Savanna Hoffman
Transfer students often save money by spending the first two years of their degree at a community college. However, transferring to a four-year institution can still be expensive, and financial aid packages from their previous school or the government are rarely transferable. Transfer students can get scholarships, and there are even scholarships specifically designed for them. For example, Phi Theta Kappa, a national honour society with over 3.8 million members, offers transfer scholarships for members. Tau Sigma is another honour society that runs scholarship programs for international transfer students. The University of Alabama also offers scholarships for international transfer students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are international transfer students eligible for scholarships? | Yes |
| Are there scholarships specifically for international transfer students? | Yes |
| How do international transfer students apply for scholarships? | International transfer students can apply for scholarships by submitting an application and all supporting documents by the deadline for their intended entry term. |
| What are some examples of scholarships for international transfer students? | Some scholarships for international transfer students include the Roll Tide Transfer Scholarship, Capstone Transfer Scholarship, and scholarships from honor societies such as Phi Theta Kappa and Tau Sigma. |
| Can international transfer students get full scholarships? | It depends on the college. Some colleges may offer full merit scholarships to international transfer students, while others may provide partial scholarships or financial aid. |
| Can international transfer students take their financial aid packages from their previous school? | International transfer students will rarely be able to take financial aid packages from their previous school, except for scholarships funded by sources outside the school. |
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What You'll Learn
Scholarships for international transfer students at the University of Alabama
The University of Alabama offers a range of scholarships for qualifying international transfer students. To maximize scholarship opportunities, the University recommends the following steps:
- Apply for admission and scholarships: Your admission application includes your scholarship application for many scholarship opportunities.
- Complete additional scholarship applications: This includes the Alabama Scholarship Award Manager (ASAM) and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA, optional).
- Explore additional scholarship opportunities: This may include scholarships offered by external organizations or specific departments within the University.
The University of Alabama offers both automatic merit scholarships and competitive scholarships. Automatic merit scholarships are awarded based on academic and non-academic criteria, such as high school GPA, academic honors, leadership experience, and extracurricular activities. Competitive scholarships are awarded by the Student Financial Aid and Scholarships office and individual colleges and departments across the campus. Examples of competitive scholarships include the Roll Tide Transfer Scholarship and the Capstone Transfer Scholarship.
Additionally, international transfer students may be eligible for full or partial merit scholarships, but this varies from college to college. It is recommended to check with the specific college or department for their scholarship offerings and requirements.
It is important to note that institutional need-based and merit-based financial aid may not transfer with you from your previous institution. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate how transferring to the University of Alabama will affect your financial aid and to carefully review the University's financial aid processes and requirements.
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Scholarships for international transfer students at Tau Sigma
International transfer students can get scholarships, and Tau Sigma is a national honour society that provides its members with opportunities to earn scholarships, among other benefits. It is the only national honour society exclusively for transfer students, recognising and promoting their academic excellence and involvement.
Tau Sigma was established in 1999 at Auburn University and has since expanded to over 225 chapters. The society offers scholarships ranging from $500 to $2500, awarded annually. Each local chapter can nominate at least one nominee to be forwarded to the Tau Sigma Scholarship Committee for evaluation. The scholarships are then announced in December and bestowed in January.
To be eligible for Tau Sigma membership, students must have transferred to a four-year university with at least one full year's worth of academic credits from a previous institution. Additionally, they must be enrolled full-time in their first term at the new university, pursuing a bachelor's degree with a course load of 12 or more credits.
Membership in Tau Sigma is based on superior academic achievement during the first term at the new university. Chapters set specific membership criteria, but generally, a student must have earned a 3.5 or higher-grade point average during their first term to be considered.
Tau Sigma provides transfer students with a platform to connect with peers, gain leadership skills, and serve the community. It offers meaningful experiences and skill development that can enhance their resumes, personal essays, and job interviews.
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Phi Theta Kappa transfer scholarships
International transfer students can get scholarships. One source of scholarships for international students who are transferring schools is Tau Sigma, a national honour society exclusively for transfer students.
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is a national honour society with over 3.8 million members. PTK offers three main types of scholarships, with hundreds available. PTK has partnered with over 800 four-year colleges and universities to offer member-exclusive transfer scholarships. The average scholarship is over $4,500 annually, and the median award is $2,000.
