<p>I'm sure there is an easy answer for this but it's got me confused. </p>
<p>My daughter is considering taking a semester off as she had some psychological issues at the end of last term ... She's getting better but weighing her options. The school has told us that they will hold her spot for up to a year without having to reapply.</p>
<p>I'm wondering that if she takes some classes elsewhere -- a lighter load - just one or two classes in a semester - how does she register at that school? Since she plans to return to her first school (she's completed 2 yrs), I don't see transfer as correct... Does it matter whether she takes these classes at a community college or a city university? </p>
<p>Would we pay out of pocket for these classes so as not to mess up financial aid with the original school? </p>
<p>Thanks for your help.. It's been a stressful time.</p>
<p>You really should speak to the registrar’s office at your D’s current school. Explain that you want to do the correct thing so as not to jeopardize her FA or her return to school. You’d like her to stay academically involved somewhere and ideally you’d like the credits to transfer, if possible. Being upfront will allow them to explain her options with no surprises. Good luck!</p>
<p>Yes - we will definitely go over options with the current school before we do anything … I’m just wondering how to even enroll at another school – should it come to that. I figure someone on these boards have done this already. Thanks.</p>
<p>You can register at many schools for one or two classes without matriculating. That info is usually available on their web site. Definitely check with current school though, especially wrt to their willingness to accept those credits. I know at my son’s original school they would not accept credit if the classes were in his major.</p>
<p>Usually there is procedure at the original school, through a dean or other administrator, for making sure the classes taken elsewhere will be accepted at the original school. There may be forms to fill out before taking the class. If she has done 2 years, it is possible that community college classes will not be as acceptable (has she finished distribution requirements?) but often they are fine, depending on what else she has taken.</p>
<p>There are many ways to take classes as a non-matriculated student, special student, continuing education or adult learner program, on campus or online, etc. Just check with the school (registrar’s office, website) where she wants to take classes. Then get the transcripts sent to the original school.</p>
<p>Is she on medical leave or is she taking a regular leave of absence? If medical, are there things she needs to do in order to come back? If the school knows about her troubles, and you have documentation, it is always possible she could do a reduced course load at the original school or even one or two courses, but maybe it is not close to home-?</p>
<p>As others have said, check with current U. Our D got approval and took two 6-week summer terms of German, so she could take 3rd term at her U and satisfy language requirement. Worked great and cost at instate flagship was very low.</p>
<ol>
<li>Find a nearby CC or an online university , and see what class she’d like to take</li>
<li>Check with her home U to see if that class will transfer. Usually the class will fill a requirement but the home U will not use the grade to compute gpa. Lots of classes transfer, so find one of use. Most U. will have something online to look the CC class up, you wont probably need to call</li>
<li>Contact the CC about registering as a non degree student. You might need a hs transcript and/or the home U progress to date transcript. There will be a fee. It will vary, but its pretty common now so the CC will have directions for you.</li>
<li>Register, start classes</li>
<li>Finish , and request a grade transcript be sent directly to the Home U. Both the CC and the Home U will let you know when that’s done.</li>
</ol>
<p>Good luck! We have been through this and I think it made all the difference to my student.</p>
<p>We know of kids at other schools who asked and were told that courses taken anywhere but the U where they matriculated would NOT be accepted, so have D check her U’s policy. </p>
<p>Our D’s U also would NOT provide any credits for ANY online courses, so best to have your D clarify which courses and how many she could take and have them apply toward her degree or requirements. Probably best to have your D inquire about the specific courses she plans to take and get approved for each.</p>