Get ahead with Transfer Early Start
Transfer Early Start
Applications for summer 2026 will open on March 2.
Program details
The Transfer Early Start Program helps transfer students make a smooth transition to UW-Madison and stay on track for graduation. Students will receive advising prior to enrolling in their summer course.
Students can enroll in any course that begins June 15 or later. Choose from hundreds of courses, including hundreds of online course options. Browse summer 2026 courses.
Students must attend in-person SOAR on Friday, May 29. Seats are held for Transfer Early Start students at this SOAR session. Students accepted into Transfer Early Start will be notified when they are able to register for this SOAR session. Students will receive advising for both summer and fall during this session and will be able to enroll in summer term courses after advising. Get more information about SOAR.
Students are highly encouraged to attend in-person SOAR on May 29, but if you are unable to attend SOAR on this date you can note that in your program application.
Students that meet these requirements are eligible to apply for Transfer Early Start. Students must be:
- Admitted to UW-Madison for fall 2026
- Transferring from an institution in the United States on a semester schedule
- Have accepted or will accept your admission to UW-Madison for fall 2026 no later than May 7, 2026.
The cost for enrolling in summer 2026 will depend on the number of credits that students enroll in. Learn more about tuition rates on the Bursar’s Office website. Please also review the possible fees that may be assessed on a student’s account on the Bursar’s Office page.
Scholarships may be available for Transfer Early Start Program participants. For students wishing to receive a scholarship, they should indicate their interest in a scholarship in their program application.
Some students may be eligible for Federal Financial Aid for the summer term. This can depend on the number of credits that you enroll in. For your aid to be reviewed by UW–Madison double-check that your 2025–26 FAFSA has the UW–Madison School code (003895) added.
Summer tuition rates are typically updated in mid-spring. For planning purposes, you can view the previous year’s tuition rates on the Bursar’s website. There are several variables that can impact tuition rates such as residency, school/college enrollment, and other fees. In summer 2025 a 3-credit course for a Wisconsin resident was about $1,500 and $5,300 for a non-resident student. Be sure to check the Bursar’s tuition worksheet for rates that are more specific to your circumstances.
Students who participate in the Transfer Early Start Program will have an opportunity to connect with other transfer students, faculty and staff, prior to arriving on campus.
- How many credits can I enroll in? We encourage students to speak with their advisor about the number of credits they should consider enrolling in their first summer. Students are able to enroll in up to 1-credit per instruction week, however we encourage you to consider that this summer will be your first time taking courses at UW and to remember that summer courses are accelerated for the shorter summer sessions. In previous summers Transfer Early Start students enrolled in 4 credits on average.
- I am not able to attend in-person SOAR on May 29. Can I still participate in Transfer Early Start? If you are not able to attend in-person SOAR on May 29, you can note that that in your program application.
- Are international students eligible for Transfer Early Start? International students who are in F-1 and J-1 status are not eligible for Transfer Early Start.
- What if I apply for Transfer Early Start and attend SOAR and end up not enrolling in a summer course? That is okay! If it turns out that there is not a course that you are interested in enrolling in or if your summer plans change and you are no longer interested in enrolling in summer courses that is not a problem. Please just email the program coordinator at transferearlystart@dcs.wisc.edu to let them know that you are no longer planning on enrolling.
- I am transferring from a university that is on a quarterly system. Am I eligible for Transfer Early Start? No. Only students that are transferring from a university in the United States that is on a semesterly schedule are eligible to apply for Transfer Early Start.
- Are Minnesota students eligible for reciprocity tuition rates during Transfer Early Start? Minnesota students must be approved for reciprocity for the summer term to pay at the Minnesota rate. Since summer is the last term of the academic year, students must submit a reciprocity application for the academic year prior to their fall enrollment. For example, if you applied for reciprocity for the 2026-27 academic year and you want to enroll in summer 2026 courses, you will need to apply for reciprocity for the 2025-2026 academic year — even if you have already completed a Minnesota Reciprocity application for the 2026–2027 academic year. Apply for Minnesota Reciprocity.
Top 5 reasons to attend Summer Term
The summer classroom: an archaeological dig, Bascom Hill or your living room. No matter what format, you get an outstanding UW–Madison experience.
Staying on track to graduate by including two Summer Terms can actually be less expensive than taking a fifth year. Scholarships are available to help with tuition.
Lighten your load now and have more time for internships or other opportunities down the line.
Push yourself in a challenging class or get a jump on one of our most in-demand courses.
We’ve got you covered: No apartment? No job? No problem! Housing and employment are available on campus in the summer.