TESC Per Credit Hour Plan Annual Enrollment Status

[cloakswall]

I'm finishing up the last couple of credits I need to graduate with a BA in Communications from TESC. Everything except for the Capstone will be done by the end of September. My enrollment is under the per credit hour plan and it ends on Nov 10. I plan to enroll in the September Capstone that ends on November 23rd. Assuming I apply for graduation before Nov 10, will everything be okay re: enrollment status?

[bricabrac]

You are a prime candidate for an Exception! I have walked prior students through this process quite a few times.

What I would do in this situation is submit my request for graduation form on or before October 1 for December graduation. Note in Section 3, the September capstone completing on November 23. At the beginning of the course I would correspond with the mentor and explain that you are trying to graduate in the current cycle due to tuition constrictions so you are requesting he/she post the final grade to the college as soon as possible. (If memory serves they usually have approx 10-14 days to post the final grade.) Ask if you can submit your completed paper early, by 5-7 days? Then pace yourself, stay ahead of schedule and be sure to submit your final paper by November 16. This gives the mentor plenty of time to review, return for comments if needed, grade the paper and post final grade within the time limit.

Once your graduation form is processed through the bursar it is sent to the registrar. You then receive a confirmation email. Note the graduation specialists contact information. On or about November 1st email her and remind her of your file and the pending course ending November 23. On November 23, or as soon as the mentor advises they've posted your final grade (which in this case will most likely be the same day he/she posts on the grades page), send another reminder email. Once the grad specialist confirms the final grade has posted to the college she can then expedite your file (audit and certify your file within 1-2 days) and submit your file to the committee for December conferral. Note this has been done before but it is NOT a common occurrence but you are so close it would be painful to wait until March. TESC is AMAZING at helping students in situations such as this. You've put in the hard work and they are usually extremely gracious by rewarding their students for all that effort!

Finally, to your original question. If they should make you wait until March, you are still fine. You just need to be enrolled in the course under the current tuition year. Just be sure to notify the Bursar the last course ended November 23. December is basically a free month and your graduation request would be moved to the January pile for March graduation.

Hope this wasn't too confusing? It will make more sense once you begin the process. Feel free to PM me once you get closer to the finish line with any additional questions.

Good luck!



Source: Graduation Information

[cloakswall]

This is such priceless information, bricabrac, thank you so much! I never would've even considered that I might still be eligible for the December graduation! And it would help so much, since a couple of the grad schools I'm applying at have their first round of selections in Jan & Feb.

I have an advising appointment scheduled for Monday. Do you think it would be wise to bring up this option right now, or would it be better to proceed as if I were graduating in March and then apply for the December grad towards the end of September?

Finally, to your original question. If they should make you wait until March, you are still fine. You just need to be enrolled in the course under the current tuition year.

This is what I'm still confused about. If I enroll for the capstone in September but my annual enrollment ends November 10th, then that's 13 days before the end of term. Does that mean I need to re-enroll in order to complete my capstone & graduate? And if I end up having to, how would I even go about re-enrolling under the per credit hour plan? Would they offer 1-3 month extensions like they do for regular annual enrollments?

[bricabrac]

cloakswall,

Happy to help! Not many people know of TESCs inhouse admin procedures. I happen to be one who enjoys research and have no problem seeking out the right people (those who are in position to make or alter decisions) to ask questions and gain insight. It also did not hurt to make great contacts!

No do not discuss with advising. Just follow the steps I laid out for you. It will be between you and the graduations team. What is most important is to get the request for graduation form in before deadline and note the grad specialists contact information.

Your enrollment period will most likely end on November 30. To make certain, call or email the Bursar to let them know your course is ending November 23. Keep in mind the month after enrollment ends is basically considered a free month for administative purposes. And just know that they have the ability to make adjustments to enrollment dates for cushion (graduation, etc) when needed. If necessary, I'm sure they would offer the monthly extension rate.



Extension Scenarios: The last two examples are within your enrollment year so you could register online for the terms but because they begin after the enrollment period has closed you would need an extenion(s).

Ex 1 - Say you got very busy at work and could not finish the course on time and needed a course extension. In that regard you would have two months to complete the course (new end date January 23). In this scenario you would need an enrollment extension.
Ex 2 - You could register for the December 2014 term (registration Oct 24 - Nov 20 incl late reg) but the term does not begin until December 1 after your enrollment year. In this regard, you would need extend your enrollment by a month.
Ex 3 - For Janurary 2015 term (registration Nov 21 - Dec 21 incl late reg) but term would not begin until January 5. You would need to extend your enrollment by two months.

Source: [URL="http://www.tesc.edu/academics/Undergrad-Calendar.cfm"]Academic Calendar
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[cloakswall]

Just as an update, I spoke to my advisor today and she confirmed that the month following the end of the enrollment period is free. She also mentioned unprompted that I should apply for the December graduation cycle. I'm not counting on it, but if that works out it will be such a gift. Thanks for all your help, bricabrac!

[bricabrac]

Just as an update, I spoke to my advisor today and she confirmed that the month following the end of the enrollment period is free. She also mentioned unprompted that I should apply for the December graduation cycle. I'm not counting on it, but if that works out it will be such a gift. Thanks for all your help, bricabrac!

My pleasure!

Luckily, you happen to have one of the knowledgeable Advisors. Most are not as savvy which is why I was afraid to have you get into the conversation for someone to tell you it's not possible when I know for a fact it is. I only know of two who are still at the Sr Advisor level who know the ins and outs or will go the distance to locate answers. The others have been well promoted over the years. Would you mind sending me a PM to let me know who you spoke with? I keep a list of the best contacts. I really do not like to discuss staff on an open public forum.

I have a strong feeling you are going to be a December graduate! Good luck on your capstone course!