Transferring to GBC? A Quick Tutorial for Creating a Stress-Free First Semester from a Financial Aid Perspective

Transferring to a new school can often feel chaotic, especially when it comes to financial aid. There are a lot of variables that impact your eligibility for financial aid at a new school: the total number of transfer credits, your enrollment status in your first term, your lifetime aggregate limits for a Pell Grant and federal student loans, to name a few that stand out.

The first step in the transfer process is to apply. Undergraduate transfer students will need to submit a copy of their high school transcript and all previously attended college or university transcripts. Graduate students will need to submit graduate transcripts if they plan to transfer in graduate coursework for credit in their graduate program. Your admissions representative will make an admissions decision after receiving all requested materials. Admissions decisions also include merit scholarship details, if you qualify for one.

After receiving admittance to the College, your next step is to have a transfer credit evaluation completed to determine the number of transfer credits you can bring to your degree program at Goldey-Beacom. Submitting your college transcripts swiftly ensures that the Admissions Office and Registrar’s Office conduct a thorough review of your previously earned credits the first time when reviewing your transfer credit evaluation. After the transfer credit evaluation process finishes, you will receive a copy of the completed transfer credit evaluation that will show the number of credits you can bring into your degree program. Undergraduate students can transfer up to 90 credits into a baccalaureate degree program. Graduate students can transfer up to 9 credits into a graduate degree program.

The number of transfer credits you earn determines your grade level for federal student aid purposes.

Transfer Credit Amount Grade Level

0-29 Freshman

30-59 Sophomore

60-89 Junior

90 Senior

Transfer credits do not always fit neatly into a perfect world. There are a few scenarios in which a transfer student initially enrolls at Goldey-Beacom at one grade level in their first term, while transitioning to the next grade level the following term. Chatting with a financial aid counselor is crucial at this phase because it helps you determine the amount of federal student loans you have access to in each term.

Another thing to consider as a transfer student is that your financial aid awards at your previous school do not transfer over to Goldey-Beacom. That means you may be starting over with a new financial aid package that may or may not be as advantageous as the one at your prior institution. Again, it’s important to stress the importance of chatting with the Financial Aid Office after you receive a financial aid offer. A financial aid offer will clearly depict your direct and indirect costs and your overall financial aid package. Transfer students do not always have the same financial aid packages as traditional students. Scheduling a one-on-one consultation meeting can alleviate any fears you may have about the financial aspect of transferring to Goldey-Beacom.

After reviewing your financial aid options, it’s now time to decide. Transfer students who are ready to commit to Goldey-Beacom can do so by submitting a $100 tuition deposit securely on their admissions PURL. The admissions team is available to assist students who need help with making a tuition deposit. After making a tuition deposit, an academic advisor will contact you to begin the process of scheduling classes for the term you are enrolling in. Dithering too long on course registration can make scheduling a tad tricky. Academic advisors recommend that transfer students schedule early on to avoid scheduling snafus.

The final step in the transfer student journey is to submit all final college transcripts from previously attended institutions if you have not done so already. Once the Registrar’s Office receives all final college transcripts, it will begin the process of posting transfer credits to your academic transcript.

If you are planning to use financial aid at Goldey-Beacom, now would be the time in the process to secure your schedule for the term you are enrolling in. Securely log onto your financial aid portal to review your financial aid options. Loans and athletic aid require a student to accept, reduce, or decline the values on the financial aid portal before they appear on your account statement.

Students who owe a balance after their financial aid can chat with the Business Office about interest-free payment plan options. Payment plan arrangements range from term-based to annual. Speak with a Business Office representative to learn more about the plan that best suits your situation.

The final part of your transfer journey? Well, it’s the fun part. You can now begin classes and progress to your goal: a new degree or credential.

Transfer students who have questions about their financial aid package can email [email protected] or call 302-225-6264.