Transferring Credits To Online College

The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center reports that 38% of all college students transfer at least once during their education. Students may transfer credits to an online college to pursue a new major, save money on tuition, or gain greater schedule flexibility.

The online college transfer process works similarly to the regular college application process. It often requires students to complete a transfer application and submit their academic transcripts. This guide highlights how to transfer to online college. It also covers tips, strategies, and best practices for transferring.

The Benefits of Switching Colleges

Students transfer to online colleges for various reasons. Enrolling at a new school may allow students to pursue a major unavailable at their current institution or access more academic resources. Students may also find new research opportunities and other academic benefits at a new school.

Online learning can make college easier to manage, particularly for students working full or part time while in school. Online courses typically offer more schedule flexibility. Many courses follow an asynchronous format. Asynchronous courses do not require set meeting times, allowing students to complete coursework on their schedule within set deadlines.

Transfer Credits FAQ's

Q. What costs are associated with transferring?

Typically, transfer students only pay application and enrollment fees. However, they may incur costs by taking additional courses if some of their credits do not transfer.

Q. What effect will transfer credits have on my GPA at my new college?

Your GPA may affect admissions decisions, but it does not transfer to a new institution. Students can begin with a new GPA when they transfer to an online college.

Q. Can I transfer credits to and from trade or vocational schools?

Credits from regionally accredited trade and vocational schools typically transfer to two-year and four-year colleges.

Q. Are all credits transferable?

Most credits earned through traditional courses transfer between schools. But some specialized or unique courses may not transfer as easily. Students can confirm credit transferability with school counselors.

How to Transfer to an Online College Program

The process to transfer credits is often the same at most institutions. However, factors, such as credit equivalencies and application steps, may differ among schools. Students should research prospective schools' transfer processes to determine specific requirements. This list highlights factors to consider when planning to transfer credits between colleges.