<p>Hi,
I wasn't sure where I should post this, but after talking to my school's financial aid department I'm even more confused. I'm very interested in taking a winter course this year, and according to the financial aid department I need to let them know after I complete the course. They said this gets added to my Spring billing since they do not have any extra aid, and a separate billing schedule. I really don't want to have take out any more loans than I need to. So my question for any parents, or students out there who have a similar situation if I take 5 credits this winter and 10 credits in the spring will it show on my transcript, and financial aid as I took 15 credits in the Spring? My mom wants me to stick to 15 credits each semester, and I'm unsure how many credits are built in tuition. I believe 17. I plan on emailing my adviser, but I know she is super busy with orientation going on through July. I'm actually only thinking of taking a 2 credit course this winter. So if I only took a 2 credit course in the winter and 13 in the Spring I'm hoping it would be billed as 15 credits for Spring. I know this is premature since I haven't even start yet, but on all the job applications for on campus jobs they ask for how many hours you can work during breaks. So if I get a job taking a Winter course would help give me something to do, and a reason to stay on campus. I do have family in the area though who are willing to let me stay with them. Thanks for all the help in advance. I hope I explained this clearly enough for you all to understand my question.</p>
<p>Even though it’s one billing cycle, winter term may still be listed separately on the transcript. Ask the registrar’s office. That’s also the office to ask your questions about load. Schools handle a winter or “j” term differently.</p>
<p>One school we looked at billed every single full time student an interim fee in the fall. Then, any student who wanted could take any class with no additional charges. The school d1 chose to attend treats fall and winter as one billing period. To avoid overload, students must not exceed 20 hours for both, 18 for fall, or 5 for winter. So a student could go 17 + 3, 18 + 2, 15 + 5, and not incur overload. 16 + 5 or 19 + 1 would. The only place to get an answer is your school.</p>
<p>Carla</p>