While transferring schools is common, it can be challenging to navigate financial aid at your new college. Regardless of why you’re transferring, you are still eligible for financial aid, including scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and loans. Take advantage of applying to as many scholarships as you can, whether need-based, merit-based, career-specific, or luck-based, to make college costs more affordable. Search for scholarships through online search engines or reach out to your financial aid office to find aid specifically set aside for transfer students. Receiving scholarships means you can spend less time focused on how to pay for college and more time focused on your education!
Whether your first school wasn’t the right fit or you’re moving from a two-year to a four-year school, transferring is common. However, it can bring challenges—such as navigating financial aid and scholarship opportunities. This guide will walk you through the types of scholarships available as a transfer student, eligibility requirements, and how to find and apply for them.
The Benefits of Scholarships
When transferring to a new school, finances are certainly a topic of discussion. However, scholarships can ease the burden by covering tuition, fees, and other college expenses. And the best part? They don’t have to be repaid.*
Securing scholarships means you can dedicate more time to academics and personal life without worrying about working more hours or relying heavily on loans. With less financial stress, you can breathe easier and focus your energy on what truly matters—your education.
Types of Scholarships and Their Eligibility
Need-Based
As the name suggests, need-based scholarships are given to students who do not have the funds to attend college. To find out if you are eligible, these scholarship applications will require you to disclose your or your family’s income. Each scholarship determines financial needs in different ways, so always take a chance and apply to see if you qualify—you never know!
Merit-Based
Merit-based scholarships focus entirely on grades, extracurriculars, and leadership skills when deciding who to award a scholarship to. You will typically need to show excellent test scores, participation in extracurriculars, and leadership skills to qualify. However, merit-based isn’t limited to just grades. If you have outstanding sports achievements, display a talent for the arts, or if you’re of a certain ethnicity, gender, or other minority group, you can qualify for merit-based scholarships.
Career or Program Specific
Career or program-specific scholarships are given to students who plan to pursue a specific field of study. Whether you’re looking to be a hairstylist, lawyer, nurse, or teacher, there are a range of scholarships that are awarded specifically for those careers. To be eligible, you will need to show proof that you are or will be studying the specific program.
Luck-Based
Some organizations award luck-based scholarships, meaning they select a winner at random. In this case, your financial need, academics, or extracurriculars do not matter. Just keep in mind, that because these scholarships have minimum requirements, more students typically enter. This means your winning odds decrease.
Finding Scholarships
There are a couple of ways you can look for transfer scholarships:
- Online Search Engines: Use a scholarship search engine, like College Raptor’s Scholarship Search tool to find ones that you may be eligible for. These search engines will use your information to match you with scholarships based on your academic achievements, extracurriculars, and financial need. You’ll also be able to find details about each scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines, and instructions.
- Financial Aid Office: Take advantage of your new college’s financial aid office by reaching out to see if they offer any scholarships for incoming transfers. They will also be able to answer your questions regarding other financial aid, including grants, loans, and work-study programs.
Transfer-Specific Scholarships and Their Deadlines
Don’t wait to start applying for scholarships! Whether you are applying for transfer-specific, or any other scholarship opportunity, thousands are available. Starting your search early can pay off in the long run. Here are three scholarships for transfer students to get you started:
1. MAKING THE LEAP SCHOLARSHIP
Amount Awarded: $500
Deadline: January 31
For Who: This scholarship is for any undergraduate students who are looking to “make the leap” to another educational institution in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree.
To Apply: You must be transferring or planning to transfer in the 2024-25 school year, create a Scholarship360 account, and answer the following prompt in 100 words or less: Why are you transferring schools, and what do you intend to accomplish at your new school?
2. $1,000 APPILY EASY COLLEGE MONEY SCHOLARSHIP
Amount Awarded: $1,000
Deadline: July 31
For Who: Any transfer student looking for easy money to pay for college!
