferring to Florida International University, the Transfer Academic Achievement Scholarship will cover 50% of your tuition and fees. However, this scholarship is highly competitive, and you will need a minimum of 60 transferable credit hours or an Associate's degree, a 4.0 GPA, two letters of recommendation, and a strong essay. Mississippi State University also offers a transfer scholarship for students with at least 48 hours of transferable credits and a 3.5 or higher GPA.

Additionally, the "Making the Leap" Scholarship is open to undergraduate transfer students pursuing a bachelor's degree at another educational institution. This scholarship provides $1,000 to one outstanding transfer student. The Tau Sigma Honor Society also offers scholarships for transfer students pursuing a bachelor's degree at a different college.

Finally, if you are a student demonstrating financial need who is currently attending a two-year university and will be transferring to a four-year university to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in a STEM major, you may be eligible for the U.S. Western Digital STEM Scholarships. This scholarship provides up to 55 students with a $5,000 scholarship each year.

It is important to note that transferring schools can affect your financial aid, and institutional need-based and merit-based financial aid will not transfer with you. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate how transferring will impact your financial aid and ensure that any private scholarships you have will transfer to your new school.

Frequently asked questions