Transfer Student Full Scholarships: Which Universities Offer Them?

which university gives full scholarship to transfer studentes

Transferring to a new university can be a complicated and expensive process. Thankfully, many colleges and universities offer scholarships specifically for transfer students. Some scholarships are available for students transferring from in-state community colleges to in-state universities, while others are designed for those pursuing their bachelor's degree out-of-state. Additionally, some universities offer full-tuition scholarships for transfer students with strong academic achievements or financial need. For example, the University of Alabama offers full-tuition scholarships for transfer students with a 3.5 GPA or higher, and the University of Maryland awards full-tuition Frederick Douglas Scholarships to transfer students with a minimum GPA of 3.5 and an associate's degree. Transfer students can also continue to qualify for federal aid, such as the Pell Grant, and should fill out the FAFSA to maximize their financial aid opportunities.

Characteristics and Values of University Scholarships for Transfer Students

Characteristics Values
Scholarship Type Academic, Financial Need, Community Service, Leadership, First-Generation Students, Military Family, Catholic College
Amount Full-Tuition, Partial-Tuition, $500-$24,000, Up to $19,000
Eligibility Criteria Minimum GPA, Associate's Degree, Credit Hours, Essays, Letters of Recommendation, Residency, Bachelor's Degree
Application Process Admission Application, FAFSA, Scholarship Application, Essay Contests
Scholarship Providers Universities, States, Private Organizations, Community Foundations
Other Considerations Transfer from Community College, In-State Transfer, Out-of-State Transfer, Transfer between Semesters

shunstudent

Scholarships for military children

The Scholarships for Military Children Program is administered by the Fisher House Foundation and offers $2,000 scholarships to unmarried military dependent children under the age of 23 who possess a valid Uniformed Services Identification (USID) card. The student's parent(s)/sponsor(s) must be active duty, reserve/guard, deceased, or retired from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Space Force. Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enrol in a full-time undergraduate program leading to a bachelor's degree or a community/junior college with a direct transfer into a four-year program. High school applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, while college applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

The Heroes' Legacy Scholarship is also administered by the Fisher House Foundation and is available to military-connected teens from any service branch. The scholarship amount varies and can be used for degrees, certifications, licensure, clinical supervision for mental health licensure, CEUs, business expenses, and more. Applicants may apply to both the Scholarships for Military Children Program and the Heroes' Legacy Scholarship as long as they meet the eligibility criteria for both programs.

In addition to these two programs, there are dozens of additional scholarships available through service-specific departments and other military-affiliated organizations such as the American Legion, Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, Military Youth of the Year, and DECA scholarships for emerging leaders. Branch aid organizations like the Air Force Aid Society and Army Emergency Relief also offer scholarships. Military families can also explore federal, state, or private grants available for the education of children whose parents died or became disabled while serving.

Regarding transfer scholarships, there are many universities that offer scholarships specifically for transfer students. For example, the University of Alabama offers a wide variety of transfer scholarships, some of which range up to full tuition. The University of Maryland also awards several full-tuition and multiple 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. Lebanon Valley College offers transfer scholarships ranging from $16,000 to $24,000 each year, based on academic achievements. Additionally, some states have special programs for students who transfer from in-state community colleges to in-state colleges, such as the NJ STARS program in New Jersey. Transfer students may also still qualify for federal grants, such as the Pell Grant, and should fill out the FAFSA to qualify for federal, state, and institutional aid.

shunstudent

University-specific scholarships

University of Alabama

The University of Alabama offers a wide variety of transfer scholarships, some of which cover full tuition. The Community College Excellence Scholarship, for instance, provides full tuition for students with a GPA of at least 3.5 who are transferring from a community college.

University of Maryland

The University of Maryland awards several full-tuition and partial-tuition Frederick Douglas Scholarships to transfer students with a minimum GPA of 3.5 and an Associate's degree from a Maryland community college. They also offer the Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship, which covers full tuition for students transferring from community colleges within Maryland who meet certain guidelines, including a GPA between 3.5 and 4.0, two letters of recommendation, and an essay.

