Rensselaer offers transfer students a wide range of aid options and a staff of financial aid professionals who will work with you to devise the best solutions.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
- First read how to apply for admission. All applicants will be automatically considered for most RPI Scholarships
- U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens may apply for Federal Aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and using RPI's school code 002803.
- State Aid may be available from the state you reside in. The process varies state-to-state and requires a separate application.
- Outside Aid Sources (non-RPI) are available to U.S. citizens, eligible non-citizens, and international students alike depending on your financial need. You may be eligible for additional scholarships or you may choose to take out alternative educational loans.
Scholarships and Awards for Transfer Students
Affiliated Two-Year and Community Colleges
This scholarship is for the top student transferring into a non-engineering program from two-year affiliated colleges and universities.
This award was created for the most outstanding student in the engineering science program at our affiliated community colleges. Generally, the award is presented to the qualifying student with the highest cumulative average.
Four-Year Affiliated Colleges and Universities
Awarded to the top student transferring to our engineering program from each of our four-year affiliated colleges and universities.
Two- and Four-Year Affiliated Colleges
This annual scholarship is awarded to the qualifying African American, Hispanic, or Native American student with the highest combined average in mathematics and science at each of our two- and four-year affiliated colleges.
Phi Theta Kappa recognizes intellectual achievement in American two-year colleges. Theta Kappa Society transfer students who are accepted and subsequently enroll at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are considered for the $5,000 annual scholarship.
Transfer Scholarship and Award Policies
In an effort to distribute funds equitably, it is Rensselaer’s policy not to combine multiple merit scholarships in any one financial aid award. Students who receive the Rensselaer Mathematics and Science Award (the Rensselaer Medal) in high school, or who have already earned a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for these scholarships. Special merit scholarships will be incorporated into need-based packages if financial need is demonstrated by the FAFSA and CSS PROFILE applications.
Unless otherwise noted, all the scholarships below provide a minimum of $18,000 per academic year and are renewable. Generally speaking, the maximum number of semesters a student may receive the award is dependent on the individual’s credits that transfer. For example, a student who would be transferring as a junior would receive 4 semesters of eligibility, 6 if participating in our Co-Terminal Program. Revisions are only made for reasons described in the Revision of Awards section of the Student Guide to Financial Aid.
PLEASE NOTE: If a student earns multiple Rensselaer merit scholarships, the university will award the highest merit award for which the student is qualified, but does not combine multiple awards. Total Rensselaer provided scholarships and/or tuition benefits may not exceed tuition.
