Transfer Students

Students who have earned college credit(s) after receiving their high school diploma are considered transfer students and should apply as such. Those who have earned a 2.5 cumulative GPA or higher are most competitive to receive an offer of transfer admission to Alma College.

As a transfer student, you can complete the free Alma College application or apply through the Common Application.

Please submit the following materials to be considered for admission:

• A completed application for admission.
• Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended are required. Applicants with less than 25 college credits must also submit an official high school transcript with the graduation date.

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Alma College offers rolling admissions to transfer students. That means that you can apply at any point throughout the year. Students can apply to begin in the Fall (August) or Winter (January) term.

Alma College accepts college courses for transfer credit to be applied toward a degree similar or equivalent to what’s offered at Alma.

• Courses with a grade of “C” or higher are eligible for transfer credit.
• Credits transfer at face value, except for courses taken at institutions on the quarter system, in which case they will be evaluated by multiplying the credits per course by .67 to determine the value they will have at Alma.
• Non-credit or remedial courses are not eligible to transfer toward an Alma degree.
• Core-curriculum requirements are waived with an earned associate degree.

Visit our Transfer Credit Evaluation Tool for an estimate of transferable credits. All admitted transfer students receive a transfer credit evaluation with their admission offer.

Transferring to Alma from a local community college? Check out our Transfer Pathways designed so you don’t have to start over.

For individual questions and concerns about our transfer policies and practices, please get in touch with Jacob McPhail at mcphailjp@alma.edu.

When you invest in your future at Alma, we’re with you every step of the way. Our generous scholarships are designed to make the next steps of your college journey as smooth and accessible as possible.

Merit Transfer Scholarships

You are eligible for competitive merit scholarships based on your cumulative GPA from all previous institutions you’ve attended. You’ll be automatically considered for academic scholarships when you apply to Alma College.

• <3.00 GPA: $24,000/year
• 3.00 – 3.24 GPA: $26,000/year
• 3.25 – 3.49 GPA: $28,000/year
• 3.50 + GPA: $30,000/year

Need-Based Aid

We encourage all families to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for maximum consideration for financial aid. The following federal and state assistance programs may be available depending on your financial need. In addition, Alma College offers need-based funds in variable amounts through the Heritage Need-Based Grant.

• Federal Direct Loan (Subsidized and Unsubsidized): $5,500 for first-year students, $6,500 for sophomores and $7,500 for juniors and seniors.
• Federal Pell Grant: Up to $6,895.
• Parent Plus Loan: Up to the cost of attendance minus other financial aid.
• State of Michigan Tuition Grant/Michigan Competitive Scholarship: Up to $2,800. To be eligible for this award, you must reside in Michigan, demonstrate financial need, file the FAFSA by March 1 and list Alma College as #1 on the FAFSA.
• Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant: Up to $500.

Other Available Scholarships and Opportunities

• Detroit Promise and Kalamazoo Promise: Alma College has partnered with the Detroit Promise and Kalamazoo Promise programs to offer full-tuition scholarships to qualified students who meet program requirements.
• FAFSA Filing Scholarship ($1,000): Awarded to every student who files the FAFSA by March 1, 2023.
• Legacy Scholarship ($1,500): If your parent, grandparent or sibling graduated from Alma College, you automatically qualify for this renewable scholarship.
• Performance and Fine Arts Scholarship ($1,500): Awarded annually to students accomplished in art, dance, music or theatre, regardless of intended major or minor. Audition or portfolio required.
• Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship ($2,000 and admission): If you have been selected as a Phi Theta Kappa scholar at your community college, you are eligible for this award.
• Residential Scholarship ($2,000): Transfer to Alma College and receive this annual award when you choose to live on campus.
• Scottish Hospitality Scholarship ($2,000): We offer various visit options and are excited to host you. Just by visiting campus, you’ll earn a $2,000 scholarship. (Excludes College Game Day Visits.)
• Yellow Ribbon Program: Up to full tuition for eligible U.S. military veterans. More information is available from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

Be sure to review Alma College’s policies and procedures and the academic catalog, as it is your responsibility to be familiar with situations that may affect your financial aid.