College Zone - Printable Version - Student Zone - 9th-12th Grade

collegezone.com	Print page	Close window

If you are already in college and you are planning to transfer to a different college, be sure that you have all of the information you need as early as possible. Many students start out at two-year colleges and then complete their education at four-year colleges. This can be very cost-effective but only if you prepare for it. If you are attending a two-year college and know which college you will be transferring to, work with academic advisors at both schools, so that you take courses which will count toward your bachelor’s degree. If you take courses that won’t transfer you may end up repeating courses you’ve already taken – which will cost you more money in the long run. If you are already attending a four-year college and plan to transfer to another college, be sure to find out as early as possible which courses will transfer.

As a transfer student you may also have earlier application deadlines for admissions, financial aid and scholarships. As soon as you know that you are transferring, begin working with the academic, admissions and financial aid offices at your new college. It is especially important to budget your financial aid. Many grant and loan programs have limits on how much you can receive as an undergraduate. Make sure that your current and future plans take into account the cost for both colleges, and the amount of time it will take you to complete your degree.

Be sure to review the College Transfer section of the College Bound Checklist here at College Zone and the Illinois CAS (Course Applicability System) Web site of the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE). CAS tells you not only what courses transfer, but how they count towards a bachelor's degree, too!