* Different course content: The course at the first institution might not cover the same material as a comparable course at the second institution.
* Institutional policies: The receiving institution may have specific policies about which courses or types of credits they will accept, even if the course content is similar. They might not accept credits from certain types of institutions (like community colleges, for-profit schools, or schools outside the country).
* Grade requirements: Some institutions require a minimum grade in a course for transfer credit to be granted.
* Course format: The format of the course (online vs. in-person, for example) might affect transferability.
* Program requirements: A course may be transferable in general, but not applicable to a specific major or degree program at the receiving institution.
Essentially, a "not transferable" credit is one that won't count toward fulfilling degree requirements at your new school, even if you've already successfully completed it. This can significantly impact your graduation timeline and overall cost of your education. It's crucial to check with the receiving institution *before* taking any courses to ensure they will transfer.