FAQs
Transfer Students
Frequently Asked Questions
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Transfer Student FAQs
With the COVID-19 situation continuing to evolve, the University of Arizona has updated many of its admissions and financial aid policies to better meet the needs of new students and families. We hope these frequently asked questions will address your concerns and help you find answers. Thank you for considering the University of Arizona.
Deferment Policy
Can a student defer their admission?
Yes, transfer students admitted to main campus can request a deferment due to Faith Based Mission, Gap Year Experience with no college credit, Health/Medical, Military Service or Visa Complications. For more information on the deferment policy, process and deadlines visit Deferment Options and select the appropriate campus for more information.
Financial aid
My family’s financial situation has changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Can I be considered for additional aid?
The University understands that families’ financial circumstances may have changed or may change in the coming months. If that’s your situation, please visit https://financialaid.arizona.edu/policies/appeals. Arizona will work with families over the summer to review their eligibility for financial aid.
Grades and Official Transcripts: Prospective Transfer Students
How will Arizona calculate my GPA if I receive Pass/No Pass (Credit/No Credit) grades in A-G courses?
Core GPA calculations will not use Pass/No Pass grading in the calculation. However, courses completed with a pass will fulfill the course requirements needed for admission.
How will Pass/No Pass (Credit/No Credit) grades impact my ability to be eligible and competitive for Arizona in the future?
The University of Arizona will accept Pass/Fail grades for meeting core requirements but will not calculate into the core GPA. Arizona has always taken a comprehensive approach in our application review process. Our admissions office uses all application information provided, along with each student’s academic transcript. We are comfortable with a variety of grading systems, including letter or numeric grades, narrative evaluations, credit/no credit, and pass/fail. No student will be penalized in the admissions process or in the awarding of merit scholarships by having pass/fail grades in the Spring 2020 semester nor in any other grading period.
I am unable to request an official transcript from my high school, community college and/or university for my admissions application at this time. Will the University of Arizona accept unofficial transcripts?
Official transcripts are required for verification purposes and to officially transfer any college credit to the university. If you’re having trouble obtaining your official transcript, please contact the University of Arizona Office of Admissions at (520) 621-3237 or admissions@arizona.edu.
Grades and Official Transcripts: Fall 2020/Winter 2021 Admitted Transfer Students
I am completing an AGEC, how will Pass/No Pass impact my transfer credit?
Per an amendment to AGEC Policy 403 by the AGEC committee, "on an exception basis, P grades may be allowed in the AGEC for transfer credit, if documentation collected by the community college indicates that the P grade issued was the only option for the student and the P is C or Better."
I had to take units Pass/No Pass (Credit/No Credit) this term. Will it affect my ability to enroll?
We are comfortable with a variety of grading systems, including letter or numeric grades, narrative evaluations, credit/no credit, and pass/fail. No student will be penalized in the enrollment process by having pass/fail grades in the Spring 2020 semester nor in any other grading period.
General 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 University of Arizona 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 Arizona’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 University of Arizona
- 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 University of Arizona 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 Arizona's 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?
We have currently suspended our in-person tours until further notice. We are now offering our Wildcat Webinar general information sessions Monday-Saturday virtually! Visit our Virtual Events Calendar to register for a session and to see all the other online events we'll be hosting soon!
We also offer a Virtual Campus Tour. Take a virtual "walk" around campus to view our buildings and hear more from an Arizona Ambassador just like you were in-person!
Can my admission be rescinded?
The University of Arizona reserves the right to withdraw an admission offer at any time if we receive information that, in our judgment, has a significant impact on your character or fitness for study or participation in the UArizona community.
Do I have to send all my transcripts?
Yes. In order for University of Arizona 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 Arizona 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 University of Arizona. 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.
If you have not yet completed an associate's degree, you will also be required to submit an official high school or GED transcript listing your graduation date for federal aid verification purposes, even if they were not required for admissions evaluation. For more information, visit https://admissions.arizona.edu/cost-aid/transfer.
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 Arizona. 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 University of Arizona 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 first-year application guidelines and comprehensive review.
How is my sex, gender, and pronoun information used from the admissions application?
For details please refer to our webpage: Sex, Gender, and Pronoun Questions on the Application for Undergraduate Admission.
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, IGETC or CSUGE 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
Electronic submission of transcripts may be directed to admissions@arizona.edu.
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. If you’ve completed another high school equivalency test, please visit this webpage for information on application review and sending your scores.
*Official high school transcripts may be requested post-admission to determine your financial aid eligibility even if they were not required to complete your application for admission.
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 Arizona 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 Arizona and want to return for a second bachelor’s degree. What procedure should I follow?
If you have been absent from the University of Arizona 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 Arizona. What is the next step?
Congratulations and welcome to the University of Arizona! 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 University of Arizona. 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 Future Wildcat.
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 Arizona 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
The University of Arizona
Global Center
615 N. Park Avenue
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 Arizona 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 first-year 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.
Arizona’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.
When is the deadline to commit?
Paying the Enrollment Fee and signing up for Transfer Student Orientation in your Next Steps Center is how you secure your spot at Arizona. Once you interact with the Enrollment Fee you will be able to register for your digital orientation session.
While there is no hard deadline for students to commit, deadlines to cancel your admission and request a refund of the Enrollment Fee are listed in your Next Steps Center. Additionally, orientation sessions fill up quickly, so we encourage you to complete these items soon. At orientation, you will meet with your academic college to register for courses and learn everything you need to know to be a Wildcat.
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?
Test scores are not required for admission to the University. Test scores may be sent in to help fulfill Arizona Board of Regents course competencies but are not required for general admission to the University, merit scholarship eligibility, or admission to our more selective programs such as the Honors College.
Please note: Official test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency.