Are There Scholarships for Transfer Students?
Scholarships for transfer students exist, and they come in many forms. Some transfer scholarships focus on community college students transferring to an in-state universities, whereas others are available to students going out of state to another university to complete their bachelor's degree. Transfer scholarships can cover the cost of a few classes, out-of-state tuition, and sometimes full tuition.
How to Find Scholarships for Transfer Students
We created this list of 20 terrific transfer scholarships to help you do just that, but this can be your starting point.
There are many scholarships out there that transfer students can apply for. Winning no-essay scholarships and essay contests are just a couple ways you can fund your education now and once you transfer to that four-year college.
For more help finding scholarships, we recommend using a scholarship matching service like our FREE tool, StudentScholarshipSearch.com.
Full Tuition Scholarships for Transfer Students
Community College Excellence Scholarship - University of Alabama
The Community College Excellence Scholarship provides full tuition for two years (four semesters) to qualified Alabama residents transferring from a two-year institution. To be considered for this scholarship and other competitive scholarships for transfer students, students need to complete the competitive scholarship application. Additionally, students will be judged by their strong leadership experience, community involvement, and academic excellence. Visit the scholarship website for more information on this scholarship and other scholarships offered to transfer students who are not residents of Alabama.
Amount: Full Tuition
Boston University Transfer Scholarships
Boston University awards a few full-tuition scholarships for transfer students. Qualifications vary from scholarship to scholarship. Some require nominations from certain community colleges in the area, and some are available to students who have graduated from one of the Boston Public High Schools. Also, if you are a Phi Theta Kappa member looking to transfer to Boston University, there is a merit scholarship you can apply for. Be sure to check out the scholarship website for more details on these scholarships.
Amount: Full Tuition
Community College Transfer Scholarships
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship
The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is one of the largest private scholarships in the country available to students transferring from community colleges or two-year institutions to four-year colleges or universities. Eligibility for this scholarship is based on the applicant’s sophomore status, GPA, and financial need. For more details, check out the scholarship website.
Amount: Up to $40,000/year up to three years
Guistwhite Scholarship
Dr. Jack Guistwhite developed the first transfer scholarship specifically for Phi Theta Kappa members. This scholarship is open to Phi Theta Kappa members who will be transferring to a senior institution in the next fall term and demonstrate outstanding Phi Theta Kappa participation. There are 15 scholarships available valued at $5,000 each. A minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale is required. For more requirements and information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
Amount: $5,000
Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship
The Herbert Lehman Education Fund Scholarship honors the former New York senator and governor. Originally funding African-American students attending universities in the segregated South, these scholarships are now open to U.S. citizens planning to attend an accredited four-year college. Therefore, transfer students planning to attend a four-year college may apply. Criteria for the scholarship include community service work, academic achievement, and financial need. For more information, please visit the scholarship website.
Amount: $2,000
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund typically awards scholarships to STEM majors who are Hispanic, but Hispanic students of any major or graduate program are eligible to apply for this scholarship. This means that Hispanic students transferring to four-year universities are welcome to apply as well. Head over to the scholarship website for more details on this scholarship. This scholarship opportunity is also made available to DACA students.
Amount: $500 to $5,000
Hites Transfer Scholarship
This scholarship is open to Phi Theta Kappa members who will be transferring full-time to a senior institution in the next fall term and demonstrate outstanding Phi Theta Kappa academic achievement. There are 10 scholarships available valued at $7,500 each. For more information on this scholarship, please visit the scholarship website.
Amount: $7,500
National Society of Accountants (NSA) Scholarship Foundation
The NSA Foundation supports students majoring in accounting who exhibit academic achievement, leadership ability, and financial need. Students at an accredited two-year college may apply after their first semester grades or during their second year if they are transferring to a four-year institution, as long as they are committed to major in accounting for the rest of their time in college. Visit the scholarship website for more information.
Amount: $500 to $2,200
Pearson Scholarship for Higher Education
Annually, ten Phi Theta Kappa members looking to transfer to four-year institutions from their community colleges are awarded $5,000. On top of that, recipients, or Pearson Scholars, gain a Pearson professional mentor to help them complete their degree. For more information on this scholarship, please visit the website.
