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6 Tips for Transferring From a Community College (and Keeping Your Credits)
Plan carefully to get the most out of your community college transfer.
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Kat Tretina is a freelance personal finance writer and certified student loan counselor based in Orlando, Florida. Kat has written about debt repayment, investing and insurance for outlets including Student Loan Hero, The Huffington Post and Business Insider.
Cecilia Clark Assistant Assigning Editor | Education financing products, Veteran's benefits, Student and graduate finances
Cecilia Clark is an editor on the loans team. She specializes in student loans and manages product reviews and roundups. Previously, she worked as a freelance writer and developed communications strategies for cybersecurity firms. Cecilia has also worked in post-secondary education, elevator operations management and sales and military nuclear command control, maintenance management and public affairs.
With rising college costs, attending a community college for two years and transferring to a four-year school can be a smart way to save money. The average cost of attending a community college is about 31% less than the cost of attending a four-year public university, according to a 2022 report from The College Board.
However, transferring colleges can be a more complicated process than you might expect. A 2017 study released by the Government Accountability Office found that transfer students lose 43% of their credits when they transfer to a four-year school.
Losing credit for so much of your hard work can be frustrating and financially draining. If you're planning on going to community college and transferring to a four-year school, follow these six tips for transferring colleges — they'll help you retain as many of your credits as possible.
1. Pay attention to articulation agreements
Articulation agreements are established between certain community colleges and four-year universities. These agreements outline which course credits transfer over, considering similarities in curriculum, textbooks and difficulty of the class. An articulation agreement makes transferring from a community college easier and ensures more credits carry over.
Depending on the community college you choose, your school may have agreements with one or more colleges. Under the agreement, your credits in eligible courses will transfer to the partnering university — up to a set maximum — but they may not transfer if you choose a nonpartner four-year school.
Visit your community college website or contact the school's academic advising department to find out if an articulation agreement exists.
2. Choose your school carefully
When choosing which college to transfer to after completing two years of community college, keep in mind that some types of universities are more likely to accept credits than others.
The Government Accountability Office's study found that students who transferred between public schools lost 37% of their credits, while those who transferred from private for-profit schools to public schools lost 94% of their credits.
Opting for a public school within the same state you completed community college courses increases the odds of retaining credits — especially if the schools have an articulation agreement.
3. Work closely with advisors at both schools
If you want to transfer to a certain four-year school, keep in touch with your academic counselor at your community college — but reach out to the transfer advisor at your future university, too.
Your counselors and advisors can guide you through the transfer process and help you select a major, reducing the risk of losing hard-earned credits.
4. Keep up your grades
When it comes to transferring colleges, good grades are critical. Four-year schools often have strict rules in place about transfer credits and grades. Depending on the school, you may need to earn a "B" or better in a certain class for the credits to transfer. If your grades are below that mark, the university may not count those credits toward a four-year degree and may require you to retake the class once you enroll.
Earning an associate degree before transferring to a four-year school isn't a requirement for most students, but it can make the process of transferring colleges easier.
Some states have instituted policies that guarantee students who have earned associate degrees can transfer all of their credits to a four-year school and enroll as a third-year student. Depending on the state's policies, the state may also exempt the student from any other general education courses. As of 2023, 35 states guarantee transfer of associate degrees.
6. Reach out to your state transfer liaison
The loss of credit hours for transfer students is a major problem, and some states have instituted policies and programs to help students successfully transfer to four-year schools. In some states, the department of education or state education agency acts as a state transfer liaison. If a student has problems or concerns with how their transfer is handled, the state higher education department can help find a resolution.
As a transfer student, there are a variety of financial aid programs available. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for one or more of the following options:
Many universities have scholarships and grants specifically designed for transfer students. For example:
Northern Illinois University (NIU): NIU provides merit scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 per year to transfer students.
University of Alabama: The University of Alabama issues several scholarships to transfer students. Among the most substantial is the Competitive Transfer Scholarship, which covers up to the full cost of tuition for up to six semesters.
University of Central Florida (UCF): UCF offers several transfer scholarships, which give qualifying students up to $4,000 for tuition and fees.
Reach out to the financial aid department at the four-year school of your choice to find out about potential scholarships or grants.
Independent scholarships and grants
Some private companies and nonprofit organizations have launched programs for students transferring colleges, including the following opportunities:
Ford Transfer Scholars Program: Issued by the Ford Family Foundation, this scholarship provides up to $40,000 per year in aid to students from Oregon or Siskiyou County, California, transferring from a community college to a four-year school.
Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship: The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation awards this scholarship to community college students transferring to four-year schools to complete a bachelor's degree. Qualifying students can receive up to $55,000 per year.
You can find potential scholarships and grants through the U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop or The College Board's Scholarship Search Tool.
NerdWallet ratingNerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula for student loan products takes into account more than 50 data points across multiple categories, including repayment options, customer service, lender transparency, loan eligibility and underwriting criteria.
Fixed APR
3.47-17.99%
College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply. (1)All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation. (2)As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000. (3)This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary. Information advertised valid as of 12/2/2024. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
Variable APR
4.99-17.99%
College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply. (1)All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation. (2)As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000. (3)This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary. Information advertised valid as of 12/2/2024. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
NerdWallet ratingNerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula for student loan products takes into account more than 50 data points across multiple categories, including repayment options, customer service, lender transparency, loan eligibility and underwriting criteria.
Fixed APR
3.49-15.49%
Lowest rates shown include the auto debit. Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment. Advertised APRs are valid as of 11/25/2024. Loan amounts: For applications submitted directly to Sallie Mae, loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. Applications submitted to Sallie Mae through a partner website will be subject to a lower maximum loan request amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half-time. Examples of typical costs for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, fixed repayment option, 6-month separation period, and two disbursements: For a borrower with no prior loans and a 4-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.28% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $182.67 and one payment of $121.71, for a Total Loan Cost of $23,134.44. For a borrower with $20,000 in prior loans and a 2-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.78% fixed APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 179 payments of $132.53 and one payment of $40.35 for a total loan cost of $24,438.22. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.
Variable APR
4.92-15.08%
Lowest rates shown include the auto debit. Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment. Advertised APRs are valid as of 11/25/2024. Loan amounts: For applications submitted directly to Sallie Mae, loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. Applications submitted to Sallie Mae through a partner website will be subject to a lower maximum loan request amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half-time. Examples of typical costs for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, fixed repayment option, 6-month separation period, and two disbursements: For a borrower with no prior loans and a 4-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.28% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $182.67 and one payment of $121.71, for a Total Loan Cost of $23,134.44. For a borrower with $20,000 in prior loans and a 2-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.78% fixed APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 179 payments of $132.53 and one payment of $40.35 for a total loan cost of $24,438.22. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.
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Private student loans
If you transfer schools and not all of your credits are accepted, you may have to retake some classes. If that happens, you may reach the annual or aggregate maximum of federal student loans you can take out before you can complete your degree.
Private student loans can be a useful tool for students in that scenario, covering the gap between scholarships, grants and federal loans and the remaining balance you owe to your college.
