How to Transfer Universities Without Losing Credits

Last updated: 17 September 2026 · Reading time: 12 min

Quick Answer / Key Takeaways

• Always obtain a written credit transfer evaluation from your new university before making any commitments.
• Check the equivalency of each individual course, not just the total number of credits.
• Review articulation agreements between your current and prospective institutions—they can guarantee smoother credit transfer.
• Verify whether your financial aid, scholarships, and other funding sources will transfer or need to be reapplied for.
• Accreditation matters: transferring between regionally accredited universities often results in fewer lost credits than between nationally accredited or non-accredited institutions.
• Use official tools and resources—like Transferology, TES, or state-wide transfer guides—to research transferability in advance.
• Be wary of scams: never pay for application forms or unofficial “credit evaluation” services.

Who Is This For / When Do You Need It?

This guide is designed for undergraduate and graduate students in the United States and internationally who are considering transferring from one university to another and want to maximize the number of credits that count toward their new degree. It is particularly relevant if you are unhappy with your current program, need to relocate for family or work, are seeking a better academic fit, or are moving from a community college to a four-year institution. Transfer students often face challenges due to differences in curriculum, accreditation, and institutional policies, making careful planning essential.

You will need this information if you are considering a mid-degree move, returning to college after a break, or even if you are an international student aiming to transfer to a U.S. or other country’s institution. The stakes are especially high if you rely on financial aid, are on a scholarship, or have unique coursework (such as military or professional training) you hope to count toward your degree. By understanding the transfer process, you can avoid unnecessary delays, extra tuition costs, and frustration.

Best Options

1. Transferology

What It Includes / How It Works

Transferology is a free, widely used online tool that helps students determine how their completed or planned courses will transfer between hundreds of participating colleges and universities, primarily in the United States. You create a free account, input your coursework, and receive a report showing how your credits may apply at your target institutions. The database is updated regularly and draws directly from official college transfer policies and equivalency tables.

Key Features

• Course-by-course transfer equivalency checking
• Direct links to participating institution transfer policies
• Ability to save and compare multiple transfer scenarios
• Integration with many state transfer systems and articulation agreements

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Free, easy to use, covers a large number of institutions, provides detailed course matches.
• Cons: Not all universities participate; some private or small colleges may not be included; results are unofficial—always confirm with the target institution.

Cost

Transferology is free for students. There is no charge to use the service or to save multiple scenarios.

Visit Transferology

2. CollegeTransfer.Net

What It Includes / How It Works

CollegeTransfer.Net is an information-rich portal that enables students to research transfer policies, equivalency agreements, and degree pathways across a wide range of U.S. institutions. It aggregates transfer guides, articulation agreements, and transcript evaluation resources, allowing you to plan your transfer process and compare how your credits may apply at different colleges.

Key Features

• Searchable database of transfer agreements
• Degree pathway planning tools
• Guides for credit evaluation and transcript requests
• Links to state transfer systems and institutional policies

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Comprehensive resource for transfer research, covers many institutions, helpful planning tools.
• Cons: Not always up-to-date for every institution, results are informational (not official evaluations), interface can be overwhelming for first-time users.

Cost

CollegeTransfer.Net is free for students and families.

Visit CollegeTransfer.Net

3. TES (Transfer Evaluation System)

What It Includes / How It Works

TES, by CollegeSource, is a powerful course equivalency database used by many U.S. universities to manage and publish their official transfer credit evaluations. Students can use the public interface to look up how courses from their current institution have transferred to another, based on real evaluation decisions made by registrars and faculty.

Key Features

• Official course equivalency lookup
• Institution-specific evaluation histories
• Search by course code, subject, or institution
• Direct links to institutional transfer contacts

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Often the most authoritative resource for course-level equivalency, used by registrars, covers both undergraduate and graduate coursework.
• Cons: Not all schools publish their equivalencies, some interfaces require institutional access, results are not always comprehensive.

Cost

TES is free for public student access, but some advanced features require institutional login.

