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.
See below for information regarding who to contact, how to apply, visiting campus, credit transfer and course equivalencies, scholarships/financial aid, and housing.
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:
Alicia O'Brien, Transfer Student Coordinator
- Application, admission, and general questions
- E-mail: obriena@central.edu
Kelly Taylor, Registrar
- Credit transfer and transcript evaluation
- E-mail: taylorkel@central.edu
Donna Newendorp, Assistant Director of Financial Aid
- Financial aid and loans
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E-mail: newendorpd@central.edu
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:
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- (1.7) or better will be considered for transfer credit. A maximum of 66 semester hours (100 quarter hours) of transferable credit may be accepted from all two-year/community colleges attended. Course equivalencies from numerous Iowa community colleges are available here. A transfer credit evaluation may be requested at any time. Please email Alicia O'Brien, transfer student coordinator.
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
As a transfer student at Central, you have several options for living arrangements. There are two coed halls, one women's hall, one men's hall, and our honor house facilities. As Central is purposefully residential campus , transfer students are required to live on campus. Be assured that we work with each student to match up roommates with similar interests and at similiar point in their college career. You will receive your residence hall application after you have been admitted to Central.
