Get the full Transylvania experience tuition free.
The Healthy at Transy reopening plan includes a number of steps the university is taking to keep our community safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those measures, however, have resulted in some necessary modifications to the traditional Transylvania campus experience.
We realize that some students may want to make sure they can get the fullest experience possible when it’s safe to do so. That is why we’ve launched Pioneer Plus — a way to ensure access to all of Transy’s on-campus opportunities for our students and families.
Pioneer Plus offers students registered for the 2020-21 academic year a number of options to continue their education, athletics and activities at Transylvania while making the best decisions for themselves right now. Whether it’s an extra year, free summer classes or flexibility to take a gap year, students can decide how to create their best Transy experience.
Best of all, in keeping with our Pioneer Pledge of a four-year graduation guarantee and level tuition, these options will cost the same as your standard four-year enrollment.
NEW! Transy is extending eligibility for the Pioneer Plus initiative to students in the incoming Class of 2025 With Pioneer Plus, students can choose a number of options to continue their education and activities at Transylvania, including a fifth year on campus tuition free. Read more >>
| I am… | Pioneer Plus option | What it means | Benefit to the student |
| Enrolled full-time | Transy Plus One | Fifth year tuition free | Provides another year to gain the full benefit of the Transylvania experience |
| Enrolled full-time, but all my classes are online only | Transy Plus Summer | Free Summer Course | Pick up an extra class at no cost |
| Taking a gap year | Pioneer Pledge Plus | Extend Pioneer Pledge level tuition option or lock returning year tuition rate | No need to worry about a cost increase |
Pioneer Plus Criteria
The Pioneer Plus initiative provides three different options for students enrolled at Transylvania for 2020-21: Transy Plus One, Transy Plus Summer and Pioneer Pledge Plus. Students who wish to discuss the Pioneer Pledge Plus option for the 2020-21 academic year should contact pioneerplus@transy.edu prior to the scheduled start of classes to be eligible. Additional information on the Transy Plus One and Transy Plus Summer options will be forthcoming, including how to register your interest in participating.
Students must meet specific criteria for eligibility to choose different Pioneer Plus options. Not all options apply to all students. In some cases, students may be eligible for multiple options, may only be eligible for one option and others may not be eligible for any option. Please see the criteria below to determine eligibility.
Transy Plus One
Students who were enrolled for the full 2020-21 academic year, or who entered the university as first-time first-year students in 2021-22, can choose the Transy Plus One option to receive a fifth year on campus tuition free beginning in 2021-22. This option provides another year for students to participate in athletics, performing arts, community service and student organizations, giving them the full Transylvania experience.
- Must have been continuously enrolled as a full-time student for the 2020-21 academic year (modules 2-6) and made satisfactory progress and remain in good academic standing from 2020-2021 through the end of the fourth year. Students who entered Transy in 2021-22 must remain continuously enrolled as a full-time student and make satisfactory progress from Fall 2021 through the end of their fourth year and remain in good academic standing.
- Must not have completed all degree requirements prior to the fifth year of enrollment.
- Athletic eligibility is subject to NCAA guidelines.
- During the plus year, students must take at least one course unit per term for as long as they remain enrolled but may carry fewer than three course units. These courses must be courses required for the completion of declared majors, minors, or General Education, and must be offered directly by Transylvania University
- The plus year must be taken immediately following the first four years without a gap/leave of absence.
- Only tuition and general fees are covered. Housing, room and board, books, and other expenses for a fifth year are the responsibility of the student.
- Federal and state financial aid may be available for the plus year for eligible students who have not yet had their Transylvania degree conferred.
Transy Plus Summer
For students whose classes in 2020-21 are only available online with no in-person or hybrid offerings, the Transy Plus Summer option gives them the opportunity to take a summer class on campus free of charge. Must be enrolled as a full-time student for the 2020-21 academic year with classes designated by faculty as “Online Only.”
- A minimum of six units (of nine available in modules 2-6) must be designated as online only.
- Students who have more than three units designated by faculty as “Hybrid” or “In Person” during the 2020-21 academic year are not eligible for this option even if they choose to take class remotely.
- Students may take one free course at Transy during a summer session before they graduate based on course availability. Seniors and juniors will receive priority in Summer 2021.
- In the event the university transitions to fully remote instruction in 2020-21, eligibility for summer courses will be reevaluated and students will be accommodated as space allows.
Pioneer Pledge Plus
Pioneer Pledge Plus is for returning students who opt for a leave of absence — or gap year — for the 2020-21 academic year and builds on Transylvania’s Pioneer Pledge, which offers a four-year graduation guarantee, level tuition option and a 12-month payment plan. This option covers two categories of students:
Level Tuition Option Students
- Students enrolled in the level tuition option will be guaranteed an extension of those rates for an additional year after returning from their leave of absence. In other words, this gap will not be considered a break in enrollment for the Level Tuition Plan.
- Students must inform the university by the start of classes of their intent to take a leave of absence from the university.
- Students will continue to receive Transy institutional aid as normal upon return. However, eligibility for aid from sources such as the federal and state government and/or outside scholarship agencies may change.
All Other Students
- Students not enrolled in the level tuition option will be guaranteed a one-year tuition lock at 2020-21 rates when they return in 2021-22, but will pay the standard, published tuition rate beginning in 2022-23.
- Students will continue to receive Transy institutional aid as normal upon return. However, eligibility for aid from sources such as the federal and state government and/or outside scholarship agencies may change.
To apply for a gap year, students must request a leave of absence, per the university catalog, from the Dean of the University by Aug. 31 (Dec. 31 for winter term). Once a leave is granted, students on leave need not apply for readmission but should notify the registrar at least 30 days before their return. The right to use college facilities is suspended while the leave is in effect.
Students who take a one semester leave of absence will be granted a one semester level tuition extension or tuition rate lock, not a full year.
Courses taken elsewhere will be considered for transfer if the student submits the Transfer Approval Form beforehand and after completion submits an official transcript to the registrar, as per the university catalog.