Transfer Students: Scholarships Available At Universities?

Transferring colleges can be an expensive affair, but there are many scholarships available for students who plan to transfer. These scholarships are offered by universities, nonprofits, honor societies, and private companies. Scholarships for transfer students are usually merit-based or need-based. Some scholarships are also exclusive to students transferring from two-year colleges to four-year institutions, while others are aimed at specific student groups, such as those with learning disabilities or military backgrounds.

Scholarships for in-state transfer students

Scholarships are a great way to fund your education and many are available for students transferring between colleges.

Many scholarships are available for students transferring between colleges, and some states have special scholarships for students who are transferring from in-state community colleges to in-state universities. For example, the University of Alabama offers a full-tuition Community College Excellence Scholarship for students transferring from a community college.

The Maryland Transfer Scholarship provides partial tuition awards ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 to in-state students transferring to the University of Maryland from a two-year or four-year college.

The Montana University System 2 Plus 2 Honor Scholarship awards waivers for undergraduate tuition at any four-year unit of the Montana University System to students who have earned an associate degree from a Montana community college.

The New Mexico Tech Transfer Scholarship is offered to incoming transfer students with a 3.0 GPA and 30 credits.

The University of Miami's President's Scholarship awards $10,000 to $15,000 annually to transfer students with a competitive GPA of 3.5 or higher.

The University of Tampa offers scholarships of $6,000 to $9,000 to transfer students with 3.0+ GPAs.

How to Apply for Scholarships as a Transfer Student

To apply for scholarships as a transfer student, you should contact the financial aid and admissions offices at the schools you are considering transferring to, in order to see if they offer any scholarships for incoming transfers.

You can also look for scholarships designed for students who have transferred to a new school, or for local scholarships, which have a lower number of applicants.

How Financial Aid Works for Transfer Students

Financial aid does not automatically transfer with you to your new school. You will have to apply for financial aid in the same way you did before, and you will need to make sure your new school has a copy of your FAFSA results.

You will still be eligible for federal student loans if you transfer, but federal student loans have a limit for undergraduate students. The annual limit is between $5,500 and $12,500, depending on your year in school and whether you’re an independent or dependent student.

You may still qualify for federal grants if you transfer. However, some grants, like federal student loans, have a limit on how many times you can receive them. For example, the Pell Grant is only given for 12 semesters.

Most state grants require that you attend school in the state offering the grant, and some are only given to students who are attending a public in-state university. If you transfer to a private university, you may qualify for fewer state awards.

You may still be eligible for recurring scholarships if you transfer to a new school. You’ll have to contact the scholarship coordinator and ask them if the award can be used at your new school.

Scholarships for out-of-state transfer students

Scholarships are a great way to help fund your education, and many are available for out-of-state transfer students. Here are some tips and specific scholarships to help you get started on your search.

Tips for Applying for Scholarships

When applying for scholarships, it is important to start early and apply to as many scholarships as possible to increase your chances of receiving an award. In addition, it is crucial to tailor your applications and highlight your unique experiences and perspectives as an out-of-state student. Proofreading your applications and following the instructions carefully are also key steps to a successful submission.

Types of Scholarships

There are several types of scholarships available for out-of-state students:

• Merit-based scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to students with high academic achievement, such as grades, test scores, or extracurricular involvement.
• Need-based scholarships: These scholarships are for students who demonstrate financial need and may be offered by the government or private organizations.
• Career or major-specific scholarships: These scholarships are for students pursuing a specific field of study, such as aviation, nursing, or teaching.
• Student-specific scholarships: These scholarships consider factors such as race, religion, gender, or medical history to increase inclusion and accessibility for certain students.
• International-based scholarships: International scholarships are for non-US residents who want to study in the US.
• College-specific scholarships: Many colleges offer scholarships for incoming first-year students or transfer students who meet certain requirements, such as academic achievements or athletic accomplishments.

