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 you may need 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
Transfer to Opportunity
Students who transfer to SAU each year seek educational growth and personal enrichment.
We're all about YOU
Individual attention, tutoring, advising and more help you realize your collegiate potential.
Agreements with Area Colleges
We have articulation agreements with Eastern Iowa Community College District, Scott Community College, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Moraine Valley Community College, Carl Sandburg College, and Black Hawk College. These formal agreements match coursework between the schools.
You can access those agreements here
Changing schools, or even going back after several years away from the classroom, can seem daunting.
We help 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, to help you make friends and explore your leadership abilities.
- An Information Literacy course, which acquaints you with the library's resources, friendly staff and free printers.
- Small-group learning and encouraging professors make it easy to connect with others and put your ideas into practice. Our professors are committed to your personal growth.
The best way to see, feel and learn about our campus community and programs is to come visit. Get 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 less 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 60 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 with your busy life? We offer several accelerated degree programs which 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
Our goal is to make a SAU education and experience accessible to all. Transfer students are eligible for all of 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 2018-19 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.
For questions about any of the awards below, give our friendly Financial Aid Office a call at 563-333-5775.
Institutional Aid
Guaranteed Minimum Scholarship Award
based on GPA (Grade Point Average)
3.5-4.00 GPA: $12,000 per year scholarship award
3.0-3.49 GPA: $11,000 per year scholarship award
2.5-2.99 GPA: $10,000 per year scholarship award
2.0-2.49 GPA: $8,000 per year scholarship award
Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society
Criteria: Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society membership
Award: $12,500/year for new transfer students, renewable each year up to eight semesters, including transfer hours. Scholarships awarded for fall and spring semesters only. GPA is based on 4.0 scale.
Out-of-State Grant
Criteria: non-Iowa resident
Award: $2,000/year
Fr. Welch Alumni Scholarship
Criteria: parent is a St. Ambrose graduate; on-campus students only
Award: $1,000/year
Freeman Pollard Diversity Award
Criteria: accepted diverse student
Award: $1,000/year on-campus; $500/year off-campus
Athletics Scholarship
Criteria: performance and ability
Marching band scholarships also available
Award varies
Fine Arts Scholarship
Criteria: performance and ability in art, music, theatre
Audition or portfolio required
Award varies
Dual Admission Scholarship
Criteria: participant in SAU/community college dual admission program
Award: $1,000 maximum
Federal and State Aid
Federal Pell Grant
Criteria: based on financial need; file FAFSA as soon as possible after Oct. 1
Award: $5,920 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 Award
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: @{Iowa-Tuition-Grant}
Carver Scholarship
Criteria: Iowa resident and entering junior, visit carvertrust.org for eligibility details, deadline April 1.
Award: $7,600 maximum
Contact
Admissions Office
Admissions and Welcome Center
310 W. Locust St.
Davenport, IA 52803
563-333-6300
admit@sau.edu