Conversation What is one difference between an unofficial transcript and an official transcript?

M: Excuse me. Is this where I can get a student ID?
W: Yes, we do make ID cards here-actually downstairs in the photo shop-but this is where you start.
M: I need to, urn, replace my old one. You’ll never believe it, but my dog ate it.
W: You’re kidding! I’ve never heard that one before! Usually dogs prefer homework.
M: Well, not my dog. He’s particular about his food.
W: I hope it didn’t hurt him. Did he swallow it whole?
M: Nah, he’s all right. He just chewed it up. So, I thought I’d better get a new one so I can keep riding the bus for free.
W: There’s a twenty-dollar fee for a replacement ID.
M: OK. Where do I pay?
W: At the cashier’s office. But first you need to fill out this form. And I need to see your driver’s license or some other form of ID.
M: OK, so I just fill out this form and give it back to you?
W: Yeah, and then I have to check your status in the database so I can order the ID. It only takes a minute or so. Then you go up to the cashier to pay. After that, you take your receipt down to the photo shop, and they’ll take your picture and make your new card.
M: OK. Oh, by the way, is it possible to get a copy of my transcript?
W: Sure. If you want an unofficial transcript, you can use the computers in the information center to get a printout. You could also do that through our Web site. But if you want an official transcript, you need to fill out a request form and pay five dollars for each copy you want. It takes about five days to process your request.
M: What’s the difference between official and unofficial?
W: An unofficial transcript is, like, if you just wanted it for your own use, or if it doesn’t have to be in a sealed envelope. Unofficial is free. An official transcript is in a sealed envelope with the college seal. If you need a transcript to transfer to another school, or to, uh, apply for a scholarship, then you need an official transcript.
M: I’m applying for a scholarship, so could I have the form for an official transcript? Looks like I’d better fill that out, too.
W: Here you go.
M: Thanks.