Now, let's look at some specific scholarships that are open to out-of-state transfer students:

• Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship: This scholarship is for community college students transferring to four-year institutions with financial need and a minimum 3.5 GPA.
• EQuality Scholarships for Community College Transfer Students: Recognizing students in northern and central California who have demonstrated service to the LGBTQ+ community.
• New Mexico Tech Transfer Scholarship: For incoming transfer students with 30 credits and a 3.0 GPA.
• University of Denver Merit Scholarships for Transfer Students: The University of Denver offers merit scholarships to transfer students, ranging from $5,000 to $21,000.
• University of Miami President's Scholarship: All transfer applicants are automatically considered for this scholarship, which ranges from $10,000 to $15,000 per year for students with a 3.5 GPA or higher.
• Maryland Transfer Scholarship: This scholarship provides partial tuition awards of $5,000 to $10,000 for in-state students transferring to the University of Maryland from a two-year or four-year college.

Scholarships for transfer students with financial need

Transferring colleges can be a challenging process, but many scholarships are available to help ease the financial burden. Here are some scholarships specifically for transfer students with financial need:

Chime Scholars Foundation

The Chime Scholars Foundation provides renewable scholarships of up to $5,000 per year to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need. To be eligible, individuals must be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, have a minimum financial need of $2,500, and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5.

Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship

The Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship awards $3,000 per year (renewable for up to $12,000) to current and incoming undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. Applicants should have a combined family income of $70,000 or less and a commitment to public service.

Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation offers scholarships of up to $55,000 per year to high-achieving community college students with financial need who are transferring to four-year colleges or universities. The foundation has awarded more than $222 million in scholarships since 2000.

EQuality Scholarships for Community College Transfer Students

The eQuality Scholarship Collaborative offers scholarships of $6,000 to residents of northern and central California or community college students in the region who have demonstrated service to the LGBTQ+ community. Applicants must be transferring to an accredited four-year college or university for the first time.

New Mexico Tech Transfer Scholarship

The New Mexico Tech Transfer Scholarship is for incoming transfer students with 30 credits and a 3.0 GPA. The scholarship is renewable if recipients maintain their grades and register for a minimum of twelve credits per year.

University Scholarships and Financial Aid

Many universities offer special scholarships for transfer students, such as Appalachian State University and the University of South Florida. Additionally, some schools automatically consider transfer applicants for scholarships, like the University of Miami's President's Scholarship. It's important to contact the financial aid office of your desired school to inquire about available scholarships and financial aid.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

Phi Theta Kappa is a national honor society with over 3.8 million members. They offer various transfer scholarships, some of which are based on financial need.

Tau Sigma National Honor Society

Tau Sigma is a national honor society exclusively for transfer students, offering scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000. To be eligible, students must display exemplary academic performance in their first semester at their new school.

Federal Financial Aid

Transfer students are eligible for federal financial aid, including Pell Grants and federal student loans. To apply, students must fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

State Grants

Depending on your state, you may be eligible for state grants. However, some grants are only available to students attending public in-state universities.

Scholarships for transfer students with academic merit

Transferring colleges can be a challenging process, but many scholarships are available to help ease the financial burden. Here are some scholarships for transfer students with academic merit:

Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation offers this scholarship to high-achieving community college students seeking financial support to complete their bachelor's degree. The scholarship is worth up to $55,000 per year and is open to students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher who demonstrate significant financial need.

University of Denver Merit Scholarships for Transfer Students

The University of Denver offers merit-based financial aid to transfer students, with scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $21,000. Eligibility is based on high school GPA and test scores, and the amount received is renewable for all four years if the student maintains good academic standing.

Community College Transfer Scholarships

The University of North Florida offers several scholarships to accepted state residents transferring from an accredited two-year college in Florida with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship

This scholarship is offered to current and incoming undergraduate students transferring to an accredited four-year college. It awards $3,000 per year, renewable for up to $12,000, to students who demonstrate financial need (with a combined family income of $70,000 or less) and a commitment to public service.

OSCPA Educational Foundation Scholarship Program

This scholarship is open to full-time community college, undergraduate, and graduate students from or attending a college in Oregon state. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000 and are based on academic performance and the intent to pursue a CPA career in Oregon.

