It is common knowledge that international students can get scholarships and in extension, be able to save money on tuition fees and possibly, living expenses. However, not everyone understands the possibility of getting similar opportunities as a transfer student.
In this article, you will understand some facts about transfer scholarships for international students.
Who is an International Student?
This is a student who applies to attend and gets admitted to study at a university or any other institution of higher learning outside the home country. This term is commonly used to refer to students who are not indigenous (from Canada, the United Kingdom or the United States); but who are intent on getting admitted to study at any of the universities in those countries.
Who is a Transfer Student?
This is a student previously admitted to a university or college and has completed some credits before proceeding to move the education to another school.
Who is an International Transfer Student?
This is an individual from a different country who previously gained admission and after the completion of some credits; seeks to transfer to another school to continue studies.
Can an International Transfer Student Get a Scholarship?
International students, by default, will qualify for some scholarships applicable to graduate and undergraduate programs, provided they meet the requirements.
However, the peculiarities of getting scholarships as an international transfer student can differ by school. While some colleges and universities permit this, others don’t.
Facts About Scholarships for Transfer Students
In this section, we talk about some important points about the possibility of getting scholarships as an international transfer student.
It is Difficult to Get
The first important is that it is quite easy to get the funding. Most universities barely have enough funds to go around for graduate, undergraduate, indigenous and international student applicants for scholarships.
Hence, the chances of getting scholarships as an international transfer student are limited.
Transfer Scholarships are University-Centric
While some international students can qualify for scholarships in U.S. and Canadian schools, others may be unable to. It all boils down to how these institutions budgeted their financial aid, including the categories of students prioritized in the process.
In the United States, international transfer students should not expect scholarships from certain community colleges.
Transfer Scholarships Can be Repaid
The primary aim of applying in the first place is to get a sort of free money to help one offset important student bills, such as tuition fees and some living expenses.
While most scholarships are free and not repaid like student loans; others demand so. In such an instance, the repayment of an international transfer scholarship is subject to one or more of these conditions:
- The initial funding was provided for international students at a specific university. By transferring to another school, the funding will be relinquished and not “carried over” to the new institution of higher learning.
- For scholarships funded by a university or any of its partners; it is expected that the winners will use the funding at the school. Transferring to another university will cause an international student to seek new funding opportunities.
Tips on Getting International Transfer Scholarships
If you are an international student at University A and looking to transfer your studies to University B; getting the transfer scholarship can be possible through any of these means:
1. Find Programs with Narrow Requirements
Certain financial aid for international students is highly based on the fulfilment of certain conditions. For applicants transferring from one school to another; these considerations can add up quickly.
A good rule of thumb is to apply for study programs with the narrowest of requirements. Here are tips:
- The narrower, stricter or more limited the requirements are, the higher your chances of getting the funding.
- It may be a good idea to prioritize certain programs. For example, settling for a Bachelor’s degree in a specific program (both popular and unpopular) gives you a higher shot at getting an international transfer scholarship than one that is open for all applicants across different programs.
2. Don’t Entirely Depend on University Funding
Except for the partners providing special funding, most universities may be unable to extend financial aid to international students on transfer. As such, do not fully hope of getting a scholarship through this means.
Instead, explore other options:
- Community service scholarships
- Merit scholarships and;
- Community college scholarships.
3. Determine Your Eligibility for Transfer Scholarships
Some universities will only consider your application for the scholarship if certain eligibility requirements are fully met.
Nationality
It may be highly possible for an international student on transfer from the U.S. to Canada to get transfer funding than another from Africa to get a similar opportunity.
Except the requirements specify being open to every applicant; one’s country of origin or residence plays an important role in the qualification.
Transferrable Credit Hours
International transfer students must have completed some credits in the form of completing college coursework before transferring to another school.
Some universities use the transferable credit hours as a basis for determining eligibility for transfer scholarships. Here’s what it means:
- The number of credit units and or credit hours completed by the international student at the former school would be considered.
- The student’s Grade Point Average (GPA) is used as a determining factor for batching how much funding the applicant qualifies for. The rule is a higher GPA equals higher transfer scholarship amounts.
- Some universities have a benchmark for transferrable credit hours. This ranges from 10 and 12 and typically, doesn’t include the concurrent courses taken during high school.
Can Transfer Scholarships Be Renewed?
Traditional scholarships and other forms of financial aid given to international students are subject to renewal depending on criteria, such as the duration of the study.
When it comes to transfer scholarships, the renewal is subject to some requirements and conditions:
Maintenance of Transfer Scholarship Requirements
These scholarships can be awarded at the onset and are subject to renewal for up to eight (8) consecutive semesters, depending on the university and program.
The renewal is often subject to the students’ maintenance and or compliance with the scholarship requirements, instances being:
- Meeting the Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher.
- Concurrent enrollment in another campus of the university may not be used to determine the requirements.
The Terms Differ
When the international transfer scholarship is offered can also impact the renewal. For example, scholarships awarded during fall and spring may not be extended to summer.
Transferrable College Coursework
As an international student moving from one university to another, you may be able to get the funding for consecutive terms if you were able to complete less college coursework in the former school.
In some universities, a less than 30-hour transferrable hour can get up to 8 consecutive semesters awarded while up to 90 hours can be up to 4 semesters.
Be Selective with Schools Offering Transfer Scholarships
The fact is that transfer scholarships are hard to come by. One may be able to get funding from only a few schools.
Although the options are limited, always vet and compare your options before applying. These expert tips will serve as a guide:
- Opt for colleges or universities willing to make an automatic awarding of international transfer scholarships based on the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) at the time of admission.
- Apply for transfer scholarships from universities with multiple funding options, as that increases the financial aid taken in, as well as broadens the distribution model.
- Your best bet is to apply for funding from a university offering renewable transfer scholarships.
- Merit-based scholarships can also go a long way to fund your education. These are typically limited to certain programs at the participating universities.
Final Words
Some universities permit international transfer students to apply for scholarships. While some are automatic, others still make manual vetting; checking the eligibility and academic performance of the applicants.
Be sure to read and understand the requirements before applying. Finally, most of the scholarships are to be channelled towards tuition and fees, textbooks, and room or board. Using the funding for personal or living expenses is not always permitted.