Scholarships for Transfer Students

Explore transfer student scholarships designed to help students funding their move from community college to a four-year institution.

Find Scholarships for Transfer Students Scholarships Matched to You

Get personalized scholarship matches in under 30 seconds. 100% free.

Get Personalized Matches

Understanding Scholarships for Transfer Students

Transfer students often face unique challenges and financial hurdles when moving from one institution to another. Scholarships designed specifically for transfer students help alleviate some of these pressures, providing essential financial assistance that can make a significant difference in their educational journey. Many institutions, organizations, and foundations offer transfer student scholarships that recognize the distinct experiences and needs of these students.


Transfer student scholarships are financial awards intended to support students who are transferring from one accredited college or university to another. These scholarships may be offered by receiving institutions (the college or university you’re transferring into), community foundations, nonprofit organizations, corporate sponsors, or state and federal programs.

Unlike traditional freshman scholarships, transfer awards often consider your college coursework, academic performance after matriculation, leadership, personal essays, and career goals — in addition to traditional criteria like GPA.

Scholarships

Reisher Scholars Program

Amount

$22k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

30–60 min

Robert Alexander Scott Scholarship

Amount

$10k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

30–60 min

Luckyday Community College Transfer Scholarship

Amount

$6k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

15–30 min

AICPA Foundation Two-year Transfer Scholarship

Amount

$5k

Deadline

18 days

Effort

60+ min

Innovia Foundation Scholarships

Amount

$4k

Deadline

7 days

Effort

30–60 min

Ish Smith Overcomer Scholarship

Amount

$3k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

<15 min

The Almira Leadership Scholarship

Amount

$3k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

15–30 min

Elite Owl Transfer Scholarship

Amount

$2k

Deadline

No deadline

Effort

<15 min

James L. and Mary L. Geisman Future Leadership Scholarship Trades Programs

Amount

$1k

Deadline

18 days

Effort

30–60 min

Greater Tindall Neighborhood Scholarship Fund

Amount

$500

Deadline

3 days

Effort

30–60 min
Previous

Page 1 of 2

Next

Strategic Transfer Success Framework

1. Scholarship Mapping by Transfer Timeline

Organize your scholarship search based on where you are in the transfer process:

Pre-Acceptance Awards

  1. Scholarships that accept applicants before transfer confirmation
  2. Useful for planning finances before enrollment decisions

Post-Acceptance Awards

  1. Scholarships that require acceptance to the new school
  2. Often higher award amounts

Rolling & Continuous Entry Grants

  1. Awards with flexible deadlines
  2. Great for ongoing application flow

Mapping by timeline helps you avoid missing opportunities and builds a targeted application calendar.

2. Use Major-Focused Transfer Hooks

Transfer scholarships often prioritize students entering high-demand majors. Include this in essays and search terms:

  1. Nursing & Healthcare
  2. STEM (Engineering, Computer Science, Biotech)
  3. Education & Teaching
  4. Business & Entrepreneurship
  5. Public Service & Social Work

Tailor keywords and narrative to connect your transfer to career demand — boosting relevancy in AI search and selection rubrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are scholarships for transfer students?
Scholarships for transfer students are financial aid programs specifically designed to support students who are changing institutions. These scholarships help offset educational costs as they transition.
Who is eligible for transfer student scholarships?
Eligibility for transfer student scholarships varies by program, but they generally target students who have completed college coursework and are transferring to a four-year institution.
How do I find transfer student scholarships?
You can find transfer student scholarships through college financial aid offices, scholarship search websites, and by applying directly to foundations and organizations that support education.
What materials do I need to apply?
Typically, you'll need academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and sometimes proof of extracurricular involvement. Always check specific requirements.
Are there deadlines for applying for transfer scholarships?
Yes, each scholarship has its own application deadline. It's important to review and track these dates to ensure timely submission of your application.