Paying to release transcripts?

suzanne4, RN · Feb 21, 2006

The issue is that you need a copy that is certified by your high school, not one that you send to the college or university. You are going to find the same thing with colleges, or even verification of your nursing license, and the charge is going to be even more.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2006

I applied to four nursing programs.

My total transcript cost was over two hundred bucks (I transferred twice for my undergrad due to financial issues I had at the time). With application fees (would you believe that UNC's app fee was $75? Duke's was only $50!) and priority postage for two of them, I paid over $300 to apply to school.

IT WAS WORTH EVERY SINGLE PENNY!!! :clown:

bandas · Feb 21, 2006

I think its very common to have to pay, sort of an administrative fee for handling the transcripts. I know that I had to pay $8 to have mine sent from another university I attended.

elkpark · Feb 21, 2006

I smiled (a pained smile) when I saw the title of your thread. Just today, I am putting a letter in the mail to request a transcript, and the college charges $5.00 (that's for the "standard service" -- if you want them to rush, or fax the transcript, it's even more). At this point in my life/career, I have attended four colleges/universities. Only one of the four charges for transcripts (and, ironically, it's the sorriest school of the four. Doesn't that make perfect sense?) -- the other three will send out as many transcripts as I want, as often as I want, at no charge.

What's particularly annoying is that I originally requested the transcript be sent (and paid $5.00) back in January, and they claim they mailed it, but the transcript has never arrived so I am now making a second request and paying the fee again. I suppose I should just be grateful that it's only five bucks ... :rolleyes:

NaomieRN · Feb 21, 2006

I pay all the times to have my transcripts sent. They charge a processing fee.

missninaRN · Feb 21, 2006

All of the colleges I have attended charged a fee (my high school did not), but I don't think any of them charged for unofficial transcripts (which were sent directly to me and do not have a seal).

There are costs involved, I suppose. Some of the transcripts were on special paper with embossed seals, etc. And of course there's postage.

Here's a handy tip: As long as you're getting an official transcript, go ahead and get two or three. You'll probably need one again sometime, and you never know when your application containing your official transcript might get lost in the mail!

Kathyz · Feb 21, 2006

My college doesn't charge as long as you make "reasonable requests". Probably because it was so much to go they figure they owe you one!!

JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP · Feb 21, 2006

Yeah, I asked them to send me a few, but the charge is for each individual transcript. They will not send the official transcript directly to me - only to the college.

It's no sweat, really, it's only $5. I just wanted to know if this was standard. It just seems unfair that you pay to go to school and then you have to pay just to get your records.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Feb 21, 2006

Yeah, I asked them to send me a few, but the charge is for each individual transcript. They will not send the official transcript directly to me - only to the college.
It's no sweat, really, it's only $5. I just wanted to know if this was standard. It just seems unfair that you pay to go to school and then you have to pay just to get your records.

I agree completely. I try to remind myself that they have to pay to store all that stuff - either by constantly enlarging and backing up their server or by stowing paper records (I went to HS in the late '80s in the age before computers) or converting them to computer scans or microfiche. I don't know how long they have to keep that stuff; my mother, who's 71, needed hers a few years ago for something and they still had it on microfiche from 1952!!

BTW - most high schools, for some reason, will not release official transcripts to the student. Colleges, however, will, because many schools require you to submit your stuff to them in one big packet rather then having them keep up with everything themselves.

I made UNC's secretary initial and date a little list when I took them their packet, as proof that, at ONE time at least, they actually had everything. :rolleyes: Extreme? Not when it's my future at stake.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2006

Don't I have a right to have my own transcripts released without paying? I didn't make a fuss over the phone but I'm peeved.

Nice try. You have to pay for the copying and handling. That is standard for all schools. Get used to it. Schools only want "official" transcripts in "sealed" envelopes which you or I cannot supply. Everytime I have applied to a school I have to start writing out checks for my transcripts. So, will you. Wait until you see the cost of textbooks! :chuckle