Credit for Prior Learning and College Transfer FAQs

Credit for Prior Learning is how colleges recognize learning you’ve already completed. This can include courses, exams, military training, certifications, or work experience. Each college decides what it accepts and how it applies toward a degree or certificate.

Colleges may award credit for completed college courses, exams (such as AP, IB, CLEP, and Dantes), dual enrollment coursework, military training, and sometimes professional certifications or documented work experience. What counts and how it counts depends on the institution and program.

Yes. Many institutions now recognize that learning can happen outside the classroom. Through Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) assessment and recognition, you can earn academic credit for your work experience, military training, and professional certifications and save both time and money.

Some schools and systems make the process easier with online tools that let you build a portfolio, document your learning, and see how it might translate into college credit.

That decision is made by your new school. Acceptance depends on factors like accreditation, course content, grades earned, and how closely the course matches the receiving institution’s requirements. Before you transfer, it’s a good idea to research how your prior learning might be accepted. Many schools won’t give you a final answer until you enroll, but our Course and Exam searches can help you see how credits have transferred in the past.

An equivalency shows how a course or exam from one institution has previously been evaluated and matched to a course at another institution. Equivalencies are often used to estimate how credits may transfer, though final decisions are made after admission.

A transfer or articulation agreement is a formal agreement between institutions that outlines how specific courses or programs transfer and count. These agreements are designed to reduce uncertainty and help students move from one institution to another with fewer credit losses. You can use our Transfer Agreement search to find existing agreements between schools to see which courses are designed to transfer smoothly.

Accreditation means a college or university has been reviewed and approved for quality by a recognized agency. It’s important because most will not accept transfer credits from a school that is not accredited, and in many cases, they only guarantee acceptance from schools that are regionally accredited. Accreditation also affects financial aid, job requirements, and professional licenses.

If your credit is not accepted or only counts as a general elective, you can usually appeal the decision. It often means you’ll have to share things like course descriptions, syllabi, assignments, or textbooks used in the class.

Some classes are less likely to transfer. These include courses from unaccredited schools, remedial courses like basic math or English, and some technical or job-specific courses.

It depends on the school. Some only count grades earned at their institution, while others include your previous GPA. Be sure to ask before you decide to transfer.

A residency requirement is how many credits you must take at your new college or university to earn a degree from them. Some also require a certain number of upper-level or major-specific classes to be taken there. Residency rules may limit how many transfer credits are accepted.

A degree audit is a review of your academic progress that shows which requirements you’ve met and which ones remain. It helps you understand how your transferred and earned credits apply toward your degree.

Some states and systems have transfer portals that offer simulated degree audit apps called TransferChecks specific to their institutions that you run before applying or enrolling to see how your credits might apply toward a major or program of study.

The sending institution is the school where you completed coursework or training. The receiving institution is the school where you plan to transfer and complete your degree – it makes the final decision about how credits apply.

Most institutions have different rules for transferring students and adult learners than for first-time freshman. These rules may include application deadlines, minimum GPA, which transcripts you need to send, and whether test scores like the SAT or ACT are required. Some may also ask for an essay, recommendation letter, or personal interview. You can use our Transfer Profile search to compare requirements before you apply.

This is a common question for both current students and adults thinking about returning to school. Data shows that people with degrees tend to earn more over time and face lower employment rates than those without one. Even completing a certificate can improve job options and career growth. A degree can also help when changing careers or moving into higher-level roles.

Financial aid does not move with you from one college to another. However, federal aid can still be used if you update your FAFSA and send it to your new school. You should also talk with the financial aid office about grants, scholarships, and work-study options they offer.

Many colleges and universities offer scholarships just for transfer students. These are often based on grades, achievements, or special programs. Keep in mind that scholarships from your current school won’t transfer, but awards from outside organizations may still apply.

Yes. Grants are free money that does not need to be paid back. Many require you to fill out the FAFSA and are often based on financial need.

Student loans do not automatically transfer between schools. When you leave a college, your loans may enter a grace period, or repayment may begin within six months. If you enroll at a new school, you can usually request an in-school deferment to delay payments. You should update your FAFSA and check with your loan provider to understand your options.