Adult Admission with Previous College Credit

You’ve used hard work, dedication, and resourcefulness to get to this point. Now it’s time to make your prior college credit work for you toward earning a bachelor’s degree.

Because you have previous college credit, you are considered a transfer student, regardless of when it was earned or if it pertains to your chosen degree. We know you’re anxious to know what coursework taken previously will transfer to Otterbein. Send us your scanned transcript and we’ll perform an unofficial pre-evaluation and let you know what will transfer, for how many credits and what the course equivalents are. The pre-evaluation only takes two to three days and no application for admission is required.

Submit a copy of your scanned or self-generated/printed transcript by email to cardinalinfo@otterbein.edu.
After acceptance, an official evaluation will be completed once official transcripts have been received.

Explore the information below to discover the outstanding programs of study Otterbein has to offer and to learn more about costs and financial aid and the many resources available to adult students on campus.  If you have any questions, please contact the admissions team, Mary Mosca or Jennifer Hicks at  614-823-1500 or by email at cardinalinfo@otterbein.edu.

How to Apply

Ready to apply? Here’s what you’ll need to do, organize, and submit to apply to Otterbein:

  1. Follow the steps below to submit your Otterbein transfer admission application:
    • Open the application page
    • Create a login
    • No application fee
    • Be sure to submit all supporting documents
  2. Submit official transcripts from all post-secondary attended. Send all official transcripts directly from previously attended to Otterbein. Otterbein prefers to receive all official transcripts electronically.
    NOTE – Transfer students additionally need to submit an official high school transcript if they have earned less than 30 semester hours or less than 45 quarter hours of college credit after high school.
  3. With the availability of the ACT and SAT scores being disrupted by COVID-19, Otterbein has adopted a test optional admission policy. Students will be able to select if they would or would not like test scores to be used in the evaluation of their admission application. Students with high school GPA of 2.75 or lower are encouraged to submit a test score if available. Students will not be disadvantaged for the submission of test scores, so, if available, we would recommend submitting official score.

Application Form Information

To apply to Otterbein as a Transfer/Adult student please submit the Otterbein transfer admission application.

Costs & Financial Aid

AFFORDABILITY IS ONE OF OUR MAIN PRIORITIES AT OTTERBEIN.

We believe in rewarding talent, investing in potential, and doing what it takes to keep Otterbein accessible and affordable. Most adult students are surprised to discover that private schools can be just as affordable as public schools once all the factors are taken into account, such as tuition, merit aid, scholarships and financial aid offerings.

Scholarships for Adult Transfer Students

Transfer Scholarship

  • Presidential Scholarship $15,500 (valued at more than half tuition!)

    Awardees have an accumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher of college level work

  • Provost Scholarship $11,000 (valued at more than a third tuition!)

    Awardees have an accumulative GPA of 2.71-3.4 of college level work

  • Alumni Scholarship $8,000 (nearly a quarter tuition!)

    Awardees have an accumulative GPA of 2.0-2.7 of college level work

Transfer students with less than 30 earned credit hours will be considered for the same scholarships, but their complete academic history will be used (high school GPA, class rank, ACT/SAT scores and college GPA). All students are eligible to file for need-based aid by completing the FAFSA form at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

Columbus State Community College Scholarship

$17,000
Awarded to students who are graduating with their associate degree from Columbus State Community College with a minimum 2.75 GPA and are directly transferring to Otterbein to complete their bachelor degree. Students save on housing and meal plan costs by continuing to live at home while attending Otterbein. This scholarship is renewable as long as the student is enrolled full time and maintains a 2.75 GPA while at Otterbein.

Steps to Apply for Financial Aid

We encourage you to apply for aid, regardless of your financial situation. Please do not assume you will not qualify for assistance. Last year more than 95 percent of our students qualified for assistance.

