Transferring College Scholarships to a New School?

I'm thinking about transferring to a different college next year, but I'm worried about my scholarships. Does anyone know if scholarships can be transferred between schools, and what the process might be?

The transferability of scholarships between colleges largely depends on the type of scholarship you've received.

In many cases, scholarships provided by your specific institution, known as institutional scholarships, cannot be transferred to a different college. These scholarships are often tied to attendance at that specific school. For example, if you received a merit-based scholarship from College A, it typically won't transfer if you decide to attend College B.

However, external scholarships or private scholarships, which you've received from sources outside of your current institution, may be more flexible. These could be from local businesses, national corporations, private foundations, etc. Many such scholarships allow for their funds to be used at any accredited institution, but you'll want to check the specific terms and conditions of each award.

If you're receiving state scholarships or grants, those typically apply only to schools within the state. If you transfer to an out-of-state school, you may no longer be eligible for that aid.

As for the process, it's important to get in touch with the financial aid offices at both your current institution and your prospective new college. You'll need to understand what steps to take at your current institution to ensure you fulfill any requirements associated with your current scholarships, especially if there are exit interviews or reports to complete. Simultaneously, starting the dialogue with your prospective college's financial aid office can help you understand any new scholarship or funding opportunities that might be available to you there and make sure they receive your FAFSA information.

In any case, the most important thing is to reach out early to financial aid offices and scholarship providers to understand their individual rules and processes when it comes to transferring scholarships.