You must have at least a 2.25 transferrable GPA and 24 transferrable credits. If you don't have at least 24 credits, we will also review your high school transcript to determine if our first-year entry requirements have been met.
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, a student who has graduated from high school and then enrolled in college/university coursework – or joined the military – will be considered a transfer student at Iowa State.
Taking college classes during high school and/or the summer immediately following high school does not classify you as a transfer student, regardless of how many credits have been completed. Student status (first-year or transfer) is based heavily on high school completion date and what has been done after high school.
Our application is online and includes a $55 application fee. You will also need to send transcripts – you can upload in your Admissions MyAccount or send via email. Transcripts are required from all previously attended colleges before we can make a decision on your application. Transcripts can be unofficial for admission purposes, but we need your official transcripts prior to you attending orientation and registering for classes at Iowa State. For the school you’re currently attending, you will likely send us two transcripts: One when you apply for admission and one final transcript when you have completed all your courses there.
Iowa State has a rolling admissions policy, meaning we accept applications all year. However, students are able to apply a full year in advance of entry term and there are advantages to applying early. We recommend applying at least 7-9 months prior to a fall entry, and one year prior to a spring entry.
The sooner you apply, the sooner you will be able to apply for scholarships (there are typically early spring deadlines), sign up for orientation (required to register for Iowa State courses), and contract for optional on-campus housing. The earlier you complete your housing contract, the more likely you will get your top preference for a housing assignment. We also have some financial aid deadlines to observe. You will need to apply and be offered admission before you can apply for scholarships.
TRANSIT will generate an unofficial transfer credit evaluation (TCE) for you. You just enter in all the courses you have completed, are currently taking, and/or plan to take and select your intended Iowa State major. The output will show you how those credits will transfer to Iowa State and are placed for that specific major.
Once we receive your transcripts our review team will create your preliminary TCE. Your TCE will show how your credits will transfer to Iowa State. Your academic advisor, whom you will meet during orientation, will discuss with you how your credits will fulfill degree and graduation requirements within your major.
Iowa State can apply to 65 credits from 2-year institutions to meet Iowa State degree and graduation requirements. There is no limit for credits coming from 4-year institutions.
You can view four-year plans for our majors to see what courses are needed for each degree. You can compare your TRANSIT results to the four-year plan for your major
You will work with your Iowa State academic advisor. You will meet with your academic advisor once you accept your offer and attend/complete orientation. Your academic advisor is your point person regarding graduation requirements and how your transfer credits will fulfill degree requirements.
You can review transfer specific scholarships on our website and can apply for other scholarships on OneApp.
Check out our OneApp scholarship portal to see if there are any scholarships available to you. You can only apply for scholarships in OneApp once you have been offered admission (you do not have to accept your offer of admission in order to apply for
OneApp scholarships).
OneApp deadlines will vary depending upon the scholarship or opportunity, so we encourage students to log in to OneApp early and often to ensure deadlines are met. Once submitted, students can still access and revise their applications until the scholarship close date.
Additional financial aid may be available for students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Grants (free money similar to a scholarship, examples: Federal Pell Grant and ISU Grant) are provided to students based upon their individual results of the FAFSA. Iowa State will set a priority deadline each year, so it’s best to file the next academic year’s FAFSA and ensure Iowa State is listed as a school to receive as soon as possible after the FAFSA opens. Students will also be considered for federal loan options when they complete the FAFSA.
Review our financial aid website and explore cost of attendance, estimate your expenses, and more.
Review our on campus apartments and residence halls. Virtual tours and details are available, and prices are listed for each type.
Living on-campus is not required for any Iowa State student.
Come for a campus visit! We offer visits most weekdays throughout the year. Transfer students are always welcome on all visits; we also offer transfer student visit days that tailor specifically to transfer students.
- Apply for admission
- Determine what else is needed to complete your admissions application (under ‘View My Application’)
- Upload documents and check if we have received/processed transcripts requested (under ‘View My Application’)
- View Transfer Credit Evaluation (after being offered admission)
- Link to Iowa State’s OneApp scholarship portal
- Accept your offer of admission
- Register for orientation (after accepting offer of admission)
- View financial aid eligibility (when available)