Transfer and Returning Student Advising

Group of students in front of the Student Services Center

Fall semester registration begins
Early April
Spring semester registration begins
Early November

Your journey is yours to determine, and advisors are here to support you in reaching your goals and realizing your potential.

Ready, Set, Go Hilo!

The UH Hilo journey for incoming transfer students begins with the Transfer Center, that will facilitate a smooth transition to your major department for faculty advising.

If you are already in contact with a UH Hilo faculty advisor in your department, you may continue working with them. To connect directly to your department, refer to the Advising Points of Contact.

Advising at UH Hilo

Admissions counselors, the Transfer Center, and faculty/departmental advisors have different functions and specializations at UH Hilo, which can be new compared to what you experienced at your previous campus(es):

Students standing in front of University Classroom Building

  • Admissions Counselors can assist with admissions and enrollment questions, like Intent to Enroll, standardized test scores, and final transcripts that were part of the application process.

  • The Transfer Center will assist you in preparing for advising and registration by facilitating your connection to your faculty/departmental advisors and major department.

  • Faculty/Departmental Advisors will assist you in navigating through major requirements and provide you with suggestions for courses, experiential learning opportunities, and can discuss career and academic plans after graduation.

Placement Assessments

Depending on your major, you may have additional assessments to complete prior to registering for required classes, especially if prerequisites are not met by prior coursework. All placements are offered online. Refer to the Placement Assessments Webpage and complete the Google Form below to identify which placement assessments you will need.

Preparing for Advising

Prior to meeting with your faculty advisor, we recommend you complete the following:

Once you’ve completed all requirements listed above, you’re ready for advising.

Class Registration

Registration, which involves creating your class schedule and enrolling in classes, occurs online through our registration system called STAR-GPS. STAR-GPS is an advising tool students use with their advisors throughout their academic journey. It also provides real-time information about your progress to graduation, by combining past college courses with remaining academic degree requirements.

Student standing in front of the Student Services Center.