Students matriculating as first-time first-year students after June 2002 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 excluded from the 24-credit 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 who enter Grinnell College after June 2002 will be required to complete the following minimum number of credits at Grinnell College:

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, which 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.