Transfer Student FAQs
General questions
I have applied to Missouri State University, what kind of communication should I expect
after I complete my admissions application?
Students should receive an email two business days after they are admitted and then will be getting a letter in the mail the following week
How soon after submitting my application should I expect to find out about my admissions
decision?
Once all application documents are received, such as transcripts, an admission decision is normally made in 6-8 business days.
What process should I use or who should I contact if I want to check on the status
of my application?
Students can reach out to the Office of Admissions by e-mail at Admissions@MissouriState.edu or call 417-836-5517 or 1-800-492-7900
What are some things that I could do to ensure a timely admissions decision?
Request transcripts to be sent electronically through the Clearinghouse or Parchment. Mailed transcripts will be received, but it takes longer for them to arrive and your application will be processed at a slower rate.
When should I begin thinking about transferring to MSU?
We would love to assist you from your first semester at your current school through your transfer to MSU! Ideally, you will work with the Office of Admissions and advisors/transfer specialists prior to your transfer. Early conversations ensure you are pursuing the most appropriate community college degree and completing courses that will not only meet requirements at your community college but will also transfer and help meet degree requirements for your intended MSU major.
What services do you have for transfer students to help with the transition?
Missouri State offers several services to help students transition to university life, including support for transfer and commuter students, veterans, adult students, eligible underrepresented students, and students seeking academic support. These programs provide opportunities to connect with campus, access specialized resources, and receive academic and transition support through graduation.
I'm in high school. What classes should I take as dual credit?
Earning college credit in high school is a wonderful opportunity. We suggest taking classes that will help meet a general education requirement or a degree requirement for a specific major. You can use the Transfer Equivalency Search to view how courses will transfer to Missouri State from your dual credit program
What is the quickest way to raise my GPA?
One of the quickest ways to raise your GPA is to retake a course. You can repeat a course and the most recent grade will replace the previous grade in the calculation of your GPA. This works with transfer coursework if the courses are available as an exact match. However, your original grade will remain on your transcript.
Transferring credits
Will my credits transfer?
MSU awards credit for undergraduate courses that have been completed through a regionally accredited institution. Credit is not awarded for remedial/preparatory courses. View a full description of the Undergraduate Transfer Policy.
How do I find out how my credits transfer?
The online course equivalency guide shows how courses at your current or previous institution will transfer to MSU. If one of your courses is not included in this list, please email Transfer@MissouriState.edu to determine the MSU equivalency. Your official evaluation of credit is completed once you apply to the university and have your official transcript(s) sent directly from each college through which you’ve earned credit. Your official evaluation of credit is available on My Missouri State.
How do I send my transcripts to MSLJ?
Once grades are posted at the transfer institution, request to send an official transcript to Missouri State Admissions. The transcript can be sent electronically through National Student Clearinghouse or mailed to the Office of Admissions. If currently enrolled, send a transcript at the time you apply and after each semester until you transfer.
What should I take at my current "school before transferring?
Transfer Degree Plans are intended to guide community college students on courses to take before transferring. Two plus Two plans have been created to help students map out a sequenced pathway from start to finish. You can also use the online course equivalency guide to help you choose courses with the consultation of an advisor at your current school.
How do I take a summer class transfer it back to MSU?
Before taking a summer class at another institution, visit with your academic advisor at Missouri State to make sure the course will transfer back correctly. You can also use the Transfer Equivalency Search to view course equivalencies from other colleges and universities. Check with the other institution to find out if the course is available during a particular semester. Once grades are posted at the transfer institution, request to send an official transcript to Missouri State Admissions. The transcript can be sent electronically through National Student Clearinghouse or mailed to the Office of Admissions.
Financial aid
What scholarships are available to me as a transfer student?
Missouri State offers automatic and competitive scholarships for transfer students. The Transfer Academic Scholarship provides $1,500 per year for students with at least a 3.25 transfer GPA and 24 transferable credit hours. The Transfer Excellence Scholarship provides $2,500 per year for students with at least a 3.50 transfer GPA and a completed community college degree. Both may be renewable for up to two additional years. Scholarship deadlines are June 1 for fall and December 1 for spring. Dual credit completed in high school does not count toward the transfer GPA used for scholarship eligibility. Admitted students may also apply for donor-funded scholarships. The Donor Scholarship Application deadline is March 1.