To be eligible for a PTK transfer scholarship, students must be PTK members and meet the following criteria:
- Be currently enrolled in 6 or more semester credits of associate degree, college-level coursework through December
- Have completed 45 or more semester credits by December
- Have a 3.5 or higher GPA on coursework completed in the last 5 years
- Intend to transfer to a regionally accredited four-year college and attend full-time
PTK-exclusive scholarships can often be combined with other transfer scholarship opportunities, allowing students to maximise their financial support. PTK members can access these scholarship opportunities through the PTK Connect portal.
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Private scholarships for international transfer students
International transfer students can apply for private scholarships to help fund their studies. These scholarships are offered by a variety of organisations, including private companies, universities, and non-profit organisations.
Private Company Scholarships
Some private companies offer scholarships to international transfer students. For example, MPOWER Financing offers scholarships for international and DACA students through its Global Citizen Scholarship Program. The program has broad eligibility criteria and is open throughout the year.
University Scholarships
Many universities offer scholarships specifically for international transfer students. For instance, Clark University provides scholarships for international undergraduate students transferring to the institution. Similarly, Whitworth University offers a $1,000 scholarship to any international student who is registered at an EducationUSA centre and is admitted to Whitworth.
Non-Profit Organisation Scholarships
Some non-profit organisations provide scholarships for international transfer students. For example, the Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship offers funding to students from select developing countries with no other source of financial aid for their graduate studies. The scholarship consists of a 50 percent grant and a 50 percent loan.
Online Scholarship Databases
There are also online databases that can help international transfer students find scholarships, such as International Student, which has a searchable database of grants, scholarships, and loan programs. Fastweb is another platform that provides access to 1.5 million scholarships worth $3.4 billion.
Additional Sources of Funding
Aside from private scholarships, international transfer students can explore other sources of funding. For instance, they can enquire about school-sponsored scholarships with their high school teachers, guidance counsellors, and librarians. They can also ask their parents' employers about any scholarship opportunities provided by their company. Additionally, students can consider work-study programs, which allow them to work part-time, typically at their university, to help pay for their expenses.
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Negotiating financial aid packages
International transfer students can get scholarships, although minimal scholarship aid is available, and most of it is reserved for graduate studies. U.S. institutions rarely offer aid to undergraduate international students, and many scholarships for undergraduate studies are only available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. However, there are free scholarship databases and private, corporate, nonprofit, and government scholarship funds that serve undergraduate international students.
When negotiating financial aid packages, it is important to start the financial aid application process early. Each U.S. college has its own requirements for how international students can prove their ability to pay expenses. Students should complete the required application materials and apply by the stated deadline. The FAFSA is the financial aid form for accessing grants, federal student loans, and work-study funds.
Students should also investigate how transferring schools would affect their financial aid. Institutional need-based and merit-based financial aid will not transfer with the student. Students will need to go through the financial aid process with their new school and see how much money they can offer.
Students should also be aware that grants and scholarship aid that exceeds "qualified education expenses" (tuition and mandatory fees) are considered taxable income by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Additionally, both private and public institutions may waive application fees in some situations.
Finally, students should consult with their university and/or major department to take advantage of any special funding opportunities they offer. For example, academic departments within the university may have funds allocated to assist international students with exceptional need and/or talent.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international transfer students can get scholarships. Some scholarships are specifically designed for transfer students, including international ones.
The University of Alabama, for example, offers scholarships for out-of-state and international transfer students. These include the Roll Tide Transfer Scholarship and Capstone Transfer Scholarship.
You can find scholarship opportunities through credible scholarship search engines like Bold.org, or you can reach out to your school counsellor or financial aid advisor. You will need to complete the required application materials and apply by the stated deadline.
Students will rarely be able to take their financial aid package from their previous school with them when transferring to a new school. However, scholarships funded by sources outside of your original school can usually be transferred between institutions.
It is important to research the financial aid programs available to transfer students at each institution. You can also contact the institution's financial aid office to discuss your options. Additionally, remember that your financial aid package will depend on your financial need.
