What is a transient student?
A transient student takes courses temporarily at another institution with the intention of transferring the course credit back to UGA. Transient students typically attend the other institution for one semester only, usually in the summer.
How do I become a transient student?
1. Complete the transient student application at the other institution.
2. Request a transient letter. (NOTE: Students must be in good academic standing at UGA to obtain a transient letter.) Transient letters can be obtained either from the Registrar’s Office in the Holmes-Hunter Academic Building on north campus or through Athena.
Transient letters can be obtained either from the Registrar’s Office in the Holmes-Hunter Academic Building on north campus or through Athena.
To request a letter through Athena:
- Log in to Athena with your UGA MyID
- Click on “Student Services”
- Expand the “Transcript & Enrollment Verification” menu
- Select “Request Enrollment Verification”
- For “Term,” select the current term
- For “Verification Type,” select “Transient Letter"
From there, choose how you want the letter delivered, fill in the address or fax number, and click “Submit.”
How do I know if the class will transfer?
You can consult the Transfer Equivalency Search System to determine if the course(s) will transfer back to UGA. Remember that this is only a guide, and equivalences listed on the site may change without notice.
Many classes from in-state colleges will transfer back to UGA; however, the final authority comes from the UGA department teaching the equivalent course.
Out-of-state colleges also have courses listed in the Transfer Equivalency Search System. As with in-state courses, final authority comes from the department.
If the class you want to take does not appear in the Transfer Equivalency Search System, please consult your academic advisor.
Please save your course syllabus. If the course does not transfer correctly, you can submit the syllabus to the relevant UGA department for evaluation by using the Transfer Course Evaluation Request Form.
What do I do after completing a course as a transient student?
After completing a course, you must submit a transcript from the transient institution to the UGA Office of Undergraduate Admissions.If an email address is required to submit an electronic transcript, please use admproc@uga.edu.
Submit physical transcripts to:
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
210 South Jackson Street
Athens, GA 30602
Can an academic advisor help me?
Yes, please talk with your advisor if you are considering taking courses as a transient student. However, please be aware that your advisor can only assist you in selecting UGA courses for your degree and major. They cannot advise you on the transferability of courses from other institutions.
If you plan to take a course in your major area of study at another institution, you should consult your advisor. Some departments will not allow transfer courses to be used to fulfil major requirements.
Can I use HOPE or Zell to pay for transient tuition?
UGA students receiving HOPE or Zell who enroll as a transient student at another HOPE-eligible institution may continue to receive scholarship funds by completing the HOPE Transient Request Form. You can access the form from the Office of Student Financial Aid.
I have another question. Who should I ask?
Always start by asking your academic advisor. However, for anything related to registration at the transient institution, you will need to ask the transient institution. Your UGA advisor can suggest courses and explain the transient process, but they have no knowledge about the policies or procedures at other institutions.