Boston University

Boston University offers several full-tuition scholarships for transfer students. Some scholarships require nominations from certain community colleges in the area, while others are available to students who have graduated from Boston Public High Schools. Additionally, Phi Theta Kappa members transferring to Boston University can apply for a merit scholarship.

Grand Valley State University (GVSU)

GVSU offers the Award for Excellence Transfer Scholarship, which is renewable for up to two years and available to students transferring from any community college in Michigan. They also offer five additional scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 for transfer students, primarily from community colleges in Michigan but also from some urban high schools outside the area.

University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky offers a $4,000 Transfer Achievement Scholarship to non-resident students transferring from outside Kentucky with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and at least 24 transferable credit hours.

University of Southern Maine

The University of Southern Maine offers scholarships aimed at supporting first-generation undergraduate students who are looking to transfer schools.

University of Wyoming

The University of Wyoming offers scholarships for undergraduate students, including transfer students.

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University offers transfer scholarships of up to $19,000 for students with at least 48 transferable credits and a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Minnesota State University at Moorhead

Minnesota State University at Moorhead offers scholarships of $500 to $1,000 for transfer students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and at least 24 transferable credit hours.

University of Tampa

The University of Tampa provides scholarships for transfer students with GPAs of 3.0 or higher.

Lebanon Valley College

Lebanon Valley College offers transfer scholarships ranging from $16,000 to $24,000 per year, based on academic achievements.

Additionally, some states have special programs for students transferring from in-state community colleges to in-state colleges, such as the NJ STARS program in New Jersey. Many universities also offer scholarships for transfer students, so be sure to check the websites of the schools you are interested in transferring to.

shunstudent

State-specific scholarships

While transferring colleges can be a challenging process, there are many scholarship opportunities available for transfer students. State-specific scholarships are offered by individual states to support students who are transferring to an in-state university. Here are some examples of state-specific scholarships:

Minnesota

The Minnesota State Workforce Development Scholarships are awarded to Minnesota residents enrolled in one of the 26 community and technical colleges of Minnesota State. Each year, the scholarship awards $2,500 per academic term to multiple eligible students pursuing eligible fields of study, including Education, Public Safety, Construction, Advanced Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Information Technology. Preference is given to students with financial needs.

Montana

The Montana University System 2 Plus 2 Honor Scholarship is offered to Montana residents who have earned an associate degree from a Montana community college and will be pursuing a four-year degree at participating Montana universities.

New Mexico

The New Mexico Tech Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Scholarship is a $6,000 award for members of Phi Theta Kappa transferring to New Mexico Tech. To be considered for this scholarship, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 and 45 transferable credits.

Kentucky

The University of Kentucky offers a $4,000 Transfer Achievement Scholarship to non-residents of Kentucky who are transferring to the university. To be eligible, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and at least 24 transferable credit hours.

Michigan

The Award for Excellence Transfer Scholarship is available for students applying to Grand Valley State University after studying at any community college in Michigan. This scholarship is renewable for up to two years, and students with a GPA of at least 2.5 will be automatically considered.

It is important to note that state-specific scholarships may have varying eligibility requirements and application processes. Students are encouraged to research and reach out to the financial aid offices of their desired in-state universities to explore specific scholarship opportunities and ensure they meet the necessary criteria. Additionally, students should not hesitate to apply for scholarships, as there are opportunities available throughout the year.

shunstudent

Scholarships for first-generation students

The eligibility requirements for first-generation scholarships can vary depending on the scholarship provider. Generally, these scholarships require that the student's parents or guardians did not attend or graduate from a four-year college or university. Some scholarships may also have additional criteria, such as a minimum GPA, community service involvement, or leadership experience. Additionally, certain scholarships may be targeted toward students from low-income backgrounds or underrepresented minority groups.

  • The Regents' Scholarship at Texas A&M University is designed for first-generation college students, with preference given to those who have not had a parent earn a bachelor's degree.
  • The Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship at the University of Alabama supports incoming in-state freshmen who are the first in their families to pursue higher education.
  • The UChicago Odyssey Scholarship Program provides academic, social, and career support to students who are from low-income families or the first in their families to attend college.
  • The Colorado Mesa University First Generation Scholarship is for students whose parents have not graduated with a four-year degree, and it can be stacked on top of other merit or transfer scholarships offered by the university.
  • The RSM US First Generation Scholarship supports tomorrow's entrepreneurs, business, and technology leaders who are the first in their families to attend college.

