STUDENT TRANSFER RESOURCES

7 Reasons Bellevue University is a transfer-friendly college.

Completing your degree at a different school than the one you started at might sound like a complicated process on the surface — but it certainly doesn't have to be. Bellevue University prides itself on making college accessible for all transfer students, regardless of where (or when) they left off.

It's no wonder the University was named to Phi Theta Kappa's Transfer Honor Roll, which recognizes the top four-year institutions that create dynamic pathways to support transfer students. In fact, Bellevue University was ranked among the top 25 percent of transfer-friendly colleges.

As you begin to think about your own journey back to school, you'll want to be sure you're investing your time, money, and energy in a school that will invest just as much in you. Join us as we explore a handful of the ways Bellevue University supports its transfer students.

7 Factors that make Bellevue University a transfer-friendly college

Transfer students come from a variety of different circumstances. You may be currently enrolled in school, you might have a handful of credit hours you earned years ago, you could have an entire associate degree to your name, or it's possible you've participated in alternative educational experiences like military service.

Regardless of your specific scenario, you can find a path forward at Bellevue University. Join us as we explore some of the ways the institution has solidified itself as a transfer-friendly university.

1. Community college graduates can transfer their entire associate degree

If you've already earned an associate degree at a community college or through a different two-year program, you'll be happy to learn that you won't need to forfeit any of those credits when you transfer to Bellevue University. Your associate degree may fulfill our General Education Core Curriculum requirements for a traditional or accelerated bachelor's degree program.

By allowing students to transfer their associate-level credits, Bellevue University expedites the timeline toward completing a bachelor's, saving students both time and money in pursuit of their degree. As long as your previous credits were earned from an accredited institution, you should have no problem applying them to your degree at Bellevue University.

2. Accelerated programs allow students to earn their degrees even faster

Transferring existing credits allows you to speed up your pursuit of a degree — and online accelerated degree programs can help you keep that momentum going once you enroll. Bellevue University offers more than 25 in-demand cohort bachelor's degree programs, including majors in computer science, business, criminal justice, psychology, and healthcare.

We've streamlined our coursework to cover the same level of learning over a shortened period of time. The calendars in these accelerated degree programs have been reimagined to fit the lives of busy students who don't have the bandwidth to let school dominate their lives. And students in these programs don't just benefit from the expedited timeline — they also reap the rewards of joining a dynamic cohort learning model in which they progress through their major course by course with the same supportive classmates in a highly interactive learning environment.

3. Students can receive credit for military training or other alternative experience

Having completed previous college courses isn't the only way to transfer in credits at Bellevue University. We remain committed to honoring as much of your relevant experience as possible.

That's why the school also considers alternative options, such as offering credit for applicable work experience or military training — a process that typically involves an assessment. Students can also earn college credit with passing scores on exams like the DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST), the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and Advanced Placement (AP) exams.

But support for military students doesn't end with Bellevue University's generous transfer policy. The institution is equipped with staff who have experienced military service firsthand and understand the unique needs of servicemembers and veterans. Bellevue University also offers Military Preferred tuition rates, career counseling, tutoring, housing assistance, and flexible learning options that accommodate the needs of active-duty families.

4. Returning students don't need to worry about their credits expiring

One of the foremost concerns transfer students face is whether the passage of time will have an impact on the number of credits a new school will accept. Truthfully, not all schools will honor credits that were earned years and years ago — but that's not the case at Bellevue University.

We understand there are many different reasons that might cause a student to take a break from their studies. Whether it's been a couple months or a couple decades, Bellevue University is committed to honoring your hard-earned credits. You can work with our admissions counselors to determine how to apply your existing credits in pursuit of a new degree.

5. Credit evaluations are offered at no cost

Despite hearing just how generous Bellevue University's transfer credit policy is, you may still have some apprehension about whether your specific credits will transfer. You can't apply with full confidence until you understand just how everything will shake out.

That's why Bellevue University offers free credit evaluations for interested transfer students. You can work with an admissions counselor to determine which of your existing credits will fulfill the credit hours required for the degree you'll be seeking. This can give you a clearer idea of what to expect in transferring to Bellevue University.

The school also hosts a Real-Time Course Transfer Guide on the website that inquiring students can use to see how credits from their former school may transfer at Bellevue University. Do note, however, that the results of this tool are preliminary and remain subject to change upon evaluation of your official transcripts.

6. Transfer students still qualify for financial aid

You may be accustomed to seeing attractive financial aid packages and hefty scholarship offerings available to first-year students, but you can still qualify for tuition assistance as a transfer student at Bellevue University.

The school offers both need-based and merit-based scholarships and grants to qualifying students, and counselors are available to assist in the federal financial aid process as well. That said, if it's been a while since you first went to college, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process itself may be a bit different for you now than it was back then.

For example, now that you're considered an independent by federal standards, you won't have to include things like parental income information. As a result, adult transfer students often qualify for increased financial aid. It's also worth noting that enrolling in a college program as an independent student can lead to certain tax breaks. Some of the education tax credits at the federal level include the American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit.

7. Assistance is available every step of the way

Transferring schools can seem like a complicated process. But transfer-friendly colleges like Bellevue University don't just make it possible — they make it easy. From evaluating how to apply your existing credits to navigating financial assistance, all incoming students will receive guidance from a dedicated team of admissions counselors who will support you along the way.

And once enrolled, every student is assigned an academic advisor called a Student Coach who will offer continued support throughout the duration of their degree completion plan. Your Student Coach will assist in keeping you on track to graduate by helping you register for classes and offering academic advising services along the way.

Finish what you started at Bellevue University

It's clear that no matter what your specific circumstances are as a transfer student, you'll get the credit you deserve at Bellevue University. From the generous transfer credit policy to the numerous support services available to all students throughout their academic journeys, you can find the guidance you need by enrolling at a transfer-friendly college like this one.

If you're ready to get a clearer picture of just how much of your previous coursework will count toward a degree at Bellevue University, you can work with our team of admissions counselors to get the answers you need. Take the first step by requesting a credit evaluation today.

For answers to more questions regarding transferring colleges, visit our Transfer Student Resource Hub.