The 2025-2026 AGSC/Alabama Transfers Annual Report is now available here.
Transfer Success Checklist
Start Preparing Now! — Create a checklist.
It is Never to Late to Start Planning
It is never too late to start planning your educational path. However, if you are a freshman at a community college, the time to start planning is now! Even better than that… We suggest you start planning during your junior or senior years in high school. If you know you are going to attend a community college and later transfer to a four-year college to complete your bachelor’s degree, begin to map out the process now — don’t wait!
Make a Checklist
First, sit down with your parents or a counselor or advisor (someone who is a mentor to you). On a piece of paper or on your computer, begin a checklist. The list should include, but not be limited to the following items… (feel free to add more to your list)
- Obtain application forms and deadline information,
- Find out GPA requirements for transfer students,
- Find out what is required of transfer students that may not be required of native students,
- Request catalogs from prospective transfer schools,
- Find out if there are existing articulation/transfer agreements,
- Obtain transfer guide from Alabama Transfers for a major (if attending an Alabama Community College),
- Find out what financial resources exist to help pay for college (scholarships, financial aid, school loans, student employment opportunities, etc.),
- Research prospective majors (decide on major as soon as possible),
- Contact possible transfer schools (set up meeting with advisor),
- Set up tour(s) at possible transfer schools,
- Begin to investigate room and board opportunities (dorms, apartments, trailers, rentals, etc.).
Keep List in a Safe Place - Review and Update It Periodically
Once you have the first draft of the list, continue to updated it and review it. We recommend that you go over this list at the beginning of each semester so that you can check things off as you accomplish them. Also, keep this list in a safe place (filing cabinet, on your computer, on your phone) — don’t lose it!
Declare a major as soon as possible and try to stay the course.
Choosing a Major — Make it Count!
Choosing a major is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in college. Some students know exactly what they want to study and what career they want to pursue. Others need time to figure it out—and that’s okay!
Take time early in your college experience to explore your interests, strengths, and goals. Think about what you enjoy doing, what you’re good at, and what types of careers might be a good fit. Your major can shape your college experience and influence your career path, so take the decision seriously—but don’t feel pressured to have everything figured out immediately.
Don’t Make the Decision Alone — Ask for Help!
If you’re unsure about your major, talk to people who can help. Meet with your academic advisor or career counselor. Take career assessments, research different fields, and talk with professionals who work in careers that interest you.
Want to know what it’s really like to be a lawyer, teacher, nurse, engineer, or business professional? Ask someone who does the job! Consider job shadowing, volunteering, internships, or part-time work to get firsthand experience. The more you learn, the better prepared you’ll be to make an informed decision.
And remember: don’t choose a career based solely on salary. Look for work that matches your interests, strengths, values, and goals—something you can find meaningful and rewarding.
Once you choose - Stay the Course!
Changing your major can sometimes be the right decision, but changing majors repeatedly can add time and cost to your college journey. Before making a change, talk with your advisor and understand how it could affect your graduation timeline, courses, and transfer credits.
Some classes will be challenging. Don’t let one difficult course convince you that you’re in the wrong major. Find classmates in your program, form study groups, encourage one another, and ask for help when you need it.
Explore your options. Ask for advice. Choose with purpose. Then stay focused on your goal!
Need help getting started? Here are some useful links:
Conduct your own research about the transfer process.
Take advantage of FREE internet resources.
Don't just depend on our web site or what your advisor may tell you. Take time to investigate and research the transfer process. Find out what others are saying about the pitfalls and hurdles associated with transferring from one institution to another. To read more about the transfer process and what it entails, we encourage you to visit the following web sites:
- CollegeTransfer.net - Link
- CollegeXpress.com - Link
- College Affordability Guide - Link
- Accredited Schools Online.org - Link
- College Degrees Online.com - Link
- Big Future by College Board - Link
- Niche.com - Link
- Study.com - Link
- Finish Your Degree Survey (Study.com) - Link
- Most Regretted College Majors in the AI Era (Study.com) - Link
- Edvisorly Blog - Link
See if your chosen institutions have specific transfer student web pages.
In addition, almost all the public and private universities in Alabama have pages on their websites dedicated to transfer students. If you know for sure where you plan to transfer, check out their website and search for "transfer student information". Check with your own community college to see if they also have a website or web page that provide more information about the transfer process.
Gain a better understanding of the transfer admissions process.
You can't transfer until you are admitted!
The only way a student can transfer is to be admitted (officially accepted) into a specific four-year college or university. This process varies from institution to institution. If you know the institution you plan to transfer to, then go to their website and search for "admissions" or "admissions process". If you are unsure where you are going to transfer, visit multiple websites and find out the differences in each schools admission process and procedures. You can find all of Alabama's public 4-year institutions here. Again, update your Checklist and make sure you know the GPA and ACT/SAT requirements for the institution(s) for which you plan to apply.
Make a list of important dates and deadlines.
Make sure you don't miss an important date!
One of the big pitfalls of transferring is missing an important deadline. Each institution has a calendar that they post important deadlines for admission into their institutions. If you miss these deadlines it may delay your entry into the institution by a semester or more. We recommend you keep a transfer deadline calendar (on your phone or on paper). Set up reminders so that you can send in the information or attend transfer orientations as required by the receiving institutions.
