MSUM Off-site & Online Student Handbook

Off-Site & Online

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Student Handbook

Off-Site & Online

STUDENT HANDBOOK

To Do Checklist 2

□ REGISTER FOR CLASSES...................................4 □ FILL OUT DIRECT DEPOSIT □ REVIEW YOUR DEGREE AUDIT

REPORT (DARS).................................................... 5

□ ACTIVATE YOUR MSUM

EMAIL ACCOUNT................................................. 7

□ SIGN UP FOR EMAIL LIST SERVE................... 7 ▸ Construction & Operations Management students only

□ ARRANGE PAYMENT PLAN TO

HOLD COURSES..................................................6 ▸ FAFSA, down payment, military benefits, third party authorization

INFORMATION.....................................................6

□ SUBMIT IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION ▸ Go to mnstate.edu > Current Students > Hendrix Clinic and Counseling Center > Immunizations. Nursing students will need to submit additional information. Contact the Nursing department for details.

□ GET YOUR DRAGON ID CARD.

▸ Attend a Twin Cities orientation session, visit campus, or email a head shot (shoulders up) against a single color background to Angie Ochsendorf or Jessica Endres-Nicola (see Important Contacts)

mnstate.edu

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Angie Ochsendorf

Email: finaid@mnstate.edu Phone: 218.477.2251

Email: ochsendorf@mnstate.edu Phone: 763.488.0298

For questions about aid with dual enrollment

Jessica Endres–Nicola Email: endres@mnstate.edu Phone: 763.424.0915

Academic Advisors Advisors vary. Refer to DARS report to find the name of your advisor. For contact information, go to mnstate.edu> directory

Business Office 218.477.2221

Donna Hartmann-Turner (Primary Contact) Email: turnerdo@mnstate.edu Phone: 218.477.2084

Carolyn Zehren (Secondary Contact) Email: zehren@mnstate.edu Phone: 218.477.2251

Records Office 218.477.2565

Veteran’s Resource Center 218.477.2080

Important Contacts

Transfer Specialists – MnTC/LASC Advising, Misc. Questions

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Off-Site & Online Student Handbook

Academic Essentials Registration & eServices Academic Course Load. Most financial programs require a course load of 12 credits to receive the full award and at least six credits to receive a pro-rated award. The MN State Grant requires a course load of 15 credits for full payment.

Access Code. This code will allow you to register for classes in future semesters. You will receive it from your faculty advisor and you will need to obtain a new code each semester (fall and spring only). Students with a previous bachelor's degree do not need access codes, but are still encouraged to meet with their advisor each semester.

Accuplacer. You will need to take this exam if your last exam or math course was more than two years prior to registering for math courses. The exam is used to identify the appropriate courses for you to take at your selected school for math. The exam may identify that a college-readiness course(s) is needed before you can enroll in a credit-generating math course. Because these courses prepare you to succeed in required core courses, you should enroll in these college-readiness courses during your first semester at MSU Moorhead.

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eServices. This site is your one-stop location for managing your account. Access it to update your address, find and register for classes, add, drop, or withdraw from classes, change your PIN, view the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) and transcript of records, check your financial aid, sign up for direct deposit, and pay your bill.

Dragon ID. This eight-digit number is assigned to you during your time at MSU Moorhead. Your academic transcript will include it and you’ll need it to register for classes. Be sure to memorize your Dragon ID number and keep it confidential.

Registration. Registration for the upcoming semester starts around the middle of the current semester.

You'll need to meet with your faculty advisor and obtain an access code that will enable you to register.

StarID. StarId is a universal ID throughout the MnSCU system; if you activated it a previous campus, you will not need to activate it again and it will be the same login ID and password as your previous institution. It will be needed for logging in to eServices and other functions.

mnstate.edu

▸ Go to mnstate.edu and click on “Current Students” ▸ Click on “eServices” ▸ Click “Login” & enter your StarID username & password. > Have you activated your StarID? You will need click on the activation link on the eServices login screen and have your DragonID number. Note that the StarID is a universal ID in the MnSCU system; if you've used your StarID at another institution, your login ID and password will remain the same. ▸ Click “Courses & Registration” ▸ Click on “Registration Access Code” > Enter access code given to you by your advisor ▸ Click on “Find a Course” ▸ Click on “Expand/Collapse for Advanced Search” > If you are going to take courses online, select “Online (web only)” on the Delivery drop-down menu & select the department of your course > If you are going to take a course in a classroom at our North Hennepin Community College site, select “North Hennepin Community College” on the Location drop-down menu ▸ Click on “Search”

Registration Deadlines (Drop/Add Courses). The deadline for adding or dropping a class without penalty is the fifth class day of the semester (some exceptions may apply).

