ASK ADVISOR ALEX
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Ask Advisor Alex and Other Apt Advice for the Week of March 17, 2008

• FAFSA applications for the 2008-2009 academic year are now available. Once you have your 2007 tax information, you should complete and submit a new FAFSA to get your financial aid in place for Summer 2008-Spring 2009. http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
• If you will have completed 60+ credits by the end of the Spring semester, you will need to declare your major or your financial aid may be affected. Talk to the department you are interested in declaring with, or speak to an advisor if you are having trouble deciding.
  

Ask Advisor Alex

Dear Advisor Alex:
I am really struggling in one of my classes, and I think I might need to Withdraw from it. Will Withdrawing affect my GPA or my Financial Aid? How do I Withdraw if I decide to?

Sincerely,
Shaky Shannon

Dear Shaky:
Deciding to Withdraw from a class can be tough. You should consider all of the positives and negatives, and make sure you understand the process before you do it. If you decide to Withdraw, the most important thing is that you submit the paperwork on time to Withdraw officially. If you simply stop attending the class it will be considered an Unofficial Withdrawal (WU) and will count as an F grade toward your GPA.

Withdrawing officially from a course means that it will be listed on your transcript with a W grade. The W grade does not affect your GPA, so there is no negative impact there. However, a pattern of Withdrawing from classes may hurt future job or graduate school applications, so it is not something you want to do often.

Withdrawing from a class may impact your financial aid if it means you change from full-time status (12 credits) to part-time status, and in some other circumstances. Information about how Withdrawing affects financial aid is here: http://registrar.hunter.cuny.edu/subpages/oasispages/oasis_withdraw.shtml.

Aid packages vary by individual, so you should check with the Financial Aid Office to find out exactly what the impact will be for you.

If you decide to Withdraw, don’t wait until the last minute! You need to pick up a Withdrawal form from the OASIS, get your professor’s signature, and return it to the OASIS by March 27. After that date Withdrawals will not be granted except in extreme circumstances (medical emergencies, etc.).

The deadline for Withdrawing from classes is approaching, so you should start seriously considering whether or not it is the right choice for you. Speak to an advisor in 1119 East (212-772-4882) if you need help understanding your options, the consequences and the procedure. Good luck with your decision!

Always,
Advisor Alex

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Dear Advisor Alex:
I am in my second semester here at Hunter, and I have been full-time, taking 12 credits both semesters, but I really want to finish my degree in 4 years, and at this pace that isn’t gonna happen. I am comfortable taking 12 credits, and I worry my grades would suffer if I took more than that. Any suggestions?

Sincerely,
Hurried Harry

Dear Hurried:
Two words: Summer Session. To complete a Bachelors degree (120 credits) in 4 years, a little quick math reveals that you need to take 15 credits each fall and spring semester, and for some students that just isn’t possible or reasonable. Taking just 2 classes during the Summer Session allows you to take the 12 credits you are comfortable with in fall and spring, but still complete your degree in 4 years. There are courses available in almost every department, and the summer session can be a great time to fulfill some General Education requirements, or earn some elective credits. Information about summer sessions and available courses is here: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/summer/

There is also a Winter Session in January if you’d like to plan to take a class then as well. Students in a BIG hurry can complete their degrees in 3 years by taking classes in summer and winter sessions, but this isn’t for everyone. Talk to an advisor to help work out a program plan to complete your degree in your ideal time frame. Happy hurrying!

Always,
Advisor Alex

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For more advisement information or questions:

Visit the Advising Web Site
http://studentservices.hunter.cuny.edu/advising.htm

Contact the Office of Student Services
(212) 772-4882
1119 East Building

Contact a peer advisor in the Sylvia E. Fishman Student Center
(212) 650-3282
417 West Building

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