Registration

Registration/Enrollment

In order to register for classes students must first accept their offer of admission by the university. Registration and the payment of assessed fees are required of all who attend classes. Enrollment is not complete until fees are paid, including room and board fees for those living in residence halls.

Registration is a process by which students become officially enrolled in classes for a given term. The process involves consultation between the student and the student's academic adviser. All undergraduate students are assigned an academic adviser based on their major/curriculum. A new adviser assignment is made when a student changes majors/curricula. See Index, Academic Advising.

Students who attend classes must complete registration and pay their assessed fees. Registration is not complete until all fees are paid, including board and room fees for those living in residence halls. See Index, Fees and Expenses.

Disabled students who need assistance with any phase of registration should contact Disability Resources. See Index, Disability Resources.

Enrollment Status

Enrollment status is defined for certification purposes as either full-time or half-time.

Full-time status, fall or spring semester
Undergraduates: 12 credits
Graduates: 9 credits

Half-time status, fall or spring semester
Undergraduates: 6 credits
Graduates: 5 credits

Summer status
Summer status depends on the number of weeks a student is enrolled. Always contact the Office of the Registrar to verify a student's status for a summer session.

With the exception of enrollment certification for veterans' benefits, credit hours are rounded up to the next whole number. For example, credit load of 11.5 credits is rounded up to 12 credits. Contact the Office of the Registrar for more information.

Dates and Deadlines

Dates for registration are published in the university calendar (choose the Academic calendar link), and at www.registrar.iastate.edu/calendar/ .

Students are assigned a registration start date and time, which is the first day and time they can use the registration system. Registration start dates are assigned based on projected year in school classification (computed by combining total credits, current term credits, and current term test out credits). Then specific start dates within projected year in school are established by using the sum of total credits and current term test out credits.

Students may choose to delay their registration until a later date; however, courses will begin to fill on the first day of registration. Any delay in registration may reduce course selection options. A list of start dates by classification is available at http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/calendar/registration-start-dates .

Continuing students register for the following term during the middle of the current term. For example, registration for spring term begins the middle of fall term; registration for summer session is completed during the previous spring at the same time as registration for fall semester.

A late registration fee is assessed for registration initiated on or after the first day of classes for fall and spring terms. This fee is not charged for the summer term. If registration is not initiated by the end of the fifth day of classes, students must obtain written permission from their advisers, the instructors for the courses they plan to take, as well as approval from the dean of the college in which they are registered. During the summer session, these approvals must be obtained in order to register after the third day of classes.

Students may not enroll in courses with time conflicts without the approval of the instructors concerned.

Students who participate in off-campus experiences for which they receive Iowa State University credit must register for that credit during the term when the experience is taking place, whether or not they are taking courses on campus during that time.

Registration Responsibilities

The registration process includes advising, enrollment in courses, and schedule changes. In addition to the student, this process may involves the student's adviser; the student services staff of the student's college; and the dean of the college. Each is responsible for knowing and following the academic policies and procedures.

Student

• knowing and adhering to university policies and procedures that apply to registration and schedule changes
• checking the accuracy of his/her schedule on AccessPlus, including schedule adjustments (i.e., adds, drops, section changes)
• knowing the degree requirements of his or her major and/or curriculum
• planning course schedules to meet those requirements; and monitoring the accuracy of the degree audit.

Adviser

• consulting with advisees during the advising/registration period
• providing information about student’s major and curriculum requirements
• providing guidance in the student’s course selection
• assisting in monitoring the degree audit for accuracy
• notifying the college student services office with corrections to the degree audit.

College Student Services Staff

• assisting new and reentering students with the registration process
• resolving unusual scheduling problems
• updating the degree audit or solving problems concerning the degree audit.

Dean

• making decisions with respect to requests for deviations from university policies, deadlines, etc.

Students and staff should check with the college office to find out who is authorized to grant approvals or exceptions on behalf of the dean.

Class Schedule Planner

The Class Schedule Planner is an application that allows students to plan their schedules using courses displayed in the Schedule of Classes. Students can select courses and/or sections they want to take for a particular term, as well as block out unavailable class days and times. Based on those selections, Class Schedule Planner can return all possible schedules to the student in a color coded grid format.

Though it is a Web-based application, the Class Schedule Planner does not require authentication (no user ID, PIN, or password). Therefore, it is essential that students understand this is a planner and as such, it does not register them in courses and cannot be used to complete their registration. The application requires that the user have Java on their computer. The first screen of the Planner provides information about how to use the planner and simple instructions for downloading the Java application. A useful Help link also has been provided. The Class Schedule Planner is available at http://planner.iastate.edu .

