Students matriculating as first-time first-year students after June of 2002 must complete at least six semesters in residence and are limited to a maximum of 24 pre- and post-matriculation transfer credits (AP, IB, college credit). For students with an approved program to study off campus for one semester, the program credits are excuded from the 24-limit of transfer credits, and the semester off-campus is counted toward the residency requirement. For students approved for yearlong off campus programs, only one semester of off campus study will count toward the residency requirement, although the credits from both semesters will be accepted.

Transfer students are required to complete the following minimum number of credits at Grinnell College:

A transfer student who enters as a:	Must complete at Grinnell at least:
Second-semester first-year	92 credits
First-semester second-year	78 credits
Second-semester second-year	62 credits
First-semester third-year	62 credits

A transfer student will be allowed to apply toward a degree at Grinnell a maximum of 62 semester credits of transferable work. If a transfer student has more than 62 credits of transferable work, the registrar will work with the student to determine which credits, not exceeding 62, will be accepted.

At the time of admission, transfer students are classified (as second-semester first-year, first-semester second-year, etc.) on the basis of the transfer credits, if any, that are accepted by the College. Subsequent class status is determined by the number of semesters in residence at Grinnell plus semesters of off-campus study. AP credits and college work taken while in high school do not count toward classification.