Transfer Admissions
Students may transfer to Mississippi State University from a regionally accredited community, junior, or senior college for any period of enrollment, provided they have earned a 2.0 GPA on all college courses attempted (as computed by Mississippi State University). Applicants must list all colleges attended on the application for admission, must be in good standing with the last college or university attended, and must meet one of the following options for admission:
- New Transfer (15 or more transferable hours)
- College GPA - 2.0 cumulative GPA on all credit hours*
- Good Academic Standing
- New Transfer (less than 15 transferable hours)
- College GPA - 2.0 cumulative GPA on all credit hours*
- Good Academic Standing
- Submit High School Transcript and ACT or SAT scores for consideration
- For students interested in MSU-Meridian, enter our Partnership Pathways program at one of our partner community colleges and follow the degree plan. Pathway programs are currently available at MCC, EMCC, ECCC, and Jones College.
*Cumulative GPA as calculated by MSU and includes all transferable college coursework
If you are an international transfer, visit our International Page.
What is Needed to Apply
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Application
The application requires general information, parental/guardian information, and academic information. You can submit the online application without the application fee, transcripts, or other items listed below and send them at a later time. However, you must submit these items in order for us to review your complete application file for both admission and scholarship purposes.
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Application Fee or Fee Waiver
There is a $50 non-refundable fee to submit your application.
Active-Duty Military and Veterans may have their application fee waived.
Mississippi State University will waive the admissions application fee for transfer applicants who submit an approved NACAC Request for Waiver of College Application Fee form obtained from and signed by their community college administrator. This waiver is need-based.
Please note, the application fee for international students is $60.
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Official Transcripts
- Submit official transcripts from each college or university attended.
- School officials can email official transcripts to admit@msstate.edu.
- An applicant may not ignore previous college attendance and MUST list all colleges attended on the application for admission.
- If you have less than 15 transferable hours, submit high school transcript.
- Faxed transcripts will not be accepted.
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Official Test Scores
If you have less than 15 transferable hours, submit ACT or SAT scores for consideration.
Other Transfer Information
Want to make sure you’re on track to make the move to MSU? Be sure to check out how your courses transfer!
- Visit our Do your classes transfer? page to learn how your classes will transfer to MSU.
- For most out-of-state institutions and most university equivalencies, please call the Registrar’s Office at 662-325-2022 or send a detailed email to transferarticulation@registrar.msstate.edu requesting the course be reviewed. Email should include name of school, course symbol, course number, and course title.
Have an Associate of Applied Science degree? Our new Bachelor of Applied Science degree program may be the right fit for you.
Students may transfer from any regionally accredited community, junior, or senior colleges, but MSU has partnered with East Mississippi Community College, Hinds Community College, Itawamba Community College, and Jones College to create special academic pathway programs to help make that transition seamless for specific degree programs.
Are you an admitted Bulldog, but attending a community college first? Join the TAG program to hold your “admitted” status for up to 3 years, and let us help you stay on track to get to MSU!
High School Seniors
If you applied to MSU as a high school senior and were admitted within the last year, then we can place you in the TAG program and hold your admission documents at MSU for up to 3 years. When you get ready to transfer, simply complete a new application online as a Transfer student. You will not need to pay the application fee again, but we will need updated transcripts at that time. In the meantime, just follow these simple steps:
- Maintain a 2.0 GPA
- Transfer to MSU within 3 years
Tagged and Ready to Enroll
Ready to be a Bulldog? Just follow these steps:
- Submit your application for the term you plan to enroll
- Select whether you plan to attend the Starkville or Meridian campus
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges attended
- When admitted, complete the general scholarship application to be considered for private and competitive scholarships
- Submit an in-progress transcript to be considered for financial aid
- Submit your final transcript before your first day of class at MSU
Online Application
Important Transfer Dates
Summer/Fall Enrollment
Spring Enrollment
MSU has a rolling admissions policy. The application for each semester will remain open until the 10th day of classes.
Meet Your Mississippi Admissions Counselors
Find Your Out-of-State Admissions Counselors
Frequently Asked Questions
What GPA do I need to transfer to Mississippi State?
Transfer applicants must have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA on all transferable college coursework as calculated by Mississippi State University and be in good standing with the last college attended.
How many college credit hours do I need to transfer?
Students with 15 or more transferable college credit hours are reviewed as transfer applicants based on college performance. Students with fewer than 15 transferable hours must also submit a high school transcript and ACT or SAT scores for consideration.
Will my classes transfer to Mississippi State?
Many credits from regionally accredited colleges and universities transfer to Mississippi State. Students can use the Transfer Course Equivalency tools to check how courses may apply toward their degree program. Official transcripts from every college attended are required.
Is there a limit to the number of transfer credits MSU accepts?
Yes. Mississippi State accepts up to 63 transferable credit hours from community colleges.
Can I transfer to Mississippi State from a community college?
Yes. Mississippi State welcomes transfer students from community colleges and has pathway partnerships with several Mississippi community colleges to help students transition smoothly into bachelor’s degree programs.
Does Mississippi State offer transfer scholarships?
Yes. Mississippi State offers automatic academic scholarships for qualifying transfer students, including awards for Phi Theta Kappa members and Mississippi residents. Scholarship eligibility is based primarily on transferable GPA and residency status.
Can transfer students live on campus?
Yes. Transfer students may live on campus and have access to residence halls, dining, student organizations, and campus resources available to all Mississippi State students.
How long does it take to receive a transfer admissions decision?
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis once all required materials have been received. Students are encouraged to submit transcripts and supporting documents as early as possible.
What documents are required to apply as a transfer student?
Transfer applicants should submit:
- An online application
- Application fee or approved fee waiver
- Official transcripts from every college attended
- High school transcript and ACT/SAT scores if fewer than 15 transferable hours are completed
Can dual enrollment credits count toward transfer admission?
Yes. Dual enrollment credits may transfer, but students must submit official transcripts from the institution that awarded the college credit. Credits listed only on a high school transcript are not sufficient for evaluation.
What is the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) Program?
The TAG Program allows students who were previously admitted to Mississippi State as freshmen to attend a community college first while maintaining a pathway to transfer enrollment at MSU within three years.
Can I apply before my final semester grades are posted?
Yes. Students may apply before completing their current semester, but final transcripts will be required before enrollment and some scholarship decisions may depend on updated grades.
What support is available for transfer students?
Transfer students have access to dedicated admissions counselors, orientation programs, academic advising, transfer articulation resources, and student support services designed to help make the transition to Mississippi State successful.
Why do transfer students choose Mississippi State?
Transfer students choose Mississippi State for its strong academic programs, supportive campus community, affordable pathways from community colleges, and opportunities to get involved immediately through research, SEC traditions, and student life in Starkville.