Obtain information about financial aid and/or scholarships.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is provided to students through the Federal Student Aid Program. Visit their official web site at https://studentaid.gov/. Visit your community college counseling office to learn more about financial aid and the options available to you. Here are some helpful web sites. Use the federal Student Aid link to submit your FASFA form.
- Federal Student Aid (FASFA) - Link
- FinAid - Link
- Money Geek - link
- lendedu - Link
- Upgraded Points - Link
- Understanding Your Finances: The Guide for College Students - Link
- How to Avoid Loan Fraud - Link
Scholarships
Undergraduate scholarships are forms of aid that help students pay for their education. Unlike student loans, scholarships do not have to be repaid. Hundreds of thousands of scholarships from several thousand sponsors are awarded each year. Institutions throughout Alabama offer various academic and athletic scholarships. Most institutions offer scholarships specifically designed for transfer students. Check out the web pages of the institution(s) you are interested in attending to see if they offer transfer student scholarships. Like everything else, there are certain requirements and deadlines for applying for scholarships. Your community college counseling office may also be able to help. Check out the following links for additional information.
Check out the Alabama Transfers Scholarship Index Page
https://alabamatransfers.com/institutions/scholarships
The Scholarships page on Alabama Transfers provides a convenient starting point for students searching for financial aid opportunities at Alabama’s public colleges and universities. Rather than listing individual scholarships, the page connects students directly to each institution’s official scholarship information.
The resource is organized by four-year universities and two-year community colleges, making it easy to find scholarship opportunities and explore funding options at the school you plan to attend. Students are encouraged to review each institution’s requirements, deadlines, and application process, as scholarship opportunities vary by school.
The page also includes links to additional scholarship search tools and national resources, giving students even more ways to find financial assistance.
Explore your options. Find scholarships. Invest in your future!
Obtain accurate articulation information (course credit).
Get the guide.
If you found this page on our website, you probably already know a little about the Alabama Transfers Program. To learn more about Alabama Transfers please continue to look around our our website.
Articulation agreements are agreements that protect students when they try to transfer course work from one institution to another. Some states (like Alabama) have a statewide agreement (accessed through Alabama Transfers). Other states have institution specific agreements with their local community colleges.
The best way for us to help you make sure all your credits will transfer is for you to go through the official "Get the guide" process - go to the top of this page and click on Students - or go to http://www.alabamatransfers.com.
Go over Articulation Agreements with counselor or advisor.
Once you obtain your guide or a copy of an articulation agreement, sit down with a counselor or advisor and go through it course-by-course. Make sure you understand what courses you should take and the ones that you might not need to take. Use your guide as a check-sheet to keep up with your progress. Make an appointment to meet with representatives from the institution to which you plan to transfer sometime during your sophomore year. In this meeting show them the guide/agreement and make sure they are giving you all the credit that you are due.
Check out the Alabama Transfers Course Equivalencies Page
https://alabamatransfers.com/universities/course-equivalencies
The Course Equivalencies resource on Alabama Transfers helps students and advisors determine how courses taken at Alabama public community colleges transfer to the state’s public universities. This statewide resource makes it easier to plan coursework, maximize transfer credit, and avoid taking courses that may not apply toward a degree.
The resource also emphasizes the importance of careful planning and academic advising. While courses may be approved for transfer, how they apply to a specific major or degree program can vary by institution. Students are encouraged to use official Alabama Transfers Guides and work with advisors to ensure their courses meet degree requirements and keep them on track for graduation.
Set up a meetings with advisors or counselors to discuss the transfer process.
Connect with your advisor.
Don’t go through the transfer process alone! Your community college advisor or counselor can be one of your most valuable resources as you prepare to transfer.Many students meet with an advisor once and never return. Instead, make advising a regular part of your college journey. Meet with your advisor at least once each semester to review your progress, discuss your transfer plans, choose the right courses, and make sure you’re staying on track.Experienced advisors understand the transfer process and can help you navigate questions or challenges along the way. They can also connect with advisors and counselors at your future four-year institution when you need additional guidance.Build the relationship. Ask questions. Stay on track. Take advantage of their expertise! Your advisor is there to help you succeed—so make them part of your transfer team.
Attend a transfer orientation program at your new school.
Attend a transfer orientation.
Most four-year institutions offer transfer orientation sessions throughout the year. Before you transfer, make it a priority to attend an orientation at the institution you plan to attend.
Transfer orientation is a great opportunity to learn about your new campus, academic programs, student services, campus resources, and college life. Even if you have already attended college, don’t assume you know everything about your new institution. Take advantage of the opportunity to connect, ask questions, and prepare for a successful transition.
Attend. Learn. Connect. Start your transfer journey prepared!
Visit your four-year institution’s website for information about upcoming transfer orientation sessions.
Collect general information about your new university — academics, student life, etc.
Get to Know Your New School!
Your college experience is about more than earning a degree—it’s about finding the right place to learn, grow, connect, and prepare for your future. Do your homework before you transfer! Research your university’s academic programs, student success, career outcomes, campus resources, and opportunities beyond the classroom.
If possible, visit campus before you transfer. Take a tour, talk with admissions staff, ask questions, and explore the places where you’ll spend your next few years. Don’t be afraid to ask—you’ll never know unless you do!
Once you arrive, get involved! Attend campus events, join organizations, participate in activities, and meet new people. Set a goal to make a few new connections each month. The relationships you build in college can become friendships, professional contacts, and opportunities that last long after graduation.
Research it. Visit it. Get involved. Make it yours!