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Am I a Transfer Student?

The answer is yes if you have any transferable college credits taken after graduating from high school.  NNU accepts credits from almost all other regionally accredited colleges and universities.  The process of applying for admission to NNU is different for a transfer than for a first-time freshman.  As an experienced college student already, you may be all too familiar with the confusion of transferring documents and materials to other universities as well as with the sometimes extensive process of applying for admission and financial aid.  At NNU we strive to serve this student group throughout the process with an admissions counselor dedicated solely to transfers and with helpful and available personnel in the Financial Aid and Registrar's Offices.  

Information about transferring to NNU is available from this webpage, through our catalog, or via mail, email, phone, or campus visit.  Connecting with NNU's transfer student admissions counselor is crucial if you are ready to start the application process or if you just have questions about NNU or transferring.  Don't hesitate to contact Anna Lee through NNU's toll-free number, 1-877-NNU-4YOU, or directly at 208/467-8499 or by email at aslee(at)nnu.edu.

Transfer Admissions Counselor

Admissions Counselors

Admissions Checklist

  • The first step is to fill out the traditional undergraduate Application for Admission and Financial Aid.  Be sure to indicate on the application that you are a transfer and to list all previously attended institutions. Pay the $25 application fee.
  • The next step is to request official transcripts directly from all colleges or universities you have attended.  (Failure to disclose attendance at a previous institution could result in dismissal from Northwest Nazarene.)  If you are still in progress at a school, please submit an initial or unofficial transcript and plan to order a final official copy when you have completed all coursework there.  
  • You will be required to submit ACT or SAT scores if you have fewer than 28 transferable credits.  If you haven't taken one of these exams, you can sign up for a national testing date or ask about taking one on the NNU campus. 
  • Order your official high school transcripts or high school equivalency test scores if you have fewer than 28 transferable credits. 
  • Complete the NNU Commitment Agreement form. All students in NNU's traditional undergraduate degree programs must agree to a set of lifestyle/code of conduct guidelines as outlined on this form. Applicants are also required to disclose any arrest situations.
  • All transfers are required to submit the Character Recommendation form. This can be completed for you by a pastor, employer, teacher, etc. Your recommender cannot be a relative.  
  • Complete Health and Medical History form and the Immunization Record form (or send a copy of immunization records.) 
  • Complete the Residential Status Agreement form. Please submit this form even if you do not plan to live on campus. Only the first page of the housing form is required for students planning to live off campus. Students under the age of 22 who are not married and do not have children are required to live on campus and must supply an additional form to be considered for an exception to the on-campus housing policy. 
  • Fill out the Transfer Student Academic Planning form to start the course scheduling process. 
  • Pay $250 Advance Deposit by May 15th (fall semester applicants) or November 15th (spring semester applicants) to secure your spot at NNU.

Admission Requirements

Transfer Admissions Criteria: The minimum requirements to be accepted as a transfer student at NNU are as follows: 

  • Cumulative college GPA of at least 2.0 
  • Good academic standing at all previous institutions 
  • Students with fewer than 28 transferable credits will also be evaluated on high school GPA and ACT or SAT scores

Students falling below regular requirements in one or more area may be admitted on provisional status. Call the transfer admissions counselor for more information.

Current Transfer Student

Corey Mouat, Transfer Fall 2009

Major: History and Political Science
Hometown: Chelan, Washington
Interests: Camping, Intramurals

Why NNU?: "After researching many private universities around the Northwest, I found NNU to be a place where faith and education meet in a unique way. I could tell the students felt a true sense of belonging. I knew I would be happy at NNU and not want to leave."

Favorite thing about NNU: "The professors are extremely helpful and care about me as a person not just as a student."

Advice for transfers: "Apply early in the process and be prompt with completing materials for the easiest transition." "Come to NNU with an open mind and an open heart and you won't be disappointed."

