Transfer Students - FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

As a transfer student, what do I need to do to apply?

In order to apply to Champlain, all applicants must submit an official high school transcript or GED Equivalency, official college transcript(s) SAT/ACT scores (if you graduated high school after 2000), and the Common Application and Common Application Supplement. Letters of recommendation are optional for transfer students but often encouraged. [Common Application]

How do I apply for financial aid?

The priority deadline for transfer students applying for financial aid is May 1. Students applying after this date are still encouraged, however, to complete the FAFSA (the required financial aid form). Financial aid packages are based on the number of transfer credits that apply towards your chosen major at Champlain College, which is determined y the Office of Admission in conjunction with the faculty. [FAFSA]

How will my credits transfer in?

Credit hours for transferred courses are given full value, but grades are not transferred to a student's Champlain College permanent record and do not become part of a student's cumulative grade point average at Champlain College. In order to be considered for transfer credit, a course must be completed with a grade of C or higher. Courses in which a C- or below are earned will not transfer to Champlain. No credit is transferred for physical education courses or courses taken below the college level. The acceptance of transfer credits is at the sole discretion of Champlain College.

Champlain College delivers Education in Three Dimensions: Major courses, Core courses, and LEAD (Life Experience & Action Dimension) activities. Core courses are interdisciplinary and sequential and must be taken at Champlain College without exception. Credit for Core courses cannot come from any other college or university. In order to allow students to enter into the second year of Core courses, a Summer Bridge Program is offered to transfer students. The Summer Bridge Program is a 6 credit course (COR 130 - Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies) and is available to students who are transferring in at least 25 credits (as applied to a Champlain major, determined by Transfer Counselor/Faculty). This course equates to COR 110 and COR 120. Upon completion of the Summer Bridge Program, students begin in the fall in the 200 level Corse courses. [Core Divison][Summer Bridge Program]

You will receive an official transcript evaluation after you receive your acceptance letter. The credit evaluation includes a list of classes and credits which are transferable and their applicability to your Champlain College degree program. If you have questions, contact the Admission Office at (802) 860-2727.

What is LEAD?

All students at Champlain College who enroll in the Core courses also must enroll in LEAD (Life Experience & Action Dimension), the required student life component of Champlain's Education in Three Dimensions. Students' LEAD requirements will coincide with the level of their Core courses. If students are signed up for year one of Core (100 level courses), then they will need to participate in the first year of LEAD activities. If they complete the Summer Bridge Program and register for 200 level Core courses, then year one of LEAD is waived and the student begins with the activities designated for the second year students.

Year one of LEAD focuses on two areas - discovering personality styles and building community. Years two, three, and four address lifelong career management and financial sophistication. More information may be found at the LEAD website.

How do I know if Champlain will accept credits from my current school or a school I am planning to attend?

Champlain College only awards credit from schools that are regionally accredited. The list of regional accrediting agencies appears below.

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities

Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia

Western Association of Schools and Colleges

California, Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau

Do you accept military credit or credit for work experience?

Military Credit: Champlain College grants credit for military education following the guidelines issued by the American Council on Education

Credit for Work Experience: Credit for work experience can, in some cases, be arranged through the External Degree Program at one of the Vermont State Colleges. Students interested in seeking credit for work experience should schedule an appointment with the appropriate division dean from Champlain College.

Another way to obtain credit for work experience is through the Assessment of Prior Learning through the Community College of Vermont (CCV). Please contact CCV directly to learn more about this option.

Credit by Exam: Champlain accepts credit from the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Tests. Minimum scores on the CLE_P exam will follow the guidelines established by the College Board and the American Council on Education. An Advanced Placement Test score of 4 is required for consideration. In addition, the following policies apply to credits awarded by exam:

The student is responsible for having test scores forwarded to Champlain College.
CLEP and AP credit is considered introductory credit in each academic area. Consequently, credit will not ordinarily be granted in an academic area in which the student is earning or has already earned credit of a more advanced level.
Substitution of credits earned by exam for degree requirements is at the discretion of the College.
Division deans will determine the appropriate exam and the amount of credit (3 or 6 credits) for each exam.
Any exceptions to the College's credit by exam policies must be approved by the appropriate division dean and by the Provost.
A score of 4 or better is required on the AP exam and a 50 or better on the CLEP exam in order to earn college credit at Champlain.

I am a transfer student. Should I attend Orientation?

Champlain College welcomes students in both the fall and spring with an orientation program. Orientation is a time to become more acquainted with Champlain and meet other incoming students and your advisors. Residential students can move in and commuter students can take care of last minute details including filling out health forms, obtaining parking passes, and picking up books. While there is no separate Orientation for transfer students, it is a good idea to attend in order to become acquainted to campus life.

How and when do I pick my classes?

At Champlain, each student is assigned three different advisors: a program advisor (faculty within major), an academic advisor, and a career service advisor. A student's academic advisor will create the schedule for incoming student s for their first academic semester at Champlain. This is done so that students get the classes they need based on their transfer credits coming in. Students will be mailed information regarding how to access their schedule. At that point, changes can be made to the schedule if necessary. Subsequent semester schedules will be planned by the student with assistance from both faculty and academic advisors. For students who wish to take summer classes before entering Champlain, it is best to contact the Admission Office to determine which classes would count towards your program of study. For students wishing to take summer classes after beginning at Champlain, it is best to contact your academic advisor for approval on which summer courses will transfer towards your program of study.