There are a lot of big question marks around transferring between colleges. What grades do you need to get into your dream school? How many of your hard-earned credits will transfer over with you? Will your new roommate help you keep your dorm tidy, or will they be as useless as the “g” in lasagna?
Even more stressful, though, is figuring out how you’re going to pay for your education. After all, there is no guarantee that your college scholarships will transfer with you to your new school.
So, what’s a transfer student to do?
Fortunately, scholarships for transfer students are a thing. In this guide, we’ll explain the ins and outs of applying for college scholarships as a transfer student — plus, how to find college scholarships to help fund your education at your new school.
Understanding Scholarships for Transfer Students
It’s not uncommon for transfer students to lose some of their financial aid when they switch schools. To make matters worse, transfer students are often ineligible for scholarship awards that are usually offered to incoming freshmen.
This is a huge bummer (obvi), but there is some good news. Because many colleges and universities seek out transfer students for diversity reasons, there are plenty of scholarships for transfer students available. And don’t forget: You can also apply for any scholarships that you might be eligible for based on things like your GPA, age, race, ethnicity, career choice, etc.
Of course, just because there are lots of scholarships for transfer students available doesn’t mean that you’ll have an easy time winning them. Given that roughly one-third of students transfer before graduating, you may have some fierce competition for the high-dollar, national scholarships. For this reason, we recommend applying for a mix of large and small scholarships.
How to Find College Scholarships for Transfer Students
So, how do you find scholarships for transfer students? First, check out the school’s website. While not every college and university has college scholarships for transfer students, those that do could potentially end up paying for a big chunk of your education. Also, don’t forget to check out the department/program you’re considering for scholarships that are relevant to your major.
And we may be totally biased (OK, we’re definitely biased), but Tallo is another great place to look for college scholarships. Simply create a profile and start looking!
When Should You Apply for Transfer Scholarships?
Students often underestimate how much time it takes to apply for college scholarships. First, you need to identify scholarships that you’re eligible for. Then, you need to carefully read through the requirements and put together a thoughtful application, which may or may not require you to write a time-consuming essay. (BTW, Tallo offers no-essay scholarships every month, so take advantage!)
To increase your chances of winning scholarship dough, you should start the application process early. Additionally, don’t forget to fill out the FAFSA, which may be required to apply for certain scholarships.
Related: When to Apply for College Scholarships
The Best Scholarships for Transfer Students
We’ve rounded up a list of the top scholarships for transfer students. However, keep in mind that some transfer scholarships are specifically for students who are transferring from community college to a university. If you’re not transferring from community college, don’t worry! You can still apply for general scholarships.
1. Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship
Eligibility: Students must be enrolled at community college with plans to enroll at a four-year college or university. Students must have a 3.5 GPA or higher to apply.
Amount: Up to $40,000 per year
2. Tau Sigma National Honor Society Scholarship
Eligibility: (Eligibility for Tau Sigma membership) Students must be enrolled as a full-time student at a community college with plans to enroll at a four-year college or university and hold a minimum 3.5 GPA.
Amount: Up to $5,000
3. Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Eligibility: Must be a Hispanic student transferring from a community college to a four-year university. Applicants must have a 2.5 minimum GPA or higher.
Amount: $500 – $5,000
4. Pearson Scholarship for Higher Education
Eligibility: Must be a member of Phi Theta Kappa and have a minimum 3.5 GPA. Applicants must have completed 12 to 36 semester hours of college-level coursework before applying.
Amount: $5,000
5. The Community College Scholarship Program
Eligibility: Must be an “out” member of the LGBTQ community who is enrolled or intending to enroll at a community college with plans to transfer to a four-year college or university.
Amount: $2,000 – $4,800
Ready, Set, Apply!
Remember, these are just a handful of scholarships that are available to transfer students. You can find and win more scholarships by creating a profile on Tallo.
Ready to get started?
Image Credits:
Source: Denise Lett/Shutterstock
Source: GaudiLab/Shutterstock
Source: Areipa.lt/Shutterstock
