How to Transfer College Credits (& What Happens to Your GPA?)
Thinking about changing colleges and wondering how to transfer college credits without losing time, money, or momentum? You’re not alone. Around 1.2 million undergraduate students transfer schools every year, and one of the biggest stress points is figuring out what happens to the credits (and GPA) you’ve already earned.
The good news: transferring doesn’t have to mean starting over.The reality: it does take planning.
This step-by-step guide walks you through exactly how to transfer college credits, what schools look for during the credit transfer process, what happens to your GPA when you switch colleges, and how to keep as many of your credits as possible.
How to Transfer College Credits: Step-by-Step
Here’s a simple roadmap to help you stay organized and avoid surprises when transferring credits.
Step 1: Look Up Your New School’s Transfer Policies
Start by checking your new school’s transfer credit policies. These may be listed as articulation agreements or course equivalency guides on the school’s website. If you can’t find what you need, reach out to the admissions office or registrar.
Step 2: Gather Your Academic Documents
Request your official transcript from your current college. You’ll also want to gather course descriptions or syllabi, especially for major-specific classes. Some schools offer unofficial evaluations early on, but official transcripts are required for final credit decisions.
Step 3: Talk to Academic Advisors
Meet with advisors at both your current school and your prospective one. They can help you understand which credits are likely to transfer and how they’ll fit into your degree plan.
Step 4: Submit Your Transfer Request Early
Send in your transcripts and required forms as early as possible, even before you enroll. Early evaluations give you a clearer picture of your timeline and remaining requirements.
Step 5: Review the Transfer Decision
Once your credits are evaluated, you’ll receive a transfer credit report. This shows which credits were accepted and how they apply toward your degree (major requirements, electives, or general education).
Step 6: Plan Your Path Forward
Work with an advisor to map out your remaining coursework and graduation timeline based on the credits that transferred.
Does Your GPA Transfer When You Change Colleges?
Short answer: no.
When you transfer colleges, whether it’s university to university or from a community college, your GPA resets. Your new school calculates your GPA using only the courses you complete there, whether you’re transferring from a community college or another university.
That said, your academic history doesn’t disappear.
Colleges will still review your transcript, and your previous GPA can influence:
Your previous GPA may still matter in certain situations:
- Honors eligibility: Some programs look at your past academic performance.
- Admissions and scholarships: Schools may internally recalculate your old GPA when reviewing applications.
- Credit evaluations: While grades don’t transfer, schools may review them when deciding which credits to accept.
Think of it this way: your GPA gets a reset, but your transcript still tells the full story.
What Shows on Your Transcript After You Transfer?
Even though your GPA doesn’t carry over, your transcript does.
Your previous transcript will still list:
- Every course you completed
- The grades you earned
- Your cumulative GPA at that institution
Your new college creates a separate transcript for the coursework you complete there. If you apply to grad school or certain jobs later, you’ll likely need to submit transcripts from both schools.
Transferring from Community College to a University
Moving from a community college to a four-year university is a common path, but policies vary by school. Before transferring, double-check:
- Articulation agreements: Some states and schools have agreements that guarantee credit transfers.
- Credit limits: Universities often cap transfer credits (usually 60–90 credits for a bachelor’s degree).
- Prerequisite requirements: Some majors require specific courses before you can transfer in.
- Minimum GPA requirements: Many schools require a 2.0–3.0 GPA for transfer admission.
How College Credits Transfer (and Why Some Don’t)
Your GPA resets, and your credits mostly transfer. The catch? Not every class is guaranteed to count.
Here’s what schools look at when evaluating transfer credits:
Course equivalency
Your new school must offer a similar course.
Grade requirements
Many schools require a C or higher.
Credit limits
Schools may cap how many credits they’ll accept.
Accreditation
Credits from regionally accredited institutions are more likely to transfer.
Subject matter
Humanities tend to transfer more easily than fast-changing fields like STEM.
Many colleges and university offer transfer equivalency guides that can help you figure out which courses will transfer where.
Common Challenges Transfer Students Face
Even with planning, transferring credits can be tricky. Common issues include:
- Long evaluation timelines: Credit reviews can take weeks or months, affecting registration and graduation plans.
- Unclear credit application: Some courses may count only as electives or not at all.
