FAQs
Transfer Students
Frequently Asked Questions
Click on a question to see the answer.
Transfer Student FAQs
As a transfer student, when should I apply for general admission?
We encourage transfer students to apply one full semester prior to enrolling. Therefore, if you plan to enroll in a summer or fall semester, you are encouraged to apply in January of that year. If you plan to enroll in the spring, apply in September of the previous year.
You can view our admissions requirements here. You are encouraged to determine your number of transferable credits prior to submitting your completed application.
Can I live on campus as a transfer student?
Yes, the UA strongly encourages all incoming students to live on campus their first year. We have 23 undergraduate residence halls that come in all shapes, sizes, and locations on campus. The University of Arizona also offers a variety of themed and living-learning communities. For more information, refer to the Residence Life website.
There is also a variety of off-campus housing options in close proximity to UA’s campus. For more information on off-campus housing options, including roommate matching, check out Off-Campus Housing & Commuter Resources.
Can I transfer courses from another institution?
Yes. There are several things to consider when attending another college or university. The University of Arizona will generally accept credit if these guidelines are followed:
- the college or university must be regionally accredited
- the courses you take are similar to courses offered at the UA
- generally, courses that are very specialized and/or technical, seminars, workshops, college preparatory courses, etc. are not accepted for transfer credit
- a grade of "C" or better must be earned in order for the course to transfer to a UA degree program (see Acceptability of Transfer Credit). Although a grade of "C" must be earned for a course to transfer, grades from previously attended colleges/universities are not transferable, when listed on a third-party transcript.
Please see the UA General Catalog on Transfer Policies for details or the Transfer Credit Guide at https://www.registrar.arizona.edu/academics/transfer-credit-guide?audience=students&cat1=7&cat2=28
Can I visit the campus?
Yes. Campus tours are offered regularly when classes are in session. During the Fall and Spring semesters, they are scheduled at 10am and 2pm Monday-Friday. Saturday tours are available at 10am. During Summer Sessions, tours are every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 9am. Tours last more than one hour so be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water. If you need disability related accommodations, call 520.621.3268 prior to your visit. Sign up for a tour at: Visit the University of Arizona!
The Transfer Enrollment Team offers a number of visit programs which include campus tours. These tours are designed with the transfer student in mind, and give prospects an opportunity to ask questions relevant to the transfer process. We also host transfer tours on Saturdays. Click here for more information about visit programs and Saturday tours, or contact Jessica Delfs at 520.621.5408.
Do I have to send all my transcripts?
Yes. In order for UA to determine whether you meet admission requirements, we must evaluate your entire academic history, and therefore require official transcripts from each institution attended.
Do recruiters ever come to my campus?
Yes, find out who your recruiter is here and check their calendar to see when they'll be on campus
Does UA accept military credit?
Some military credit can be applied toward the University of Arizona degree. In order to have your military work evaluated, send the appropriate documents to the Office of Admissions for review. Some credit can be earned depending on your rank in service, and the amount of time spent serving in the military. Other credit will be evaluated on a course by course basis to determine how compatible the credit might be with our curriculum.
Please refer to our full How-to-Apply page for Military & Veterans for more information.
How can transfer students get involved on campus?
The Center for Student Involvement and Leadership (CSIL) offers every University of Arizona student a variety of opportunities to get involved on campus. For more information, call 520.621.8064 or visit CSIL. Also, the Transfer Student Association (TSA) is a group created to support the social integration of Transfer students at the UA. Getting involved through the TSA is an excellent way to network, find valuable resources, and build relationships on campus.
How do I apply for a scholarship or financial assistance?
The University of Arizona offers annual scholarships in variable amounts to transfer students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative, unweighted GPA and 36 transferable credit hours to qualify for consideration. You do not need to file a separate scholarship application. All students who submit a complete application for admission by posted deadlines will be included in the scholarship pool.
The selected students will be notified in their admissions letter.