FAQ

Transfer Credit and Registering

How can I determine what courses will transfer? 
The Office of the Registrar will evaluate your transcripts to determine what college level courses will apply toward a bachelor's degree. A summary of credits accepted, a major degree audit and a classification can be determined if you submit your transcripts early. While unofficial evaluations may be completed on unofficial transcripts, official copies are required for a degree audit to be developed. Technical, vocational and remedial classes will not transfer. NNU does not accept grades below a C- (1.75) for transfer. If you have course work from a college outside of the U.S., official course descriptions in English are required.

Will I lose credit if I transfer to NNU from a quarter system?
If a student is transferring from a quarter system to NNU, that student will not lose credits. The credits are simply calculated into the semester system. Quarter credits are divided by 1.5 to calculate semester credits.

Will NNU accept college level examination program (CLEP) credit and/or Advanced Placement (AP) credits? If you earned an accepted score, you will receive units of credit for CLEP tests. This also includes credits received from AP tests. These may not be included in the residency requirement for graduation. A maximum of 25 percent of total credits required for a degree (31 credits) may be earned for non-classroom experience. All scores must be sent to the University from the testing center. 

What is the maximum number of credits I can transfer?
A maximum of 62 semester credits or one-half the total required for graduation may be transferred from a two-year school. See Undergraduate Catalog at nnu.edu/catalogs for additional information about Two-Year Transfer Degrees. NNU accepts an unlimited number of credits from accredited four-year institutions. In order to graduate from NNU, a minimum of 24 credits must be earned from this institution, including at least 8 upper-division credits in the major. For students transferring in from another insitution seeking a second bachelor's degree, a minimum of 32 credits must be earned at NNU, including at least 10 upper-division credits in the major.

How and when do I register for classes? 
For students transferring for a fall semester, work will begin on your schedule in May or June. A major advisor will design a schedule for you based on your transfer work. You will be sent a copy of this schedule and can then make any changes you would like. Payment for fall semester can be made during the summer, prior to coming to campus. Payment confirms your schedule. During fall orientation, you will be required to meet with your major advisor to verify your schedule. You will have the opportunity to make schedule adjustments at this meeting if you haven?t before.

Campus Life and Housing

Can I live off campus?
All unmarried students without children who are less than 22 years of age are required to live in a residence hall. Residence halls are divided into upper and lower division categories.

Does NNU have married/non-traditional student housing?
Apartments and rentals are available for married and/or non-traditional students. Call the NNU properties and rentals manager at 208-467-8633 for more information.

As a transfer student, will I be required to attend University chapels? 
Yes, all full-time and some part-time students are required to attend chapel. Chapels are held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. No classes conflict with chapel. Students with children or jobs may qualify for chapel requirement reductions. See nnu.edu/studenthandbook for more information on chapel and lifestyle policies at NNU.

Athletics

If I play varsity sports, what information do I need to know when transferring to NNU? 
NNU competes at the NCAA Division II conference level and does offer athletic scholarships. Varsity sport teams include women's soccer, volleyball, track and field, cross country, softball and basketball; and men's soccer, golf, track and field, cross country, baseball and basketball. For more information on recruitment, NCAA compliance and walk-on opportunities, contact individual coaches or call the NCAA Division II Compliance Coordinator, at 208-467-8352. You should also complete a prospective student recruitment form online at nnusports.com.

Financial Aid

Do transfer students qualify for financial aid at NNU?
Yes, NNU has many types of financial aid available for qualifying, full-time transfer students including federal loans and grants, university grants, and scholarships. Transfers may qualify for both need and merit based aid.

How do I apply for financial aid at NNU?
Submission of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and NNU's Application for Admission and Financial Aid is required before a financial aid package can be determined. Academic scholarships are based upon cumulative transfer GPA. See the NNU financial aid webpage at nnu.edu/financialaid for more information.

Alternative Degree Programs

Does NNU offer special programs for non-traditional, adult and/or working students?
Yes, NNU offers several online and/or evening programs for adult students over the age of 23. Programs are currently available in business administration, accounting, education, Christian ministries, and applied studies. These programs have separate application processes and pricing scales from the traditional undergraduate programs. Please see the individual program websites or call 1-877-NNU-4YOU and ask about our non-traditional programs.