Visit TES (Transfer Evaluation System)

4. ASSIST

What It Includes / How It Works

ASSIST is the official statewide database for California’s public colleges and universities, showing exactly how courses transfer between California Community Colleges, California State University (CSU), and the University of California (UC) systems. It maps out course equivalencies and major preparation requirements, making it indispensable for California transfer students.

Key Features

• Official articulation agreements between California public colleges
• Major preparation and general education transfer guides
• Updated annually with input from faculty and registrars

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Authoritative, free, covers all public California colleges, reduces credit loss risk for in-state transfers.
• Cons: Only for California public institutions; does not cover private or out-of-state colleges.

Cost

ASSIST is free to use.

Visit ASSIST

5. CHEA Accreditation Check

What It Includes / How It Works

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) provides a searchable database of recognized accrediting agencies and accredited institutions in the United States. Since credit transfer is far more straightforward between regionally accredited institutions, using CHEA’s database helps you verify the legitimacy and recognition of both your current and prospective schools.

Key Features

• Verified institutional and programmatic accreditation status
• Search by institution or accrediting agency
• Direct links to agency and institutional profiles

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Free, definitive source for accreditation, essential for avoiding diploma mills and transfer denial due to accreditation issues.
• Cons: No course-level information; research is required to interpret results.

Cost

CHEA’s accreditation search is free to use.

Visit CHEA Accreditation Check

6. NACES Evaluation (for international credits)

What It Includes / How It Works

If you are transferring internationally or have credits from outside the United States, most U.S. universities will require an evaluation by a NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) member agency. These agencies compare your coursework to U.S. standards and issue an official report indicating U.S. credit equivalency.

Key Features

• Course-by-course or degree evaluation options
• Recognized by the majority of U.S. universities and colleges
• Detailed reports for admissions and transfer credit offices

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Widely accepted, provides official documentation, essential for international transfers.
• Cons: Not free—costs vary by agency and complexity; does not guarantee full credit transfer (universities make final decisions).

Cost

Expect to pay between $150 and $400 for a course-by-course evaluation. Always verify exact pricing and requirements on the agency’s official website.

Visit NACES Evaluation (for international credits)

7. Scholarships.com and Other Scholarship Portals

What It Includes / How It Works

Scholarship portals such as Scholarships.com, Fastweb, Bold.org, and ScholarshipPortal aggregate thousands of scholarship opportunities for both domestic and international students, including those specifically for transfer students. These platforms allow you to search by eligibility, major, location, and other criteria.

Key Features

• Massive searchable databases of scholarships and grants
• Customizable search filters for transfer status, GPA, and more
• Application tips and reminders for deadlines

Pros & Cons

• Pros: Free, broad coverage, includes many transfer-specific opportunities.
• Cons: Competition is high, some scholarships may be regionally restricted or have specific requirements; always beware of scams (never pay to apply).

Cost

These portals are free to use for students.

Visit Scholarships.com and Other Scholarship Portals

How to Choose / What to Look For

Choosing the right transfer pathway and resources begins with understanding your own academic goals, degree requirements, and personal circumstances. First, verify that your target institution is accredited by a recognized regional accrediting body, as this is the single biggest factor in ensuring transferability of credits. Use CHEA’s database or the U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs for confirmation.

Next, look for colleges that maintain formal articulation agreements with your current institution. These agreements, often published on university transfer offices’ websites, explicitly list which courses will transfer and count toward degree requirements. Statewide systems (such as California’s ASSIST, or the Texas Common Course Numbering System) are especially helpful if you’re transferring within a public system.

When researching transfer tools, prioritize those that offer official, up-to-date course equivalency data and direct links to university transfer contacts. If you have international or nontraditional credits (such as military or professional training), ensure that your target institution accepts third-party evaluations from recognized agencies like NACES. Always seek written confirmation—not just verbal assurances—regarding which courses will count toward your new degree.

