Transfer Admissions

Transferring to Ohio Northern was the best decision I've made thus far. My professors are some of the most caring and committed people I've ever met, almost like surrogate parents.

Jarrett Sitton, nursing

Plan for a seamless transition

Take a few simple steps to apply for admission to ONU from another institution. Transfer students can begin ONU classes in the fall semester (August) or spring semester (January).

How to Apply

Point your compass toward your dream

Adventure Awaits. Discovery Awaits. Your future awaits at Ohio Northern University –
the place to find True North!

Got questions? We’ve got answers.

Will my credit hours transfer? Can I switch majors? How do I line up housing? We are happy to answer these questions and more.

FAQs for Transfers

You are going to love being a Polar Bear!

Once you’ve been accepted to Ohio Northern, it’s time to take the next steps to get acclimated.

Filing or updating your current year FAFSA will allow us to determine the maximum levels of financial aid available to you. Be sure to enter ONU's school code: 003089. Learn more about financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
Ready to be a Polar Bear? Your deposit will reserve your spot at ONU. Click here to submit your deposit.
Send us official transcripts from all high schools and colleges you've attended – even if it wasn't recently. Transcripts should be mailed directly from the institution to ONU's offices of Admissions and Financial Aid; hand-carried transcripts, official copies marked "Issued to Student" and unofficial copies are not acceptable. Final transcripts from previous or current colleges/universities should be sent to: Ohio Northern University, Office of Admissions, 525 S Main Street, Ada, Ohio 45810.
This form is completed by a school official at your the last college/university you attended. It confirms you are in good academic and disciplinary standing. Download the form to complete and submit it to the school official to submit.
The Ohio Transfer 36 (OT36) is a state-wide requirement for Ohio's public colleges and universities to facilitate the seamless transfer of credits between Ohio public institutions. It aims to guarantee the transfer of 36 semester hours of completed general education coursework from one participating institution to another. In order to facilitate the experience of students transferring to ONU, ONU will accept the Ohio Transfer 36 (OT36) block. Specifically, if a transfer student has completed the entire OT36 block at a state of Ohio higher education institution, then this student has met the ONU Gen Ed requirements. If a major requires an ONU course that double dips with an ONU Gen Ed course, the course will continue to be required for the major curriculum.
Once you become an accepted student, you will be provided with information about how to submit requests for on-campus housing. If you plan to live off campus, you must meet the off-campus requirements and submit an off-campus request form.
Classes are scheduled during an individual transfer orientation/academic advising appointment conducted by the dean's office of the college for your academic program. You will likely meet with a faculty member or the associate dean. Use the contact information below to contact your college and schedule your transfer orientation:

College of Arts & Sciences

419-772-3566

a-and-s@onu.edu

College of Business Administration

419-772-2070

business@onu.edu

College of Engineering

419-772-2371

engineering@onu.edu

College of Law

419-772-2211

lawadmissions@onu.edu

College of Pharmacy

419-772-2275

pharmacy@onu.edu
Welcome Weekend activities are designed for all new students to Ohio Northern – including new transfers and postgraduate students. Check out our Welcome Weekend 2022 recap video to get a taste of what Welcome Weekend is like.

Transfer Scholarships

Students who transfer to ONU from another institution also have access to financial scholarships and awards. These awards are based on the GPA from the transfer institution.

3.5+ GPA - $23,500 scholarship

3.0-3.49 GPA - $22,500 scholarship

2.5-2.99 GPA - $19,500 scholarship

Use the net price calculator for transfer students to determine your potential aid.

Check the net price calculator for your potential transfer aid

Transfer Articulation Agreements

ONU strives to make transferring credits easy. We accept the Ohio Transfer 36 (OT36) block to meet the ONU Gen Ed requirements. We also have transfer articulation agreements with the following: Sinclair Community College, Owens Community College, Rhodes State College, North Central State College and Bard High School Early College.

Steps to Apply

Frequently Asked Questions

At ONU, you are considered a transfer student if you have graduated from high school and have since completed (or are currently enrolled in) college-level credits at another accredited college or university. If you completed dual-enrollment classes or College Credit Plus (CCP) credits before high school graduation, you should actually apply as a first-year freshman. We welcome transfer students for both the fall semester (August start) and the spring semester (January start).
- Actionable Step: Determine your entry semester and select the "Transfer Application" track on our admissions portal or through the Common App.
We strive to make the credit evaluation process as simple and seamless as possible! To get an immediate, informal idea of how your classes align, you can use Transferology, our online credit evaluation system. To receive an official credit evaluation, you must have your previous institutions send official transcripts directly to us. ONU proudly participates in the Ohio Transfer 36 (OT36) and maintains specific articulation agreements with regional schools like Rhodes State, Owens, Sinclair, and North Central State to guarantee smooth credit movement.
- Actionable Step: Use Transferology to map out your current classes, then request official transcripts from all previously attended colleges to be sent electronically to transcripts@onu.edu.
There is $0 cost to apply as a transfer student, and we don't require a personal essay. To complete your file, you need to submit:
1. A completed online transfer application.
2. Official high school transcripts.
3. Official college transcripts from every institution you have attended.
4. A completed Certification of Good Standing form, filled out by a school official at your last institution to verify your academic and disciplinary status.
- Actionable Step: Download the Certification of Good Standing form from our transfer portal and email it to your current school's registrar or student affairs dean to fill out.
Yes, absolutely! Transfer students have access to exceptional, automatic merit-based transfer scholarships tied directly to their cumulative GPA from their previous college coursework. Our tiered award structure includes:
- GPA 3.5+: $23,500 annual scholarship
- GPA 3.0–3.49: $22,500 annual scholarship
- GPA 2.5–2.99: $19,500 annual scholarship
- Actionable Step: Use our specialized Transfer Net Price Calculator online to instantly estimate your financial aid package before even finalizing your application.
You won't have to navigate a generic, automated registration system. Once you are accepted and submit your enrollment deposit, you will schedule an individualized transfer orientation and academic advising appointment directly with the Dean's office of the specific college hosting your major. In this one-on-one session, a faculty advisor or associate dean will personally review your credit evaluation and hand-build a schedule that keeps you on the fastest path to graduation.
- Actionable Step: Contact the Dean’s office of your chosen college (e.g., Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering, or Pharmacy) as soon as you deposit to lock in your individual advising date.
Yes, on-campus housing is available! Because ONU is a vibrant, residential campus community, we offer a variety of living spaces that help transfer students build immediate social connections. Once you are accepted, you will receive login credentials to submit an online housing request. If you prefer to live off-campus in the town of Ada, you simply need to verify that you meet the university’s standard off-campus criteria and submit an off-campus exemption form.
- Actionable Step: Review our campus housing layouts online and submit your residential preferences via your student portal as soon as your enrollment deposit is processed.