Frequently Asked Questions - Transcripts

Q. What is an Official Transcript?

Q. Why does it take so long to get my transcript?

Q. Can you guarantee when I will get my transcript?

Q. If I pay the rush fee and the express mail fee with my transcript fee, am I guaranteed to receive my transcript the next day?

Q. Can I email or call in a request for a transcript?

Q. How can I get an Unofficial transcript for my records?

Q. Can I order a transcript with only one of my degrees on it?

Q. What kind of special shipping is available?

Q. Do I have to order two transcripts to get my CSU undergraduate and CSU graduate records sent?

Q. Will you let me know if there is a problem in processing my transcript?

Q. Will you issue me a transcript then bill me later?

Q. Can I fax my request to you then call you with my credit card number to charge the fee?

Q. Can I have my transcript faxed or emailed to someone?

Q. What kind of transcripts are available?

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Q. What is an Official Transcript?

A. A transcript is a comprehensive record of an individual's academic progress, including transferred undergraduate courses, credit earned by examination, and degrees earned. Official Cleveland State University transcripts can be securely delivered electronically by Parchment or delivered on paper via mail or Federal Express.  Electronic transcripts are certified documents providing PDF documents assurances of authenticity and integrity. Paper documents are printed on security paper to safeguard against unauthorized duplication, alteration, and misrepresentation. The security paper is light green in color with a dark green border. Authentication details are located in the lower left hand corner of the transcript and the transcript legend is located on the reverse of the document. Official transcripts include the University's seal in the background and the Registrar's signature on the top right. Your name will appear on the transcript as it appears on your University record.

In accordance with the Public Information Act and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, FERPA as amended, student academic records are classified as confidential and may be released only with the student's written authorization and signature.

The academic transcript is a student's complete academic record, including a listing of courses taken, transfer credit, grades, grade-point average, and earned CSU degrees. In-progress classes are not listed. Classes will be listed on the transcript after grades have been posted for that term. Following the completion of a term, there is 4-8 weeks processing time for degrees to be posted. If you have recently graduated, please indicate that you would like your transcript held for your degree.

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Q. Why does it take so long to get my transcript?

A. Cleveland State University receives hundreds of transcript requests each day. Each request is carefully examined to ensure that it contains the proper information and payment. The transcript you receive is individually checked for records accuracy and double-checked to ensure that your order is complete before it is mailed.

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Q. Can you guarantee when I will get my transcript?

A. The turnaround time of within 2-3 business days is an estimate of how long the request will be in our office before the response is mailed. It is not a guarantee. Frequently it will be less than two to three business days, but occasionally it will be more. We make every effort to keep our turnaround within the three business days. This time frame does not include the time the transcript spends in the mail after it leaves our office. For faster service, order online and reduce the amount of time it takes your transcript for processing.

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Q. If I pay the rush fee and the express mail fee with my transcript fee, am I guaranteed to receive my transcript the next day?

A. In most cases, you should get your transcript the next day, but we cannot guarantee it. Overnight delivery through the Federal Express is usually next day, but occasionally the mail will not get picked up until late in the afternoon. If this should happen, you can expect the package on the second day.

Please remember that there is a $15 same day processing fee, Overnight Shipping fee and $7 transcript fee ($12.00 for mail or in person orders) for this service. Also, transcripts are not issued for any students with outstanding financial obligations to the University or to students who submit incomplete order information.

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Q. Can I email, call or fax in a request for a transcript?

A. No. Federal Law requires a signature to release your transcript, no emails or calls will be excepted as transcript requests. Cleveland State no longer accepts faxed requests, students and alumni are encouraged to order by way of our online ordering option.

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Q. How can I get an Unofficial transcript for my records?

A. Students and Alumni who attended after Fall of 1982 may get a copy of their unofficial transcript at no charge by logging on to the CampusNet. Alumni who attended prior to Fall 1982 must order an official copy of their transcript. CampusNet requires the student ID number and CampusNet password. If you do not remember your ID or password contact CSU's IS&T Call Center at (216) 687-5050.

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Q. Can I order a transcript with only one of my degrees on it?

A. No, transcripts are complete academic records and cannot be broken down by degree or specialization.

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Q. What kind of special shipping is available?