- Confusing agreements: Articulation agreements vary widely and aren’t always easy to interpret.
- Lost credits: Differences in institutional policies may require retaking courses.
On average, transfer students lose about 43% of their credits, which is roughly a semester’s worth of work. That’s why preparation matters.
How to Transfer Credits Successfully
Want to keep more of your hard-earned credits? Here’s what helps:
- Research transfer policies early
- Meet with an academic advisor
- Look for articulation agreements
- Request a credit evaluation before enrolling
- Submit transcripts as early as possible
- Check for transfer-specific scholarships
Final tips for a smooth credit transfer
- Plan early: The earlier you start researching transfer policies, the fewer surprises you’ll face.
- Save course materials: Keep syllabi and course descriptions in case you need to appeal transfer credit decisions.
- Don’t give up! If some credits don’t transfer initially, ask for a review. Sometimes providing more details can help!
- Yes, you can transfer college credits between schools, including from community college to a university and across state lines.
- The college credit transfer process varies by institution, but usually involves transcript review, course equivalency checks, and credit limits.
- Your GPA does NOT transfer when you switch colleges. Your GPA resets at the new school and is calculated only from courses taken there.
- Transfer credits do not affect your new GPA, even though they appear on your transcript as credits earned.
- Colleges often cap transfer credits (commonly 60-90 credits for a bachelor’s degree).
- On average, transfer students lose about 30-45% of credits, which can add time and cost. Planning early helps reduce loss.
- Research transfer policies, request evaluations early, and work with advisors to maximize accepted credits.
Ready to find scholarships for your new college?
Transferring to a new college can come with unexpected costs, including application fees, transcript requests, lost credits, and differences in tuition rates. But don’t let financial concerns hold you back! Scholarships can help make that financial burden easier to handle.
A lot of schools and organizations offer scholarships specifically for transfer students. These awards can be based on merit, financial need, academic achievements, or even your intended major. Some universities also provide automatic transfer scholarships based on your GPA.
To find funding opportunities that fit your needs, check out Appily’s scholarship database. With thousands of scholarships available, you can discover scholarships to make your transition smoother and more affordable. Start your search today!
FAQs About Transferring College Credits
How do you transfer college credits between schools?
To transfer college credits, you’ll typically submit official transcripts to your new school, which then evaluates your coursework based on accreditation, course equivalency, grades earned, and credit limits. Many schools offer unofficial evaluations before enrollment.
Can you transfer college credits from one college to another?
Yes. Most colleges allow credit transfers, especially from regionally accredited institutions. However, acceptance depends on each school’s college credit transfer policies and how closely your courses match their curriculum.
Where will my college credits transfer?
Credits are most likely to transfer if:
- Your previous school is regionally accredited
- You earned a grade of C or higher
- The new school offers a similar course
- Many colleges publish transfer equivalency guides to help you see where credits may transfer.
Do college credits transfer between states?
Yes, credits can transfer between states. However, state-specific general education requirements and residency rules may affect how those credits apply to your degree.
Does GPA transfer when you switch colleges?
No. When you transfer colleges, your GPA does not transfer. Your new school calculates your GPA using only the courses you complete after enrolling there.
Does your GPA reset when you transfer colleges?
Yes. Your GPA resets at the new institution. Even if your previous GPA was high or low, it won’t factor into your new cumulative GPA.
Do transfer credits affect GPA?
No. Transfer credits usually appear on your transcript as credits earned, but their grades do not count toward your GPA at the new school.
Does GPA transfer from community college to university?
No. When transferring from a community college to a university, your GPA resets. However, your academic record may still be reviewed for admissions decisions or scholarships.
How many credits usually transfer?
This varies, but many universities accept up to 60-90 credits toward a bachelor’s degree. Some credits may apply only as electives.
Why do some credits not transfer?
Common reasons include:
- Course content doesn’t match
- Credits exceed institutional limits
- Courses are outdated (common in fast-changing fields like STEM)
- Grades don’t meet minimum requirements
How long does the credit transfer process take?
Most schools complete credit evaluations within 4 to 8 weeks after receiving official transcripts, though timelines vary.
Can you appeal a transfer credit decision?
Often, yes. Providing detailed syllabi, assignments, or course descriptions can sometimes lead to additional credits being accepted.