Using AccessPlus Registration

Students enter the system via AccessPlus by using university ID and password. A registration access number (RAN) also is needed, if required by their college.

The registration system provides messages after each entry indicating whether each request has been processed. Students also may review their current schedules at any time during registration. Students are held accountable for all changes made to their schedules.

All students are encouraged to register for courses through the AccessPlus registration system. However, students who are unable to use the system may register in person by processing their signed Registration Worksheet in the Registrar's Student Scheduling Office, 10 Enrollment Services Center.

Registration System Abuse

Using the AccessPlus registration system is a privilege, which may be revoked if abuse is detected. Abuse includes, but is not limited to, creating and using an automated program to search for course openings and/or enrolling in a section with the intent of reserving space in that particular section for another student. The Office of the Registrar, college office, and/or advisers have the right to determine abuse and revoke privileges for any type of registration system abuse.

Course Information

Prerequisite. A prerequisite indicates the specific academic background or general academic maturity considered necessary by the faculty for the student to be ready for maximum success in the course. For more information, see Information About Courses , Course Prerequisite.

Permission Required courses/sections. To register for these sections, students must obtain authorization on a Request for Schedule Change or Restriction Waiver form and process the approved form in the Registrar's Student Scheduling Office, 10 Enrollment Services Center.

Restricted courses/sections. Some courses or sections are restricted to students who meet specified criteria including curriculum/major, college, and/or year in school. In addition, some sections may be restricted to new students to ensure that sufficient spaces are available when new students register during summer orientation. A department may waive a restriction for a student who has extenuating circumstances. The student must obtain the authorization from the department on a Request for Schedule Change or Restriction Waiver form. The form is processed in the Registrar's Student Scheduling Office, 10 Enrollment Services Center.

Classrooms are listed for each course in the Online Schedule of Classes at http://classes.iastate.edu/ and on the student's class schedule on AccessPlus, beginning approximately 3 weeks prior to the start of the term.

Cancelled courses/sections. In some cases, courses or sections may be cancelled due to low enrollment or departmental staffing considerations. Students who are registered for a cancelled course or section will be notified by the Office of the Registrar, the department, and/or on their AccessPlus schedule.

Textbook information. A link to textbook information, including the ISBN and retail price for assigned textbooks, is available from the Schedule of Classes. Textbook information for Iowa State University courses is posted as close to the start of registration as possible. Students may purchase textbooks from any source they choose.

Credit Limits

For fall and spring semesters, the credit limit is 18 credits for undergraduates and 15 credits for graduate students. For summer session, the limits are 12 credits for undergraduates and 10 credits for graduate students. A student may be required to drop credits before adding another course. In some cases, the college dean may approve a higher or lower credit limit for individual students. Students may request a change in their credit limit by contacting their adviser. Advisers should notify the student's college student services office if the credit limit needs to be changed.

Registration Holds

Students with holds on their registration will not have access to registration until the initiating offices have released the holds. Those who attempt to register before the holds have been released will receive a message indicating which offices have placed holds on their registration. Prior to their registration, students may check for holds on AccessPlus.

Drop Limit

Students are limited in the number of courses they may drop during their academic career. (This refers to drops processed after the fifth day of classes of each semester.) Students who entered Iowa State University as freshmen are allowed to drop a maximum of five courses during their undergraduate career. If they entered at a level above freshman classification or in the College of Veterinary Medicine, they are allowed to drop a maximum of four courses. Courses dropped during their first term at Iowa State are not included in this limit, nor does the summer count as a first term for this purpose. Students who enroll at Iowa State University as undergraduates after receiving a bachelor's degree are permitted four drops.

Exceptions to the drop limit may be made for courses that must be dropped for reasons beyond the student's control. These exceptions are granted only by the dean or other authorized person in the student's college.

The number of drops students have left is indicated on their grade report (available on AccessPlus) each term. Students are responsible for not exceeding their limit. At the instructor's discretion, students who attempt to drop a course beyond the limit without special permission by the dean of the student's college will continue to be enrolled in the course and will receive a grade at the end of the term.

Auditing

To audit a course means to enroll in the course without receiving credit for the course. The instructor of the course approves the audit request.

Students are assessed tuition and fees as though they are taking the course for credit, but the audited course does not count in determining full-time student status. However, an audited course does count towards the maximum allowable credits per semester. Audited courses do not apply toward V.A. benefits.

Graduate students: An audited course counts as one credit in the graduate student's allowable course load; however, tuition and fees will be assessed for the full number of credits for the course. See Graduate College .

