Why do new students have to take placement exams? All new students must take placement exams in order to ensure placement in the correct level in Mathematics and English. This ensures that each student gets off to a good start.
How many absences from class are allowed? What if my student exceeds those with an appropriate reason? Individual faculty define the specific role that class attendance plays in the calculation of final grades for each course. Students should consult the course syllabus and course instructor for specific faculty policies on attendance and make up work within a course. Lab sessions require maximum student participation. All absences, regardless of reason, are recorded and may affect the student’s overall evaluation. Excessive absences are defined as “one absence” and may result in withdrawal from the laboratory segment by the instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to notify Student Academic & Financial Services of any courses they wish to drop from their schedule, as well as any intent to leave the university. Discontinuing attendance or notifying an instructor does not constitute an official course or university withdrawal.
Is my student assigned an advisor in the school or college he/she attends? Each college assigns advisors at the beginning of a student’s enrollment. Students can identify their faculty advisor by going to jwulink and viewing their Graduation Planning System (GPS). Their advisor will be listed there.
Are there services available to students who have disabilities? Students with disabilities should set up an appointment to meet with a special needs advisor who will assist the student in obtaining appropriate services. These advisors are found in the Center for Academic Support, located on the 4th floor of the Academic Center.
Is there someplace where my student can go to receive academic tutoring or help in developing study or test-taking skills? Students can visit our Center for Academic Support, which is located on the 4th floor of the Academic Center.
As a parent, will I be notified of my student's grades? Federal law prohibits universities and colleges from providing this type of information to parents without the written consent of the student. A parent’s best source of information is their student.Students’ grades are available to them through the jwuLink. In order for parents to have access to their student’s grades, the student must grant access through jwuLink or by signing a FERPA release form that allows the university to share this information with the parents. Students have access to grades throughout the term through ulearn and access to their final grades through the jwuLink.
Why is full-time status important? What exactly is full-time status? Often, it is vital that students maintain full-time status for insurance company policies, external scholarship standards, financial aid purposes, and University course completion standards. Full-time status is determined on a term-by-term basis and requires the minimum scheduling of 12.0 credits each term.
In most cases, insurance companies and external scholarship foundations require students to maintain a full-time schedule in order to be included in the parents' or guardians' policy.
In order to be eligible for financial aid, students must be enrolled on a half-time basis or more; however, students who are scheduled for less than 12.0 credits will have their financial aid (federal, institutional or state) adjusted. Students who receive JWU-sponsored academic and/or merit scholarships must maintain a full-time schedule. Financial implications of less than full-time status should always be discussed with a representative in Student Financial Services.
The university advises students to schedule 13.5-18.0 credits each term in order to meet course completion standards and graduate on time. In compliance with the standards of our accrediting agencies, students are required to complete associate degrees within three years (nine terms) and bachelor's degrees —including associate degree coursework, if required— within six years (eighteen terms). Undergraduate day students are allowed to schedule a maximum of 19.5 credits each term.
While it is ultimately each student's responsibility to make sound academic decisions, a variety of university support resources are available to all of our students. Faculty advisors help students with career and degree program direction. Additionally, counselors in Student Academic Services can assist students with their academic choices and scheduling of courses.
What are the consequences of falling below full-time status? There are several. First, if a student is receiving financial aid, it will be adjusted and any merit or academic scholarships will be revoked. Second, if a student athlete receives a grade of W, P, or NC in a course, that course will no longer count towards full-time status for NCAA athletic eligibility. Finally, insurance companies and scholarship foundations frequently require students to maintain full-time status.
Avoid these problems by discussing the importance of proper scheduling with your student. Make sure that he or she is in frequent contact with an academic advisor, who is there to provide assistance and support.