Frequently Asked Questions
- When do I register for classes?
- What are important deadline dates?
- What do I need to do to take a class?
- Why do I need to take a placement test?
- Do I need a major?
- What if I am failing the class, can I drop it?
- How do I withdraw a class after the add/drop period is finished?
- If I stop going to class without dropping or withdrawing, what will happen?
- What is a syllabus?
- How do I find out my exam schedule for the classes I am in currently?
- What is the difference between a community college and a four year university?
- What is full-time and part-time status?
- What are prerequisites?
- What are credits and units?
- What is a GPA and how does that affect me?
- How much time do I need to be in class each semester?
- How do I transfer into AWC?
- How do I transfer out of AWC?
- What are college transfer credits and how do I have them evaluated?
- If the military stationed me in Yuma, am I considered an Arizona resident?
- What is an A.A. and an A.A.S.?
- What is a certificate?
1. When do I register for classes?
There are several registration cycles to keep in mind when enrolling for classes. The time usually starts before the semester. For fall semester, registration period begins toward the middle part of April. For spring semester, the registration period is shorter and starts in late October. Summer sessions begin about the same time as the fall registration cycle. Actual dates change depending upon the year. It is best if you register early, you will get the courses you need at the times you want. Registration dates are posted on the website and in schedule book for each semester.
2. What are important deadline dates?
Add/Drop: usually the first week of the semester or the first week that a late starting class begins - You can add and drop classes without losing the majority of your payment during this time only.
Withdrawal: about the 13th week in the semester after midterms - You can withdraw before you receive a lower grade, but you cannot get back your money.
Check the catalog for fee rates related to dropping or adding courses.
3. What do I need to do to take a class?
If you intend to take classes with AWC, follow the steps in the catalog or in the schedule.
- Complete your application of admission to AWC online here
- Take appropriate placement tests to decide which level of math and English courses you need. Click here to visit the testing and placement page
- Make an appointment with a counselor to discuss your classes, major, and sign up for the classes you need,
- Register for your classes at Registration/Admission Office, or online. Click here to register online
- Pay for your classes at the Business office.
4. Why do I need to take a placement test?
The ACCUPLACER placement tests are critical to placing you in the correct level of course work. Without these tests, a student is not able to enroll in classes unless they have taken specific courses at another college or university. These tests are established to insure that you take classes at your level of study and are able to succeed. You can find out more by looking on the AWC Testing Center website.
5. Do I need a major?
A major is a program of study that you follow. These recommended courses may be very different courses from your friend who may have a different course of study. It is best that you identify a course of study early in your college career usually within your first 30 credits of coursework. This decision helps guide you to the correct courses you need to complete your degree or certificate. To find out what majors are offered and what courses you need to complete the major, please look in the current catalog.
6. What if I am failing the class, can I drop it?
No. You can only drop a class within the first week of the semester and receive reimbursement if eligible. However, you can withdraw from the class after the first week of classes has finished. This date is posted in the schedule under the calendar for that particular semester.
7. How do I withdraw a class after the add/drop period is finished?
When you have decided to withdraw a class, you will need a Withdrawal Form available from Advisement Services or Enrollment Services and by clicking here. This form must be completely filled out by you with information about the course to withdraw. The signature of an advisor is needed on this form. You may need a signature from your professor if the withdrawal date has passed. Please be aware that there are limitations to withdrawing after the published date. Please check your catalog for further information.
8. If I stop going to class without dropping or withdrawing, what will happen?
You will receive an "F" or "NS" (no show) as your grade. This will be posted on your report card and transcript. Receiving an "F" can cause you to lose your financial aid and be placed on probation or suspension. It is better to withdraw from the class or classes. It is the student's responsibility to avoid receiving an "F" on his/her transcript.
9. What is a syllabus?
A syllabus is a crucial document that you receive from your class instructors on the first day of class. This document is a contract with you, the student, about what will be studied and read in class, test dates, location, dates and times of class, and instructor's office hours and phone number. Do not throw these documents away! You must review this and if you have questions, ask your instructor.
