Transferring to MSU

Welcome to Montana State University!

MSU prides itself on providing a unique and unparalleled experience of learning, discovery, and engagement. Here is what you need to know as you take your next steps towards becoming a valued member of our Bobcat community by continuing your education at MSU.

Who is a Transfer Student at MSU?

Students who have previously been awarded a baccalaureate degree at a different institution and wish to earn a second undergraduate degree are considered transfer students at MSU and receive Post-Baccalaureate status after verifying their degree completion on an official final transcript. 

If your college credit was earned while in high school or you attempted fewer than 12 college-level credits after graduating from high school, you are considered a first-time student at MSU and should complete the freshman application. Learn more about how your prior college credit will transfer to MSU on the Transferring Credit to Montana State page. 

If you have previously attended MSU as a degree-seeking student and wish to resume your undergraduate studies at MSU after earning college credit elsewhere, you are considered a returning student and can work with the Office of the Registrar to continue your enrollment at MSU.

Admissibility Requirements for Transfer Students

Transfer applicants are considered for admission to MSU if they are in good standing at all regionally accredited colleges or universities previously attended. The MSU Office of Admissions considers a 2.0 (or C average) cumulative transferable GPA the minimum to be in good academic standing for admission.

If youhave a cumulative transferable GPA of less than 2.0 or have ever been suspended from a current or prior institution, you will need to submit official college transcripts from your previous institutions before MSU can review your application. Your application will be reviewed for admissibility on an individual case-by-case basis after all required official transcripts are received.

Steps for a Successful Transfer Experience:

Apply for Admission

If you haven't already, submit your application to MSU. MSU's application is easy to complete and does not require written essays or letters of recommendation.

MSU accepts and reviews all applications on rolling basis throughout the year.

To ensure a timely admission decision, please be sure to provide the following information for each institution you have attended when prompted on the application:

• dates of your prior college attendance
• the number of college-level credits you have attempted and earned
• your cumulative GPA

If you are a student at another Montana State University campus, please fill out the Seamless OneMSU form. This form may be found under the Student Services tab in your MyInfo account, and is titled
"MSU System Transfer and Multi-Campus Application Request Form."

If you are currently a student at a Montana University System campus, please fill out our Transmittal of Application Materials request form and submit it to the Registrar's Office at your current institution.

Transcripts

Please submit official final transcripts from all previously attended institutions to the MSU Office of Admissions. Official transcripts can be sent through a secure electronic transcript service (Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, etc.) or mailed directly from the institution to the MSU Office of Admissions. 

Physical copies of official final transcripts should be mailed to:

MSU Office of Admissions
P.O. Box 172190
Bozeman, MT 59717-2190

Transcripts sent through unsecured email attachments, mailed in unsealed envelopes, or faxed will be considered unofficial with the exception of transcripts faxed directly from another Montana University System institution with aMACRAO-fax stamp.

Transfer Credit Evaluations

The Office of Admissions only performs transfer credit evaluations on credit reported on official transcripts showing final grades posted sent directly to MSU from the awarding institution. Transfer credit evaluations can be initiated on in-progress transcripts so long as some final grades are posted.

While allcollege-level credit from regionally accredited institutions is transferrable to MSU, howthat credit might fulfill MSU's general education requirements or degree-specific requirements can vary. How your prior college credit will transfer to MSU can have a real effect on the time and cost associated with earning your degree. 

Please see the Transferring Credit to Montana State page for more information on how MSU evaluates undergraduate transfer credit and the tools available to help you understand how your credit will transfer to MSU.

Immunization Records

All students are required to submit two immunization records before they able to register for classes. Required immunizations include documentation of two eligible MMR vaccinations and completion of MSU's Tuberculosis Screening Form. More information regarding MSU's specific immunization requirements and instructions for submitting immunization documents are available on the Student Wellness website.

If you have questions regarding immunization and health record requirements, please contact the Student Health Services directly at (406) 994-2311 or via email at immune@montana.edu.

Orientation

Orientation is required for all degree-seeking students at MSU before they can register for classes. The Transfer Orientation at MSU is primarily online, self-paced, and indicates a student's intent to enroll. You can find specific instructions for how to register for orientation here.

Orientation registration for Summer and Fall 2025 opens February 12, 2025.

The online orientation opens to registered students on May 1, 2025.

Academic Planning and Class Registration

All studentsare required to meet with their academic advisor before registering for classes. Incoming transfer students are assigned an academic advisor and receive instruction on how to schedule an advising appointment during the online transfer orientation.

Your assigned academic advisor will review your previous college coursework and degree requirements to help ensure you are registering for the most appropriate classes.

You are encouraged to bring personal copies of your transcripts to your advising appointment. Catalogs and course syllabi  that include detailed descriptions of the content you have completed may also help your academic advisor determine appropriate course placement and assess your outstanding degree requirements at MSU.

If you do not have previous college-level coursework that can be used for math and writing placement, please complete the relevant placement test or submit ACT/SAT scores if available prior to meeting with your advisor.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Montana State University is proud to offer generous scholarships and achievement awards to incoming transfer students. In addition to transfer-specific achievement awards offered by the MSU Office of Admissions, transfer students are eligible for consideration for many of the college and departmental scholarships.

To be considered for need-based financial aid, you must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). MSU’s school code is (002532). Please contact or Office of Financial Aid Services for any questions regarding financial aid and FAFSA. 

All prospective and incoming students are encouraged to explore our Real Deal Tuition Calculator to better understand their estimated cost of attendance for the 2025-2026 academic year.

If you have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us! You can email our staff at admissions@montana.edu, or call us Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm MT at 1-888-MSU-CATS.