A. If express delivery is needed, students may choose to send their transcripts by Federal Express Overnight Delivery. Overnight Shipping fees vary per destination. Same Day Processing is also available, there is an additional fee of $15 plus the $12 fee per transcript for this service.

If you require delivery to an International Destination, you must order online via Parchment and request the International delivery method.  Additional fees apply.

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Q. Do I have to order two transcripts to get my CSU undergraduate and CSU graduate records sent?

A. No. Transcripts are COMPLETE academic records, they contain all of your courses taken, grades, transfer credits and degrees earned.

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Q. Will you let me know if there is a problem in processing my transcript?

A. If you ordered your transcript through our online service, you will receive an email or fax pertaining to the problem with your account. Otherwise you will receive notification once the transcript has been processed. If you ordered by another method, you will either receive a letter stating the problem and ways to correct it, or a phone call from our transcript office notifying you of the problem.

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Q. Will you issue me a transcript then bill me later?

A. Unfortunately, all transcript orders must be paid for at the time of ordering. We are not able to bill your account or send you a bill for this service. If there is no payment with the transcript request, we will send you a letter asking for payment. Only after payment is received, will transcripts be issued.

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Q. Can I fax my request to you then call you with my credit card number to charge the fee?

A. The Office of the University Registrar no longer accepts faxed transcript requests. Students and alumni are encouraged to use our online ordering option to place and pay for their orders.

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Q. Can I have my transcript faxed or emailed to someone?

A. Transcripts cannot be faxed as they are printed on security paper to prevent unauthorized duplication, alteration and misrepresentation. Faxing security paper documents is not permitted.  Parchment provides electronic delivery of your transcripts.

CSU does not email/transmit transcripts to students or third parties unless ordered by the student through our online ordering option.

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Q. What kind of transcripts are available?

There are three forms of Official Transcripts available to students. They are hardcopy Official Issued to Student transcripts, hardcopy Official Sealed Transcripts, and electronic Official Transcripts (which are only available when ordering online). If you would like an unofficial copy of your transcript please visit the CSU web for students and print off a copy at no charge.

If you request an official transcript and wish to have it mailed to yourself, the transcript will be stamped "Issued to Student" in red. If you are ordering the transcript and YOU will be delivering it to a third party, you may request a "Sealed Transcript". A "Sealed Transcript" means that the official transcript is placed in a Cleveland State University envelope with the University Registrar's signature across the back flap. For a "Sealed Transcript" to remain official, it CANNOT be opened by the student, but only by the party that intends to use the document. If you do not request a sealed transcript, you will receive an "Issued to Student" transcript that has a red security stamp to prevent photocopying. Requesting a "Sealed Transcript" is not necessary if you are sending the transcript directly to another university or employer.

An electronic transcript is a certified PDF of the official transcript.  The e-transcript will be transmitted electronically to the recipient, and is intended solely for use by that recipient.  The e-transcript is no longer considered official if it is subsequently provided to someone other than the original recipient.   An e-transcript is considered official in PDF format only.  Printed e-transcripts will display a watermark notating that they are a Copy of Official Transcript.  The e-transcript is digitally signed and therefore contains special characteristics. The document will reveal a digital certificate that has been applied to the transcript, and for optimal results, it is recommended that the document is viewed with the latest version of Adobe® Acrobat or Adobe® Reader. The digital certificate will appear in a pop-up screen or status bar on the document, display a blue ribbon, and declare that the document was certified by Cleveland State University, with a valid certificate issued by GlobalSign CA for Adobe®. The document certification can be validated by clicking on the Signature Properties of the document.

You may also request that your transcript be held until your degree has been issued or until your grades for the current semester are recorded. If you do not wish for your transcript to be held, it is the student's responsibility to verify that all grades and degrees are posted before ordering their transcript. Transcripts will not be reissued for incomplete grades or for degrees that have not been posted, unless the student has marked on the Transcript Request Form to be held for grades or degrees. Student's can check the status of their grades on CampusNet. Normal posting time for degrees is approximately 4-8 weeks after the completion of a term.

If you would like the transcript to be held for grades or degree posting, be sure to check the appropriate box on the online form or on the Transcript Request Form.