Amount: $5,000
Scholarships for Military Children Program
The Scholarships for Military Children Program has been in effect for more than 20 years, and over 11,000 students have been funded through the program to date. It is open to students who possess a US Uniformed Services Idenfication and Privelege Card (DD Form 173), and whose parent or parents serve or served in the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard. Recipients must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Also, applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll full-time in a U.S. accredited four-year undergraduate college or university, or a two-year community college. Military children looking to transfer can apply. Please visit the scholarship website for more information.
Amount: $2,000
TACTYC Transfer Accounting Student Scholarship
Teachers of Accounting at Two Year Colleges (TACTYC) awarded multiple $1,000 scholarships each to qualified applicants. Students graduating from two-year colleges and are pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting at a four-year college are eligible to apply. Students must be recommended by an accounting faculty member. Check out the scholarship website for all of the details.
Amount: $1,000
Tau Sigma Honor Society Scholarship
Tau Sigma National Honor Society was founded for transfer students. Because the organization has chapters at four-year institutions throughout the country, it can aid several dozens of transfer students each year. Each chapter advisor or contact nominates a student to represent the local chapter. Students who are nominated are then be reviewed by the Tau Sigma Scholarship Review Committee, and recipients are awarded up to $5,000. Check out the scholarship website for more information.
Amount: Up to $5,000
Colleges that Offer Transfer Scholarships
Augustana Transfer Scholarships
Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, offers scholarships for transfer students ranging from $18,000 to $25,000. To qualify for these scholarships, transfer students must have a minimum GPA of 2.7, have 15 transferable credits, and plan to be full-time students. Please visit the scholarship website for more details on these scholarships.
Amount: $18,000 to $25,000
Johnson & Wales University Transfer Scholarship
This scholarship for transfer students is renewable for up to four years and is based on a student's academic record. To be considered for this scholarship, students have to complete the Admissions application for Johnson & Wales University and be accepted. Check out the scholarship website for more information.
Amount: Up to $12,000
Lebanon Valley College Transfer Scholarships
There are several scholarships available for students planning to transfer to Lebanon Valley College. Students with a GPA of at least 2.75 and 15 transferable credits who plan to be full-time students at LVC are automatically considered for merit scholarships. Please visit scholarship website for more details.
Amount: Up to $27,000
Loyola University Chicago Transfer Scholarships
Loyola University Chicago offers scholarships to academically qualified transfer students that range from $12,000 to $19,500. These students have at least 20 credit hours of transferable coursework. These scholarships even get better, for they are renewable up to three years for full-time students. For more information on scholarships available for students transferring to Loyola University Chicago, please visit the scholarship website.
Amount: $12,000 to $19,500
Lycoming College Transfer Student Scholarship
Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, offers a generous scholarship to qualified transfer students with a strong academic record. The GPA ranges presented on the website are based on a 4.0 scale, and they are used for students who complete at least 24 college credits. Please visit the scholarship website for more information on this scholarship.
Amount: $Up to $28,000
Roberts Wesleyan College Transfer Scholarships
A transfer-friendly college, Roberts Wesleyan College offers different academic scholarships that incoming transfer students may qualify for. The applicant's GPA at the most recent institution attended full-time is a major factor in determining which academic scholarship a student can get. For more information on this scholarship, please visit the website.
Amount: Up to $18,000
University of Kentucky Transfer Scholarships
Students transferring to the University of Kentucky may be eligible for some scholarship opportunities. To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must have completed a minimum of 24 transfer credit hours. Residents of Kentucky and non-residents can receive a transfer scholarship. Scholarships are awarded based on the availability of funds and an applicant's GPA at the time of admission. For more information on these scholarships, please visit the scholarship website.
Amount: Up to $4,000
More Scholarships for Transfer Students
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Amount: $2,500
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How Do Transfer Scholarships Work?
Believe it or not, transfer student scholarships work similarly to other scholarships. Like most scholarships, transfer students will be required to complete scholarship applications and adhere to deadlines. Depending on the college/university you are transferring to, you may be automatically considered for some scholarships. Many schools offer scholarships exclusively to transfer students, so be sure to check if the school you want to attend has any.
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