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Students : Academic
Advising
When is a good time to register for next semester?
When are schedule changes made?
Is there a way to enroll in a closed class?
Are there course substitutions?
What's the maximum number of credits hours a student can
take?
How many credit hours can students take for financial
aid eligibility?
How does withdrawing from a class affect financial aid?
What forms do students need?
When is a good time to register for next semester?
Students should plan to register for classes for the approaching
semester as soon as the registration period begins. Generally,
honors students, student athletes and students with disabilities
are given priority registration. After priority students have
registered, the order of registration is determined by classification,
with graduate students and seniors given higher priority.
Freshmen and nondegree-seeking students register last. Students
may register online or in person at Founders Hall, 827 W.
Franklin St., (804) 828-1349. Additional directions for registration
are in the front of the VCU Schedule
of Classes published each semester. Specific registration
dates are found on the academic calendar located in the VCU
Undergraduate
Bulletin.
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When are schedule changes made?
Students can make changes to their schedules anytime after
they register during the first week of classes. Refer to the
Schedule
of Classes for specific dates for the add/drop period.
Students may use the online
registration to adjust their schedules or do so in person
at Founders Hall, 827 W. Franklin St., (804) 828-1349. There
is no charge for schedule changes.
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Is there a way to enroll in a closed class?
The only way to enroll in a closed class is by obtaining override permission. In most cases, students need to contact the department or the instructor of the course in which they would like to add, and get their permission to add the course. If the department or instructor grants permission, they will issue an Override Approval Form. The card should then be taken to the Student Services Center in Founders Hall, Room 104 or to the In-Person Registration table in the Commons at the beginning of each semester.
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Are there course substitutions?
Course substitutions may be allowed, but only after students
have discussed their reasons for the substitution with their
advisor and received approval. Students should ensure to get
the approval in writing and have a copy placed in their advising
file. If students wish to substitute a course in the general
education curriculum that is not on the H & S approved list,
they must obtain approval from the Office of Academic Advising,
(804) 828-2333.
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What's the maximum number of credits hours a student can
take?
Students may take up to 19 credit hours per semester (excluding
holiday intersession courses) without getting special permission.
However, students must get their adviser's permission on an
Overload Approval Form to take credit hours exceeding 19.
This form is available in the Office of Academic Advising
at 701 West Grace St. or from the Student Services Center in
Founders Hall, Room 104. No student is allowed to take more
than 21 credit hours in any one semester.
Credit hours taken between 12 and 18 are the same cost. However,
there is an overload fee for each credit hour taken over 18.
Check the fee schedule on the Student
Accounting web site for specific fees and tuition rates.
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How many credit hours can students take for financial
aid eligibility?
The number of hours needed to receive financial aid depends on the type of financial aid. Generally, students must enroll at least half-time (6 credit hours) to be eligible for any type of financial aid. However, some types of financial aid require full-time enrollment (12 or more credit hours). Contact the Office of Financial Aid for details, (804) 828-6669.
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How does withdrawing from a class affect financial aid?
Financial aid consequences from class withdrawal depend on when a class is dropped. If students withdraw prior to completing 60 percent of the semester, they will have to pay all or a portion of the financial aid funds disbursed to their VCU account. Also, students may be responsible for all or a portion of their tuition/fee charges that were previously paid by financial aid sources. Students should always check with a financial aid counselor to determine the financial implications before withdrawing from a class.
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What forms do students need?
It's unavoidable that college students need to complete a few forms before they graduate. Fortunately, completing forms correctly is a transferable skill that will be useful throughout life. Below are 13 of the most commonly used forms related to academic programs that students should familiarize themselves with during the course of their academic education. Also included is a brief explanation of what they are used for.
Most forms can be found in Founder's Hall in the hanging
files outside of Room 104 or the Office of Academic Advising
in Hibbs, Room 207 — ask at the counter.
Change of Major/Minor
This form is used to change a student's major or minor. It also is used to add a second major, minor or track to an existing academic program.
Request to Take Courses at Another Institution
This form is needed to obtain permission to take courses at another institution and to ensure that the course(s) are transferable to VCU. This form is most often used if students want to take courses somewhere other than VCU during the summer.
Historical Repeat Course Option Form
This form is completed to initiate the Repeat Course Option for repeating a class(es) in which a "D" or "F" was received on first attempt. This form is recommended to improve GPA and academic standing.
Grade Exclusion Approval Form
This form is for students who are returning to VCU after five or more years and who would like to exclude "D" and "F" grades that were previously earned from their GPA and total credits.
Student Medical Withdrawal Form
This form is used to withdraw from all classes for a semester due to medical reasons after the withdrawal deadline has passed.
Overload Approval Form
This form is needed to obtain permission to exceed the maximum number of credits (19) an undergraduate student is allowed to take in one semester. Students may not exceed 21 credit hours in any one semester.
High School Transcript Request Form
This form is used to obtain a copy of high school transcripts to be sent to VCU.
College Transcript Request Form
This form is used to obtain a copy of college transcripts from another institution to be sent to VCU.
Incomplete Grade Assignment
This form is needed to obtain permission from an instructor(s) to request a grade of incomplete for a course(s).
Registration Planning Sheet
Students use this form to plan their schedule of classes in a timetable format.
Course Request Form
This form is used to register, drop or withdraw from a course(s).
Application for Graduation
This form is needed to initiate the graduation process and is due at the beginning of the semester of the expected graduation date.
VCU Transcript Request Form
This form is used to get an official or unofficial copy of VCU transcripts sent to students, another institution, an employer, etc.
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