We all know the benefits of a 4-year degree—higher salary, greater career opportunities, etc. But what do you need to know about the transfer process? When transferring from a 2-year college it’s important to start planning early. Follow the steps below to ensure you get the most out of your community college experience before transferring on to a 4-year college.
- Meet with your academic advisor to determine your short and long term goals
Many community colleges now have transfer offices to help students with their pathway to a degree. With transfer fairs, resources and counselors, they hope to make the transition seamless. Counselors are there to help you figure out which school best fits your academic needs and create a plan to get you to your chosen university.
- Enroll in classes that work toward your degree
Enroll in courses that will satisfy the specific requirements for your degree — include prerequisites and recommended courses. Make sure the classes you are taking are accepted by your intended university. Once you know what school you intend to transfer to—look at their specific degree requirements.
- Investigate scholarship opportunities for transfers
Starting off at a Community College is economical, but it’s important to remember that you will need to prepare for the impending costs of your 4-year degree. Find out what financial aid will also transfer to your new school. Research any transfer scholarships that are available. Universities will often offer specific scholarships to transfer students who meet their requirements.
As a Community College NSCS member, you are eligible to apply for our two transfer awards:
Community College Transition Award:
- (4) $2,500 awards
- Application period: 2/18/14-5/29/14
The George Washington University and NSCS Transfer Award:
The George Washington University and NSCS Transfer Scholarship awards academic tuition scholarships of $20,000 ($10,000 per year for two years). To qualify for consideration, the applicant:
- Must be accepted as a transfer student from an NSCS community college
- Must plan to enroll on a full time basis in Fall 2014
- Must have a GPA of 3.6 or higher
- Must have at least 56 semester hours of transferable credit from a community college
- Must include letter of interest in scholarship when applying to GW admission
- Meet all required deadlines
There is quite a bit of paperwork and impending deadlines for your application, financial aid, scholarship, placement and housing. Keep track of all your deadlines and plan ahead!
Good luck!