Colleges With the Best Scholarships for Transfer Students
During their academic careers, more than one-third of college students decide to switch universities. Some students transfer to get better academics, a Bachelor’s degree (instead of an associate’s), or a more vibrant campus environment. Others transfer to get a cheaper education or to attend a school that is a little closer to home. But when transferring, there are many things to consider, including how to pay for the new school. It is often a good idea to check into scholarship options when moving to a new institution to lower the cost of school. Fortunately, a lot of institutions that accept transfer students also provide merit scholarships, which are awards given based on accomplishments in extracurricular activities or academics rather than financial necessity.
Typically, when submitting an application for admission to a college, schools immediately take incoming freshmen into account for financial assistance and merit-based awards. Students coming with college credits must look for financial help elsewhere because many colleges do not provide transfer students the same privilege. Anyone might find the process of paying for college to be intimidating, but fortunately, the process of getting scholarships is not.
Transfer student scholarships are available, and they take many different forms. While some transfer scholarships are targeted at community college students moving to in-state institutions, others are offered to students completing their bachelor’s degrees at institutions outside their home states. A few classes, out-of-state tuition, and occasionally the whole cost of tuition can be covered through transfer scholarships.
Here is a list of some of the transfer scholarships available for your perusal.
1. Tau Sigma Honor Society Scholarship
This scholarship is worth about $500 to $5,000 and is given by a special honor society established just for transfer students called Tau Sigma. Their major objective is to support transfer students’ leadership and engagement at their university. The Tau Sigma Honor Society Scholarship provides grants for transfer students around the nation each year that range from $500 to $5,000.
2. Pearson Scholarship for Higher Scholarship
The Pearson Scholarship for Higher Education Scholarship worth $5,000 is open to all Phi Theta Kappa members and was established to assist individuals preparing to transfer from any community college to a four-year university. A minimum GPA of 3.5 and between 12 and 36 semester hours are needed.
3. Community College Excellence Scholarship- University of Alabama
The Community College Excellence Scholarship offers qualifying Alabama citizens transferring from a two-year university complete tuition for two years (four semesters). Students must fill out the competitive scholarship application in order to be eligible for this award as well as other scholarships for transfer students. Students will also be assessed based on their outstanding academic performance, extensive community service, and leadership abilities.
4. Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship
Another award for students transferring from a community college to a four-year university is the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. To qualify, you must have a minimum GPA of 3.5.
5. Boston University Transfer Scholarships
A few transfer students are given full-tuition scholarships by Boston University. The requirements for each scholarship are different. Some are only open to students who have graduated from one of the Boston Public High Schools, while others need nominations from certain local community colleges. There is also a merit scholarship available for Phi Theta Kappa members who want to transfer to Boston University.
6. Guistwhite Scholarship
The first transfer scholarship was created by Dr. Jack Guistwhite, especially for Phi Theta Kappa members. This award is available to Phi Theta Kappa members who plan to transfer to a senior school in the next fall semester and who have excelled in their Phi Theta Kappa involvement. 15 scholarships at $5,000 each are available. The needed GPA is a minimum of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
7. Lebanon Valley College
Depending on academic standing, Lebanon Valley College awards transfer scholarships each year ranging from $16,000 to $24,000. You don’t need to bother about submitting a scholarship application, which is good news. Your application will be taken into account for merit scholarships by your college’s admission transfer counselor.
8. Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship
The former governor and senator of New York is remembered through the Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship. These scholarships, which once supported African-American students attending colleges in the segregated South, are now available to any U.S. resident wishing to enroll in an authorized four-year institution. Transfer students who intend to enroll in a four-year university are thus eligible to apply. Community service, academic accomplishment, and financial need are requirements for the scholarship.
9. University of Tampa
Transfer students with GPAs of 3.0 or higher may apply for scholarships from the University of Tampa. UT is a medium-sized private university with a renowned faculty and has 9,304 students from 132 different countries and all 50 states.
10. Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Hispanic students in any major or graduate degree are able to apply for this prize, however, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund traditionally favors STEM disciplines. As a result, Hispanic students transferring to four-year institutions are also encouraged to apply.
11. Hites Transfer Scholarship
This award is available to Phi Theta Kappa members who plan to transfer full-time to a senior college in the next fall semester and who have excelled in their academics. Ten scholarships worth a total of $7,500 are offered.
12. Augustana Transfer Scholarships
Transfer applicants are automatically assessed for merit-based transfer scholarships at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. The rewards vary from $13,000 to $20,000 and a minimum GPA of 2.7 and 15 transferable credits are needed. While you are a student at Augustana, you can keep receiving the award.
13. Transfer Academic Award- Heidelburg University
Transfer students who want to enroll at Heidelburg University’s campus in Tiffin, Ohio are automatically given consideration for one of the attractive transfer scholarships that might lower the cost of tuition. Candidates must have at least 15 transferable semester hours and a minimum GPA of 2.5.
14. National Society of Accountants (NSA) Scholarship Foundation
Accounting majors who display academic excellence, leadership potential, and financial need are supported by the NSA Foundation. If they want to major in accounting for the remainder of their academic career, students at approved two-year colleges may apply after receiving their first semester grades or during their second year if they are transferring to a four-year university.
15. Scholarships for Military Children Program
Over 11,000 students have received financial aid under the Scholarships for Military Children Program, which has been running for more than 20 years. Students with a US Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card (DD Form 173) and parents who are now serving or have previously served in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, or Coast Guard are eligible to apply.
The recipient’s GPA must be at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Additionally, candidates must be enrolled or intend to enroll full-time in a two-year community college or a four-year undergraduate institution or university that is accredited by the United States. Those who wish to transfer from the military may apply.
I hope that this article on Colleges With the Best Scholarships for Transfer Students was helpful.