Scholarships, transfer credits and prior-learning pathways help eligible students identify cost savings and affordability of degree completion

PHOENIX, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — University of Phoenix is recognizing National Transfer Student Week by highlighting the range of pathways that can help eligible students reduce education costs and make informed decisions about their educational journeys. Scholarships, transfer credits, prior learning assessments and alternative credit pathways offer students opportunities to gain insights about affordability and saving time and money on earning a degree while building on previous academic and professional achievements. 

“Many students assume affordability depends on a single scholarship or financial aid source,” said Director of Financial Education Initiatives and Repayment Management, Chris Conway. “In reality, transfer credit, scholarship opportunities, prior learning and alternative credit pathways can work together to help reduce costs and create a more efficient path to degree completion. Understanding those options early can make a meaningful difference for students.”

As University of Phoenix celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026, the institution is reflecting five decades of helping working adults build on previous academic achievement and professional experience rather than start over. Today, transfer-credit pathways and scholarship opportunities remain an important part of that mission, helping eligible students reduce costs while pursuing degrees aligned with career goals.

Impact of Transfer-friendly programs

Affordable education pathways can help students continue pursuing their goals through life’s most challenging seasons. For University of Phoenix transfer student Melonie Olipant, transfer credits helped her return to school after having children and continue making progress toward degree completion.

“Everyone expects a mother to say, ‘I’m doing it for my children,’ and they have always been a huge part of my why,” Olipant said. “But there were moments when I was so tired, overwhelmed and lost that I didn’t even know who I was doing it for anymore. I was so busy trying to hold everything together that I lost sight of myself.

“Still, I kept going not because I always felt strong, but because I refused to let the hardest season of my life become the ending of my story. Now, only a few credits away from my degree, I realize I wasn’t just fighting for a better future for my children. I was fighting for myself, too. I didn’t just earn a degree. I gave myself a future I once wasn’t sure I’d see.”

Scholarships help students reduce education costs

University of Phoenix offers multiple scholarship opportunities for eligible students like Olipant, ensuring that every new, qualifying student receives financial assistance. The Phoenix^® Scholarship is available to students with at least three years of work experience, while the Transfer Scholarship is for those with 12 to 60 transfer credits.

• Phoenix^® Scholarship Savings Breakdown:

Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral: Maximum value of $1K, provided the student maintains eligibility, applied over a set number of courses.

• Transfer Scholarship Savings Breakdown:

Bachelor’s: Maximum value of $3K, provided the student maintains eligibility, applied over 20 courses

In addition to University scholarships, alternate credit providers like Straighterline, Sophia and Study.com offer students an opportunity to earn general education credits via self-paced courses. Eligible students may complete general education courses with an alternative credit provider and then transfer eligible credits to University of Phoenix, helping them save time and money.

In addition to scholarships, transfer credit opportunities and alternate credit providers, University of Phoenix offers a comprehensive Savings Explorer^® tool that presents information about scholarship opportunities, as well as transferring college credit and earning credit for prior learning through Prior Learning Assessment, national testing programs, alternative credit providers, and military service. By answering a few simple questions via the Savings Explorer tool, prospective students can find out what other students with relevant experience have saved.

University of Phoenix students and alumni have access to the Career Services for Life^® commitment, helping to ensure the tools, resources, and support needed to thrive in their career of choice.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix is Built for Real Life. 50 Years Strong. The University innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world through flexible online learning, relevant courses, academic AI pillars, and skills-mapped curriculum for associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Active students and alumni have access to Career Services for Life® resources including career guidance and tools. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

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SOURCE University of Phoenix