Admitted Transfer Students
Admitted Transfer Student Next Steps
To join the Bobcat family, admitted transfer students have important next steps to take. Just read all of the information about each of the steps to prepare for a successful start this fall. Please check out our virtual visit opportunities to talk with advisors, faculty, and students. You can ask questions online, receive a phone call or text, or participate in an online event.
| Next Steps | When |
|---|---|
| Activate your OHIO ID | Upon applying |
| Fund your education/file FAFSA | Beginning October 1 |
| Confirm your intent to enroll/submit housing contract and deposit | January 3–at least June 1* |
| Review preliminary transfer credit evaluation | 10 days after admission |
| Apply online to join a learning community | February 1–June 14 |
| Pay $200 housing deposit for second-year room selection | By February 25 |
| Sign up for Bobcat Student Orientation (new dates added!) | Beginning February 1 |
| Choose a room during second-year room selection (if applicable) | April 20-24 |
| Review financial aid offer | Beginning in early April |
| Pay $200 housing deposit for general room selection | By May 1 |
| Select a roommate if you wish | By May 18 |
| Choose a room during first-year room selection | May 18-22 |
| Transfer your credits | Before orientation |
| Attend Bobcat Student Orientation | June 2, June 18, June 23 |
| Review merit scholarship letter | Beginning mid-June (if applicable) |
| Review student expectations and academic calendar | After orientation |
| Enable OHIO online services | After orientation |
| Request final transcript be sent to OHIO | By June 30 |
| Complete online alcohol and sexual assault education courses* | July 13-August 24 |
| Pay fall semester account balance | August 21 |
| Move in | August 22-23 |
| Start fall semester classes | August 24 |
* Transfer students with fewer than 30 earned credit hours are required to complete this training.
Activate Your OHIO ID
Upon Applying
To get started, it is essential that you activate your OHIO ID. You need your OHIO ID to access your OHIO e-mail and the housing contract. Your birth date and your personal identification (PID) number (provided in your application acknowledgement letter) are all you need to officially activate your online OHIO access, including e-mail.
Make sure you check your OHIO e-mail regularly. All official correspondence will be sent to your Ohio University e-mail account.
Learn about your Catmail e-mail account
Fund Your Education
Beginning October 1
Ohio University is committed to an affordable college education. We are dedicated to helping our students find the financial support they need to discover their promise at OHIO. During the 2018-2019 academic year, our students earned more than $38 million in scholarships, and nearly $31 million in institutional, state, and federal need-based gift aid was awarded.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) serves as your application for all types of financial assistance at Ohio University. The FAFSA results must be received by Ohio University no later than May 15 for first-priority consideration for all federal, state, and institutional financial aid. Your application for admission serves as your merit-based scholarship application. For scholarship consideration, transfer students must be admitted for fall semester by May 15. OHIO may continue to award using updated credentials on an individual basis throughout the year.
In the My OHIO Student Center, you can view account details, account balance, and payment options. You can also designate authorized users to enable other individuals to view your account details and make payments.
Financial aid and scholarships
Confirm Your Intent to Enroll
January 3–extended to at least June 1
For students required to live on campus, submission of the housing contract and deposit or housing exemption form is the way you accept your admission and any scholarships you've been offered and confirms your intent to enroll at OHIO. Transfer students with fewer than four semesters or six quarters in the residence halls after high school graduation are required to live on campus and participate in the associated meal plan. (See the link to exemptions below.) For other students, submission of the final transcript confirms their intent to enroll. Students who are not required to live on campus may still apply for housing. There is no deadline to accept your Ohio University admission.
*Note: Undergraduate Admissions will extend the May 1 deadline for admission and scholarships to at least June 1 and as needed for families throughout the summer as space permits. Please contact Undergraduate Admissions if you and your family need extra time to submit the housing contract and deposit or commuter exemption. The deadline to request a refund of the deposit in writing has been extended to June 1.
