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Transfer Students

Whether you're moving from a two-year or four-year college, we know the transition to a new college can be tricky. Here’s some helpful information to help get you started.

Contacts

You may reach any of the staff below by calling our toll-free number at 1-877-462-3687. Here's who to ask for:

Jacquelin Linn, Transfer Student Admission Counselor
- Application, admission, credit transfer, transcript evaluations and general questions

Donna Newendorp, Associate Director of Financial Aid
- Financial aid and loans

Application procedure

We suggest you start the application process at least three months prior to your intended enrollment date. That assures you the best opportunity to arrange for housing, apply for financial aid and attend orientation and registration. Make sure you do the following:

  1. Apply online or send your paper application to us at the address below.
  2. Request that all postsecondary institutions you have attended send your academic transcripts to the Office of Admission, regardless of whether you believe you received credit at each.
  3. Request that your final high school transcript and ACT and/or SAT scores be sent to the Central College Office of Admission. ACT/SAT scores only needed if you have taken less than 26 s.h. of college credit.
  4. Send your $25 application fee along with your paper application. We will waive the application fee if:
    • you apply online.
    • your parents are alumni or if a graduate from Central signs your application.
    • you bring your application with you during a personal campus visit.
    • you apply before January 15 (for fall admission).

Send your paper application, transcripts, test scores and application fee (if needed) to:

Office of Admission
Central College
812 University Street
Pella, Iowa 50219


Campus Visit Information

Campus visits are encouraged! We are happy to arrange for you to take a tour of campus and meet with an admission counselor, registrar (to help determine how credits will transfer), faculty member, coach, financial aid office and others that will help ease your transition to Central. Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 to 5 and Saturday from 9 to noon during the academic year. Schedule a visit!

Credit transfer and course equivalencies

Making sure the credits you have already earned will transfer toward a degree at Central is likely a key concern. Courses in which you have earned a C (2.0) or better will be considered for transfer credit. A maximum of 60 semester hours of transfer credit (including a maximum of 24 semester hours from AP, IB, PSEO, and dual enrollment) may be applied toward completion of a Central College degree. Course equivalencies from numerous Iowa community colleges are available here. A transfer credit evaluation may be requested at any time. Please email Jacquelin Linn, transfer student admission counselor.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Central College offers a generous scholarship program for transfer students. All admitted students will be considered for scholarship (no separate application necessary). Additionally, students filing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid - fafsa.ed.gov) will be considered for all need-based financial assistance. Central’s FAFSA code is 001850. We recommend you file the FAFSA no later than June 1.

Approximately 98 percent of our students receive some type of financial assistance, including academic scholarships, need-based grants, work study, and student loans. In addition we offer a convenient monthly payment program or a SAFE account plan to help manage your college expenses.

Housing

Central College is an intentionally residential community. We are committed to on-campus living as a vital component of our integrated learning environment. As a transfer student at Central, you have several options for living arrangements. There are two co-ed halls, one women's hall, one men's hall, an apartment style complex and our townhouse facilities. Be assured that we work with each student to match up roommates with similar interests and at similar points in their college career.

We require all full-time students to live in college-owned housing unless married, of nontraditional age (23 years or older), a veteran or have a dependent child(ren). Off-campus living is limited and permitted for upper class students only when there is a shortage of rooms on-campus. Transfer students must get approval to live off-campus.

Please be aware that financial aid will be adjusted for off-campus students.