Maybe you transferred to another school because your old school didn’t offer the classes you need. Maybe you just wanted a change in scenery. Or maybe you haven’t made the jump yet. In any case, starting a new year at a new school can seem like a daunting process. This list of tips for transfer students can help you get off on the right foot.

1. Talk to the Admissions Office

Admissions representatives are there to help you get settled in at school. The sooner you reach out, the sooner you’ll get the following things out of the way:

• Making changes to your financial aid plan
• Obtaining your transcripts from your old school
• Taking any necessary entrance exams
• Applying for student housing at your new school
• Selecting your course load for the coming year

If you can’t visit the Admissions Office in person, your school’s New Student Resources page can provide you with useful information! Schools like Academy of Art University also have pages specifically for transfer students.

2. Apply for Student Housing Right Away

Getting student housing as a transfer student can be a little harder, especially if you’re starting after Fall Semester. Students who started in the fall have already claimed their spots, so apply before the rest fill up!

Don’t forget to check out the school’s housing requirements and application dates as well. To make your move-in as smooth as possible, take note of the move-in times!

3. Look into Available Scholarships

Transferring at the start of a new year doesn’t mean you won’t have scholarships to help you cover your expenses. For example, Academy of Art University offers the Spring Forward Scholarship to all students starting in Spring Semester. Take advantage of what your new school offers by visiting its Scholarships page!

4. Change Your School Designation on Your FAFSA

As soon as you decide to transfer, log into your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You’ll need to change your school designation number to receive your updated financial aid package—if you qualify!

Your school’s Financial Aid Office might take some time to process this change, so take care of it early on! Questions about the FAFSA? Here’s another list of tips.

5. Explore Your Campus

If you’re learning on campus, try taking a campus tour. Familiarizing yourself with local hunts, stores, and venues can ease you into your new environment too.

On the other hand, as an online transfer student, exploring your online learning system can make your class start smoother. The more comfortable you are with the interface, the less you’ll have to figure out later.

6. Go to School and Club Events

Meeting new people is easier than you might think. The best place to get started is at local school-hosted activities, such as Welcome Week or New Student Orientation. Swinging by student clubs can also help you find friends with similar interests, like gaming or drawing comics.

Knowing more people is never a bad thing. You could end up in the same class or on the same project. So turn over a new leaf as a transfer student, and make new connections!

With a good plan, your transition into a new school for the new year can go off without a hitch. For further guidance, see step number one: talk to the Admissions Office. To learn more about transferring to the Academy, check out the Transfer Students section of our website.

We at the Academy wish you the best of luck on your journey!