Changing status to audit: Changing a course from credit to audit requires dropping the course for credit and adding it as an audit on a schedule change request form. After day 5 of the semester, the drop will count toward the total allowable ISU drops. The drop appears on the student's permanent record and a schedule change fee will be assessed to the student's university bill.

Rights and privileges: Once enrolled in an audited course, auditors have the same rights and privileges as any student taking the course for credit. Their names appear on the class list with a notation that they are auditing the course. Audited courses do not appear on the student's permanent record except by special request from the student. A request form can be downloaded from the Office of the
Registrar web site at www.registrar.iastate.edu/forms .

Audit Deadlines and Required Signatures

In addition to the deadlines provided below, note that instructors must approve all audits.

• Full semester courses:

Adding an audit−day 10 deadline:
−Through day 5 of classes: instructor approval required.

−Day 6-10: instructor, adviser approval required; schedule change fee applies.
−After day 10: only with extenuating circumstances, instructor, adviser, college approval required; schedule change fee applies.

Changing status, from credit to audit−day 10 deadline:
−Through day 5 of classes: instructor approval required.
−Day 6-10: instructor, adviser, college approval required; schedule change fee applies.
−After day 10: only with extenuating circumstances, instructor, adviser, college approval required; schedule change fee applies.

Changing status from audit to credit−day 5 deadline:
−Through day 5 of classes: instructor approval required.
−After day 5: instructor, adviser, college approval required; schedule change fee applies.

• Partial semester or summer courses:
Deadlines are determined based on the length of the course. For deadlines concerning partial term or summer courses, contact the Student Scheduling Office, 515-294-2331.

Validating Enrollment

To validate their enrollment in each course at the beginning of the semester, students must attend the first or second meeting (first meeting if the class meets only once a week). Students who add a course after the term begins must attend the next class meeting. The instructor has the option to offer a registered place in the course to another student when a registered student fails to attend and has not obtained prior approval of the instructor. Students who do not validate their enrollment must drop the course or they will receive an F grade.

Registration Process

To register for classes, students need the following materials and information:

• Registration Worksheet, available for download at www.registrar.iastate.edu/forms/ .
• A RAN (registration access number) if required by their college.
• Course information from the Online Schedule of Classes at http://classes.iastate.edu/ .
• Other departmental information applicable to their curriculum, available from their adviser.

Students are expected to do the following in the advising and registration process:

1. Meet with their adviser, who will provide the following:

a. degree audit
b. guidance in course selection
c. Registration Authorization form, with RAN, if applicable.

2. Choose specific sections of each course. Students are responsible for choosing their course sections. In most cases advisers will not be involved in selecting meeting times.

3. Review their registration start date/time information and any registration hold information on AccessPlus , under Current Information. Students in those colleges which require a four-digit registration access number (RAN) should meet with their adviser in advance of their start date, to obtain their Registration Authorization Card on which the RAN is printed.

4. Register for courses using the AccessPlus registration system.

Making Schedule Changes

Students may make most schedule changes through the first five days of class using the AccessPlus registration system.

Procedures for schedule changes vary by the time period of the semester. The effective date of a schedule change is the date when the change is entered into the registration system.

Schedule change periods for full term courses are as follows:

Period 1 ends on the fifth day of classes in the fall and spring semesters. Schedule changes during period 1 are free and do not require adviser signatures. Instructor or departmental approval may be required for adds or section changes for some courses during period 1. Course drops during this period do not count toward a student's ISU course drop limit, and will not appear on a student's permanent record. Schedule changes during period 1 may be processed through the AccessPlus registration system or by presenting a Schedule Change form to the Registrar's Student Scheduling Office, 10 Enrollment Services Center.

Period 2 ends the Friday of week 10 in the fall and spring semesters. During this period, schedule changes require signatures of adviser and instructor and are processed on a Schedule Change form. A schedule change fee is assessed for adds, drops, and section changes during this period. Course drops after period 1 count toward a student's ISU drop limit and appear as an X on the permanent record. A section change does not require a drop.

Drops and other schedule changes that are judged to be beyond the student's control may be processed as administrative actions if approved by the college dean. There is no schedule change fee for administrative schedule changes. Administrative drops do not count toward a student's ISU drop limit and do not appear as an X on the permanent record. The effective date of an administrative action is the date it is approved by the college dean or authorized representative.

Period 3 is anytime after period 2. Schedule changes during this period are permitted only for extenuating circumstances, may require a written statement of support from the instructor and the student, and must be approved by the dean of the student's college or authorized representative.

Half-Semester and Partial Term Courses

Specific deadlines for adding and dropping half-semester courses are published in the university calendar. Prorated adjustments to add and drop deadlines are made for other partial term courses. To find out specific deadlines for partial term courses, contact the Registrar's Student Scheduling Office, 10 Enrollment Services Center, 294-2331.