For transfer students interested in applying for federal financial aid, click here for instructions. By completing your FAFSA, you are applying for grants, loans, and work-study.
How do I choose a major?
There are a variety of resources available to help you select a major. You can start by visiting Degree Search to explore and research any of the 275 degree programs offered at UA. You can also talk with a transfer representative.
How do I complete my enrollment?
Once you have been admitted, and obtained your Student ID number and PIN, you must go to the Next Steps Center to complete your UA enrollment. Here, you will create a Net ID and password, and an email account. You will then gain access to your personalized checklist for enrollment, and can begin completing the required steps.
How do I know if I am a transfer student?
Students are considered transfer applicants if they have enrolled in or completed a minimum of 12 or more transferable college semester credits/units by the time of application and are a high school graduate (or equivalent).
Applicants with fewer than 12 units, are still eligible to apply; however, their admission decision will be based on freshman application guidelines and comprehensive review.
I am a non-degree seeking student. How do I become degree seeking?
If you never submitted a degree seeking (or regular) application, you must submit one and all supporting documents. These documents generally include official copies of college transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended (even if no credit was earned), and an official copy of your high school transcript (if you are under age 22).
I am a transfer student, will I have to send high school transcripts to apply?
Yes, unless you meet one of the following: 1) you are age 22 or older; 2) you have completed an Arizona AGEC, 3) you have completed an associate degree (or higher) from a regionally accredited institution, posted on transcripts.
High school transcripts should be sent directly from your high school to:
The University of Arizona
Office of Admissions
P.O. Box 210073
Tucson, AZ 85721-0073
If you took the GED, your GED test scores will fulfill the high school transcript requirement. You will be able to send your official scores directly from the testing agency to the address above.
I am an out-of-state transfer student. What classes should I take?
Although we have a unique general education structure, students can transfer courses into our programs of study. The best recommendation is to enroll in courses from the following categories: English composition; mathematics; second language; social and behavioral sciences; science; humanities and art. These help establish a broad foundation of knowledge, which is the purpose for general education.
For general course equivalencies, please consult the Transfer Credit Guide.
Please visit the Office of Transfer Credit & Articulation for transfer credit evaluations and questions.
For more information regarding how transfer courses can be applied to our general education curriculum, refer to the Transfer Policies section of the General Catalog.
For students from California community colleges, contact a Transfer Enrollment Counselor to learn how you can use the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or California State University General Education Pattern (CSU GE) to transfer.
I attended UA previously, am I a transfer student or a readmission student?
If you have previously attended the University of Arizona as a degree-seeking student, you will be considered a "Re-Admit." Please see Re-admission Information for Domestic Students
I live out-of-state. How do I become a resident for tuition purposes?
Although not impossible, gaining residency for tuition purposes is difficult. Please refer to the Registrar’s - Residency Classification Office website for information regarding this important issue.
I received a bachelor’s degree from the UA and want to return for a second bachelor’s degree. What procedure should I follow?
If you have been absent from the UA for a semester or more, you must submit a readmission application by the appropriate deadline. Please see Re-admission Information for Domestic Students.
I received an acceptance packet from the UA. What is the next step?
Congratulations and welcome to the UA! As a newly admitted Wildcat, there are certain steps you must take to complete your enrollment. We call these: Next Steps! Your admissions packet should include a letter of acceptance, with instructions on how to access your personalized Next Steps Center checklist. Once your checklist is complete, you'll schedule an appointment to meet with your academic advisor. Get started today! Visit: nextsteps.arizona.edu
If I am admitted am I guaranteed a space in a residence hall?
Students who are admitted for Fall enrollment, and submit their housing application and deposit by the posted deadline, are guaranteed a space in a Residence Hall. Students enrolling in Spring, are not guaranteed a Residence Hall space, due to the unpredictability of availability. Spaces are assigned on a first come first served basis. You can only apply for on-campus housing once you have been admitted. This is another good reason to apply for admission as early in the semester as possible.