  1. Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is the first step in the financial aid process. You can fill out and submit your application through FAFSA on the Web at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. Electronic filing is the fastest and easiest way to apply for financial aid. Be sure to list Otterbein University and our Title IV school code 003110.
  2. If requested, please submit any additional documentation to the Office of Financial Aid.  Once you are an admitted student and we have received your FAFSA and all required supplemental documents you will received a need-based aid package.

Course Transfer Policies

Course Equivalency Guides

Otterbein University accepts all non-remedial credits earned at any regionally accredited institution with a grade C- or better. Otterbein also accepts credits for military coursework listed on a military transcript with ACE recommendations. Credits are evaluated by the registrar in consultation with academic departments. Credits that do not align with specific Otterbein courses will be awarded general elective credit. Actual grades are not transferred and thus are not included in the Otterbein grade point average. If academic credentials are submitted in a non-English language, a World Education Services, Inc. (WES) course-by-course evaluation might be required. Visit the WES website for details and instructions.

Select a school name below to see a list of courses which will transfer to Otterbein University from that institution. Courses which are not listed have not yet been evaluated for course credit. Equivalency guides will be updated periodically as courses are reviewed.

Once outside coursework is complete, students must send an official transcript from the institution to the Otterbein Office of the Registrar in order for credit to be applied to their degree.

Community College Agreements

To better serve students in community colleges, Otterbein has articulation agreements with the institutions listed below. These agreements guarantee admission to graduates from two-year institutions with the Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree with a 2.0 or higher GPA. Individual departments’ minimum grade requirements may vary.

  • Central Ohio Technical College, Newark, Ohio​
  • Clark State Community College, Springfield, Ohio
  • Columbus State Community College (2+2 Partnership Programs), Columbus, Ohio
  • Hocking College, Logan, Ohio
  • Marion Technical College, Marion, Ohio
  • North Central State College, Mansfield, Ohio
  • Southern State Community College, Hillsboro, Ohio
  • Zane State College, Zanesville, Ohio

Special Transfer Credit Evaluation Offer

We know you’re anxious to know what coursework taken previously will transfer to Otterbein. Send us your scanned transcript and we’ll perform an unofficial pre-evaluation and let you know what will transfer, for how many credits and what the course equivalents are. The pre-evaluation only takes two to three days and no application for admission is required.

Submit a copy of your scanned or self-generated/printed transcript via email to cardinalinfo@otterbein.edu.

*Unofficial – final evaluation will be completed once official transcripts have been received

Campus Resources

Otterbein cares about the success of all of our students both in and out of the classroom. We offer services and resources to guide you through and help you get the most out of your Otterbein experience, including academic support, counseling, career planning, diversity education, and more. Learn more about these resources by contacting us at cardinalinfo@otterbein.edu.

Student Success & Career Development

(614-823-1624, studentsuccess@otterbein.edu).
SSCD is co-located with the Office of the Registrar on the lower level of Towers Hall, SSCD staff are committed to holistic academic and career advising by providing individual assistance and a variety of resources and programs to help guide students along their Otterbein journey and to their career goals. They can help you think comprehensively about your interests, skills, and values and how those translate to academic and career satisfaction and success. They can also help you make the most out of your experience at Otterbein, plan your journey within and beyond the classroom, and empower you to make informed and intentional choices to ensure your academic and professional success.

Academic Support Center

The Otterbein Academic Support Center (ASC) exists to help students develop and strengthen the skills necessary to attain their academic goals.Through collaboration with students, faculty, and staff, the ASC supports students in becoming independent lifelong learners in an accessible student-centered environment. The center facilitates the development of learning strategies and skills in partnership with peers and professionals through tutoring, academic coaching, supplemental instruction, academic courses, and other learner-focused services.

These services are available through the Academic Support Center to assist students:

Programs Of Study

Undeclared Students

Undeclared means you’re still exploring your options. Student Success & Career Development will help you stay on track with extra advising, strengths assessment and immersive experiences to help you decide what program suits you best.

Heading for the Next Level — Graduate School

For more information, contact the Otterbein Graduate School by phone at 614-823-3210, or email grad@otterbein.edu.