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General
What does it cost to participate?
It’s FREE. There is no cost to your institution to participate in Transcript Ordering, NSC SecurePrint℠, and real-time integration. If your institution participates in Clearinghouse Transcript Ordering and uses Ellucian’s Banner®, Colleague®, or PowerCampus™ system, you can also take advantage of our “touch-free,” no cost electronic transcript processing and delivery solution, Ellucian eTranscripts. We also offer free integration with your SIS, including via our cloud-based NextGen API solution. Certain Transcript Ordering options have minimal fees associated with them. Your school can generate revenue by applying an additional surcharge to each transcript order. A summary of all historical transactions and the financial details associated with each order is available in real-time on our secure Web site.
How do the three levels of service compare?
How can we generate revenue?
You determine the cost for your students and alumni to send transcripts electronically or via any other method, providing a potential new source of revenue for your office. See how Auburn University did it.
Do we have to sign a long-term contract with the Clearinghouse?
We already have an online ordering system, why should use Transcript Ordering?
Is reporting available?
Are there any programming requirements?
FAST: There are absolutely NO programming requirements. If you offer electronic delivery through Transcript Ordering, you must be able to produce PDFs of your transcripts. FASTER: Programming is required by your school to consume a transcript request in a CSV format , as well as producing the transcript and sending a response file back to the Clearinghouse. FASTEST: This fully integrated solution requires software setup and configuration. The software is FREE, you will work with a dedicated implementation person. Cloud-based integration is available via our NextGen API solution.
Is SIS integration available?
Yes, through our FASTEST solution. If your institution participates in Clearinghouse Transcript Ordering and uses Ellucian’s Banner®, Colleague®, or PowerCampus™ system, you can take advantage of our “touch-free,” no cost electronic transcript processing and delivery solution, Ellucian eTranscripts. In addition, the Clearinghouse offers a fully integrated solution for a wide range of SIS systems, including PeopleSoft, SAP, and even homegrown systems. Our cloud-based NextGen API solution is also available for all SIS systems, including homegrown systems.
Do Clearinghouse Transcript Services comply with FERPA?
Does the Clearinghouse retain copies of transcripts?
Does the Clearinghouse support digitally signed transcript PDFs?
Can we digitally sign our transcripts?
Yes. The Clearinghouse uses Adobe® LiveCycle® to provide state-of-the-art document security. You can digitally sign your transcripts.
Can we control our documents after delivery?
Will the transcript be on our official transcript paper?
Can students attach documents to their transcripts?
Who do my students contact if they have a problem?
The Next Generation Transcript Experience
What is the Next Generation Transcript Experience?
It is the National Student Clearinghouse’s new mobile-responsive transcript ordering solution, which makes ordering transcripts up to 50% faster than existing solutions.
Is the Next Generation Transcript Experience available on all Clearinghouse transcript services?
Yes. It is the standard ordering front-end for our FAST, FASTER, and FASTEST solutions.
What mobile devices can it be used on?
All of them! The Next Generation Transcript Experience’s responsive design works seamlessly across all mobile devices.
What is Transcript Order Status?
It is a separate module designed to make tracking the status of a placed order easy and quick. It is accessible via the requestor’s order confirmation email, the Clearinghouse website, and the institution’s Transcript Services welcome page. The institution can also opt to place a link to it on its website.
Third-Party Ordering for Admissions
What is Third-Party Ordering for Admissions?
Third-Party Ordering for Admissions is a service that enables admissions officers, who have a signed student consent meeting the FERPA consent requirements, to log onto the Clearinghouse secure site to order transcripts for their institution’s admitted students and applicants. In addition to placing orders, users can log on to retrieve the transcripts, check order status, view a list of completed orders, and/or pay invoices.
What delivery options are available?
- Electronic transcripts are securely delivered to the admissions office via the Clearinghouse’s secure exchange network, ETX Plus, where they can be quickly and easily downloaded.
Admissions offices that want to participate can sign up to receive electronic transcripts via the Clearinghouse’s secure exchange network, ETX Plus. (If they already use our Electronic Transcript Exchange network, they can be migrated to ETX Plus.)
- Printed transcripts are sent to the address designated by the admissions office by the sending institution or our print fulfillment service, SecurePrint℠ (if the sender participates). Delivery options can vary by sending institution.
Is student consent required when ordering transcripts?
Yes. All orders placed require a signed student consent meeting the FERPA consent requirements, although the consent form does not need to be uploaded during the request. However, when placing the order, the user must verify that signed student consent has been received. Consent forms will be requested by the Clearinghouse for auditing purposes or in case an institution ever needs to see it.
What happens if there’s a hold on the transcript?
When requesting a transcript via Third-Party Ordering for Admissions, users have the option to enter the student’s email address. If the student has a hold on his or her transcript at the sending institution and the student’s email address has been provided, an email notification regarding the hold will be sent to the student.
