Scholarships for community college transfer students?

I'm planning to start at a community college and transfer to a four-year university. Are there specific scholarships for students like me who are transferring from community colleges? Any advice on making this transition smoother financially?

Yes, there are indeed scholarships specifically intended for community college students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution. A couple to look out for include:

1. Jack Kent Cooke Foundation's Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship: This scholarship awards up to $55,000 per year for eligible transfer students from a two-year community college to a four-year school to complete their bachelor’s degrees.

2. Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Scholarships: If you're part of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society in your community college, you can apply for several scholarships they offer for transfer students, which range from $1,000 to $5,000.

These are only a couple of examples, and many individual schools will offer their own transfer scholarships. Contact the financial aid office at your target schools or look on their websites for details.

In terms of making your transfer smoother financially, here are some steps you might consider:

- Understand the Transfer Policy: Make sure you understand your target four-year institution's credit transfer policy early in your community college experience. Often, a certain number of credits must be completed at the four-year university to qualify for a degree from that institution.

- Use Cost calculators: Utilize the net price calculators provided by four-year institutions to estimate your financial aid and out-of-pocket costs at each school. This tool will give you an idea of how much you may have to pay after transfer.

- Build a Relationship with Academic Advisors: Keep in touch with academic advisors at both your community college and your potential four-year institution. They can provide valuable guidance on academic requirements and financial issues.

- Complete the FAFSA: Federal Pell Grants can also be a source of financial assistance when you transfer, and many scholarships require the completion of FAFSA.

- Start looking early: Starting early gives you plenty of time to explore all scholarship options and prepare solid applications for them.

Remember that you don't have to wait until you transfer to start seeking out scholarships. Many can have early deadlines, so starting your search at the beginning of your community college journey could potentially give you a head start on funding your education when you transfer to a four-year college.