R-Credit Courses (required courses)

Processing a scheduling change for a required course is usually considered administrative. There is no fee for administrative schedule changes. Administrative drops do not count toward a student's ISU drop limit and do not appear as an X on the permanent record. To make a Period 3 R-credit drop administrative requires approval of the college dean.

Cancellation/Withdrawal

Students who decide not to attend classes before the date class work begins must cancel their registration to avoid tuition and fees assessment. Students who decide not to attend classes beginning the first day of class or later must withdraw from the university.

Registration Cancellation

A cancellation is processed when a student notifies the Office of the Registrar, prior to the day class work begins, of the decision not to attend classes for the current semester. All courses are removed and no tuition and fees are assessed.

Students may cancel their registration by contacting the Office of the Registrar at 10 Enrollment Services Center, 515-294-2331. Students who call should request the name of the person taking the call and record the name as well as the time and date called.

Withdrawal

Students who decide not to attend classes beginning the first day of class or later, must process a withdrawal form. Per the student's request, the "Request for Withdrawal" form is initiated and submitted by the College to the Office of the Registrar. The student is withdrawn from all courses based on the withdrawal date on the form, and tuition and fees are adjusted, if appropriate according to established policies approved by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa. See http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/fees/tuition-adj .

Withdrawal procedures must be followed otherwise instructors of the courses involved will assign grades or marks they consider appropriate. Since these grades may be Fs, students are warned that failure to follow the prescribed withdrawal procedures may adversely affect a later application for reentry or transfer to another institution.

Students who are considering withdrawal from the university should immediately consult their academic adviser to discuss reasons for the withdrawal and alternatives.

A request for withdrawal during period 3, (i.e., after the last day to drop a course without extenuating circumstances) will not be approved except for circumstances that are beyond the student's control. The dean of the student's college or his or her designee, must approve such requests. Students should check with their college office to find out who is authorized to grant approvals or exceptions on behalf of the dean.

Students should not expect to withdraw during or after the final examination week. In a situation beyond a student's control, when examinations cannot be completed, arrangements should be made for incompletes rather than withdrawal during final exam week. Students who are on academic probation (P) and withdraw during period 3 will not be permitted to enroll the following term, except under extenuating circumstances.

Withdrawal Procedures

To withdraw from the university, students must do the following:

1. Complete a Request for Withdrawal form, with adviser's signature.
2. Request the approval and obtain the signature of the college in which they are enrolled. (If the request is approved, the withdrawal form will be forwarded to the Office of the Registrar where it will be recorded; the information is then sent to the appropriate offices.)

The effective date of the withdrawal is the date on which it is approved by the college dean, or his or her designee. Students should check with their college office to find out who is authorized to grant approvals or exceptions on behalf of the dean.

If students complete the withdrawal procedure, the courses they are taking will not be included on the permanent record nor counted as part of their drop allowance. Half semester courses completed prior to withdrawal will be included on their permanent record. Incompletes will not be accepted for any courses taken during the term the student withdraws.

Interim or Medical Withdrawal

The University may order involuntary withdrawal of a student if it is determined that the student is suffering from a mental disorder as defined by the current American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic Manual such that the disorder causes, or threatens to cause, the student to engage in behavior which poses a significant danger of causing imminent harm to the student, to others or to substantial property rights, or renders the student unable to engage in basic required activities necessary to obtain an education.

Status of Conduct Proceedings

If the student has been charged with violation of the Uniform Rules of Conduct, but it appears that medical reasons exist for the objectionable behavior, the withdrawal policy may be activated prior to issuance of a determination in the conduct process. If the student is ordered medically withdrawn from the university, such action terminates the pending disciplinary action. If the student is found not to be subject to medical withdrawal under this section, conduct proceedings may be reinstated.

Interim Action

The OJA (Office of Judicial Affairs) Administrator or the Dean of students may order interim medical suspension of a student where there appears to be an imminent threat of harm to self or others. If the student is suspended, within 48 hours of ordering interim medical suspension, the Dean of Students will schedule an interim hearing before the Medical Withdrawal Committee, consisting of the Director of Student Health (or designee), the Director of the Student Counseling Service (or designee), and the Dean of Students. The student and the OJA Administrator will have an opportunity to present information as to whether interim medical suspension should be continued or modified, and whether medical withdrawal should be considered.