How much does it cost?
Participating Third-Party Ordering for Admissions institutions are billed monthly and can access and pay invoices online by credit card via our secure site. If preferred, credit card information can be saved to enable automatic payment. Email notifications will be sent whenever an invoice is ready, past due, or has been paid.
*If your registrar’s office is active with our Transcript Ordering service, it must allow Third Party Ordering for Admissions and/or Educational Organizations to enable your admissions office to participate in the service.
Third-Party Ordering for Registrars
What is Third-Party Ordering for Registrars?
Third-Party Ordering for Registrars is a service that enables registrars at participating Transcript Ordering institutions to log onto the Clearinghouse secure site to order transcripts for students at their institution for whom they have the student’s signed FERPA consent.
What delivery options are available?
You can choose any delivery method your school offers to your students and alumni on the public ordering site.
Can the transcript be sent to someone who is not the student?
Yes, the transcript can be sent to anyone the student wants to receive it.
Does a student-signed FERPA consent need to be uploaded during ordering?
While a FERPA-compliant consent form is required to order the transcript on behalf of the student, you do not need to upload it when placing the order. Additionally, your school must maintain the signed consent and provide it to the Clearinghouse, if requested.
What fees are charged for Third-Party Ordering for Registrars orders?
Is there a fee to sign up or a monthly/annual cost to participate in Third-Party Ordering for Registrars?
No, there are no additional charges beyond those for the individual order(s).
How does our institution pay for Third-Party Ordering for Registrars orders?
Any fees due to the Clearinghouse will be taken out of your school’s monthly remittance. If your school does not receive a monthly remittance or you pay for Clearinghouse fees on behalf of your students, the fees will be included in your monthly invoice.
About FASTEST
What are the benefits of using the FASTEST solution?
- Reduce workload in the registrar’s office
- Deliver high quality services to students and alumni
- Decrease administrative costs by automating processes
- Simplify electronic transcript delivery adoption
What is the cost of the FASTEST integrated solution offering to an institution?
What is Ellucian eTranscripts?
What is the relationship between the Clearinghouse and Ellucian?

Why did Ellucian select the Clearinghouse as its Strategic Partner?
- We have more Ellucian customers than other transcript ordering provider.
- As a nonprofit, the Clearinghouse actively seeks ways to provide the higher education community with cost-saving services, many of which are available to institutions for free.
- Although devoting significant resources to this project, the Clearinghouse does not answer to investors, instead:
- We are focused on the long-term success of schools and their students.
- We have a long-term commitment to the entire higher education community.
- Our goal is to provide the most robust automated transcript solution, not turn a profit.
How is this different from other transcript ordering providers?
- The Clearinghouse co-developed eTranscripts with Ellucian so it integrates seamlessly with our Transcript Ordering service and “works out of the box.” All configurations are defaulted to Clearinghouse Transcript Ordering, including those in your administrative system, cloud-based input and output traffic, and security settings. Other transcript ordering providers must perform their own configuration settings.
- Our strategic alliance guarantees that eTranscripts will function as upgrades and future enhancements are incorporated because upgrades and enhancements are co-designed and tested.
- The Clearinghouse engages with Ellucian in future proofing, in anticipation of unfolding developments in the academic credential service area.
- The Clearinghouse has significant influence on the Ellucian product road map. For example, the future development of an automated articulation process may incorporate the XML transcript data produced as part of our solution. All changes to the product roadmap for Ellucian include the integrated Clearinghouse solution.
- Ellucian developed the API exclusively for the Clearinghouse. Other transcript ordering providers can access the standard APIs. However, they must modify their ordering platforms to exchange transcript data based on the design developed and tested by the Clearinghouse and Ellucian.
Is eTranscripts available for Banner, Colleague, and PowerCampus?
What are the Ellucian eTranscripts solution requirements?
Banner | Ellucian eTranscript is delivered in Banner 8.6.2. Banner 8.6.2 is installed on Banner General and Student 8.6. Database Extension Utility (DBEU) must be applied. 8.6.1 is NOT required. |
Colleague | Release R18 is required. Ellucian eTranscript is delivered as a software update and as WebAPI 1.3. |
PowerCampus | Ellucian eTranscript is delivered in PowerCampus 8.5. |
NSC SecurePrint℠
What is NSC SecurePrint℠?
Our service handles all facets involved in printing and mailing transcripts, including address validation, eliminating the time-consuming burden of fulfilling hard copy transcript requests for your office. NSC SecurePrint℠ integrates easily with each of our FAST, FASTER and FASTEST transcript solutions to provide an unbeatable combination of security and end-to-end automation that scales to meet the needs of all size enrollments.
¹Federal Information Security Management Act. U.S. legislation that provides a comprehensive framework for protecting government information, operations, and assets.