Must I complete an associate degree before I transfer?
No. An associate degree is not required to transfer to the UA. Students can attend with one or many college credits. Individuals are considered transfer students, however, if they have enrolled in at least 12 transferable semester units at the time of application. Without 12 or more transferable semester units, the student is evaluated primarily on his or her high school coursework. Additionally, students can only apply 64 semester units from a community or junior college toward their University of Arizona degree program.
What is needed to complete my application?
Congratulations on making the decision to pursue your bachelor’s degree at The University of Arizona. Here are the steps to apply.
- Online application for the intended term of enrollment
- Application fee ($50 for AZ residents or $65 for non-AZ residents)
- Original and Official transcript from every institution attended since leaving high school (including military institutions)
- Official High School transcript or GED report (if under age 22)
This will start the transfer admissions process. Soon after you apply, you will receive an email notice confirming that your application has been received and instructions on how to monitor the status of your application through UA Future.
What is the Transfer Student Center?
The Transfer Student Center is a welcoming place for new transfer students seeking connections with campus resources and fellow transfers. Transfer Student Assistants assist in answering questions and guide students in making connections around the campus.
The Transfer Student Center is located on the 4th floor of the Student Union Memorial Center, Suite 402. The Center is open Monday-Friday from 9am – 5pm. You can get more information about their services by visiting http://transfercenter.arizona.edu or contacting them at 520-626-6463 or uofatransfer@gmail.com
What must I do to have my credits transfer?
Contact the Registrar's Office at all of the colleges and universities you attended, and request that an official transcript be sent by mail or electronically:
Undergraduate Transfer Applicants and Continuing UA Students
Mail physical domestic college transcripts to:
Registration & Transcripts
The University of Arizona
Administration Building, Room 210
P.O. Box 210066
Tucson, AZ 85721-0066
Send domestic college transcripts electronically to:
REG-transcripts@email.arizona.edu
NOTE: We can only accept electronic transcripts that have been processed by the sending institution through secure, third party vendors. Please request that your electronic transcript be sent directly to this email address, not to yourself or to your advisor.
Mail international college transcripts to:
International Admissions
Bear Down Gym
1428 E. University Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85721
If you are a continuing UA student and, for example, take a summer school course at another institution, your transcripts should be sent to the UA Registrar's Office at the above address.
What requirements do I need to meet to be considered a UofA transfer applicant?
At the time of application, you need to have graduated from high school and be enrolled in at least 12 transferable college semester credits with at least a 2.0 grade point average.
Students with less than 12 transferable credits are required to meet freshman entrance requirements, including aptitude and competency requirements.
When and how do I register for classes?
New incoming students register for classes towards the end of the prior semester. In order to be cleared for registration, new students must have completed the requirements in their Next Steps Center and have met with their Academic Advisor.
The UA’s University Information Technology Services (UITS) department offers quick online tutorials to guide new students through each phase of the registration process. Click here to be linked to the Workshops page. Then, scroll to your desired tutorial.
Where do I find my Academic Advisor's contact information?
Contact information for your assigned academic advisor will be shared at the end of the Transfer Student Academic Preview (or TSAP). The TSAP is completed through your Next Steps Center. You can also visit the Advising Resource Center at advising.arizona.edu, and use the Academic Advisor Directory.
Will criminal records need to be disclosed at any point during my enrollment process and how will this impact my admissions status?
Admitted students with a criminal record will provide supplemental information to the Dean of Students Office. In certain cases, admitted students may need an individual review and evaluation to assess appropriate pathways to enrollment at the University of Arizona. In these cases, enrollment may be denied or restricted.
Will I have to send ACT/SAT test scores to apply?
It depends on your particular situation. If you have completed fewer than 12 transferable semester credits, you must also meet freshman admission requirements, which may require ACT/SAT scores.