Skip to main content

Ask 10 Questions About Transferring Credits to Online Bachelor's Programs

By U.S. News & World Report

Retrieve Previous Course Credits

Most online undergraduates don’t start their education from scratch, experts say. In fact, 95 percent of students in ranked online bachelor’s programs who enrolled between July 2015 and June 2016 had credits from a previous education, U.S. News data show.

Here are 10 questions prospective online students should ask about transferring credits when choosing an online college.

1. What support is available to evaluate transfer credits?

Determining whether past courses are equivalent to those in an online program is complicated. The first step is to speak to an adviser, one expert told U.S. News in 2014.

At the University of Minnesota–Crookston, for instance, online advisers assess credits “with a fine-tooth comb, bringing in everything we possibly can for them while maintaining the integrity of the U of M degree,” says Megan Pederson, a teaching specialist who also advises online transfer students at the school.

2. Are the previous schools regionally accredited?

It’s easier to transfer credits to an online college if the previous school is regionally rather than nationally accredited, experts say. Accreditation, a process conducted by an outside authority, ensures a program meets certain quality standards.

Online students “want credits that are acknowledged and respected and usable once they’ve completed their coursework,” Judith Eaton, president of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, told U.S. News in 2016.

3. Is there a limit to how many credits you can transfer?

Many online schools cap the number of college credits incoming students can transfer. Colorado State University–Global Campus, for example, will count up to 90 transfer credits toward a bachelor’s degree.

After finding out the limit, a student can calculate how many remaining credits they need to graduate from their program, Pederson says.

4. Can you transfer credits from many years ago?

Students in ranked online bachelor’s programs are on average 32 years old and typically returning to school, U.S. News data show. Whether they will be able to transfer over college credits from several years ago varies.

At the online, for-profit Kaplan University, for instance, some programs will accept any older credits. But that’s generally not the case in disciplines that are constantly changing, such as information technology and health care, says Michael Lorenz, the school’s registrar.

5. Do your grades meet the requirements?

Experts say online bachelor’s programs — like those on campus — have different policies on whether they will accept a grade lower than a C for courses that transfer. An online college might not accept a D, or might accept just a few of them, for instance.

“For some institutions it’s a flat letter grade, and for others it’s based on what major they’re going into,” says Melissa Emmett, director of enrollment services for UF Online, the University of Florida‘s online undergraduate arm.

6. How are transfer credits from accelerated online programs evaluated?

Students who transfer to a semester-based online program from one with a quarterly system, for example, should ask an adviser how their courses will be converted, experts say.

UM–Crookston often accepts credit hours earned from schools that are on different academic calendars, Pederson says. That might result in a course being worth fewer credit hours than at the previous institution. The school might waive the difference in credits to help students fulfill major and general course requirements but not for the overall graduation credit requirements.

7. Does the school offer credit for life or military experience?

Some online programs allow students to test out of classes by taking exams such as the College-Level Examination Program to gauge what they already know, or by creating portfolios to highlight their achievements. Students might also be able to directly translate past vocational, technical or military experience into credits if it aligns with the curriculum.

“Not every institution is equally poised to honor this learning meaningfully, though, and students should do their homework before enrolling at an institution,” Lorenz said via email.

8. Can you earn credits through employer partnerships?

Some online colleges partner with employers to offer credit to current working students for their professional training.

“It does not behoove them or us to have them sit in a class on something they already know,” Lisa LaVigna, the online Excelsior College‘s executive director of strategic partnerships and alliances, told U.S. News. The school’s partnership with Pizza Hut, among others, offers credits to enrolled employees for their corporate training.

9. Do you have the documents you need?

Experts say prospective students should ensure their previous school kept records of the college classes they took to ensure the credit transfer process goes smoothly. In case they don’t, a student might consider checking whether they personally saved any documents.

“I kept all of my syllabi and assignments for the courses and asked NCU to compare class requirements,” Kim Blackham, who pursued her doctorate online at Northcentral University, told U.S. News.

10. Does the school have any transfer agreements?

Those pursing an online bachelor’s after an associate degree should be aware that some four-year schools have articulation agreements with certain community colleges, meaning that students can seamlessly transfer credits.

Typically, existing agreements between two on-ground institutions will also apply to their online programs, Karen Pollack, then assistant vice provost for undergraduate online and blended programs at Pennsylvania State University–World Campus, told U.S. News in 2015.

More About Online Education

Find more advice about applying to and choosing an online bachelor’s program on the Online Learning Lessons blog, and check out the U.S. News 2017 Best Online Programs rankings.

For additional tips and information, follow U.S. News Education on Twitter and Facebook.

More from U.S. News

4 Steps to Transfer Online Associate Credits to a 4-Year Online Program

Earn Work, Military Experience Credit as an Online Student

Get 4-Year Credits With Online Community College Classes

Ask 10 Questions About Transferring Credits to Online Bachelor’s Programs originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote