Taking classes at a community college just because? Is that allowed?

So the 4 year universities I’m interested in going in all have a maximum number of 140 units you’re allowed to take. The problem is, there’s about 165 total units of classes I’m interested in taking while in college (at any of the schools I go to this amount is roughly the same).
I know you can save money by taking classes at a CC needed for your major (while enrolled at a 4 year) and then you transfer them to your 4 year to get the credit for them.
But can I enroll in classes at a CC without transferring those units over to my 4 year?? I just wanted to take some classes for my own fulfillment and enjoyment, because I exceed the 140 unit limit at the 4 years…

If you take any credit-bearing courses at a CC while you are enrolled in a 4-year institution, you will be obligated to submit those transcripts to the 4-year place. Whether you get credit or not (and as what) is up to the 4-year.

Do you absolutely need to take these extra courses during the normal four years of college? Couldn’t you just wait and pick them up after graduation?

Why do you think you would have time to carry any extra credit-bearing courses while you are working on your 4-year degree? Many students truly find it challenging to carry a normal load of 15 SH each term. To finish up even 140 hours of classes would likely mean several semesters with 18-20 SH loads. Not to mention of course that these projected extra classes will come at an added expense to you. Where will you find that money?

If there is something that you’d like to learn just for fun, you might be better off looking for a non-credit class in the continuing education division of the community college or through your local park and recreation department. Often those are designed to not require any out-of-class commitment so you wouldn’t have any extra homework. You also might find what you are looking for online through Khan Academy or one of the institutions that sponsors MOOCs.

“If you take any credit-bearing courses at a CC while you are enrolled in a 4-year institution, you will be obligated to submit those transcripts to the 4-year place. Whether you get credit or not (and as what) is up to the 4-year.”

@happymomof1 why would you need to report them if you were not interested in having them transfer? Schools only consider requests for transfer credits - they don’t demand them.

Most private universities will not accept credits taken at another university once you have enrolled there.

@TomSrOfBoston totally untrue.

@TomSrOfBoston: Are you sure ? Definitely was not my experience & certainly runs counter to study abroad policies at many schools.

I doubt any student really knows what they want to take over the full 4 years. You are getting ahead of yourself. You will likely find that many college courses (or majors) aren’t really what you envision them to be, and your interests and priorities may change over the course of your college years.

@CCtoAlaska - I can think of at least two reasons:

  1. That play-nice-with-the-other-universities thing: They have to get all the transcripts, just like when you apply in the first place. Whether they award credits or not is up to them.

  2. SAP for overall financial aid purposes. Total credits attempted and completed come into play when determining class status for student loan amounts and access to other federally determined financial aid.

No they don’t need them. Not at all. There is no rule for playing nice when you are just taking classes for pleasure that you don’t intend to transfer the credits. I could see someone concurrently pursuing a professional certification at a community college while in another degree program. Why not if you have the extra cash?

If it comes into play for financial aid, that would make sense. But that goes through the FA application, no? You still would not have to report them to the school for transfer credit.

@CCtoAlaska @Publisher Study abroad is different. Private colleges do not want you taking courses at community colleges or state universities to save on tuition. The OP needs to check with his college to find out their policy.

@TomSrOfBoston : Study abroad course credit is different, but it also is relevant to the conversation.

Taking a course or courses at another school for credit is done frequently in the US after one has matriculated at their degree granting school whether public or private. Nevertheless, I agree that one needs to check with his/her college or university to find out their policy.