To Apply: It’s easy—all you have to do is make an account!
3. HERBERT LEHMAN EDUCATION FUND
Amount Awarded: $3,000
Expected Deadline: April 2025
For Who: This scholarship is for transfer law students who demonstrate financial need (must have a combined family income of $70,000 or less) and have a strong academic background.
To Apply: You will have to submit the following documents: a personal essay, proof of enrollment, resume, two letters of recommendation, SAT or ACT score, and FAFSA form.
4. IRVING K. BARBER B.C. SCHOLARSHIP
Amount Awarded: $5,000
Opening Again: January 2025
For Who: Canadian students who have completed either one or two years of study, and are transferring the credits earned to a second institution.
To Apply: You must have a minimum GPA of 2.5, submit your academic transcript, and clearly demonstrate community and/or school involvement.
5. MORE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS
The best way to find scholarships that are available to you if you are a transfer student is to sign up for College Raptor’s scholarship search tool. By filling out your test scores, grade, and intended new college, the tool will find scholarships that you are eligible for. Amounts and deadlines vary by scholarship.
Standing out on Scholarship Applications
You may be one of hundreds of applicants when applying for a scholarship. And everyone wants the free money* just as much as you do, so how can you make sure your application stands out? Here are a few ways:
- Only apply to the scholarships that are a good fit for you. If you’re not an avid book reader, then you probably shouldn’t spend time applying for a “Book Lovers” scholarship.
- Many scholarships will require you to write an essay. Put effort into your writing and don’t rush the process. Share experiences and interests that are unique to you and something that other applicants won’t be able to say.
- If an application requires a recommendation letter, make sure you ask three to four weeks in advance so they can have time to write a thoughtful recommendation and get it back to you. A strong recommendation letter can boost your chances of receiving a scholarship.
- Pay close attention to all of the rules and details of the scholarship application, including the instructions for submitting, how to format your essay, and specific documents to submit.
- If submitting an essay or answering a prompt, always proofread, checking for grammar and spelling errors. You may even want to have a professor or mentor look over it.
Are There Other Options for Financial Aid?
To be eligible for other types of financial aid, you will have to start by filling out the FAFSA form. This includes grants, work-study programs, and loans:
- Grants: Grants are need-based financial aid that usually don’t require repayment. There are four types of grants including Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants, and Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants.
- Work-Study Programs: The Federal Work-Study program allows you to work a part-time job to earn money to pay for college expenses. Work-study programs are usually located on campus for your convenience and offer flexible hours accommodating your class schedule and academic commitments.
- Loan: A loan is money that you borrow to pay for school and it will have to be repaid with interest. When you take out a loan, only take out what you need so you can successfully pay it back on time.
Whether you’re transferring schools because of academics, your current school isn’t the right fit, or you’re transitioning from community college to a four-year institution, know that you are still eligible for scholarships and financial aid. It’s never too early to start your search and see what scholarships you may be eligible for. Applying to as many scholarships as possible could help significantly reduce the price you have to pay for school!
Transferring schools can help you find your perfect fit! Use College Raptor’s College Match tool to find the best college for you based on your grades, test scores, major, location, and financial status!
* While a scholarship does not have to be repaid, there may be other obligations associated with the scholarship.
| Lender | Rates (APR) | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
5.50%-16.12%* Variable
3.99%-15.61%* Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CITIZENS |
 |
5.54% - 15.70% Variable
3.99% - 15.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT SALLIE MAE |
 |
5.00% - 17.99% Variable
3.49% - 17.99% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CREDIBLE |
 |
6.00% - 13.75% Variable
3.99% - 13.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT LENDKEY |
|
|
5.66% - 14.72% Variable
3.69% - 14.56% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ASCENT |
 |
3.70% - 8.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ISL |
 |
5.62% - 16.85% Variable
3.69% - 16.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT EARNEST |
 |
5.00% - 14.22% Variable
3.69% - 14.22% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ELFI |
