FAQs for Current Students/Parents

We plan to regularly communicate updates to students and parents. We share the desire for quick resolution to the financial issues with notice of public support for our request, and will ensure you receive meaningful updates from BSC when we have information to share.

After working with legislative leaders, we now know that the decisions about BSC funding will not be made until much closer to March 7, when the legislative session begins. When we have updates regarding discussions or decisions by state and local officials, we will share information with you. If additional action steps by students and parents would be helpful at that time, we will let you know what supportive steps to take.

The College, under the guidance of the Provost's office, will negotiate formal transfer agreements with other institutions that have comparable programs to BSC. Specifics will vary based on individual agreements, but they will seek to maximize transfer of credit to meet program requirements and minimize distance to the new institutions, meaning they will likely be within our southeastern region of the country. 

Students will be able to transfer to any institution that offers the degree or program they seek where they gain admission, but institutions with whom BSC has established transfer agreements will maximize their transfer of credit and keep them on track to complete their degree.  

Students will continue to be able to access transcripts, academic plans, financial records, and financial aid records. Details would be available later in the spring about how they can be accessed after May.

Please refer to the transfer packet for your degree completion progress. Students must complete both general education requirements and major requirements and earn a total of 32 units before graduating.   

To see real time updates on how many units they have earned, students can view their academic progress on Self-Service.  

If BSC closes, transfer agreements would not begin until after spring term. By staying enrolled at BSC, students will have the opportunity to work with their advisor during the spring term on transfer options for fall 2023, if necessary. If students select to transfer prior to the establishment of transfer and related agreements, there is no assurance on the number of credits accepted, or the transference of financial aid packages. 

Other institutions determine how credits transfer to their institution. However, if BSC closes after the spring term, transfer agreements between BSC and transfer institutions will articulate how courses from BSC will transfer to fulfill program requirements at the transfer institution, including general education and major requirements. Transfer will likely be easier once these agreements are in place. 

When considering transfer of credits, note that BSC uses a unit system where 1 BSC unit = 4 semester hours. That is, each full-unit course at BSC is equivalent to four semester credit hours, and most other schools are on a semester-hour system. Additional details will be included in articulation agreements for specific programs, and any transfer institution will provide further information about how your BSC units will apply as credits for them. 

All colleges and universities have minimum residency requirements for a degree. The residency requirement refers to the number of units or credit hours that must be completed at that institution to earn a degree from that institution. For students for whom residency requirements may be a concern (e.g., juniors or seniors who will not graduate in May), BSC will work with institutions to develop teach-out agreements and plans to suspend residency requirements for BSC students. Residency requirements can only be suspended at institutions with whom BSC has worked out a specific agreement for particular programs of study.

Students and advisors are encouraged to review the transfer grid that contains a list of private liberal arts schools comparable to BSC and a separate list of Alabama public higher education institutions. Students are not limited to only those schools and should spend time researching other colleges/universities in-state and beyond. Students should reach out to their advisor, coach, or major department chairs. 

Most colleges have grade requirements for transfer courses: for instance, at BSC only courses in which a grade of "C" or better is earned are transferable. It will depend on the institution.

Deadlines vary, so we recommend checking the online information of any institutions that students are considering as a backup for their application timeline. In our review of many institutions’ information, some similar small, private schools have priority deadlines of April 1, while many expect applications by July 1. Among larger, public institutions in Alabama, almost all have deadlines by June or July. The University of Alabama has a March 1 deadline.

There is no advantage to applying for transfer now versus closer to the transfer deadlines. In fact, there is an advantage to waiting because if we close, we will be working to refine articulation agreements with schools.

Once you have identified possible transfer institutions, consider speaking with your advisor and verifying transfer credit requirements.

Most transfer applications are available through the Common Application, but we recommend every student consult the specific school’s website for guidance on transferring.

Generally, transfer applications require all the necessary paperwork including essay (s), academic transcripts, recommendation letters, test scores, etc. Students may also need to provide syllabi for courses completed.

There are a wide range of schools that students may choose to transfer to if the BSC announces its closure. Larger state schools may be a good option for in-state students. Smaller schools will be more like BSC and offer more individualized attention to transfer students. We are in a consortium with other small liberal arts colleges in the south and will be able to work closely with those institutions to get the best transfer agreements for our students. 

Most institutions have their majors listed and if you need additional guidance reach out to your advisor.  

Does my financial aid transfer?

A student who currently receives federal grants will be awarded the same federal grant at another qualifying institution. Each institution may award their own camps-based aid, and the amount and requirements are determined by the school you are transferring to.   

When should I apply for financial aid at a transfer school?

To qualify for financial aid, students will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You will need to do this to qualify for aid at BSC for Fall 2023. Once you complete the 2023-24 FAFSA you can add other institutions and have your information sent to them at any time.  

What are my options for transferring as an athlete?

If you would like to continue your athletic career at your next institution, you should consult with your coach about appropriate institutions for you. You will need permission to contact, and this can be obtained two ways. If you are planning to transfer to another Division III institution, you can fill out a one-time permission to contact self-release found here.   

If you want to transfer to a Division I or Division II institution, you will need to enter the transfer portal. To do that, you will need to contact Sheri Salmon at [email protected].    

Will I still be eligible to play if I transfer?

Your continued eligibility will be determined by the institution that you are transferring to. If you transfer to another Division III institution and you are eligible to play at Birmingham-Southern, you will be eligible at your future institution.  

Yes, we will hold commencement for seniors on Friday, May 19, 2023.

The Admission office remains focused on enrolling a class for fall 2023.  They are accepting applications, admitting students and providing scholarship and financial aid for these students.  They continue to have conversations with prospective families about the status of the College. We are excited about those students who continue to express interest in the transformational experience that BSC provides.

We have much work to do – primarily letting the Governor and the Legislature know that there is public support for this investment. Please visit bsc.edu/bscforward.html to learn more and find contact information for the state’s decision-makers.