You may find these handouts helpful as you plan for transfer.

Transfer Planning
Transfer Application Checklist

If you plan to transfer to a four-year college or university, there are several factors you should research and consider:

• Academic Offerings
• Cost of Attendance
• Admission Requirements
• Accreditation
• Reputation, Reviews, Retention, and Graduation Rates
• Student Support Services Available
• Size & Diversity of the Student Body
• Location & Transportation Services
• Campus Life - Extracurricular Activities, Clubs, Athletics, Greek Life
• Housing Options

Resources for Researching Colleges:

• Maryland Colleges and Universities Articulation System
• CollegeBoard College Search
• CollegeSource Online Database
• Peterson’s Guide to Colleges

Here are some of the most important factors influencing transfer of credits:

General Education or Core Requirements
Each college establishes its own general education requirements — requirements that form the foundation of a student's academic experience at that institution. By selecting a transfer school early, you can better select courses that will satisfy your transfer school's general education requirements. General education courses taken at FCC will be accepted as meeting general education requirements at Maryland four-year public colleges, but that is not necessarily the case with Maryland private colleges or out-of-state colleges. 

Major Requirements
Every academic degree offered by an institution consists of both general education requirements and specific courses required for that particular major. Deciding on a major early can ensure that you select the most appropriate courses for your intended major.

Maximum Transfer Credits
Each college determines the maximum number of credits from a community college they will accept in transfer. Often this maximum is 60 credits, which is half of the number of credits required for a bachelor's degree. However, some schools offer greater flexibility and accept a higher number of credits. Be sure to research the maximum number of credits a college accepts to ensure that every credit counts.

Out-of-State Colleges/Universities
Transferring to an out-of-state college requires more planning, and since out-of-state colleges are often not as familiar with our courses as other Maryland schools, it may require direct communication with the four-year school to determine the most appropriate courses to take while at FCC. Meeting with an FCC transfer counselor can be a good first step, but also visit the college's website to learn about course requirements, and make contact with a transfer admission staff person at that school for assistance.

Research Transfer Agreements
Use ARTSYS, an online articulation program, to check the transferability of your FCC credits to the following Maryland colleges:

• Bowie State University
• Capitol State University
• Coppin State University
• Frostburg State University
• Goucher College
• Hood College
• McDaniel College
• Morgan State University
• Notre Dame of Maryland University
• Salisbury University
• St. Mary’s College of Maryland
• Stevenson University
• Towson University – TU Transfer Equivalency System
• University of Baltimore
• University of Maryland Baltimore
• University of Maryland Baltimore County
• University of Maryland College Park – UMD Transfer Course Database
• University of Maryland Eastern Shore
• University of Maryland Global Campus
• Washington College

Regional Colleges with Transfer Equivalency Databases:

• Penn State University
• Shepherd University
• Shippensburg University
• Virginia Tech

FCC also has many Transfer Articulation Agreements that involve curriculum guides that show which courses students can take at FCC to fulfill major program requirements at particular four-year colleges.

To assist students in transferring, FCC has transfer articulation agreements with a variety of institutions. The agreements generally maximize the number of credits students will be able to transfer from FCC to result in a smooth transition from one institution to the other. These agreements are in addition to the state of Maryland's computerized articulation system, called ARTSYS, which outlines individual course equivalencies and recommended transfer programs for a variety of majors offered by all Maryland Public Institutions and a number of private institutions. Students can access ARTSYS at www.artsys.usmd.edu. 

 
Students can find a list of these Transfer Articulation Agreements in the FCC Academic Catalog. Specific agreements can also be found on the related FCC Academic Program page.

A variety of programs are available to students to help defray the costs of higher education.

1. Federal Financial Aid
   • The Pell Grant
     This program provides grants to eligible full-and part-time students. Eligibility is determined by a formula established by the government and based on information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Form (FAFSA). Students must go to the Federal Financial Aid website, to complete and submit the (FAFSA). Unlike student loans, Pell grants do not require repayment by the student.
   
   
   • Student Loans
     This program provides low interest, long-term loans offered by the federal government and various state banking agencies. Students qualify for these loans by demonstrating financial need through completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Form (FAFSA). Generally, students must begin to repay the loans within six months of completing their schooling.


2. State Aid
   Through the State Scholarship Administration, the State of Maryland provides a number of scholarship and grant opportunities to Maryland residents to further their education beyond high school. In addition, tuition tax credits for eligible families can help offset the cost of a college education.


3. Scholarships
   In addition to individual colleges/universities organizations, the State of Maryland and the University System of Maryland offer scholarships and grants to help pay the cost of higher education.
   
   Maryland State Scholarships & Applications
   The State of Maryland provides a number of scholarship and grant opportunities to Maryland residents to further their education beyond high school. Some of these opportunities are specifically available to community college students transferring to four-year colleges.
   
   University System of Maryland Regents Scholars Program
    

   The University System of Maryland Regents Scholar Award for transfer students will provide financial assistance for exceptional community college students earning the associate degree or 56 credits. The Regents Scholars Award covers the full cost of in-state tuition and mandatory fees, as well as living expenses (comparable to on-campus room and board) and a book stipend for students attending a University System of Maryland institution on a full-time basis.
   
   The University System of Maryland Regents Scholar Award for part-time student will provide funding for tuition, mandatory fees and a stipend for books and educational supplies for students attending a University System of Maryland Institution on a part-time basis. The partial scholarships will provide financial support ranging from $4,000-5,000 per year.
   
   Any student nominated for a Regents Scholarship will automatically be included in the review for the partial scholarships. By maintaining the appropriate academic standing, the students may receive this generous support for a total of four semesters (or eight semesters for the part-time student).
   
   Application materials will be made available in April 2024 with a mid-May deadline for submission of application materials. Check here in April 2024 to access application materials and instructions.

4. Scholarships for Local Colleges/Universities
   • Bowie State University
   • Coppin State University
   • Frostburg State University
   • Hood College
   • Morgan State University
   • Mount Saint Mary's University
   • Salisbury University
   • Shepherd University
   • Towson University
     Towson Transfer Equivalency System
   • University of Baltimore
   • UMBC
   • University of Maryland College Park
   • University of Maryland Eastern Shore
   • University of Maryland Global Campus
   
   The Community Foundation of Frederick County
   The Community Foundation has over 100 scholarship opportunities available in a wide variety of academic disciplines.
   
   Phi Theta Kappa Scholarships
   If you are a member of Phi Theta Kappa, you may be eligible for a national PTK scholarship.
   
   The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Program
   This is the largest scholarship offered in the US to community college transfer students. Students across the country compete for approximately 50 scholarships. Each award covers a portion of educational expenses, including tuition, living expenses, required fees, and books for the final two to three years of the baccalaureate degree. The maximum available per student is $40,000 per year.

Each semester, FCC hosts a Transfer Fair with approximately 40 area four-year colleges/universities in attendance. 
 
Students also have the opportunity to meet with area four-year college admissions representatives who visit FCC for on-site recruiting events and one-on-one advising.  
 
See the Transfer Events Calendar above for upcoming events.

Each semester, FCC hosts a Transfer Fair with approximately 40 area four-year colleges/universities in attendance. 

Students also have the opportunity to meet with area four-year college admissions representatives who visit FCC for on-site recruiting events and one-on-one advising.

See the Transfer Events Calendar above for upcoming events.

• Transferring Credits to Maryland Colleges/Universities
   
• Transferring Credits to Out-of-State Schools:  Visit the website of the student’s chosen school(s) and contact their admissions office for transfer information.

Schedule an advising session for your student to meet with FCC Advisors to research transfer options and develop a plan.