How long do college credits last before they can't be transferred anymore?

I'm trying to plan ahead for college and considering taking some community college courses while I'm still in high school. However, I'm concerned about how long these credits might last if I take a break after high school before transferring. Do college credits have an expiration date, or is there a time limit for when they have to be used? Any insight on transfer policies would be great, especially from those who have gone through this process.

While many colleges do accept transfer credits from community colleges, there isn't a universally set time frame within which the credits need to be put to use. The longevity of credits varies significantly based on the institution that is accepting the transfer credits and the type of course.

Some universities are more flexible and accept credits irrespective of how much time has passed since the credit was earned. Generally, foundational courses in areas like math or English are more likely to be accepted regardless of when they were completed.

However, in technical or rapidly changing fields, there may be a "shelf-life" for how long credits can be transferred. For instance, in fields like computer science or healthcare, some credits may only be valid for 5-10 years.

Another factor to consider is the accreditation of the community college where you're planning to take courses. Accredited colleges usually have a higher chance of their credits being accepted by universities.

Your best course of action would be reaching out to the admissions offices or registrar of the universities you're interested in attending, as they will be able to give you the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Remember, it's also important to perform well in your community college classes since universities will look at the grades you earned when deciding if the credits can be transferred.