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For Community College Transfer Students

Tips for Transferring from a Community College

Community College Student

Planning ahead and knowing exactly how your coursework will transfer is key.

What college is right for me?

There are many things to consider when you are choosing a new school. Programs, cost, financial aid and scholarships, location, size and transfer admission requirements are some of those considerations. Use our Search for Transfer Profiles to shop around and find the right choice for you.

How can I avoid making mistakes in the student transfer process that will cost me time and money?

Check the transferability of your courses BEFORE you take them, and choose a major as quickly as you can. Use our Search for Course Equivalencies and Search for Programs to find your best college transfer option. Will My Credits Transfer and the Student Passport are both tools that will allow you to create transfer equivalency maps and compare how schools will accept your credits. Creating a Student Passport Account allows you to consolidate your academic history, track your course transferability, save supporting documents and share it all with an advisor or counselor.

Can a Transfer Agreement help me?

These formal transfer guides between colleges and universities guarantee if you follow a specific program of study, you will be assured that your courses will transfer and count toward your major. Using these agreements as guides will take away the guesswork. Search for Transfer Agreements to view over 15,000.

Five Important Questions to Ponder

Should I finish my Associate Degree before I Transfer?

82% of community college students who complete their degree before transferring obtain a bachelor's degree at a higher rate than those that transfer out with a hodge-podge of credits.

What if I don't know what I want to major in when I start at a Community College?

Being undecided is not the end of the world, and it allows you to explore different areas of study so that you can later choose what is right for you. In this case, it's best to take courses that will satisfy general education requirements. Work closely with your advisor to choose the best courses for you.

How can I find help paying for college?

Most students use financial aid, grants and scholarships to cover the cost of college. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (aka, the FAFSA), and contact the college's Financial Aid Office to see if they offer transfer scholarships - a lot do.

When is the best time to transfer?

The earlier you apply the better! Search for Transfer Profiles of schools you are interested in to find out transfer admission deadlines because those can differ from regular admission. Once you've decided, contact the school's Admissions Office to speak directly with an advisor and map out a timeline for the application process.

Do I need a copy of my transcript?

Having copies of all your supporting documents with you and available for an advisor to review will help the application and evaluation process go a lot smoother. These documents might include your transcripts, college catalogs and course syllabi. Use the storage center of your Student Passport account to save all of these in one place and make them easier to share