Credits transfer when your new school accepts them toward your degree, but acceptance depends on the course content, your grade, and whether the schools have an agreement
Not every credit you earn will move with you. Your new school decides which credits count, based on whether the course matches something in their curriculum and whether you earned a passing grade. Some schools have formal transfer agreements that make this automatic; others review each course individually. The grade you need to transfer varies—many schools require a C or better, though some accept D grades for general education courses.
The process starts before you enroll. Contact your new school's registrar or transfer office and ask them to evaluate your transcript from your current school. They will tell you which credits transfer, which ones don't, and how many credits you still need. This evaluation is usually free and takes a few weeks. Getting this information early prevents you from taking courses that won't count toward your new degree.
Key Takeaways
- Your new school's registrar office, not your current school, decides which credits transfer and how they count toward your degree.
- Credits transfer more easily between schools in the same state system or schools with a signed transfer agreement, because they use similar course numbering and standards.
- Request an official transcript evaluation from your new school before you enroll, so you know exactly which credits will count and how many you still need.
- A course that transfers may not count for the same requirement at your new school—a general education credit at one school might become an elective at another.
- Community college credits transfer more reliably to four-year schools than credits between four-year schools, because transfer pathways are more established.
How transfer agreements work and why they matter
A transfer agreement is a contract between two schools that spells out which courses transfer and how they count. If your current school and new school have an agreement, the process is usually straightforward—you take the courses listed in the agreement, and they transfer automatically. Many states have statewide agreements that cover all public colleges in that state, making transfers within the state system much simpler.
Without an agreement, each course is evaluated individually. Your new school's registrar will look at the syllabus, textbook, and course description to decide if it matches something they offer. This takes longer and leaves more room for disagreement. A course that seems equivalent to you might not meet the new school's standards for content or rigor.
Check whether your schools have an agreement by asking the transfer office at your new school or searching your state's higher education website. If they do, get a copy of the agreement and use it to plan which courses to take. If they don't, ask the registrar which courses from your current school have transferred successfully in the past.
What happens to your grade when you transfer
Your grade transfers with the credit, but most schools do not include transferred credits in your new school's GPA calculation. This means a C you earned at your old school stays on your transcript as a C, but it might not pull down your GPA at your new school—though policies vary. Some schools count transfer grades in your GPA; others don't. Ask your new school's registrar how they handle this before you enroll.
The minimum grade required to transfer also varies. Many schools require a C or higher; some accept D grades for general education or elective credits but require C or better for major courses. A few schools only transfer grades of B or higher. Check your new school's transfer policy before you take a course you're unsure about, because a D that counts at your current school might not transfer at all.
Getting an official transcript evaluation
An official transcript evaluation is a document from your new school that lists which of your credits transfer, what they count for, and how many credits you still need. This is different from an unofficial evaluation or a guess—it is the registrar's binding decision about your transfer credits. Request this evaluation as soon as you decide to transfer, even before you apply, because it affects how many semesters you will need and how much the degree will cost.
To request an evaluation, contact the registrar's office or transfer center at your new school. You will need to provide an official transcript from your current school—not a copy you print yourself, but one sent directly from your current school's registrar. The evaluation usually takes two to four weeks. Some schools now offer unofficial evaluations through an online portal, which is faster but not official until the registrar signs off.
Once you have the evaluation, review it carefully. If you disagree with how a course was evaluated, ask the registrar to reconsider and provide the course syllabus or additional documentation. Some decisions can be appealed, especially if the course content matches something at the new school but was coded differently at your old school.
Transferring between community college and a four-year university
Community college to university is the most common transfer path, and most four-year schools have established processes for it. Many states have agreements that may provide community college credits transfer to public universities in that state. General education courses—English, math, science, history—almost always transfer. Major-specific courses transfer less reliably, because community colleges and universities may teach them differently.
The challenge is that a course you took to satisfy a requirement at community college might not satisfy the same requirement at the university. For example, a biology course might transfer as an elective rather than counting toward a science requirement. This is why the official evaluation matters—it tells you exactly what the course counts for at your new school, so you can plan the rest of your degree accordingly.
If you are planning to transfer from community college to a four-year school, ask the four-year school which community college courses they accept before you enroll in community college. Many universities publish a list of approved community college courses. Taking courses from that list ensures they will transfer and count toward your degree.
Transferring between four-year universities
Transferring between four-year schools is more complicated than community college to university, because the schools are less likely to have a formal agreement. Each course is usually evaluated individually, and major-specific courses are more likely to be rejected or counted as electives rather than major requirements.
If you are transferring between universities in the same state system, the process is usually smoother—the schools use similar course numbering and have statewide agreements. If you are transferring between universities in different states or between a public and private school, expect a longer evaluation and the possibility that some credits won't transfer. Request the official evaluation early so you know how many credits you will lose and can plan accordingly.
What to do if credits don't transfer
If a course doesn't transfer, you have a few options. First, ask the registrar why it was rejected and whether you can appeal the decision. Sometimes a course is rejected because the syllabus wasn't submitted or because the registrar misunderstood the content. Providing additional documentation can change the outcome.
Second, ask whether the course can count as an elective even if it doesn't count for a specific requirement. Many schools will accept transfer credits as electives even if they don't match a specific course in the new school's curriculum. This means you still get credit toward your degree, but you will need to take another course to satisfy the requirement the transfer course was supposed to fill.
Third, accept that you may need to retake the course at your new school. This is frustrating and expensive, but sometimes it is the only option—especially for major-specific courses where the new school has different standards or content. Factor this into your decision about whether to transfer and when.
Planning your transfer to minimize lost credits
The best time to think about transfer is before you enroll in your current school. If you know you might transfer, ask your current school's advisor which courses are most likely to transfer to schools you are considering. Take general education courses rather than school-specific courses when you have a choice, because general education transfers more reliably.
If you are already enrolled and deciding to transfer now, request the official evaluation immediately. Use it to plan your remaining courses at your current school. Take courses that are likely to transfer, and avoid taking courses that won't count toward your new degree. If you have already taken courses that don't transfer, accept the loss and focus on finishing your current degree efficiently so you can move on.
Keep copies of all your syllabi and course descriptions. If a course is rejected during evaluation, having the syllabus makes it easier to appeal or to show the registrar why the course should count. Some schools also use syllabi to make decisions about whether a course counts for a specific requirement or just as an elective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer credits if I didn't finish my degree at my current school?
Yes. You do not need to complete a degree before transferring. In fact, most transfer students leave before finishing their current degree. Request your transcript and an official evaluation from your new school, and they will tell you which credits count toward your new degree.
What if my new school says a course doesn't transfer but I think it should?
Ask the registrar for the specific reason it was rejected and request a reconsideration. Provide the course syllabus, textbook information, and any other documentation that shows the course content matches something at the new school. Some schools have a formal appeal process; others will reconsider if you make a strong case.
Do I lose credits if I transfer schools multiple times?
Each transfer is evaluated separately. Credits that transferred from your first school to your second school will be re-evaluated when you transfer to a third school. Some may transfer again; others may not. This is another reason to minimize transfers—each one increases the risk of losing credits.
How long does it take to get an official transcript evaluation?
Most schools take two to four weeks. Some schools with online systems can provide an unofficial evaluation in a few days, but the official version takes longer. Request the evaluation as soon as you decide to transfer, because the timeline affects when you can enroll at your new school.
Will transferred credits affect my financial aid at the new school?
Transferred credits count toward your degree progress for financial aid purposes, which can affect how much aid you receive and how long you are may be able to access for it. Ask your new school's financial aid office how they count transfer credits before you enroll, so you understand how it affects your aid package.