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FAQs for Current Students/Parents
Updated April 22, 2024
What are the next steps?
On Monday April 1, the President and others held meetings at 10:30 and 1:00 to provide more detailed information to students. Students who are not planning to graduate this spring met at 10:30 a.m. in Munger Hall. Students who are on track to graduate at the end of the spring term met at 1:00 p.m. in Norton Theatre. Students could attend both sessions.
During the week of April 1, the Provost’s Office and the Office of Admissions will have advising meetings to answer student questions and assist them in planning their next steps.
A Transfer Fair is scheduled for Friday April 5 where students can meet with representatives from other colleges. A list of schools attending the Transfer Fair is available here.
What happens to students who were planning to complete their last credits this summer?
The Provost’s Office is preparing information for each junior/rising senior on their remaining academic requirements. That same office will reach out to students who were planning to complete degrees this summer, and is working on a plan to ensure that they can stay on track via BSC summer school or at nearby institutions. We will update you as information becomes available.
What do students need to do about transferring?
So long as students meet basic eligibility requirements, students can transfer to any institution that offers the degree or program they seek. However, institutions with whom BSC establishes Teach-Out or Transfer Agreements will maximize transfer of credit and ease the process of transfer so that students can stay on track to complete their degree.
Birmingham-Southern is currently negotiating formal Teach-Out Agreements and Transfer Agreements with other institutions that have comparable programs to BSC. Specifics will vary based on individual agreements.
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. Teach-Out and Transfer institutions will provide further information about how your BSC units will apply as credits for them.
Teach-Out vs. Transfer Agreements - what's the difference?
Teach-Out Agreements entered into between Birmingham-Southern for its current students include protections that exceed what non-partnering institutions typically provide. These include:
- Automatic admission of BSC students in good standing
- Waived application fees
- All regular term units/credits earned at BSC awarded
- Net tuition and/or fees comparable to BSC
- On-time degree completion
- Waived residency requirements
So far, BSC has entered into or plans to enter into Teach-Out Agreements with the following institutions:
*Berry College | Rome, GA
Website: https://www.berry.edu/admission/visit-berry/
Contact: [email protected]
*Centenary College | Shreveport, LA
Website: https://www.centenary.edu/admission/birmingham-southern-college-transfers/
Contact: [email protected]
*Flagler College | St. Augustine, FL
Website: https://www.flagler.edu/admissions-aid/admissions-team
Contact: [email protected]
*Hendrix College | Conway, AR
Website: https://apply.hendrix.edu/register/bsc
Contact: [email protected]
*Lee University | Cleveland, TN
Website: https://www.leeuniversity.edu/undergraduate/transfer-students/
Contact: [email protected]
*Jacksonville State University | Jacksonville, AL
Website: https://www.jsu.edu/undergraduate/index.html
Contact: [email protected]
*Miles College | Fairfield, AL
Website: https://www.miles.edu/news/miles-college-offering-transfer-opportunities-neighboring-birmingham-southern-college-students
Contact: [email protected]
*Millsaps College | Jackson, MS
Website: https://millsaps.edu/bsctransfer/
Contact: [email protected]
*University of Montevallo | Montevallo, AL
Website: https://www.montevallo.edu/bsc/
Contact: [email protected]
*Ohio Wesleyan University | Delaware, OH
Website: https://www.owu.edu/news-media/details/teach-out-institution/
Contact: Jamal David, [email protected]
*Reinhardt University | Waleska, GA
Website: https://www.reinhardt.edu/
Contact: [email protected]
*Roanoke College | Salem, VA
Website: https://www.roanoke.edu/news/birmingham-southern_transfer
Contact: Tyler Wertman, [email protected]
*Samford University | Birmingham, AL
Website: https://www.samford.edu/admission/apply#bsc-transfer-students
Contact: Elliot Dansby, [email protected]
*Stillman College | Tuscaloosa, AL
Website: https://stillman.edu/admissions/
Contact: [email protected]
*Stetson University | DeLand, FL
Website: https://www.stetson.edu/administration/admissions/
Contact: [email protected]
*Tennessee Wesleyan | Athens, TN
Website: https://www.tnwesleyan.edu/admissions/bsu/
Contact: [email protected]
*University of Mobile | Mobile, AL
Website: https://umobile.edu/next-step/
Contact: Nathan Collier, [email protected]
*Young Harris College | Young Harris, GA
Website: https://www.yhc.edu
Contact: Dr. Joy Hamm, [email protected]
Additional institutions will be added as Teach-Out Agreements are finalized. See the Teach-Out Grid to identify specific programs at Teach-Out Institutions.
Transfer Agreements ease the process of transfer for BSC students and include some of the provisions above, including transfer of all credits, comparable tuition and fees, and waived residency requirements. Work directly with representatives from these institutions to determine eligibility and specific details of the agreement. Current institutions with whom BSC has entered into Transfer Agreements, with contact information and terms of the agreement, are on the Transfer Agreements List. Students should also talk with a representative and check the institution's website for additional details.
Will residency requirements at other institutions prevent me from graduating on time?
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. Institutions with whom BSC has entered into a Teach-Out Agreement will waive residency requirements for entering BSC students. Some Transfer Agreement institutions will do the same.
Will my grades affect what courses transfer?
Transfer of all courses will depend on the institution. 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.
Teach-Out Agreements and Transfer Agreements require that students be in good social and academic standing with the College at the end of the spring term. Therefore, it is important that students maintain their focus on academic success this term so they can successfully transfer to their new institution.
How can students access transcripts, academic plans, financial records, and financial aid records?
Students will continue to be able to accesss transcripts, academic plans, financial records, and financial aid records. Details will be updated here and communicated to students about how they can be accessed after May 31.
Does the College’s closing impact student athletes' NCAA eligibility?
While NCAA eligibility can be impacted by an individual’s specific academic and athletic status, in general, closure will have no impact on athletes’ eligibility. Please note that athletes must maintain good standing both academically and athletically to be eligible for immediate participation upon transfer.
Additional information for student-athletes can be found here.
What will my Financial Aid package look like if I transfer to another college?
Financial aid varies at each institution. You will need to work with the Admissions and Financial Aid Office at your new institution on your new financial aid package.
Do I need to complete a new FAFSA?
You can transfer your FAFSA to another institution by adding their school code at studentaid.gov. This will allow your new institution to review your eligibility for federal aid including PELL Grant, Direct Loans and Work Study.
What happens to my student loans?
You can find all your federal student loan information at https://studentaid.gov/h/manage-loans.
Once you graduate, enroll in less than half-time or withdrawal your student loans will enter repayment. Your Federal Direct Loans have a six-month grace period. Your loan servicer will begin sending you information about your repayment amount, schedule, and options. If you have questions about your loans, you will need to contact your loan servicer.
You may be eligible for a Closed School Loan Discharge. Visit https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/closed-school to review all criteria and application requirements.