The Medical Withdrawal Committee may order the student to be referred for an evaluation by a licensed mental health professional of the university's choosing if there is adequate reason to believe that a basis for medical withdrawal exists. The order of referral must be sent to the student and notify the student of the scheduled evaluation to occur no later than seven days from the date of the referral letter. The University will cover the cost of the evaluation. If a student fails to complete the evaluation, the university may continue interim medical suspension and may order restrictions on campus access until the evaluation is completed and reviewed by the university. The decision to continue interim medical suspension and for referral may be appealed within 48 hours, in writing, to the Vice President for Student Affairs. The student may be assisted by any two individuals of his or her choice in any hearing or appeal.

Involuntary Medical Withdrawal

If the medical evaluation supports medical withdrawal, a hearing will be scheduled before the Dean of Students, the Director of Student Health and a member of the Student Counseling staff. The student will have at least 48 hours to independently review the psychological or psychiatric evaluation prior to the hearing. The student and the OJA Administrator may present arguments for or against involuntary Medical Withdrawal. A written decision shall be rendered by the Medical Withdrawal Committee stating the reasons for its determination. The decision may be appealed, in writing to the Vice President for Student Affairs. A student who has undergone involuntary medical withdrawal must reapply, and may not reenter the university without providing competent medical evidence that the medical condition no longer exists, or is sufficiently under treatment so as to remove any substantial likelihood of recurrence of the condition which caused medical withdrawal. The University may require the student, at the student's cost, to undergo a medical evaluation by a licensed mental health professional of the university's choosing. A medical withdrawal is not considered a disciplinary action, though a prior medical withdrawal may be considered in subsequent conduct hearings involving the student.

Tuition and Fees Adjustments for Withdrawals

Tuition and fees adjustments are made for withdrawals according to the schedule for full term courses (appropriate adjustments will be made when partial term courses are involved).

Students may appeal a tuition and fees assessment for withdrawals. Determinations will be made for instances beyond the control of the student. The results will be sent to the student in writing.

Returning/Reentry to the University

U.S. students who have been absent from Iowa State University less than 12 months may be admitted as a returning student. If more than 12 months have elapsed since last enrolled, a U.S. student must apply for reentry to the university. All international students must apply for reentry regardless of the time away from the university.

Returning Students

U.S. undergraduate and U.S. non-degree undergraduate students planning to return to Iowa State University after an absence of less than 12 months do not complete a reentry form; however, international undergraduate and international non-degree undergraduate students planning to return to Iowa State University after an absence of less than 12 months must complete a reentry form.

Returning U.S. students and graduate students should contact the Office of the Registrar to have their records updated and registration access created. Students should contact their advisers or major professor to select courses and begin the registration process.

Returning students who want to change their curricula should follow the same procedure as in-school students. Students who were dropped from enrollment at Iowa State University must obtain reinstatement by the Academic Standards Committee of the college that initiated the drop. (See below for policies that apply to requests for reinstatement.)

Reentry Students

Undergraduate and nondegree undergraduate (special) students who plan to attend Iowa State University after an absence of twelve months or more must complete a reentry form. Forms are available from http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/forms/ .

Students with a bachelor's degree who plan to take supporting graduate level coursework prior to applying for graduate degree admission should request a nondegree graduate admission application.

Students who have previously attended Iowa State University only as nondegree (special) students and who now seek to earn an undergraduate degree should request an undergraduate application.

International students must complete a reentry form. Forms are available from http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/forms/ . Financial certification of ability to cover all educational and living expenses will be required.

The reentry form should be completed and returned to the Office of the Registrar, 10 Enrollment Services Center, well in advance of the term of reentry. Students who have attended another college or university since enrollment at Iowa State University must have an official transcript(s) of all course work attempted sent to the Office of Admissions, 100 Enrollment Services Center.

Reentering students must also contact their departmental office/adviser to prepare a class schedule. Reentry must be approved prior to registration.

Iowa State University requests the information on the reentry form for the purpose of making a reentry decision. The university reserves the right not to approve reentry if the student fails to provide the required information.

Reentry Approval Process

Generally, a request to reenter Iowa State University will be approved within the Office of the Registrar. However, the Office of the Registrar will refer the reentry form to the college to which a student plans to return if the student: (a) desires to change curriculum; (b) has a previous Iowa State University cumulative grade point average below 2.00; (c) was dropped from the university for unsatisfactory academic progress or was not otherwise in good standing; or (d) since leaving Iowa State University, has completed additional college study with less than a 2.00 grade point average. See Index, Reinstatement.

Academic Renewal

Students who are returning to Iowa State University to pursue an undergraduate degree after an extended absence may request permission to remove one or more of their complete academic terms from future degree and GPA considerations. See Index, Academic Renewal/Reinstatement.