Qualifying Iowa residents who transfer to Drake will receive full-tuition coverage
Drake University is expanding its Bulldog Promise program to cover tuition for qualifying Iowa transfer students, beginning with those who enroll in Fall 2027. The announcement comes during National Transfer Student Week, Oct. 19–23, an annual recognition of transfer students and the campuses that support them.
Originally announced in 2024 and expanded upon in 2025, the Bulldog Promise has been providing full tuition coverage for Iowa residents who are first-time college students, meet GPA requirements, and qualify for the Federal Pell Grant. The program enrolled 59 students in its first year (Fall 2025) and an additional 100 students in its second year (Fall 2026). Now, Drake is once again expanding access to a tuition-free Drake education by offering Bulldog Promise to qualifying transfer students.
“Drake has a long history of joyfully serving transfer students, and this is one more way in which we are leaning in to support these students in securing their Drake degrees,” said Drake University President Marty Martin. “When they walk across our graduation stage we know they will be ready to be their best selves for themselves, their families, and the many others they will serve throughout their lifetime.”
How to qualify as a transfer student
Transfer students with any level of undergraduate college education—whether they have completed an associate’s degree or not—may be eligible for the program if they meet the following criteria:
- Meet Iowa residency requirements as defined by the Iowa Department of Education.
- Must have maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher at the collegiate level.
- Must be eligible for maximum Federal Pell Grant aid, as determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before July 1 of the summer prior to fall enrollment.
- Must be a transfer college student, entering Drake in Fall 2027 or beyond.
- Must be attending Drake in pursuit of their first bachelor’s degree.
The Bulldog Promise is just that—a promise to support a student’s education by covering undergraduate tuition. If a student qualifies for their first year at Drake, their eligibility will not change if they do not qualify for the Federal Pell Grant in subsequent award years. Room, board, and meal plan costs are not covered by the Bulldog Promise, but there is no requirement to live on campus if students live with a parent or legal guardian within a 45-mile radius of campus, are married, or have been out of high school for two years or more.
For complete eligibility guidelines and application deadlines for transfer students, visit the Bulldog Promise webpage.