When should I send my FAFSA to MSU?
MSU's priority processing deadline is February 1. It is recommended that you complete the application at least two to three weeks before February 1 to be considered for maximum aid. You want to meet this deadline to be considered for all types of aid. If you did not originally include Missouri State’s federal school code on your FAFSA, you can go to the FAFSA corrections menu on the FAFSA website and add our school code (002503) to your application then submit the correction. You will need your FSA ID for this option. You can contact our financial aid office if you have specific questions related to FAFSA and your application to Missouri State University.
Advisement
Who will be my MSU advisor?
Each MSU department and academic program has a specific transfer advisor to help you lean about program requirements, review your transfer credit and ease your transition to MSU. If you know your major, contact the transfer advisor in that specific degree. If you are trying to decide among several major options and have not declared a major, contact the transfer advisor for undeclared students or call 417-836-5258. If you are a nontraditional, adult student contact AdultStudentServices@MissouriState.edu or call 417-836-4126.
Can I meet with an academic advisor before I'm admitted to MSU?
Yes. Prospective students are welcome to make an appointment with an academic advisor to discuss how courses at their current institution will transfer to Missouri State. Please bring an unofficial transcript or list of courses you've taken so the advisor can assist in mapping out a plan moving forward.
When should I schedule an advising appointment for registration?
You can schedule an advising appointment for registration as soon as you're admitted to Missouri State. The spring semester schedule is available on February 1 and the fall semester schedule on September 1, so it is important to make an appointment to discuss courses with an academic advisor as soon as possible.
When will I register for classes?
MSU values transfer students! While many four-year institutions require transfer students to register after freshmen, at MSU you will register at the same time current MSU students are registering. MSU follows a registration sequence based on the number of completed credit hours, which includes dual credit and transfer credit hours.
Admissions
When should I apply for admission?
You may apply to MSU nearly a year prior to your transfer. While MSU admits students through the first week of classes in the fall and spring semesters, it's recommended to apply by the beginning of your last semester at your current school.
How do I apply for admission?
Complete the online admission application. Request that your official transcript(s) be sent directly from each college/university through which you've earned credit to Missouri State's Office of Admissions. The transcript(s) can be sent electronically through National Student Clearinghouse or mailed to the Office of Admissions. If currently enrolled, send a transcript at the time you apply and after each semester until you transfer.
I'm admited to MSU. Now what?
Once you're admitted to Missouri State, you will receive a copy of the Admitted Student Checklist for Transfer Students. The checklist will provide several tasks to be completed before the start of the first semester. Before registering for MSU courses, you will need to activate your account, complete an online orientation, and schedule/meet with your MSU academic advisor.
Campus life
Do I have to live on campus
Students who are not married, under 21 and have earned fewer than 27 hours of transferable credit after high school are required to live on campus. If you have completed 27 hours of transferable credit after high school, you are not required to live on campus. Certain exceptions are considered related to the University Housing Policy for married students, students with children or students who have other circumstances that would qualify for an exception. You may review the Exceptions to the University Housing Policy. One of many options transfer students interested in living on campus have is to live in Kentwood Hall. Kentwood Hall is a recently renovated historic six-story building that houses only transfer students and provides a living-learning community. Discover more information about Kentwood Hall.
I want to live on campus. Is there housing for transfer students?
Yes. Transfer students wanting to live on campus are encouraged to look into Kentwood Hall as an option. Kentwood Hall is a recently renovated, historic, six-story building that houses transfer students and provides a living-learning community.
I'm commuting/living off campus. Can I get a meal plan?
Yes. Commuter meal plans are a great way to save time, money and your parking spot. Commuter students are able to choose from a traditional meal plan for the dining halls, BoomerMeals that can be used at any dining location on campus or a combination of the two.