Our beautiful, historic, residential campus provides an environment where students of diverse backgrounds live and learn together, build friendships, and share their ideas and perspectives. About 8,000 students live in our 41 residence halls and dine in our award-winning campus eateries. Housing and Residence Life provides all the comforts you expect, along with creative programs to enhance the academic, social, cultural, recreational, and service aspects of your life.
Students do not need to know where they would like to live on campus to complete a housing contract. After completing the contract and selecting a meal plan, students will receive information about housing selection. Transfer students who are admitted and have completed a housing contract by February 25 may select a room April 20-24 through Housing Self-Service. Transfer students who complete a housing contract February 25-May 1 may select a room during first-year general room selection May 18-22. Students who know with whom they want to live may select a second-year/transfer student roommate April 20-24 or a first-year roommate by May 18. After May 1, transfer students who complete a housing contract will be placed in available spaces within second-year halls. A limited room change process will occur May 27–August 1.
Submit your housing contract or exemption to confirm your enrollment
View housing exemption information
Review Transfer Credit Evaluation
Transfer students who have activated their OHIO ID can view a preliminary transfer credit evaluation in their online OHIO Student Center. The preliminary transfer credit evalution is available within 10 days after admission.
The guide Understanding Your Online Transfer Credit Evaluation Report explains how to interpret each part of the report. If you have questions about your report, you can review our FAQ.
Review Transfer Credit Evaluation
Explore Learning Communities
Beginning February 1
A learning community (LC) is a group of Athens campus students who take a common set of courses together or share a common experience built around their academic studies. For some academic programs at OHIO, LC participation is required. More than 200 learning community options are available each year, with more than 90 percent of new students participating in them. LCs are only offered for students arriving in the fall.
LCs may be college-based, designed around student interests, or structured to serve a particular group of students, such as transfer students. With your community members, LC leader, LC instructor, and faculty who teach your linked courses, you will make connections throughout the University. Each of these unique relationships can contribute to an academically rich, fun, and rewarding experience and your ultimate success at OHIO.
Apply online to join a learning community February 1-June 14 or in person at Bobcat Student Orientation.
Learn about transfer Learning Communities
Sign Up for Orientation
Beginning February 1
Bobcat Student Orientation (BSO) connects you with the people and resources you'll need to transition into OHIO with confidence. During this required online event, faculty, staff, and orientation leaders will teach you about the curriculum and the requirements for your major. You must attend orientation even if you did so at your previous institution.
Orientation sessions are conducted throughout the month of June, and sessions have been added on July 23, July 29, and August 7. A one-day orientation program for transfer students who were unable to attend previous sessions will be held before classes begin.
Please review the Preparing for Your Orientation page to ensure you are fully prepared to participate in the online program. Placement tests are critical, so be sure you’ve taken all necessary placement tests before your scheduled BSO program. You should also review the Undergraduate Catalog 2020-2021 to learn about available courses. Bobcat Student Orientation includes registering for courses.
You will learn how to take advantage of the resources and opportunities available to you as part of the OHIO community. Optional sessions for families and guests ensure the entire family will be informed about University academic programs and opportunities, policies, facilities, and services.
Transfer students who have confirmed their intent to enroll will receive BSO registration information in the mail.
Sign up for transfer student orientation
Transfer Your Credits
Before Orientation
Generally, college-level courses completed with a C- or better from a regionally accredited institution as part of College Credit Plus or dual enrollment programs through a high school are transferable to OHIO. Test credit (Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, College Level Examination Program) is also generally accepted, provided you earn the necessary score. To transfer your credit, you must have an official college transcript or score report sent from the college or testing agency directly to Undergraduate Admissions.
Learn more about transfer credit
Prepare to Join OHIO
Beginning in May
Now you are ready to complete the rest of the tasks required to ensure a smooth transition to your first day at Ohio University. This includes reviewing the course catalog, enabling your online services, learning about student health services and insurance, and planning for transportation to campus. Transfer students with fewer than 30 earned credit hours must complete the online alcohol and sexual assault education courses.