Prospective Transfer Student

Transfer Admission Requirements

Whatever your academic background, you have a place at CWU. If you have earned at least 40 transferrable quarter credits and maintained a college GPA of 2.5 or higher, you qualify for guaranteed transfer admission to Central.

If you have completed at least 40 quarter credits but have a lower GPA, you may be asked to submit a personal statement, and your application will undergo a comprehensive review.

If you've attended another institution but have earned fewer than 40 quarter credits, you proceed through the admissions process as a first-year applicant. 

Early Transfer Admissions Plus

Our Early Transfer Admission Plus (ETA+) program creates a seamless transition from your community college to Central. If you are in the process of earning a Washington state  AA-DTA, then you will be conditionally accepted to CWU while you are finishing up at the community college.

In order to qualify for the ETA+ program, you must:

• Be currently enrolled at a Washington State community or technical college in a Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) associate degree program.
• Have earned between 0-60 credits at the time of ETA+ application.
• Finish your associate’s degree within two years of acceptance into the ETA+ program.

As a participant in the ETA+ program, you receive a $60 application fee waiver, academic advising, career counseling, and access to financial aid workshops.

"Having an advocate to sort all of the new campus, new planning, and other decisions out helped me a lot!" - Current ETA+ participant

Key Transfer Deadlines

CWU accepts applications on a rolling basis, with admission decisions made as applications are received until the start of each quarter.

If you plan on beginning your studies at Central in the fall quarter, the priority deadline is March 1. We review applications received after this date on a space-available basis. Review all priority application deadlines. 

Transferring Credits to CWU

At Central, we ensure your past work helps you get ahead and save time and money. That’s why we strive to create a seamless credit transfer process. One to two weeks after you apply for admission and submit your official transcript(s), you can find a link to your official transfer credit report in your applicant portal.
 
To get a preliminary understanding of how many credits will apply toward your CWU degree, you can visit our Transfer Equivalency site, which can help you sketch out your academic path.

If you are transferring in with a transferable associate's degree (PDF) from a Washington community college you are considered to have your general education completed or almost completed. Degrees from some out-of-state schools (PDF) are also recognized as satisfying general education.

How to Plan for Your CWU Degree

With more than 135 degree programs, Central Washington University opens up a world of possibilities.

Our approach to education emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking, and relevant skill acquisition, ensuring you graduate career-ready and positioned for success.

Explore Our Transfer MAPs

CWU helps make your educational goals happen. We created a series of Transfer Major Academic Pathways (MAPs). These planning guides allow you to learn about your intended major and review answers to your critical questions as you consider transferring to CWU. 

If you don’t see your major listed, please send us an email and we can help you with your planning.

Additionally, we offer transfer agreements for a handful of colleges and programs, ranging from elementary education to public health.

Reverse Transfer: Earn Your Associate Degree at CWU

Did you know you have the option to finish your associate degree at Central? Through the reverse transfer process, you can complete your Washington State transferable associate degree that you began at a community college at CWU instead.

Not only do you earn an additional credential (the associate's degree), it satisfies all of CWU's general education requirements.

Financial Aid for Transfer Students

A CWU degree is worth the investment. We encourage you to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) to help you finance your education. If you do not qualify for federal assistance due to your immigration status, federal loan default, or repayments owed to federal grants, the WASFA can still offer financial aid to lower the cost of college.

Even if you have previous experience applying for and navigating financial aid, you don’t have to go through the process alone. The staff in our Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships provides guidance, answers your questions, and connects you with resources to help pay for your degree. 

For additional support, please email us at financialaid@cwu.edu or call (509) 963-1611.

Transfer Scholarships

Available scholarships for CWU transfers include:

• The Transfer Excellence Scholarship awards a $2,000 renewable tuition waiver to incoming transfer students to the Ellensburg campus with a 3.0 GPA or above. When you submit your application, we automatically consider you for this scholarship. We do not require a separate application.
• If you’re a member of Phi Theta Kappa, you can apply for a $1,000 renewable tuition waiver. Submit your application by March 1 to receive funding for the following academic year.
• If you are a resident of a state other than Washington and you've got a 3.0 or higher GPA, we automatically award you a non-resident tuition waiver to make your tuition similar to or just a bit more than that of Washington residents.
• If you are a resident of a state other than Washington and you're attending one of our entirely Online programs, you will pay in-state rates.