How to Get Started / Practical Steps

• Research your prospective institutions’ transfer credit policies and confirm their accreditation status using CHEA or the U.S. Department of Education databases.
• Use tools like Transferology, TES, and CollegeTransfer.Net to look up course equivalencies and identify articulation agreements.
• Contact the admissions or transfer office at your target university and request a preliminary, written evaluation of your transcripts and credits.
• Compare your current coursework with the degree requirements of your intended major at the new institution; identify any gaps or required courses you may need to retake.
• Ask about the transferability of your financial aid, scholarships, or work-study eligibility. If necessary, reapply for aid through FAFSA or CSS Profile and search for transfer-specific scholarships on Scholarships.com, Fastweb, and Bold.org.
• If you have international credits, select a NACES-approved evaluation agency and submit your documents for review.
• Before accepting admission, ensure you have received a formal, written credit transfer evaluation and reviewed it against your degree plan.
• Keep copies of all correspondence, evaluations, and agreements for your records in case of future disputes.

Limitations

Despite your best efforts, not all credits will transfer perfectly due to differences in curriculum, course content, and institutional policies. Even with articulation agreements, certain courses—especially electives, remedial classes, or those outside your new major—may not count toward your degree requirements. Some universities cap the number of transfer credits they accept, and others may require a minimum number of credits to be earned “in residence” at their institution (often 30-60 credits for a bachelor’s degree).

International transfers face additional hurdles, such as differing academic calendars, grading systems, and requirements for official credential evaluations. Graduate-level transfers are particularly complex, as programs are less standardized and may have stricter policies on credit acceptance. Finally, financial aid and scholarship eligibility may not always carry over, requiring you to reapply or seek alternative funding.

It’s also important to recognize that official tools and databases may not always be fully up to date—a course that transferred last year may not be accepted this year if curricula have changed. Always double-check with the receiving institution and get all decisions in writing.

Final Thoughts / Recommendation

Transferring universities can be a smart move for academic, financial, or personal reasons—but only if you approach the process with care and diligence. The single most important step is to secure a formal, written credit evaluation before accepting admission. Leverage official transfer tools, verify institutional accreditation, and use scholarship and financial aid portals to support your transition.

If you are transferring within a public university system (such as California’s CSU or UC), you will usually have the smoothest path and minimal credit loss. Transfers between regionally accredited institutions are next best, while moves from nationally accredited, unaccredited, or international institutions require more scrutiny and may result in greater credit loss. Always keep documentation, stay proactive, and don’t be afraid to ask detailed questions of your target institution’s transfer office.

Ultimately, careful planning and early research will help you avoid costly surprises, delays, and unnecessary coursework—saving you time, money, and stress on the road to your degree.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all credits usually transfer between universities?

No, it is rare for all credits to transfer perfectly. Differences in degree requirements, course content, and accreditation often mean that some credits—especially electives or specialized courses—may not be accepted by your new institution. Always seek a written evaluation before committing.

What is an articulation agreement, and why does it matter?

An articulation agreement is a formal partnership between two institutions that specifies which courses will transfer and how they apply to degree requirements. These agreements reduce uncertainty and are a key tool for minimizing credit loss, especially between community colleges and four-year universities.

How can I check if my university is properly accredited?

You can verify institutional accreditation using the Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s database or the U.S. Department of Education’s accreditation search tool. Only credits from regionally accredited institutions are widely accepted; transferring from nationally accredited or unaccredited schools is much riskier.

Will my financial aid or scholarship transfer with me?

Some financial aid, such as federal Pell Grants, may transfer if you update your FAFSA with your new school’s code, but institutional scholarships and private awards often do not. Always contact both your current and prospective schools’ financial aid offices and use scholarship portals to find new opportunities.

Are there scholarships specifically for transfer students?

Yes, many colleges, private organizations, and platforms like Scholarships.com and Fastweb list awards specifically for transfer students. Eligibility criteria and deadlines vary, so begin your search early and never pay to apply for a legitimate scholarship.

How do international students transfer credits to a U.S. university?

International students generally need to have their transcripts evaluated by a NACES-member credential evaluation agency, which translates coursework into U.S. credit equivalents. The receiving university makes the final decision on which credits to accept based on this evaluation.

What should I do if my credits are denied?

If your credits are denied, first request a detailed explanation in writing. You may be able to appeal the decision by providing additional course descriptions, syllabi, or documentation. If the denial stands, consider alternative pathways such as credit-by-exam or prior learning assessment.

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