Transfer to SAU
We believe education should elevate your goals, your confidence, and your ability to shape the world.
Through rigorous academics, service and leadership opportunities, and faculty who push you to do and be your best, you will envision the future with new eyes.
At SAU, you get so much more than a textbook education. You get a quality, private college education that is affordable. Transfer students are eligible for need- and merit-based financial assistance, including St. Ambrose grants and scholarships for academics, fine arts, athletics, diversity, dual admission, and Phi Theta Kappa honors.
You've already started your education. Now join us to finish your degree at St. Ambrose. We will walk with you, guiding and encouraging you to the end.
Just For You
Just for transferring to St. Ambrose, you are eligible for need- and merit-based financial assistance up to $15,000.
Time is of the essence
Earn your bachelor's degree in as few as four semesters! Learn how with our helpful planning guides.
Planning Guides
We'll help map your way to a SAU degree. Click below to see planning guides for each major, showing you what classes to take at your current community college and what classes to take at SAU to earn your degree.
Changing schools – or even going back after several years away from the classroom – can seem daunting.
At SAU, we reframe that perspective. Bring us your goals and challenges, and we will help you achieve and exceed your own expectations.
- We are a welcoming, inclusive community of learners who are dedicated to academic rigor. Choose from more than 60 majors and be guided by professors and study groups who will support and elevate your goals.
- We go one step further, too, in providing an abundance of services and resources to ensure your success in the classroom and in the world: mental health services, career coaching, cultural programs, veteran services, and disability services.
- Great things happen when you step out of your comfort zone and lead. Our students have voice and they act – planning activities, events, and coordinating service projects on campus and in the community. Join or lead dozens of student clubs and organizations, intramurals, and club sports.
- Your SAU education is affordable through generous scholarships and transfer credit policy (including exemptions for AA/AS degrees).
The best way to see, feel, and learn about our campus community and programs is to visit. We have expanded virtual options and in-person visit opportunities on campus.
As a transfer student, there are only two requirements for admission:
- You must have completed 12 transferable credits of academic work from a fully accredited institution of higher education.
- Maintained a 2.0 grade point average or above (on a 4.0 scale). Please submit transcripts of all prior work at higher education levels. If you have fewer than 12 transferable credits, we will base admission on your high school GPA.
Apply with the SAU application or apply with the Common Application
Returning Students
Did you stop taking classes for a while and want to finish your degree? See your options here.
We applaud the work you've already completed by accepting up to 90 credit hours from four-year colleges and universities and up to 64 credit hours from two-year or community colleges.
The Office of the Registrar, along with your major department advisor, will determine which of your transfer credits fulfill general education requirements and major requirements.
This is how we determine academic standing:
- Freshman: 0-29 credits
- Sophomore: 30-59 credits
- Junior: 60-89 credits
- Senior: 90 and more credits
Students with an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from a two-year college typically enter SAU with 64 credit hours and junior status and have completed our general education requirements with the exception of:
- Wellness Concepts (1 credit)
- Foreign Language (0-6 credits depending on the amount of high school foreign language taken)
- Theology (3 credits)
- Philosophy (3 credits)
If you've earned an Associate of Applied Science degree, consider SAU's Bachelor Degree in Applied Management Studies. With this program, you can transfer all 60 hours of your AAS degree.
Are you looking for a flexible course schedule that will fit your busy life? We offer accelerated degree programs that cater to adult students.
You can take eight-week evening, weekend, or online courses that are delivered through innovative instruction. You may also qualify for college credit based on your work and life experience.
Learn more about our adult, accelerated program options by clicking here.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Here, you get so much more than a textbook education. You get a quality, private college education that is affordable.
Transfer students are eligible for the same need-based financial aid and institutional academic scholarships as traditional students.
Many scholarships and grants are awarded based on financial need. As soon as possible after October 1, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using the SAU code 001889.
Also, if you want to graduate within two years of transferring, take at least 15 credit hours per semester (which is the same price as taking 12 credits). Get in touch with an advisor to talk about your schedule.
