Where can I get a College Catalog?
College catalogs are available online and in limited supply in the Welcome Enrollment Center ATC 220.

Is academic advising required at Palo Alto College?
Yes. All new students entering PAC, whether first time in college or transfer, and former students returning to PAC after stopping out, are required to meet with an counselor/advisor during a Group Advising session prior to registering for the first semester.

What kind of advisement do I need?
New students, new transfer students, former students and students with undecided majors are required to participate in Group Advising. To sign up for Group Advising go by the Welcome Enrollment Center (Applied Technology Center Rm 220) or the Counseling Center.

Currently enrolled students should visit visit with a faculty advisor (either individually or in group) prior to registering to ensure that you are taking the right classes. It is also recommended that you bring a 2+2 or other degree plan with you when you visit with your advisor. Stop by the Center for Academic Transitions located in the Student Center to pick one up.

Who is my advisor?
At PAC, if you declare a major, your faculy advisor is a faculty member in your major department. Otherwise, you will be required to participate in Group Advising where a Counselor or Advisor will assist you in selecting the best degree or program of study.

I am on ESW or need to fill out a Financial Aid Appeal form, do I need an appointment to see a Counselor?
Appointments are necessary for a student who requires an Enforced Scholastic Withdrawal (ESW) Appeal or a Financial Aid Appeal. For additional information on the Appeals process, call the Counseling Center (Applied Technology Bdlg Rm 214) at 486-3333.

What if my advisor is not available?
If you can't find your advisor, it's probably because you haven't planned ahead to meet with him/her. Schedule an appointment in advance to meet with your advisor during office hours. You should meet with your advisor to discuss course scheduling for the upcoming registration period. Faculty advisors are usually not available during dead week and final's week.

When do I have to declare my major?
It is recommended that you declare a major as early as possible during your first semester at PAC. If you need assistance with choosing a major, discuss your interests with a counselor in the Counseling Center (Applied Technology Bdlg Rm 214) or visit the Center for Academic Transitions located in the Student Center.

Can I change my major?
Yes. You may change major as many times as you wish. Keep in mind, however, that changing your major may require enrollment in additional semesters to complete the requirements for the new major. You will need to fill out the "Change of Major" form in the Records & Reports Office.

How do I know when I can graduate?
Associate Degree graduation requirements are listed in the College Catalog under Programs of Study. It is advised that you complete an application for graduation the semester prior to the one in which you are planning to graduate. Graduation applications are available in the Records & Reports Office. The degree audit, a computer printout of all the degree requirements that have been completed and those that remain is available for your review online. If there are any discrepancies, review this document carefully with your advisor and discuss and resolve any discrepancies.

You might want to monitor your own progress toward graduation without having to wait until the semester before you plan to graduate. Access your degree audit online. You can do this at any time! Print out your degree audit for your advising session or appointment.

I'm thinking about transferring to a university. What courses should I be taking?
Counselors/advisors and faculty advisors cannot be expected to be knowledgeable about all course and degree requirements at other institutions. Therefore, if you're considering transferring to another university, you should consult with your advisor for information and they may refer you to an advisor at that particular institution. A degree plan, a transfer plan, a 2+2 plan or a catalog from the university you plan to transfer to are available in the Center for Academic Transitions, Student Center.

What is a credit hour?
A credit hour refers to the number of credits for each class you successfully complete. It is based on the number of hours per week you are in class for the course. For example, a class meeting from 9:00 - 9:50 a.m. for three days a week, will generally be three (3) semester hours credit.

What is the difference between a full-time and part-time course load?
A full-time course load is twelve (12) credit hours or more during regular semester hours. A part-time course load is anything less than twelve (12) credit hours during a regular semester. During summer semester, six (6) credit hours is considered full-time and three (3) credit hours is considered part-time.

How many courses should I take?
It depends on you. Students who do not work or work part-time generally take a full-time class course load, which is a minimum of twelve (12) hours. In general, students who work full-time will find it difficult to do more than two or three courses a semester. The responsibility rests on you to balance your workload and academic load, social life and other responsibilities.

How much time will I be expected to study for each course?
The number of credit hours of study needed varies with individuals. Our Advising staff suggests students should plan on spending 2 - 3 hours outside of class for each hour in class per week. Therefore, a full-time student should allow 24 - 36 hours of study time per week.

