Transfer Credit Programs

• St. Olaf students must choose a transfer credit program that does not conflict with the dates of the St. Olaf term. Check the appropriate academic calendar for class and finals dates. 
• St. Olaf students must meet the program’s requirements for eligibility (e.g., GPA, prerequisite courses). For most programs, students must have completed at least one to two semesters of graded coursework.  
• Students must not have exceeded St. Olaf’s transfer credit maximums for continuing students.

F-1 students are NOT eligible to register for/participate in January Term transfer credit study abroad/away programs due to the enrollment requirements of their student visa.

• All students participating in an international program must have a valid passport that doesn’t expire until at least 6 months after the end date of the transfer credit program.   
• All non-US citizens are required to follow the Leave of Absence Policies for immigration. 
• Any student wanting to work in the U.S. on OPT after graduation shouldn’t take a leave within 1 academic year of graduation.  
• International students should consult with the Taylor Center regarding any implications for their F1 Student Visa status.

• Apply directly to the chosen transfer credit program.  Make sure to apply before the program’s deadline. 
• Fill out the Transfer Credit Programs Notification Form.  
• Semester and Academic Year participants will need to be in touch with their Class Dean and will take a leave of absence for the term they would be participating in the transfer credit program.  Transfer credit maximums for continuing students apply for all transfer credit programs.  Even if a student wishes to participate in an Academic Year program, the maximum that a student may transfer after matriculation is still 4.00 St. Olaf credits, and a maximum of two OLE Core attributes may be awarded from those 4.00 credits.  Please see St. Olaf Catalog Transfer Credit Policy for more information.

• The St. Olaf transfer credit policy applies to all transfer credit programs. There are limitations regarding transfer credits, including:
  • Four total transfer credits may be awarded after matriculation.  *A transfer student may be allowed fewer than 4.0 credits after matriculation depending upon the total credits initially transferred.
  • Only two courses may be 3 semester credit or 4 quarter credit courses. 
  • The remaining two transfer credit courses must be equivalent to 4 semester or 5.5 quarter credits.
  • A grade of C or higher is required for the course to be eligible for transfer.
  • The grades earned will be recorded on the St. Olaf transcript, but will not be factored into a student’s GPA.

• Can credits apply toward a major or concentration?
  • Students should talk with their major/concentration Department Chair(s) and Program Director(s) to determine if the transfer course(s) can apply toward their major or concentration.  Departments may have limitations on transfer credit applying toward a major or concentration.
• Can transfer courses fulfill OLE Core requirements?
  • Only two OLE Core attributes may be awarded from credits transferred after matriculation.  See Transfer Policies for Continuing Students for more information.  To inquire if a specific course might be able to fulfill a particular OLE Core requirement, please email Rick Moon (moon5@stolaf.edu) in the Registrar’s Office, including course details and the requested OLE Core requirement.
• Does a particular grade need to be earned for the course to transfer?
  • Per college policy, the course must be completed with a grade of C or higher in order for the course to transfer.  A final official transcript from the school of record for the program is required.
• Will transfer courses impact a student’s St. Olaf GPA?
  • No.   Only graded courses taught by St. Olaf faculty impact a student’s St. Olaf GPA.  The transfer course(s) will be listed on the student’s official St. Olaf transcript, including the grade received, but will not be used for calculating the GPA.  Per college policy, the course must be completed with a grade of C or higher in order for the course to transfer.

• A School of Record transcript is an official transcript issued by an accredited institution that documents and awards credit for courses taken at an unaccredited institution or program.
• Students participating in transfer credit programs will need to obtain an official School of Record (SOR) transcript from their program.  SOR transcripts often carry an additional fee.

• Intent to enroll must be completed for each term.  If a student participates in a transfer credit program during/in place of the Fall, January, and/or Spring term at St. Olaf, they will need to indicate that they are not enrolled at St. Olaf for that term.
• There will be no placeholder in SIS or on the transcript for the term(s) that a student participates in a transfer credit program.
• If a student participates in a transfer credit program during Fall or Spring term, they should make arrangements to participate in St. Olaf Registration for the following term at their scheduled registration time.

• All students wanting to earn credit for an internship must follow the getting academic credit for an internship guidelines to gain academic credit.  There are restrictions and requirements for internships.

• Students will rely on their program staff for support while studying abroad/away on a transfer credit program.
• The Smith Center does not advise on program academics or logistical planning (passports, visas).
• Semester/Year participants will be on leave of absence from St. Olaf and not be eligible to use St. Olaf for support.
• All transfer credit participants may be unable to access St. Olaf on campus resources, like TimelyCare, Counseling Center, Wellness Center, etc. 
• The St. Olaf’s EIIA emergency international health insurance is not applicable for transfer credit programs. Students should inquire with their program about what insurance is available/included in the program fees.

• January Term and Summer applicants only: All students must fill out the Transfer Credit Programs Notification Form to be considered for a need-based St. Olaf Smith Center for Global Engagement Transfer Credit Scholarship. 
  • Summer programs: Only program’s offered by Smith Center semester/year partners are eligible for Smith Center scholarship.
  • January Term programs: Only CIEE programs are eligible for Smith Center scholarship.
  • Semester/year programs: Not eligible for a St. Olaf Smith Center Scholarship.  
• For questions about St. Olaf Study Abroad Scholarship funding possibilities, please reach out to finaid@stolaf.edu.  
• Students should also check with their program for any scholarships they may be eligible for directly through their program.  Additional scholarships may be identified by Googling study abroad scholarships. Pay attention to scholarship deadlines as some can be before the program application deadline.  
• Program tuition may be billed through student accounts.  Students will be responsible to pay all other costs directly to the program.
• Non-tuition expenses will be paid directly by the student to the program (e.g.,. housing, meals, excursions, etc.) or on their own (e.g., airfare)
• Students should submit their formal acceptance letter from the program to financial aid staff and request disbursement of their scholarship funds.

• Some program applications will require you to complete a Home School Nomination Form.  That form will be sent to a Smith Center staff member.  The Smith Center will be notified via email to complete this form.  
• If you need to complete a Study Abroad Approval Form, send a pdf copy to smith.center@stolaf.edu.  The Smith Center will complete the form and email it back to you.

• All students participating in an international program must have a valid passport that doesn’t expire until at least 6 months after the end date of the transfer credit program.  

• Students will be responsible to abide by the program’s cancellation policy.  
• Contact the program for their cancellation and refund policy.

• A School of Record transcript will be sent from the program.  It will take some time to receive the transcript from the program.  Ask the Registrar’s Office 6 weeks after your return to inquire if your transcript has been received.  
• Students who are studying abroad/away for a semester or year need to be in touch with St. Olaf Residence Life, Dean’s Office, and the Registrar’s Office in advance of their return.