Where Do I Start?

Students who have already registered for classes may skip some of the steps included below, but for those who yet have no schedule of classes, follow these steps.

1) Submit an Application for Admission

2) Test scores - If you have taken the ACT, please send copies of your scores and a complete high school transcript to the Registration Office located in the AD building. If you have your GED, the Registration Office also needs a copy of those scores. Placement testing is required of all incoming freshman. Registration staff will assist you in making arrangements for testing. Contact the Counseling Department for more information, or download and mail this form to register for Freshman Assessment.

3) Register for classes - Contact your advisor for an appointment to arrange each semester's schedule of classes. For students who are currently attending East Central College, Advisement Seminars begin around mid-semester for enrolling in next semester's classes (i.e., enroll for spring classes during the middle of fall semester). During the advisement sessions, schedules should be planned and the registration form should be completed and signed by the advisor. The advisor will help you set a schedule that conforms with your major field of study and East Central's graduation requirements. Online registration is available via eCentral.

4) Changing your schedule - If you need to change a class, meet with your advisor to fill out an add/drop form available at the Registration Office. It is recommended that any changes to your schedule be completed prior to the first day of classes. If you drop/add before the first day of class you must have an advisor's signature. If you drop/add after the first week of classes you must have an advisor's and instructor's signature before turning the form into registration.

5) Payment of fees - Current Tuition and Fee information

6) Receiving Financial Aid and Scholarships - If you are eligible for financial aid or a scholarship, it is very important to complete a Waiver of Fees Form before tuition is due. The Financial Aid Office is located on the 2nd floor of the AD building.

6a) Student Academic Progress Requirement - The following requirements for academic progress must be met by each student receiving financial aid (i.e. Pell Grant, SEOG, MISSOURI State Aid, Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, PLUS Loan, and Federal Work-Study) . If at any time a student falls below the minimum stated requirements, his/her financial aid will be terminated or a reduction in benefits received, according to their particular funding program.

A.     Academic Progress

A student pursuing an associate degree, which requires 64 or more credit hours for completion, may attempt up to a maximum of 96 credit hours. (Attempted hours include grades of F, W, I and Audit). A student pursuing a certificate of proficiency, which requires 30 or more credit hours for completion, may attempt up to a maximum of 48 credit hours. At the end of each semester or summer term, the student must have earned at least two-thirds of all credit hours attempted during that semester or summer term. Courses taken for an audit grade are not applicable for financial aid assistance. Nursing students may attempt up to a maximum of 132 credit hours.

2. Grade Point Average requirements
   Maintain a 1.80 GPA after attempting 12 hours of course work.
   Maintain a 2.00 GPA after attempting 24 hours of course work.

3. A student who fails to meet the above criteria will be placed on Financial Aid Probation for the next semester of enrollment. Financial aid eligibility may be continued during the financial aid probation semester.

4. A student on Financial Aid Probation has one semester to comply with the standards of academic progress. Failure to do so will result in the student being placed on Financial Aid Suspension in which he or she is ineligible for financial aid for the next semester of enrollment. A student who fails to meet the standards for financial aid eligibility may continue to enroll at his/her own expense. A student may become eligible for financial aid when the standards of academic progress have been satisfied.

5. A student on financial aid may repeat a course in which a required grade level was not attained one time.

6. A student who fails, withdraws, receives incomplete or audit grades for all courses in a given semester will be placed on Financial Aid Suspension and will not be eligible for financial aid the next semester.

7. A student on financial aid must enroll for courses that will fulfill his/her educational goal. These courses should follow published degree/certificate requirements, electives, or prerequisite developmental studies.

8. A student may appeal the denial of financial aid by writing the Director of Financial Aid, documenting all extenuating circumstances. The appeal shall proceed through normal administrative channels ending with the Dean of Student Development whose decision shall be final.

6b) Refund of Tuition and Fees - If a student withdraws from a course or from the College, a refund may be received for that semester provided a drop slip is completed and filed with the Registrar's Office within a specified time. It is important that the student do this immediately, since the date of the drop slip will determine the refund as follows. Please note that there are no refunds after these dates.

If students completely withdraw before the class or semester begins but after fees are due, they will be refunded 100% of tuition and fees minus a $25 processing charge.

Students withdrawing from the first day of classes through the first 12.5% of the semester or class duration will receive a 50% refund minus the $25 processing charge.

Students withdrawing after the first 12.5% of the class period or semester will receive no refund.