Do I have to take developmental classes, especially since they do not count toward a degree?
Your counselor/advisor will review your test scores and skill levels to determine if you should be placed in the developmental classes. It is to your benefit to take developmental courses to develop basic skills to prepare you for college level courses.

If I test into Developmental English, Developmental Math, Developmental Reading, may I take other courses?
Speak with your counselor/advisor to determine which course(s), if any, you are able to take in addition to developmental courses.

How much does it cost to attend PAC?
Tuition rates are calculated by credit hour(s). See Schedule of Fees in the Semester Class Schedule. In figuring costs, also consider fees which may apply to determine your total costs. Remember to include the cost of textbooks and materials.

How Do I Apply For Financial Aid?
Students applying for financial aid are requested to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The FAFSA form can be obtained in the student financial services office or online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. The Welcome Enrollment Center will help you fill out the online form. Stop by or call 486-3600 to set your appointment. Applying online will cut your processing time in half, and that means you will know if you qualify for financial assistance sooner!

Am I eligible for financial aid? When and how do I apply?
For more information, contact the Student Financial Services Office.

Regular registration begins typically five days before the first-day of classes of each semester. Continuing students who have not yet registered or who need to make changes in their course schedule can register during this period, along with new, former and transfer students who have not registered early.

Late registration begins on the first day of instruction each semester. For specific registration dates for the current academic year, check the Academic Calendar in the College Catalog or in the Semester Class Schedule.

How do I register for classes?
PAC offers a computer web-based online registration system. In order to access this system, you must have a PIN (Personal Identification Number), which is fours digits: first two are your month of birth and last two are the last two digits of your birth year.

After registering for classes, students can view their accounts on the web-based system to find out the exact amount of tuition and fees that are due. Keep in mind that selecting a class on the web-based system is really only reserving a seat in the class. You are not actually registered for a class at PAC until you pay tuition and fees or have made financial arrangements for payment of tuition and fees.

How do I add and drop a class?
At the beginning of each semester, there is a period during which students can add and drop classes.
Adding classes: Students can add/drop classes based on the academic calendar by using the web-based system, as long as space is available in the class.
Dropping classes: Students can drop classes, with instructor's signature, based on the academic calendar. Refer to the Academic Calendar in the College Catalog for the exact dates of the current academic year. Caution: For students on Financial Aid, there may be a financial penalty for dropping classes. Check with the Financial Aid Office

How is my GPA (grade point average) calculated?

1. Each letter grade is equivalent to a certain number of grade points.
   GRADE POINTS
   A 4.0
   B 3.0
   C 2.0
   D 1.0
   F 0.0
2. Multiply the course credit hours by the grade point value to get total grade points for each course. (For example, an A = 4.0 x 3 credit hours = 12 grade points)
3. Add the grade points for all courses taken in a semester.
4. Add the total credit hours for all courses with grade points.
5. Divide the total number of grade points by the total of credit hours for all courses with grade points. (For example, ENGL 1301 (A) equals 12 grade points with HIST 1301 (B) equals 9 grade points. These 21 grade points divided by 6 credit hours yields a GPA of 3.5 for this semester.)

   *Developmental courses are not calculated in the GPA for Honors.

How is my GPA affected if I repeat a course?
Calculate your GPA in the same process as described above. The last grade is counted from the calculation and replaced by the higher grade. The lower grade remains on your transcript; however, there will be a notation on the transcript indicating that you repeated a course and that it is excluded from your GPA.

How do I raise my GPA?
Obtain higher grades in your courses. You may also re-take courses in which you have received a low grade. If you re-take a course at PAC, the last grade will count in your GPA, but both grades will continue to show on your transcript. So replacing a D or F grade with an A, B or C will raise your GPA more quickly than taking new courses and averaging the grades. Carefully plan your course load.

How do I get my grades at the end of each semester?
To get your final grades, you can access the online registration system, enter your PIN, and follow the instructions to see your grades and print out a copy for your own records.

How do I pay my tuition and fees after I register?
Choose one of the following to make tuition/fees payment:

• Credit card (Visa or MasterCard): can be used to pay in person at the PAC Bursar's Office located in Student Center, room 130
• Cash or check: will be accepted in person at the PAC Bursar's Office. Checks may also be mailed to Palo Alto College, Bursar's Office, 1400 W. Villaret Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78224-2499.