After that day, you will need to obtain a registration permit from the Records Office to change your class schedule.

You may withdraw from a class after the fifth day of the semester; refer to your course schedule in eServices for withdrawal date deadlines. If you withdraw, a “W” grade will be posted to your transcript and you will be financially responsible for the course.

DARS & LASC Degree Audit Report (DARS). This program helps you monitor your academic progress. It shows the requirements needed to complete your academic programs, the coursework you have completed, including transfer courses, and the coursework still needed to satisfy each requirement. Your DARS is not your academic transcript but a roadmap to degree completion.

To review your DARS audit, log into eServices > Grades and Transcripts > Interactive Degree Audit Report.

Updating your DARS. If you think there are any other errors on your DARS, contact your advisor (for major related course work) or Admissions Transfer Specialist (for LASC related course work). DARS are not official documents, but we want them to be as accurate as possible for you. If you are dually enrolled with another school while completing

your degree with MSUM, credit transfer is not automatic and you will need to let your Admissions Transfer Specialist or the Records office know when you have registered for courses at another college or university.

Writing Intensive Courses. As a transfer student, you are required to take two Writing Intensive (WI) courses from MSUM, these cannot be transferred in from another college or university. Every major is required to have at least one WI course built into their curriculum, while some majors have two. Consult with your DARS and advisor for more information.

Liberal Arts and Sciences Curriculum (LASC) and Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC). This curriculum consists of required courses that provide a broad foundation of skills, information and knowledge that extend beyond your chosen academic field. It will foster your ability to communicate effectively, think critically and solve problems. You will gain knowledge, skills and attitudes central to living in and contributing to a diverse world and the perspective to understand and appreciate its nations and people.

The LASC is MSUM’s general education. The MnTC is the name of the general education curriculum package at Minnesota’s public community and technical colleges, as well as some universities. All of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) and the University of Minnesota (U of M) system offer courses that fulfill the same 10 goal areas (general education requirements).

LASC Goal Areas 1A: Oral Communication 1B: Written Communication 2: Critical Thinking 3: Natural Sciences 4: Mathematics / Logical Reasoning 5: History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences 6: The Humanities and Fine Arts 7: Human Diversity 8: Global Perspective 9: Ethical and Civic Responsibility 10: People and the Environment

Taking Courses in LASC or MnTC. If you take a course at a school in the MnSCU or the U of M systems in the MnTC, it must transfer to all MnSCU and U of M institutions in that same goal area. For example, a Goal 5 course (History and the Behavioral and Social Sciences) will transfer to other institutions as a goal 5 course. You can search for courses in specific goal areas by logging into your eServices account, going to the course schedule, clicking on the Advanced Search and using the MN Transfer Curriculum Goal drop down menu.

A completed MnTC package at another institution will waive the LASC at MSUM.

Academic Essentials

Registering for Courses. Each semester you will need to meet with your faculty advisor to obtain your access code. To register, take the following steps:

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Off-Site & Online Student Handbook

Payment Information

Payment Deadlines. Your registration will be cancelled and dropped from classes unless you do one of the following by a set deadline from the Business Office, typically around one month before the semester begins: ▸ Make a $300 down payment ▸ File an application for Financial Aid (FAFSA), including all schools where you plan to take one or more classes. ▸ Enroll in a payment plan through Nelnet Business Solutions (NBS) ▸ Have GI benefits in place ▸ Submit a Third Party Authorization form (i.e. employer reimbursement) For more information and to see payment deadline dates, go to mnstate.edu > Current Students > Billing and Payments.

Financial Aid. A variety of scholarships, grants and loans are available to help fund your college education. Here are some tips for ensuring that the financial aid process runs smoothly: ▸ Submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible at www.fafsa.ed.gov ▸ Be aware of aid-related deadlines. Not all deadlines are the same MSUM's priority date is February 15th.

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▸ Contact the Financial Aid Office for assistance in submitting an appeal if you experience a change in family status, family income or other unusual circumstance that may affect your financial aid eligibility.

Financial Aid with Dual Enrollment. If you will be dually enrolled with another school while completing your degree with MSU Moorhead, review information at mnstate.edu> Current Students> Financial Aid> Applying for Financial Aid> Distant Learners.

