Frequently Asked Questions Archive
Q. When will I have to pay my tuition and fees for Fall semester 2005?
A. Students who register from May 9, 2005 through June 24, 2005 must pay by June 24, 2005. Students who register June 25, 2005 through Aug. 12, 2005 have to pay by Aug. 12, 2005. Starting Aug. 13, 2005 students must pay tuition and fees on the same day that they register.
Q. Will my grade point average (GPA) be affected by the quarters to semesters conversion?
A. A student's GPA will be combined and weighted proportionately for the amount of quarter and semester credit earned.
Q. Can I repeat quarter-credit courses that have been changed to semester-credit courses?
A. While it may be possible to substitute a semester course for a quarter course, students who wish to repeat quarter courses should do so before Fall 2005. Some quarter courses may not have equivalents under semesters, and, therefore, will not be repeatable on the semester system. The content of some quarter courses may be dropped completely on the semester system or may be dispersed among several semester courses.
Q. What will happen to credit I have transferred from other institutions?
A. All transfer credit processed prior to Fall 2005 will be converted from quarter-hour credit to semester-hour credit by dividing the number of quarter-credits by 1.5. Beginning in Fall 2005, any courses taken at either semester or quarter institutions will be converted to College of DuPage semester credit.
Q. If I am taking a two- or three-quarter sequence course, e.g., English 101, 102, 103, should I complete that sequence before the conversion to semesters?
A. It is highly recommended that you complete all the sequences you have started on the quarter system in the quarter system. To do so allows you to finish the sequence in the system in which it was begun. C.O.D.’s last term on the quarter system will be Summer 2005.
Q. If I don’t think I will be able to complete the entire sequence before the Fall 2005 conversion to semesters, should I begin a sequence of courses in the quarter system?
A. If you cannot complete the sequence on the quarter system, then do not begin the sequence until the conversion to semesters is made in Fall 2005 unless your program or transfer school requires a partial sequence.
Q. Why is College of DuPage converting to a semester system?
A. The majority of the colleges and universities in the United States are on the semester system. With the conversion, our calendar will be aligned with all public and most private colleges and universities in Illinois, easing transfer to and from College of DuPage.
Q. When is College of DuPage converting to semesters?
A. August 2005.
Q. What is the difference between quarters and semesters?
A. Quarters and semesters are both units that comprise an academic year, the traditional period of instruction in a college, university, or school that runs from September through June or August through May. For most colleges and universities, the academic “year” is actually a nine-month period.
A quarter is exactly that: one third of an academic year (or one quarter of the calendar year), typically lasting 10 to 12 weeks. A semester is one half of the academic year, typically lasting 15 to 16 weeks.
Q. What are the advantages of the semester calendar?
A. The main academic advantage is that the pace of the semester system is less hectic than that of the quarter system. Because semesters are substantially longer than quarters, students will have more time to absorb and understand course material and more time to work on projects and papers.
With the conversion our calendar will be aligned with all public and most private colleges and universities to which our students transfer.
Q. How are quarter hour credits to be converted into semester hours?
A. Credits earned under the quarter system are to be converted to semester credits by dividing the number of quarter credits by 1.5. For example, a student who has earned 60 quarter credits: 60 divided by 1.5 = 40 semester credits.
Q. Under the semester system how many credits will be required for full-time status?
A. Full-time status will be 12 credit hours.
Q. How many credit hours will I have to take each semester to qualify for federal aid?
A. Subject to institutional approval, students must be enrolled in qualified degree or certificate programs at least half time (6 credit hours per semester).
Q. How might the conversion from quarters to semesters affect my eligibility for federal financial aid?
A. Financial aid will continue to be awarded based on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). On the quarter system, financial aid awards are made three times per year, typically fall, winter and spring. Following the semester conversion, financial aid awards will be made twice per year, typically fall and spring. The total amount of the award for which you may be eligible will remain the same. The award will be divided into two payments instead of three.
Quarters Semesters $1,500 Total Award $1,500 Total Award Disbursed in three parts Disbursed in two parts $500, $500, $500 $750, $750