Tau Sigma National Honor Society Scholarships

Tau Sigma is an honour society specifically for college students who transfer to a four-year college or university. Students can join if they display exemplary academic performance in their first semester at their new school, and each chapter selects a member to nominate for the scholarship, ranging from $500 to $5,000.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships

Phi Theta Kappa is the official honour society for community college students, and it offers a range of transfer scholarships for members. Some scholarships are based on GPA, while others consider financial need and extracurricular achievements.

New England Transfer Association Scholarships

These scholarships are for students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher who are on track to earn an associate degree from a two-year college in New England and plan to transfer to a four-year college in the region for a bachelor's degree. Up to six scholarships of $1,000 each are awarded annually.

University of Southern Maine No-Essay Transfer Students Scholarship

This $1,000 scholarship is offered to transfer students interested in attending the University of Southern Maine.

AICPA Foundation Two-Year Transfer Scholarship Award

This scholarship is offered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) to students with an associate degree in business, accounting, finance, or economics and a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The student must also plan to major in accounting at a four-year university and be an AICPA Student Affiliate member. The award amount is $5,000.

McMurry University Transfer Scholarship

McMurry University offers this scholarship to transfer students based on academic merit.

DePaul University Transfer Scholarship

DePaul University provides this scholarship to transfer students based on academic merit.

Aquinas College Transfer Scholarship

Aquinas College offers this scholarship to transfer students based on academic merit.

Concordia College of New York Fortress Grant for Transfer Students

Concordia College of New York provides this grant to transfer students based on academic merit.

University of Louisiana at Lafayette Associate Degree Academic Transfer

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette offers this scholarship to transfer students based on academic merit.

LikelyThis.xyz, LLC First Generation Scholarship

This $1,000 scholarship is for first-generation undergraduate students who are looking to transfer schools.

Dan Leahy Scholarship Fund

The Dan Leahy Scholarship Fund offers three $500 scholarships to high school or community college students with an interest in speech and debate or mock trial.

Emma Jean Ridley Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is for African American undergraduate students pursuing careers in healthcare. Two awards of $500 are given to students with a background of low income and first-generation college attendance.

University Scholarships

Many universities offer special scholarships for transfer students, such as Appalachian State University and the University of South Florida. It is recommended to check with the financial aid office of your desired school to see what scholarships and financial aid opportunities are available.

Scholarships for transfer students with specific demographics

Scholarships are available for transfer students with specific demographics. These include:

• First-generation students
• BIPOC students
• LGBTQ+ students
• Undocumented students
• Students with a history of addiction
• Students with a history of mental health issues
• Students with a low family income
• Students with high academic achievement
• Students in a specific state or region
• Students with specific career interests, such as architecture, accounting, or culinary arts
• Faith-Based Colleges No Essay Scholarship: This scholarship is for high school and transfer students interested in a faith-based education. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2023, and the award amount is $1,000.
• Charity's Alumnus Erudition Award: This scholarship is for high school and undergraduate BIPOC first-generation students interested in healthcare. Applicants should have a GPA of 2.5 or higher. The deadline to apply is June 1, 2023, and the award amount is $500.
• Emma Jean Ridley Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship is for African American undergraduate students pursuing careers in healthcare. Applicants should be low-income and first-generation college students. The deadline to apply is June 16, 2023, and the award amount is $5,000.
• TheDream.Us's National Scholarships for Community College Graduates: This scholarship is for undocumented students with significant financial need. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The deadline to apply is March 7, 2022, and the award amount is up to $33,000.
• New Mexico Tech Transfer Scholarship: This scholarship is for incoming transfer students with 30 credits and a 3.0 GPA. The deadline to apply is April 1, 2025.
• University of Southern Maine No-Essay Transfer Students Scholarship: This scholarship is for transfer students interested in attending the University of Southern Maine. The deadline to apply is February 1, 2022, and the award amount is $1,000.
• Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship: This scholarship is for community college students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher and significant financial need. The deadline to apply is January 9, 2025, and the award amount is up to $55,000 per year.
• Dan Leahy Scholarship Fund: This scholarship is for high school and community college students with an interest in speech and debate or mock trial. The deadline to apply is May 27, 2024, and the award amount is $5,000.
• Jose Prado Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship is for undergraduate Hispanic/Latinx students who are first-generation college students. The deadline to apply is June 25, 2025.

Frequently asked questions