By: The Strayer University Editorial Team

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Going back to school is a big commitment, especially when you’re balancing work, family and everything else life brings. But you may be further along the path to an online bachelor’s degree than you may think.

If you’ve already completed college courses, earned professional certifications, served in the military or gained valuable experience on the job, you may be able to apply your knowledge toward your program at Strayer University. That could help you save time and potentially reduce your overall cost.

Transfer college credits you’ve already earned

Whether you paused your education years ago or recently completed courses at a community college, your previous hard work deserves recognition. At Strayer, we aim to make the transition seamless.

To help you understand your options, you can use our transfer credit tool to receive an estimate of how many credits from your previous college may apply to your program at Strayer.

After you apply, an admissions officer can request your official transcripts for you, or you can have your former institution send them directly to our transcript evaluation team. Once your transcripts are reviewed, your admissions officer will follow up with a list of approved transfer credits.

Note: Transfer credit opportunities and limits vary by program and state. All transfer credit is subject to evaluation and approval under current university policies.

Earn college credit for your experience

Classrooms aren’t the only places where high-level learning happens. You may be able to turn your prior work, life, and learning experiences into college credit.

Depending on your background and program, Strayer offers several ways to evaluate prior learning:

• Credit by exam: Demonstrate your proficiency by passing approved exams, such as Strayer Challenge Exams, College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams or DANTES Subject Standardized Tests.
• Credit for your experience: Your work experience, military training, professional certifications, licenses or corporate training may help you earn credit toward your degree.
• Strayer Skills Advantage: Participate in a one-day virtual assessment to demonstrate your workplace competencies. By successfully proving your skills, you can earn elective credits toward your program.

Your admissions officer can help you explore which options may apply to your goals, background and degree program.

Take no-cost gen ed courses through Sophia Learning

You may also be able to save money by taking no-cost general education courses through Sophia Learning, a Strayer affiliate. Sophia courses are 100% online and self-paced, so you can complete coursework when it works for your schedule.

Once you’re enrolled in an eligible Strayer bachelor’s degree program, completed Sophia courses may transfer into your program and count toward your degree. Sophia courses do not count toward federal financial aid eligibility, so students using financial aid should talk with a Strayer academic coach or admissions officer about how Sophia courses may fit into their overall plan.

Scholarships and tuition discounts may help lower your cost

Saving time is important. So is finding ways to make your education more affordable.

Strayer offers options that may help eligible students save on tuition, including scholarships and employer tuition assistance. Scholarship availability, eligibility and award amounts vary: review current options and talk with admissions about what may fit your situation.

Take the next step

You’ve already built a wealth of knowledge through your life and career. Now, let that experience work for you. Whether you want to see how many credits will transfer or you’re ready to start your application, we’re here to help you move forward.

Explore Strayer University programs or connect with an admissions officer today to learn how close you are to earning your degree.