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For many college students, the thought of hard-earned academic credits expiring can be demoralizing. But if you’ve taken a few years off since graduating, or if you’re considering going back to school after 30 after being away for a long time, the question looms: Will your college credits be valid?

When do college credits expire?��

There is good news: College credit that earned at an institution will not expire or be removed from a student's transcript, so they will always have the credits. However, where and how credits may apply toward a degree program may differ depending on how long someone has been out of school and transfer credit policies per institution.

For example, the requirements for a degree program may have changed so that the content from older courses doesn’t match up with the content to earn the new degree. In these instances, credits still have earned value but may not apply to a selected degree program because the discipline may have evolved while during the gap when the student was away. So, there’s no guarantee credits will apply the same way when reenrolling after a hiatus.��This all depends on what the credits are and the program a student is planning on starting. A counselor will be able to help determine if credits will apply to a specific program.

Note that in some cases students may be able to get��college credit for work or life experience��or for��military service, which may help make up for any credits that they are not able to transfer.��

When can college transfer credits be applied to a degree?��

As noted, college credits do not expire. Credits you earn from an institution will always remain on a transcript as earned units; however, certain factors can affect whether they can be applied toward a degree program or transferred to a different institution.

For example, suppose a student earned a degree in an area with rapidly evolving technology or science-based content. In that case, those credits might not apply after even a relatively short absence from your program. The new information might render the content of previously completed courses obsolete.

Additionally, schools sometimes change their policies. Something that was acceptable and applied when a student first enrolled may cease to be valid because of changing conditions.

For example, in some cases, a policy may say that transfer credit for a particular program or course must have been completed in the last five or ten years. It’s not that the credits ‘expired’, but a receiving institution may have policies in place that prevent older courses from being applicable.

Ultimately, the question of how long college credits last may not be the right one. It might make more sense to ask, "are these credits still relevant to a degree?" The answer can help with planning and decision-making.

Do college credits expire if a student doesn't graduate?��

College credits do not expire if a student doesn't graduate. However,��due to the previously mentioned factors, they may not be eligible if they are no longer relevant to the chosen course of study. This answer depends on what the credits are and the area of study.

Other reasons courses may not transfer include:

• The grade earned does not meet the institution’s requirement (often C or better).
• The course is remedial or vocational.
• The content does not apply to the student’s chosen program.
• The student has a lot of a specific type of credits and nowhere for them to apply in the new program (e.g., a student took a bunch of art courses or has filled the elective category).
• The program’s major, in addition to having recency requirements for credits, also might require that a specific grade was earned.

How can a student know if their college credits will transfer?��

In addition to the situations outlined above, institutions have the right to set their own policies, so each student’s transfer situation and outcome can be unique. Credits must fully align with the new school’s degree requirements, and that can get complicated. This is especially true if a student is transferring between educational institutions with different accreditation types or program goals.��

An academic program’s types of degree requirements and degree structure may also affect transfer credit application. For example, many undergraduate degree programs have three components: major course of study, general education credits and elective credits. Elective credit areas are generally open and accept many types of transfer credit regardless of content and age of the credits. General education courses — typically math; science; literature and language arts; and liberal arts-related subjects — may have more transfer restrictions than electives. However, since general education needs are consistent across many institutions in the United States, such credits may transfer. Research the specific institution’s policies in advance to know which classes do and do not transfer.

When applying as a transfer student, contact a college representative with questions or concerns. Knowing the receiving institution’s requirements and the age of the course material will help determine if your credits are applicable.

Factors that determine if college credits will transfer��

Understanding the reasons why credits can or can’t be transferred can give a clearer picture of the transferability of previous coursework. Some of the factors that influence whether college credits will transfer include:

1. ��An institution’s specific transfer policies: Institutions have the latitude to set their own transfer policies and may not accept any credits from other universities or only do so on a limited basis.
2. An institution’s accreditation status: If the college or university loses accreditation, the credits earned after the accreditation status was lost may no longer be transferable.
3. Course equivalency: The content and level of the courses for which the student received credits must be similar to those at the receiving institution. Some schools have specific processes to determine if courses align with their curriculum.
4. Credit hours: An institution may not allow transfers of credits for a course with a significantly different number of credit hours compared to the equivalent course it offers.
5. How long ago the course was completed: As an example, credits earned more than 10 years ago may not be accepted in transfer toward certain degree requirements. Standards and time frames for assessing the relevancy of content vary between institutions and sometimes between degree programs and disciplines within the same institution.
6. Grades: Some institutions may require a minimum grade in a course for credits to be eligible for transfer.
7. Documentation: A record of course descriptions, syllabi and transcripts can help the receiving institution evaluate whether credit can be transferred.

It’s essential to research the specifics of each situation carefully and contact a college representative with questions regarding how courses may apply toward that specific institution’s degree requirements.

College credit transfer policies��

One way to learn how to transfer college credits for a specific school is to check the college’s or university’s website for its academic catalog. This should contain the institution’s transfer policies, course descriptions and degree requirements.

Institutions also may have articulation agreements with other institutions, which are typically listed on their website or may be available when talking to an advisor. An articulation agreement is an agreement between institutions that shows how courses from a program at one institution will transfer to another institution.

It can be helpful to look at the descriptions of the courses taken earlier, if such information is available, and compare them with those at the institution the student plans on transferring to. This can give an idea of whether the courses are aligned or if there is a gap or another factor that could affect whether the credits can transfer. Additionally, the type of program a student is applying to — whether a degree or a certificate — may affect whether credits can be transferred.

How long do colleges keep transcripts?��

Depending on local laws and individual school policies, transcripts can be held for a variety of time periods. Typically, as long as the school is accredited and in business, a student will be able to access their transcripts. Unique circumstances may exist that make obtaining transcripts more difficult.

In some cases, record retention for students who attended decades ago will not be as good as it is today. If a student anticipates obstacles, it’s best to contact the college directly to give it lead time to gather records.

If a student needs access to their transcripts and aren’t sure where to find them, you can request them directly from the registrar’s office at the school you attended. The process typically involves filling out paperwork and paying a fee; in some cases, they can order an official copy online.

Steps for returning to college with transfer credits

There are a few key steps for students wanting to return to college:

1. Explore the types of courses and degrees��to pursue.
2. Contact the target school to inquire about its admissions and transfer credit process.
3. Gather necessary documents, such as transcripts, test scores or references.
4. Find out how transfer credits will apply to the new institution.
5. Submit an application and wait for a decision from the college or university.
6. If accepted, contact the relevant offices at the school (e.g., student services, the office) as soon as possible so they can help plan the program of study and other related matters.

Depending on the type of school and the courses a student plans to take, they may encounter variations in this process. For example,��online certificate programs��or individual courses��may require additional steps.

Are you still wondering, "Do college credits expire?"

With the mystery around when do college credits expire clarified, you may be ready to look at��transferring credits to the ������ý.��At ������ý, students can apply eligible transfer credits from an institutionally accredited university or college toward the degree of their choice and may be able to save money on tuition and possibly graduate sooner..

UOPX will request transcripts on a student’s behalf. Enrollment representatives are available to address specific transfer questions and related inquiries about the application process. Request info from an enrollment rep.

You can also get the ������ý��TransferPath mobile app to begin a free unofficial preliminary evaluation of your transfer credits right away. The app is completely free to download and use.