Transfer Student Scholarships

Scholarship Awards for the 2027-28 Academic Year

Transfer Distinction Award

New transfer students who meet our transfer admission criteria and have earned, or are scheduled to earn, an Associate Degree prior to enrolling at St. John’s, are eligible for the University’s Transfer Distinction Award. The Transfer Distinction Award for the 2027-2028 academic year is valued at  $23,000. The award is renewable for up to three years of continuous, full-time undergraduate enrollment for students who remain in good academic standing. Please note that this award is intended for new transfer students only and may not be combined with a University Transfer Merit Scholarship.

University Transfer Merit Scholarships

The University is pleased to offer up to $26,000 in academic scholarships to new transfer students entering St. John's. Transfer students must have earned a minimum of 12 credits from an accredited institution of higher learning and must have an average GPA of 2.0 or higher. Eligibility is determined based on the overall strength of the academic pool. 

Requirements for Renewability
Scholarships may be renewed for up to three years if the student maintains a minimum 3.0 GPA while enrolled at St. John’s University. 

Phi Theta Kappa

St. John’s University offers an additional $4,000 academic scholarship to transfer students who are active participants in Phi Theta Kappa. They must show proof of membership prior to the decision in order to be awarded this scholarship.

"The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa shall be to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students. To achieve this purpose, Phi Theta Kappa shall provide opportunity for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence."

Eligible Members Must:

• maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA at St. John's University
• be enrolled in a regionally accredited institution offering an associate degree program
• have completed at least 12 hours of coursework that may be applied to an associate degree (part-time students may be eligible)
• receive an invitation to membership from the chapter at the college where presently enrolled

To inquire about hosting induction ceremonies or to get more information on the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship, contact the Transfer Admission office at [email protected].

Transfer Future Johnnie Award 

New students who submit their undergraduate admission application and all required credentials by February 1, 2027, and submit their enrollment deposit by May 1, 2027, will be eligible to receive a onetime $500 award, credited to their St. John’s University StormCard during the 2027 -28 academic year. 

Service Scholarships

Child of a Police Officer Service Award*
St. John’s University will award $2,000 per year for up to three years of continuous, full-time undergraduate enrollment to the children of police officers within the United States. An eligible student must be a dependent child of a police officer (full-time active service, retired, or killed in the line of duty) as a new transfer student planning to enroll at St. John’s in the Fall 2027 term. Eligibility is dependent upon parent occupation as indicated on the Undergraduate Admission application for the Fall 2027 term. 

Child of Firefighter Service Award*
St. John’s University will award $2,000 per year for up to three years of continuous, full-time undergraduate enrollment to the children of firefighters within the United States. An eligible student must be a dependent child of a fire department member (full-time active service, retired, or killed in the line of duty) as a new transfer student planning to enroll at St. John’s in the Fall 2027 term. Eligibility is dependent upon parent occupation as indicated on the Undergraduate Admission application for the Fall 2027 term. 

Child of Military Service-Members Award*
St. John’s University will award $2,000 per year for up to three years of continuous, full-time undergraduate enrollment to the children of United States Military service members. An eligible student must be a dependent child of a United States Military service member (full-time active service, veteran, or killed in the line of duty) as a new transfer student planning to enroll at St. John’s in the Fall 2027 term. Eligibility is dependent upon parent occupation as indicated on the Undergraduate Admission application for the Fall 2027 term. 

*St. John’s University created the service awards to honor the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, a United States Police Department, and a United States Fire Department who dedicate their lives to the service of others. Please note that students are limited to one service award, and the University reserves the right to request proof of eligibility. Service awards are applicable to domestic students.

Fall 2027 Engagement Grant

First time freshmen and new transfer students who attend the St. John’s University Accepted Student Day in April 2027 will receive a one-time tuition grant of $250 toward the 2027-2028 academic year.  In addition, new first time freshmen and new transfer students will also be eligible to receive a one-time tuition grant of $250 by attending one of the following qualifying events between June 1, 2026 and May 1, 2027. Qualifying events are: Open House, On-campus tours, and Spotlight Events. 

Students are limited to a maximum of $500 in Engagement Grant funding for the 2027-2028 academic year, but are encouraged to attend as many Admission events as possible. Advance Registration for events is encouraged and available online at stjohns.edu/Visit.

Stay on Long Island Initiative*

St. John’s University is partnering with Nassau Community College and Suffolk County Community College in New York for the Stay on Long Island Initiative offering full-tuition and partial scholarships. For questions please contact the Nassau Community College staff at 516-572-7696 or [email protected] or the Suffolk County Community College SoLII staff at 631-851-6847 or [email protected].
*In order to qualify for the Stay on Long Island Initiative, you must be a current student of either Nassau Community College or Suffolk County Community College and scheduled to earn your Associate Degree. 

Transfer Scholarship Requirements

Applicants are notified of any academic scholarships in their acceptance letter. To maintain an academic scholarship, recipients need to enroll in and complete a minimum of 12 credits per semester at St. John’s with a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0. Academic scholarships are not applicable to intersession, winter session, post-session or summer sessions. Transfer student scholarships are for two or three years of continuous undergraduate study.
 
The admission application is used to automatically determine academic scholarship eligibility for most awards. Those that require an additional application are noted.

• For the Fall 2025 entering class, merit scholarships were awarded up to $35,000 annually for up to three years of full-time, continuous undergraduate enrollment at St. John’s University.

• Scholarships are based on factors that include demonstrated academic ability program of study, and campus of record.

• Scholarships and grants are offered based on academic programs and location and are subject to change.

• Funding for University gift aid, including scholarships, grants, and awards, comes from several sources, including generous donors to the University. In addition to maintaining certain GPA requirements students may also be required to write a thank you note to donor(s) funding their scholarship to maintain their University gift aid.

  • Learn more about Alumni Scholarships, External Scholarships, JK Watson Fellowship, Benefactor Funds

    • This includes Alumni, Endowed, and Expendable fund scholarships.

• The University reserves the right to alter its academic programs, campus offerings, scholarships and grants awarded to respond to future events and circumstances.

• Funding that is awarded is applicable for the fall and spring terms and is split equally between these terms (not applicable for summer or winter terms) and may only be applied towards St. John’s University tuition and fees unless specifically noted otherwise.

• Scholarships and grants may be renewed for up to three years of full-time, continuous undergraduate study; or, until the completion of the student’s first bachelor’s degree; or, until student earns the required number of credits for their degree program, whichever comes first. Eligibility for renewal is contingent upon the student remaining enrolled full-time (12+ undergraduate degree applicable credits per semester) and continuing to meet all renewability requirements, including: maintaining the specified minimum cumulative GPA for their scholarship, making satisfactory academic progress towards their undergraduate degree completion, and remaining in good disciplinary standing at the University.

• Students enrolling in the PharmD programs and or combined undergrad/graduate degree programs should note that scholarships and grants are only applicable towards the undergraduate portion of the degree program.

• The University reserves the right to cancel scholarships and grants if covered by another source. The combination of all institutional scholarships and grants and external scholarship and grants cannot exceed tuition and fees.

• The University reserves the right to adjust and or discontinue scholarship and grant programs without prior notice.

• Scholarships and Grants are not applicable to the St. John's Online Degree or Certificate programs. Consideration for University scholarships and grants is only available for new first-time, full-time undergraduate degree-seeking students accepted into the University’s in-person/on-ground programs at the Queens, NY, campus and locations. 

Contact Information

Tel: 718-990-2051
[email protected]