Students on Financial Aid

Return of Title IV Funds Policy
East Central College will comply with the Federal Return of Title IV Funds requirements as added to law by the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 (Public Law 105-244) and found in section 488B of the higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.

Return of Title IV Funds Procedures
Students will be required to earn Title IV financial aid by attending classes beyond the 60% point of the semester for which aid is received. Students withdrawing from or ceasing attendance in classes prior to completing 60% of the semester will be subject to a recalculation of their Title IV financial aid as directed by the Federal Return of Title IV Funds Policy.

1. Title IV Funds shall refer to Federal financial aid programs authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, including Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, PLUS Loans, Federal Pell Grants, Federal SEOG Grants, and LEAP grant funds (Missouri's Charles Gallagher Grant).

2. A student's withdrawal date will be determined by the Financial Aid Office in accordance with federal guidelines.

3. Title IV financial aid shall be earned in a prorated manner by attending classes up to and including the 60% point in the semester. Title IV financial aid shall be considered 100% earned by attending classes beyond the 60% point in the semester.

4. The Financial Aid Office will utilize a formula dictated by the Federal Return of Title IV Funds policy to assign responsibility to both East Central College and the student for returning unearned Title IV financial aid to the Title IV programs.

5. Students will be held responsible for payment of any outstanding balance on their East Central College student account resulting from their withdrawal and the return of Title IV funds.

Active Military Duty - (Adopted December 3, 1990) Students showing proof (U.S. Government Documentation) of being called to active duty in the military service shall be given official withdrawal in good standing and a full refund of tuition and fees.

Deceased Students - (Adopted December 3, 1990) Provided a student paid his/her tuition and fees, i.e. non ECC financial aid and/or scholarship, a member of the immediate family as defined in ECC's Personnel Policies may request, within sixty days of the fatality, full refund of tuition and fees for the semester in which the student was enrolled. Proper evidence, i.e. marriage license, etc., of the family relationship may be required.

7. Address Changes and Name Changes - Complete a Change of Address or Name Change Form at the Registration Office.

8. Changing your major and/or advisor - To change from one major field of study to another, set up an appointment with your new advisor. After discussing your new plans, fill out a Declaration of Academic Program form available at the Registration Office.

9. Attend Classes - You are now in college and attendance is up to you! Check with each instructor for attendance requirements in each class. Please inform the instructor if you must miss class for any reason. If you are absent excessively, the instructor may withdraw you.
   
   If you must withdraw (drop) from a class or classes, obtain a Petition for Change in Official Study Program Form (Add/Drop Form) from the Registration Office. You must have your Advisor's and Instructor's signature before returning the form to the Registrar.
   
   Deficient Grade Reports are sent during the semester for students with a "U", "D" or "F" grade. This report is made to provide sufficient time for students to raise the grade prior to the end of the semester. Final grades are mailed to students two weeks after the end of the semester (as long as fees are paid in full).

10. Calculating your Grade Point Average (GPA) - To calculate your GPA, multiply the number of honor points for grade received (i.e., A-4 points, B-3 points, C-2 points, D-1 point, F-0 points) by the number of credit hours for the respective class. Then divide the number of credit hours attempted excluding "W", "P", "I", and "H" grades.

Course Repeat Policy - Students may repeat courses when specific conditions exist. Please refer to the College Catalog for more information. In cases where a student repeats a course, the highest grade awarded will be computed in the GPA. Be aware that each college handles repeated classes differently.

Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress

Academic Progress Policy - It is not expected that all students who enroll at East Central will achieve at the same level. However, each student is expected to make reasonable progress toward graduation. Students are considered to be making minimum progress if they have grade point averages as follows:

After 12 hour calculated coursework ........................... 1.80

After 24 hours calculated coursework ......................... 2.00

This definition of satisfactory academic progress does not preclude the establishment of additional requirements for enrollment and/or graduation in specific academic and/or financial aid programs (e.g., Title IV eligibility, veterans benefits, pre-professional education, nursing, etc.).

Academic Probation and Suspension - A student whose progress falls below minimum standards is placed on academic probation. If the student does not perform adequately and is not removed from probation after one semester, automatic suspension results. Students will have appeal rights as listed in procedures.

This definition of academic probation and suspension does not preclude the establishment of additional requirements for enrollment and/or graduation in specific academic and/or financial aid programs (e.g., Title IV eligibility, veterans benefits, pre-professional education, nursing, etc.).