MSUM will be your home school for receiving financial aid. Your aid will be applied to your MSUM bill and you will receive an overage check or direct deposit from MSUM to use towards your host school’s tuition balance. ▸ Be sure to contact your host school’s Business and/ or Financial Aid office to let them know you will be receiving aid from MSUM and ask them about the procedure to hold your courses until you receive your overage from MSUM. MSUM’s FAFSA code is 002367.

Direct Deposit. If you anticipate receiving overage from financial aid, sign up for direct deposit in eServices.

Scholarships. For information on scholarships, please contact your academic department (for major specific scholarships) and the Financial Aid website (for general scholarships). Go to mnstate.edu > Current Student > Financial Aid

mnstate.edu

Program List Serves (Construction Management and Operations Management programs). Students in these majors are required to sign up for their major’s email list serves. Faculty use these to send out notifications about advising for the following semester, courses reserved for online or off-site students, internships, job fairs and more.

Construction Management students (two list serves): Enter your email address and click submit at lists.mnstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/cmlist and lists.mnstate.edu/mailman/listinfo/cm_nhcc Operations Management students: Enter your email address and click submit at lists.mnstate.edu/ mailman/listinfo/om_majors Bookstore. In need of textbooks, supplies and apparel?

You’ll find them online through the MSU Moorhead Bookstore. The Bookstore offers Textbook Express, a hassle-free, online service that makes purchasing your textbooks a snap. You may only charge MSUM book purchases against your financial aid, if eligible. Go to mnstate.edu > Current Students > Bookstore.

Career Development Center. The Career Development Center can help you achieve your professional goals through education and services that support your journey from exploring student to prepared professional. Upload your resume and cover letter to receive online assistance in editing, search for jobs and internships, etc., on the Career Development Center’s website. Go to mnstate.edu > Current Students > Careers & Employment.

Disability Services. This resource provides services and accommodations to students with disabilities and helps ensure equal access for “otherwise qualified” individuals with disabilities. To register with Disability Services, call 218-477-4318.

Livingston Lord Library. The library has academic articles online for students to view. To view information, go to mnstate.edu > Current Students > Library.

National Student Exchange. This exchange program includes more than 190 colleges and universities in nearly every state and several U.S. territories. As part of the program, you can attend a participating university for up to a year at the same in-state tuition rate. You benefit from a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend new classes, experience different cultures – even live in a new climate!

Records Office. The Records Office maintains and provides access to vital information about you and your academic career, such as home address, DARS, graduation forms, etc.

Study Abroad Opportunities. Study abroad programs offer an outstanding opportunity to earn university credit to satisfy a major, minor, or liberal studies requirements at some of the world’s finest universities.

Our most popular study abroad program is Eurospring, which offers 12 credits of humanities through five weeks of study in Oxford, England and a three-week tour of European cities during the spring semester.

Tutoring. On-line tutoring is available through "Smarthinking" in math, sciences, economics, writing, technology and other areas. Get started at mnstate.edu > current students> Academic Support Center> Tutoring Veterans Resource Center. This resource helps veterans and service members make a successful transition from the tight-knight armed forces community to MSU Moorhead. The Veterans Resource Center helps support veterans and their dependents and provides counseling and GI Bill certifications to student veterans. Go to mnstate.edu > Current Students > Veterans Affairs.

Student Services

Email. All official university business is conducted through the official mnstate.edu email account, known as Dragon Mail. Online coursework, financial aid award letters, tuition payment invoices and other important information will be sent only to your Dragon Mail account. Therefore, it is essential that you use this account. Your Dragon ID and PIN will be used to create your mnstate.edu Dragon Mail account. Go to mnstate.edu and click on Current Students> E-mail> Password Assistance > Forgot Password > Forgot Username and/or Password > Enter your Student ID# & Password/Pin (instructions for Password/PIN located on top left of screen).

Write Site. This resource offers online, day and evening peer tutoring and resources to help you improve you writing skills. To view further information, create an account and schedule appointments, go to mnstate. edu > Current Students > Writing Matters > Write Site.

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Office of Admissions MSUM Box 67 • 1104 7th Avenue South • Moorhead, Minnesota 56563 Phone: 218.477.2161 • Fax: 218.477.4374 • mnstate.edu

Minnesota State University Moorhead is an equal opportunity educator and employer and is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. This information will be made available in alternate format upon request by contacting Disability Services at 218.477.4318 (voice) or 1.800.627.3529 (MRS/TTY).

PUB. 11-2013