²Service Organization Control 2. Organizational controls for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy.
What are the security features?
- Transcript PDF files are transmitted via the Clearinghouse secure network.
- Production is performed in a FISMA¹-certified and SOC 2²-compliant high secure facility.
- Transcript is printed on highly secure paper embedded with multiple security features
- Transcript and all enclosures are sent in tamper-evident envelopes
- NSC SecurePrint℠, like all other Clearinghouse services, is designed to facilitate an institution’s compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, The Higher Education Act, and other applicable laws.
¹Federal Information Security Management Act. U.S. legislation that provides a comprehensive framework for protecting government information, operations, and assets.
²Service Organization Control 2. Organizational controls for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy.
What are the configuration options?
Other options include:
- Color or black & white printing available
- Customizable cover letter
- Your legend/grading policy can appear on the back of every transcript page, if desired
- Approved student attachments can be included
How does it work?
- Requestor orders paper transcript via your online Transcript Ordering page (FAST, FASTER or FASTEST) and uploads attachments, if any, to be sent with it.
- You upload the transcript PDF, and any approved attachments to be enclosed with it, to the Clearinghouse via our secure site.
- The Clearinghouse applies your branding and creates the print-ready file, including the cover letter, transcript legend (if you opt to provide one), and attachments.
- The file is printed on secure paper; then inserted, and sealed in a tamper-evident envelope.
- NSC SecurePrint’s intelligent barcoding process ensures that:
- Correct documents are always matched to the correct recipient.
- Each transcript page and all attachments are accounted for throughout our process.
- NSC SecurePrint’s intelligent barcoding process ensures that:
- Postage is applied, address validated, and transcript package sent.
- Requestors are notified when the transcript is sent.
How long does it take to implement?
What does it cost?
How do I sign up for NSC SecurePrint℠?
If you’re ready to get started on NSC SecurePrint℠, contact your regional director.
Electronic Transcript Exchange (ETX)
What is Electronic Transcript Exchange (ETX)?
ETX is a highly secure transcript exchange service that allows your school or organization to automatically send/receive transcript files (EDI, XML, and PDF) via secure file transfer protocols (sFTP).
Is any programming required to use ETX?
No programming is required for ETX. ETX leverages secure file transfer protocols (sFTP). Our ETX Support team will assist you in the simple set up to establish your ETX account and provide any supporting user documentation.
Does ETX meet industry and national standards?
Yes, ETX meets industry and national standards for secure file exchange. Learn more about secure file exchange.
Is ETX secure?
Yes, ETX is secure. Authorized senders and recipients are validated before a transcript is exchanged. In addition, the Clearinghouse uses the highest industry security standards for all its services. We also take active defensive measures that limit the risk of lost or stolen data. Learn more about secure file transfer protocols.
What file formats are supported on ETX?
ETX supports all file formats, including:
- All system or statewide standard data record formats (EDI, XML)
- All graphical formats that look like your paper-based transcripts
How do senders confirm the transcript was received by the Clearinghouse?
ETX will send a confirmation email once the sent transcript is received at the Clearinghouse. In addition, sending institutions/organizations can log on to their secure ETX account to view the status of any transcript file uploaded to ETX.
What do we do if we sent a transcript to the wrong ETX account?
Contact your Clearinghouse Client Success Manager as soon as possible. If the ETX recipient has not retrieved the transcript, we can recall it for you.
Can a transcript be retrieved more than once? What if it is not retrieved?
Yes, a transcript can be downloaded an unlimited number of times by the recipient. The recipient can also delete the file at any time. Files are permanently deleted after 90 days, whether they have been downloaded or not. A copy of each file is also stored in the recipient’s archive folder, where it is permanently deleted after 180 days.
Does the Clearinghouse keep copies of transcript files?
No, the Clearinghouse does not keep copies of transcript files. Transcript files are only stored in the recipient’s secure ETX account. Transcript files are automatically deleted from the ETX account after 180 days.
Can receiving schools import transcript data into their student information system?
Yes, if the student information system (SIS) provides functionality to automatically upload transcript data. The ETX service allows senders to provide transcript files in multiple formats, such as PESC TS130 (EDI) or PESC XML, to provide flexibility and compatibility with the recipients’ upload requirements.
Does ETX comply with FERPA?
Yes. The Clearinghouse does not open transcript files or retain any transcript files outside of the recipient’s ETX account. All Clearinghouse services are designed to facilitate an institution’s compliance with FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), The Higher Education Act, and other applicable laws.
Can ETX help me provide improved service to students?
Yes, because ETX enables near real-time delivery of student transcripts that can be securely accessed by other educational institutions or organizations. With ETX, you can guarantee on-time delivery and eliminate the time delay and potential loss of transcripts sent via a postal service.
How much does it cost to participate in ETX?
There is no charge to send or receive transcripts via ETX.