Transfer to SAU
As an Ambrosian you get a top-notch education in more than 60 majors and programs; personal attention from PhD-level faculty (not TAs); enriching experiences that lead to professional and personal growth; and a community that offers all of the guidance and support needed to reach your goals.
St. Ambrose is a university grounded in the Liberal Arts and Catholic Intellectual Tradition. We encourage inquiry, discussion, diversity, and our campus community promotes social justice. Through volunteer activities, coursework, or just by getting involved in student clubs and organizations, you will broaden your world and discover your ability to assist others.
Learn more about our undergraduate majors and programs Apply
Just For You
Depending on your GPA, you could earn up to $13,000 – just for transferring to SAU!
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
Whether you work with an advisor or go solo, use these planning guides to map your way to a degree from St. Ambrose.
The guide for each major shows which classes to take at your current community college plus what classes will be left over to take at SAU toward your bachelor's degree.
Simple enough? We thought so.
Changing schools, or even going back after several years away from the classroom, can seem daunting.
We help you with the transition by offering:
- A supportive community with many services and resources, and the best residence halls in the Midwest. See our residential options.
- Opportunities to get involved in athletics, clubs and service activities, which helps you make friends and hone your leadership skills.
- Small classes and encouraging professors make it easy to connect with others and put your ideas into practice. Our professors are committed to your personal growth.
- 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 come visit. Take a campus tour, meet some professors, students, and learn about Financial Aid opportunities.
Want to transfer to SAU? We welcome you to our community! 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 and test scores.
Returning Students
Did you stop taking classes for a while and want to finish your degree? See your options here
We accept 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 several 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
We want an SAU education and experience to be accessible to all. 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). The code for SAU is 001889. Here is a link to our Financial Aid Office and another link about SAU scholarships.
You might be accustomed to taking 12 credits each semester, but at St. Ambrose the cost is the same whether you take 12 or 18 credit hours. Also, if you want to graduate within two years of transferring, we advise taking at least 15 credit hours per semester. Get in touch with an advisor to talk about your schedule.
Amounts are for transfer students entering St. Ambrose in the 2019-20 academic year.
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.
Scholarships
Phi Theta Kappa
Criteria: awarded to all Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society members transferring from a community college
Award: $14,000
OR
Transfer Academic Scholarships
Criteria: based on GPA
Awards:
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 $9,000
Out-of-State Grants
Criteria: non-Iowa resident
Award: $2,000 per year
Fr. Welch Alumni Scholarships
Criteria: parent is a St. Ambrose graduate; on-campus students only
Award: $1,000 per year
Dual Admission Scholarships
Criteria: participant in SAU/community college dual admission program
Award: $1,000 per year
Freeman Pollard Diversity Awards
Criteria: diverse student
Award: $1,000 per year on-campus; $500 per year off-campus
Federal and State Aid
Federal Pell Grant
Criteria: based on financial need; file FAFSA as soon as possible after Oct. 1
Award: $6,095 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
Iowa Tuition Grant
Criteria: based on financial need, Iowa residents only. File FAFSA as soon as possible after Oct. 1, deadline July 1.
Award: $5,650
Contact
Admissions Office
Admissions and Welcome Center
310 W. Locust St.
Davenport, IA 52803
563-333-6300
admit@sau.edu