Registration Procedures for College Credit
Registration of Students on Financial Aid
The U.S. Department of Education developed new regulations, effective July 1, 2011, in response to the rapid growth of enrollment, debt load and student default rates at postsecondary institutions. The regulations are intended to strengthen the integrity of the federal student aid program and to ensure that taxpayer funds are used appropriately. The College is required to abide by these regulations which include (but are not limited to):
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Return of Federal (or Title IV) Funds and Attendance
Students must earn their grants by sufficient attendance and progress in classes. If a student does not attend or is a "no show," the student is responsible for paying back the grant funds.
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Retaking Coursework
Students who pass a course, which is required (or allowed) in their declared program of study on file with the College - known as a major or program/plan - and elect to retake the course can receive Title IV (aka “federal”) assistance for retaking that course a maximum of one time. In the eyes of the federal student aid program, a grade of “D” is passing. Note: Some courses have prerequisites of a minimum grade of “C” earned in the prerequisite course.
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Standards of Academic Progress (SAP) for Financial Aid
Federal financial aid is intended to help students attend college with the goal of completing a credential. Recipients are expected to attend classes, make progress toward their credential and do so in a fairly efficient manner. Ongoing eligibility for federal financial aid requires that students demonstrate satisfactory progress toward completion of the declared program of study. Ongoing eligibility requires the following:
- Maintain at least a 2.0 GPA
- Successfully complete at least 67 percent of the coursework attempted (students who fail or withdraw from an excessive number classes fail to meet this criterion).
- Complete the declared program of study within 150 percent of the published program length.
While Standards of Academic Progress for Financial Aid have long been in effect, the new regulation requires institutions to review the standards more rigorously. For more information, visit the Standards of Progress Web page at www.seminolestate.edu/financial-aid/standards-of-progress.php.
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Financial aid eligibility is calculated based only on courses required or allowed as electives in the student’s declared program of study.
It is critical that students obtain an educational plan and adhere to it. Financial aid awards will be based only on the required and allowed courses in the declared program of study listed on the student's record.
For more information about the Federal Integrity Rules, visit www.nacua.org/documents/FR_ProgramIntegrityFinalRule.pdf.
Helpful Information for Students
- Students should consult with an educational advisor to obtain an educational plan during their first semester. Only courses required or allowed in the declared program of study listed on a student's record can be used to determine the financial aid award. Taking courses that are not required or allowed for a degree increases costs and can delay earning a credential.
- Attend classes and keep up with coursework. Students should consult with an academic advisor to review the courses required for a program and the amount of course load recommended to complement other responsibilities.
- Students who work full-time should take no more than two classes at a time to prevent withdrawals or course failures.
- Take advantage of the tutoring, academic advising and other student support services available on each campus.
New Registration Process Informs Students if Courses Are Financial Aid Eligible
Beginning Spring Term 2012, students will be alerted during registration with important information about required and allowed courses listed for their specific program of study. Students will receive a message requesting permission to continue registration if a course for which they are attempting to enroll is outside their program/plan. This process will:
- Assist students in avoiding classes not needed for graduation, and
- Alert students to courses that will not be counted in determining enrollment levels for financial aid purposes.
Students who wish to use their financial aid to pay for tuition must accept their aid and sign a deferment request electronically each term of enrollment. They must carefully read the eligibility criteria associated with each financial aid program awarded to determine the required enrollment levels necessary to receive the awards. By signing a deferment, payment for all classes in which a student enrolls, including classes that are not financial aid eligible, will be deferred to the due date. If a student's enrollment at the end of the add/drop period does not contain the minimum number of financial-aid-eligible courses needed for aid disbursement, he/she will be ineligible for aid and will be required to pay for all of the classes.
If a student chooses to enroll in classes that are not financial aid eligible, based on the program of study, he/she should consult with a financial aid specialist or an academic advisor prior to the end of the add/drop period to determine how this will affect his/her aid eligibility and excess hours for the degree or program. For more information, visit www.seminolestate.edu/financial-aid/eligibility-examples.php or call 407.708.2045.
First-Time-In-College (FTIC) Registration
First-time registration is by enrollment appointment only. Full- and part-time day and evening students follow the same registration procedures. For students to receive a registration appointment, the following documentation must be submitted to the Admissions Office on or before the first day of registration:
- Application for admission
- Residency statement
- Official high school transcript(s) (in a sealed envelope) and/or GED
- Official college transcript(s) (in a sealed envelope)
- Placement test scores (ACT, SAT or PERT) that are not more than two years old
- Documentation of English proficiency (for students whose native language is not English)