To find first-generation scholarships, students can explore resources such as the financial aid office at their college or career school, organizations related to their field of interest, local scholarships through their city or county, and scholarship websites like Scholarships.com, Bold.org, and Scholarships360. Additionally, completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is crucial for unlocking various financial aid opportunities, including scholarships, grants, and subsidized loans.

shunstudent

Scholarships for students with financial need

Scholarships are a great way to fund your education and relieve some of the financial burden. Many scholarships are reserved for students with special qualifications, such as academic, athletic, or artistic talent, but there are also scholarships for students with financial need. Here are some examples of scholarships for students with financial need:

The Horatio Alger Undergraduate Scholarship

This scholarship is for students with critical financial need and is worth up to $52,000.

The Gates Scholarship

The Gates Scholarship is for low-income minority high school seniors and offers a full ride to college.

Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship

The Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship is for minority group high school seniors with academic excellence and financial need. It is worth up to $8,750.

Dream.US Opportunity Scholarship

The Dream.US Opportunity Scholarship is for undocumented high school seniors and college freshmen with high financial need, living in a state where public colleges do not offer in-state tuition to undocumented students. It is worth $20,000 per year.

Ron Brown Scholarship

The Ron Brown Scholarship is for Black high school seniors with financial need who plan to study global entrepreneurship and/or community engagement. It is worth $10,000 per year.

First Generation Scholarship

The First Generation Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate residents and non-residents whose parents or legal guardians do not have a bachelor's degree and who have financial need.

Valero Energy Corporation Scholarship

The Valero Energy Corporation Scholarship is for students who enrol at least part-time at UTSA and can demonstrate financial need.

Federal Grants

Transfer students are eligible to receive federal grants, such as the Pell Grant, as long as they are within the lifetime limit. Most state grants require that you attend school in the state offering the grant, and some are only given to students attending a public in-state university.

University-specific Scholarships

Many universities offer scholarships specifically for transfer students, such as the University of Alabama, which offers scholarships ranging from partial to full tuition. The University of Maryland also awards several full-tuition Frederick Douglas Scholarships for transfer students with a minimum GPA of 3.5 and an Associate's degree.

It is important to note that scholarships are available to students at all school levels and represent various interests and attributes. To find scholarships that fit your specific needs and profile, you can use personalized search tools like Fastweb, which compares your student profile with a database of awards. Additionally, when transferring schools, it is essential to notify your current school and formally withdraw to maximize your new financial aid opportunities.

Frequently asked questions

The first step is to notify your current school of your intention to transfer. If you're transferring between semesters, you may have to return some of your financial aid. Make sure to formally withdraw and not just drop out. You will then need to apply for financial aid at your new school.

There are many scholarships available for transfer students. Here are some examples:

- The Montana University System 2 Plus 2 Honor Scholarship

- The University of Alabama Community College Excellence Scholarship

- The University of Kentucky Transfer Achievement Scholarship

- The University of Maryland Frederick Douglas Scholarship

- The University of Tampa Transfer Scholarship

- The University of Wyoming Undergraduate Scholarship

- The First Generation Scholarship

- The NTSAF Scholarship

Some universities that offer full-tuition scholarships for transfer students include:

- The University of Maryland

- The University of Alabama

- Boston University

- Salem State University (for students with a 3.0 GPA transferring from a community college in Massachusetts)

- The University of Southern Maine

Transfer students with demonstrated financial need may be able to get a full scholarship. Many schools implement financial aid policies to ensure accepted students can afford tuition. Some scholarships that consider financial need include:

- The Valero Energy Corporation Scholarship

- The First Generation Scholarship

- The Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship

In addition to scholarships, transfer students may qualify for federal grants and loans, such as the Pell Grant, Stafford Loans, and Parent PLUS Loans. Transfer students can also apply for financial aid programs and fill out the FAFSA to qualify for federal, state, and institutional aid.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment