New research from Ithaka S+R highlights how a credit-transfer tool can reduce friction that delays completion. The report points to the T-REX system as helping students apply more transfer credits toward degree requirements, supporting progress rather than forcing repeated coursework. The emphasis is practical: transfer credit policies often create administrative and evaluative bottlenecks that limit how much of a prior credential counts and can lead to lost time, added tuition, and disengagement. For institutions, the takeaway is that student momentum can be improved through better mapping of prior coursework to requirements and through systems that automate or standardize evaluation decisions. The findings come as transfer remains a high-stakes pathway for adult learners and students moving between institutions or modalities, where delays can compound financial and time costs.