The College Transfer GuideEverything you should consider before transferring to a new school

Why Transfer?

Most students transfer because

• They are unhappy at their current school

• They decide to change majors, and their current school doesn’t offer it or doesn’t have a strong program

• They were rejected from their first choice school

• Financial reasons

• Moving on from a two year college to a four year college

Before You Transfer

Consider the following:

• Academic Considerations

• Financial Considerations

• Student Loans

Academic Considerations

Talk to the admission officer about the following:

• Ask how transferring could impact your expected graduation date

• Find out what credits from your current college will transfer over

• If you are transferring to enroll in a specific program, understand all the requirements needed for acceptance

• Your GPA from your original school usually does not carry over

• The credits might transfer, but not the grade

Financial Considerations

How will transferring impact your finances?• If you are receiving financial aid from your current school, it will NOT

transfer over to your new school

• Merit based scholarships tend to go incoming first year students first

• Entering the admissions process later than other students can make it more difficult to receive good grant aid

Student Loans

What you should know about loans when transferring:

• You must reapply for financial aid by filling out the FASFA with the new school’s information

• Even if your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is the same, you might not receive the same financial aid you had previously because different schools have different ways of calculating aid

• Before accepting an offer to a new school, you should know exactly the financial package offered

Preparing for Transfer

The key is to begin early

• Meet with your current college advisor to identify schools and programs that you are interested in

• Identify the school’s guidelines and policies for transfer students

• Schedule a campus visit and meet with the transfer and financial aid counselors

Applying to Transfer

• Maintain strong grades if you hope to transfer

• Get any recommendation letters needed early

• Write down all important dates for application deadlines

Transfer Process

Once you decide to transfer

• Notify your current school’s financial aid office that you will be transferring, so they can cancel your financial aid

• Contact your student loan lender to inform them of your transfer and provide them any information they need

Repayment

Once you stop attending your old school, you will have a 6 month grace period before your loans go into repayment

• Depending on your lender, you may be able to defer payments as long as you are a full or half-time student

• Talk to your current financial aid office and lender to determine your repayment options

Get A Head Start

Once you transfer

• Attend any orientations offered

• Get involved on campus

• Meet with your professors and academic advisor

• Enjoy the new experience!

Want more information?

For more information regarding student loans and financial literacy visit:

www.custudentloans.org/college-resource-center/