Amounts are for transfer students entering St. Ambrose in the 2020-21 academic year. Please scroll down for 2021-22 information.
St. Ambrose scholarships are awarded for fall and spring semesters only* and renewable up to 120 credits of undergraduate study, which includes credits transferred to St. Ambrose from prior attendance. For example: If you transfer in with an AA/AS degree, you would receive a scholarship for two additional years at St. Ambrose.
*Total combined scholarships may not exceed cost of tuition. Scholarships offered to transfer students who enroll full time, online students not eligible.
2020-21 Scholarships
Phi Theta Kappa
Criteria: awarded to all Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society members transferring from a community college
Award: $15,500
OR
Transfer Academic Scholarships
Criteria: based on GPA
Awards (non-Iowa residents):
3.5-4.00 GPA $15,000
3.0-3.49 GPA $14,000
2.5-2.99 GPA $13,000
2.0-2.49 GPA $11,000
Awards (Iowa residents):
3.5-4.00 GPA $13,000
3.0-3.49 GPA $12,000
2.5-2.99 GPA $11,000
2.0-2.49 GPA $10,000
Fr. Welch Alumni Scholarships
Criteria: parent is a St. Ambrose graduate
Award: $1,000 per year (on campus); $500/year (off campus)
Dual Admission Scholarships
Criteria: participant in SAU/community college dual admission program
Award: $1,000 maximum
Freeman Pollard Diversity Awards
Criteria: Ethnically diverse student; FAFSA required. Additional aid available by application
Award: $1,000/year (on campus); $500/year (off campus)
2020-21 Federal and State Aid
Iowa Tuition Grant
Criteria: based on financial need, Iowa residents only. File FAFSA as soon as possible after Oct. 1, deadline July 1.
Award: $6,200
Federal Pell Grant
Criteria: based on financial need; file FAFSA as soon as possible after Oct. 1
Award: $6,195 maximum
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Criteria: based on financial need, priority to Pell Grant recipients. File FAFSA as soon as possible after Oct. 1.
Award: $400 maximum
Federal Work Study
Criteria: based on financial need. File FAFSA as soon as possible after Oct. 1
Award: $1,850
2021-22 Scholarships
For transfer students entering during the 2021-22 academic year
PHI THETA KAPPA
Criteria: awarded to all Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society members transferring from a community college
Award: $16,000
OR
TRANSFER ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS
Criteria: based on GPA
Awards:
3.5-4.00 GPA $15,500
3.0-3.49 GPA $14,500
2.5-2.99 GPA $13,500
2.0-2.49 GPA $11,500
Ambrose Advantage Scholarship
Criteria: Iowa resident, Pell Grant eligible, min. unweighted GPA 2.8, admitted to SAU, full-time enrollment
Award: Full Tuition
Fr. Welch Alumni Scholarship
Criteria: parent is a St. Ambrose graduate
Award: $1,000 per year (on campus); $500/year (off campus)
Dual Admission Scholarship
Criteria: participant in SAU/community college dual admission program
Award: $1,000 maximum
Freeman Pollard Diversity Award
Criteria: Ethnically diverse student; FAFSA required. Additional aid available by application
Award: $1,000/year (on campus); $500/year (off campus)
2021-22 Federal and State Aid
Iowa Tuition Grant
Criteria: based on financial need, Iowa residents only. File FAFSA as soon as possible after Oct. 1, deadline July 1.
Award: $6,200
Federal Pell Grant
Criteria: based on financial need; file FAFSA as soon as possible after Oct. 1
Award: $6,345 maximum
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Criteria: based on financial need, priority to Pell Grant recipients. File FAFSA as soon as possible after Oct. 1.
Award: $400 maximum
Federal Work Study
Criteria: based on financial need. File FAFSA as soon as possible after Oct. 1
Award: $1,850
Contact
Admissions Office
Admissions and Welcome Center
310 W. Locust St.
Davenport, IA 52803
563-333-6300
admit@sau.edu