Prior Credit Evaluation

The VA requires APSU to evaluate all of your previous education, training, and experience before certifying your enrollment. This is called a Prior Credit Evaluation (PCE), and it must be completed within your first term — failure to complete it can result in termination of your VA education benefits.

For most students, our office initiates the PCE process. Your role is to make sure all previous transcripts and training records are submitted to APSU before or during your first term.

What Is a Prior Credit Evaluation?

Both the law and the regulations require schools to grant appropriate credit for prior training and experience. The current procedure provides for termination of VA education benefits if the school does not furnish an evaluation of prior credit within one (1) term (38 U.S.C. 3675(b)(2) and 3676(c)(4), and §21.4253(d)(3) and 4254(c)(4)).

Prior credit is defined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as "the amount of credit allowed for previous education, training, and experience; including military training and experience." The portion of a student's military experience, AP credit, transfer credit, and so forth — which, when applied to the student's specific degree program, shortens that program.

The APSU Prior Credit Evaluation Process

The following steps apply to most undergraduate students. See the sections below for Aviation Science, second degree, undeclared major, and graduate student processes.

Submit all previous education, training, and experience records to APSU. This includes college transcripts from all previously attended institutions, military training records, and any other documentation of prior credit.
The Office of the Registrar evaluates your transfer credit. Credit is reviewed and applied to your academic record.
Your initial Degree Works audit and the program of study listed in your declared Bulletin serve as your Prior Credit Evaluation. Any courses with previously earned passing grades to which APSU's CARE or Fresh Start policies have been applied will still count on the Prior Credit Evaluation.
If you have course deficiencies or prerequisites not listed in your initial Degree Works or declared Bulletin, your academic advisor must complete the Student Course Requirement Change Form before those courses can be included in your enrollment certification.

Special Situations

Aviation Science Students

Aviation Science students follow a separate Prior Credit Evaluation process due to FAA requirements.

Schedule an appointment with the Aviation Science director.
You and the director complete and sign the Prior Credit Evaluation form, which includes an FAA Certificate statement.
Submit the completed PCE to the APSU Veterans Education Benefits office at the beginning of your first term.

Second Degree Students

No elective or general education core requirement courses will be certified for VA benefits without the Student Course Requirement Change Form completed by your academic advisor.

Undeclared Major Students

If you have not declared a major, only general education core requirements are certifiable for VA benefits. Once all general education core requirements are met, you must declare a major and complete the necessary VA paperwork before additional courses can be certified.

Graduate Students

Your Graduate Program of Study from your initial Degree Works audit and your declared Bulletin serve as your Prior Credit Evaluation. Any courses with previously earned passing grades to which CARE or Fresh Start has been applied will still count.

Courses not listed on your initial Degree Works or Bulletin will not be certified and will require your Graduate Coordinator to complete the Student Course Requirement Change Form.

If you are required to complete undergraduate prerequisites as part of your graduate program, your academic advisor must complete the Student Course Requirement Change Form before enrollment certification can be processed for those courses.

Change of Program

If you change your program of study, a new Prior Credit Evaluation will be completed based on your updated Degree Works audit and the program of study listed in your newly declared Bulletin.