COS requires an official transcript from the original institution in order to evaluate and apply your previous coursework. Coursework that appears only on another college’s transcript will not be accepted.
Example: If you took courses at Heald College (a closed institution), and those courses were later posted on San Joaquin Valley College’s official transcript, COS will not accept those credits unless we receive an official transcript directly from Heald College or its official record custodian. This ensures that all evaluated coursework is verifiable and accurately attributed to the institution where it was originally earned.
If your former college or university has permanently closed and you need to request official transcripts, the process varies depending on where the institution was located. Use the sections below to identify the appropriate steps and contacts. Currently, we only accept coursework from institutions accredited by the
Regional Accreditation.
California Institutions (Closed Colleges/Universities)
If you attended a school in California that has since closed, the California Department of Consumer Affairs’ Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) may hold your records.
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Search the BPPE Closed School List: BPPE Closed School Records Search
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Submit a Transcript Request Form: If your school is listed, follow the directions to complete the
BPPE Transcript Request Form.
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Additional Assistance:
- Email:
bppe.transcripts@dca.ca.gov
- Phone: (888) 370-7589
- Records may be managed by a third-party provider or the receiving institution.
- Note: Bryman Colleges, Everest Colleges, Heald Colleges, Learning Tree, Nova Institute, Phillips Junior College, and Sawyer are held by "Corinthian Colleges, Inc."
U.S. Institutions (Outside California)
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Google search: search online for the name of your closed school along with the terms like "transcript request," "records custodian," or "closed college transcripts." This may take you to the organization or agency now responsible for storing the school's student records.
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State Higher Education Agencies: Check with the relevant agency for the state where your college or university is located. Search for: [State name] + Department of Higher Education + closed colleges transcripts. Research and look for any guidance or contact information they provide.
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Third-Party Transcript Services: Some closed schools transfer their records to another college or third-party service. This could be a records custodian (such as Parchment or the National Clearinghouse) or a teach-out partner (a school that absorbed students and their records after the original campus closed).
International Institutions
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Ministry or Department of Education: Contact the official education office in the country where your school operated.
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Embassies/Consulates: May provide support for verifying or locating academic records.
- If you have completed coursework outside the United States, you are required to use a Credential Evaluation Service, see the COS catalog for the approved list. These services review your international transcripts and provide a report showing how your coursework compares to U.S. standards.
COS does not accept evaluation reports from AICE, WES, NACES, or similar services as official transcripts. Even if your international coursework is listed in the evaluation, we still require official transcripts directly from the original school where the coursework was completed. The evaluation services help us understand your coursework, but they do not replace the need for official records from your original institution.
Important Tips
- Always try to keep copies of your diplomas, transcripts, or enrollment letters.
- If the school was part of a larger system, the parent institution may retain your records.
- Be prepared to provide as much information as possible (e.g., student ID, years attended, degree program).
- Once you find the appropriate custodian, follow their instructions for requesting an official transcript to be sent directly to the College of Sequoias Admissions and Records.