Am I eligible for financial aid? When and how do I apply?
For more information, contact the Student Financial Services Office.

What is the difference between the Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Applied Science degrees?
AA - Associate of Arts is designed for transfer to a four-year institution
AS - Associate of Science is designed for transfer to a four-year institution
AAS - Associate of Applied Science is designed for direct employment

What is the difference between a certificate and an associate degree?
An associate degree requires a certain amount of general education courses (English, math, science, social science, humanities and others). A certificate consists mainly of courses in a specific occupational area. Several certificates have corresponding Associate of Applied Science degrees. DEGREES OFFERED

How Do I Get Information on Transferring?
Stop by the Welcome Advisement Center to pick up a degree plan or speak with a counselor. We have:

2 + 2's
Transfer Services web site
Joint Admissions
Transfer Fairs

Who determines how many transfer credits you receive from another college?
The Office of Admissions and Records is responsible for determining the number of transfer credits a student receives. At your initial advising session when you enter PAC, your advisor will be able to give you a preliminary transfer credit evaluation. Transcripts will be evaluated during your first semester at PAC, and will be available on the web-based system, which will list the PAC course equivalent to the courses you took at your other institution(s).

I took a class at another college that I think should fulfill a requirement at PAC. What procedure do I need to take?
Review your transfer credit evaluation with your advisor to see which degree requirements might be fulfilled using your transfer credits. Your advisor can also assist you to request that the Office of Admissions and Records review your transcript to determine the transfer credits that may be substituted for PAC course requirements. The Office of Admissions and Records determines which courses transfer to PAC.

Are the grades from my other college(s) calculated into my PAC GPA?
No. If you transferred courses from another institution, only course credits transfer into PAC's evaluation of the transcript.

How do I know if a course will transfer to another school?
The decision is usually up to the other school, unless some agreements have been made to assist you in planning the transfer. To provide further help in the transfer planning process, the Welcome Advising Center will have available transfer course equivalencies, transfer guides and plans along with 2+2 articulation agreements with other colleges and universities.

Will it be harder at the transfer school?
It depends on you. You may find that once you begin to do work in your major, courses are more interesting and therefore not as difficult. Your four-year school experience will not necessarily be any harder, but like your experience at PAC it will be challenging and demanding.

Do I need an associate degree to transfer?
Not necessarily although it is possible to complete an associate degree with many of the Transfer Plans offered. It might be beneficial to obtain an associate degree first. If you are transferring in state or out of state, check with that institution.

If I receive a two-year degree at PAC, how many years do I have to complete a bachelors' degree at a four-year university?
This question can only be answered by the individual student. You may have more or less than two years of study. It depends on how many credits are transferred to fulfill requirements and how many credits end up counting as elective courses.

How do I get my PAC official transcript sent to another college or university?
To request that your official transcript be sent, you need to either complete a "Transcript Request" form or send a letter to the Office of Admissions and Records. Be sure to include your full name, the address where the transcript is to be sent and your signature. You may send your request via fax to (210) 921-5129.

What is academic probation/suspension?
A student who earns a GPA below 2.00 on all hours attempted will be placed on scholastic probation. Students will remain on continued scholastic probation until a minimum overall GPA of 2.00 all hours attempted is earned. If the student fails to earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in any semester or summer session when twelve semester hours credit is attempted or accumulated, the student will be placed on Enforced Scholastic Withdrawal and will not be allowed to enroll in any classes during the next semester or session. See the college catalog for additional information regarding PAC's Academic Probation/Suspension policy.

I have a complaint dealing with an academic matter. What procedure do I need to follow?
The policy states that a student who has a complaint regarding an academic matter,( i.e. grading dispute with an instructor), should first attempt to resolve the matter with the instructor. If that fails, the student should attempt to resolve the matter with the appropriate department chair. If you are not satisfied with the chair’s decision, then you may appeal to the Dean. Your final appeal is to the VP of Academic Affairs.
A student has a maximum of two years from the end of the semester to request a review of the grade or petition for a change of grade.

What do I do if I'm sick and miss classes?
Perfect, punctual class attendance should be the goal of every student. Predictable absences should be discussed with instructors beforehand; others as soon as possible after they occur. Instructors may request verification of reason for absences or tardiness.

When are the school holidays?
Check the Online Academic Calendar or the College Catalog for official holidays.