10. How do I find out my exam schedule for the classes I am in currently?
These dates are always listed in your syllabus. These include when the instructor will give quizzes, test, etc. Review this thoroughly and ask the instructor questions about what you need to study and know for the tests.
11. What is the difference between a community college and a four year university?
A community college is a college that is an open enrollment public institution. The student can complete an Associates Degree as a full-time student. The cost to attend is normally less than a typical four-year university. Community colleges issue Associate degrees and certificates. If students intend to achieve Bachelor's degrees, they will need to attend a four-year university after attending a community college. Some students enroll in a university rather than attend a community college first. This is possible if the student has the appropriate ACT/SAT scores, high school transcripts, etc.
12. What is full-time and part-time status?
Full-time students take at least 12 credits per semester. Part-time students take less than 12 credits per semester. This information is important to know if you want to live in the dorms, apply for financial aid, or receive certain types of health insurance.
13. What are prerequisites?
Prerequisites are the courses you need to take before taking another course. In the catalog you will notice under some course descriptions "PRE:" This refers to the course(s) needed to be eligible for the course described. Some courses require a co-requisite that means there are two courses that must be taken together. It looks like "COREQ:" You will find this information under course descriptions of your catalog.
14. What are credits and units?
Credits and units are the same thing. A credit is the number of credits given to the course itself. These credits help calculate your GPA based upon the number of credits attempted versus the number successfully completed.
15. What is a GPA and how does that affect me?
Grade Point Average (GPA) is computed per semester based on the credits per course and the grades received in those courses. The GPA is also computed with the total credits and semesters. This is called the cumulative GPA. This number is usually different from the semester GPA because all semesters are computed into the cumulative GPA.
16. How much time do I need to be in class each semester?
This depends on how many courses you take and when they are in the schedule. It also depends on the number of credits each course is. A four-credit course may require more time than a three-credit course. The number of courses you take per semester will depend on your work schedule, family, etc.
17. How do I transfer into AWC?
If you are currently attending another college or university, you may transfer to AWC by filling out the application for admission form. Download the pdf admission form here. You must request an official transcript from your previous institution. They may either mail or fax your official transcript to Arizona Western College/Enrollment Services Office. AWC will evaluate your credits to determine which courses will transfer here. If you have financial aid, you will need to have that transferred to AWC as well by contacting your current institution's financial aid office.
18. How do I transfer out of AWC?
First you must know to which institution you want to transfer. Then you must transfer your credits to the institution to which you are transferring. You can do that by filling out a transcript request form. Contact that institution and ask for a catalog, which will list all the information you need to transfer to that institution. You may also check on-line. Most colleges and universities have transfer information on their web sites. If you wanted to transfer to a university in Arizona, you may check the following web sites:
19. What are college transfer credits and how do I have them evaluated?
Transfer credits are college credits from another institution, which you want, transferred to Arizona Western College to be applied toward your degree here. You need to fill out a form "Request for Evaluation/Re-evaluation of Credits (PDF)." When your official college transcripts from your former college/university arrive at Arizona Western College Registration/Admissions Office, the transcripts will be reviewed only if this form has been filled out and given to registration. An official transcript is a transcript in a sealed envelope from the institution that sent it. A student should not open it or request that the transcript is sent directly to him/her because this will make the documents unofficial and invalid for review.
20. If the military stationed me in Yuma, am I considered an Arizona resident?
If you are in the military, you need to know your residency status. You may look in the current catalog or you may check on-line at here
21. What is the difference between an A.A. and an A.A.S.?
An Associate of Arts (AA) degree is a two-year degree which requires a minimum of 35 credits of Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) and 29 or more of specific degree courses. The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is a two-year degree which requires a minimum of 21 AGEC credits and additional credits specifically related to that AAS degree. You can find the list of A.A. and A.A.S degrees in the annual catalog and at here
22. What is a certificate?
It is an intense training in a specific area of study. Certificates usually have a shorter list of required courses than do degrees. A certificate is not a degree like an A.A. or an A.A.S. It does not require the general education classes such as English 101 or Math 122. A student seeking a certificate will study the essentials of the profession or trade only.
