FAQ for Parents / Families

How many hours of credit can I transfer from another school to TWU?

Up to 84 hours of credit may be transferred from a community college. Students may transfer unlimited hours from 4-year schools, but they must take 25% of their courses at TWU.

How many hours must I have to graduate?

Student must have a minimum of 120 hours to receive an undergraduate degree. Individual departments or degree plans may require additional hours.

Do you accept CLEP and AP scores?

A student may be able to gain university credit for past educational experience. There are four types of examinations which are given to determine a student’s eligibility for credit. They include: The Advanced Placement Program, the College-Level Examination Program, professional society tests in specific disciplines, and departmental examinations and/or reviews. Departments will determine the credit to be awarded. Credit received at another college or university will be accepted in transfer upon receipt of an official transcript.

What about correspondence courses?

TWU does not offer correspondence courses, but will accept credit for such courses that have been completed at other accredited schools and appear on official transcripts.

Is there some way other than repeating courses to get rid of old grades that are destroying my GPA?

TWU offers a RESTART program for a student whose GPA is less than 2.0 AND who has not enrolled in any college or university during the previous seven-year period. In this program, the student may declare "academic bankruptcy" and simply start over.

TWU also offers the FRESH START program. This allows students to "discard" ANY course work ten years or older. Students who choose this plan must realize that if they elect to discard ANY course work more than ten years old, they must discard ALL course work from that period. Unlike the RESTART program, these students may have recent college credit.

How will I know what courses will transfer from my previous college?

Students must submit an official transcript to the Office of Admissions. The transcript will be evaluated and transferable credits will be assigned. Also, students may check the transfer guides in the Office of the Registrar to determine if/how a course from another school will be transferred.

I’m not sure about a major--what do you suggest?

Students who are uncertain about a career path should visit with the staff in Career Services. The student can participate in testing and counseling that may guide her or him toward a specific degree.

Do I have to be a full-time student to live in a residence hall?

No, but you must be enrolled in at least one credit hour. Also, all full-time, single undergraduates who have not completed 60 hours and are not living with a legal guardian, must reside in a residence hall.

If I drop a course, will my financial aid be affected?

MAYBE! A student must maintain full-time status (12 or more credits during a regular semester) in order to avoid financial aid penalties. If a student falls below full-time status, financial aid may be adjusted accordingly. Always check with a financial aid counselor for the latest information.

If I was home-schooled can I still attend TWU?

Students who are home-schooled through high school must successfully complete the GED exam. Then, as with other students, they must take the ACT or SAT. Their admission status will be determined based on the results of these exams.

Can I have my transcripts evaluated by an academic adviser?

The official evaluation of transcripts is part of the admissions process. Transfer guides are available on-line through the admissions office for areas community colleges.

Academic advisers are not equipped to evaluate high school or college transcripts, they should be given to the admissions department.

Does TWU offer online classes?

There are some classes and entire programs which may be taken online. For more information contact the Office of Distance Learning.

What exactly is advising?

Advising is one of the first steps that a student takes toward their academic goals! The advising process is a consultation between the student and his/her adviser to discuss and determine the best educational plan according to the student’s interests, capabilities, and personal circumstances.

Are parents/family members allowed to attend advising sessions?

Yes, parents/family are allowed to attend the sessions. However, students are more inclined to express their needs, interests, or concerns in one-on-one sessions, which ultimately help the adviser in properly assisting the student. Since college is one of the first steps in becoming independent, we encourage students to grow and develop as an individual as well as help prepare them to become responsible citizens.

Do parents and family members have access to the student’s grades/records?

No. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of a student’s school record. Once your child has enrolled in a higher education institution parents and family members are not allowed to gain accessibility to student’s grades and/or records. All rights thereafter are transferred to the student.

When are the deadlines to pay for tuition?

We understand that tuition, by far, is an important part of your child’s college experience. For more information concerning tuition deadlines please view the university’s Academic Calendar.

Are there on-campus tutoring services available for students?

Certainly. Texas Woman’s University provides several support services available to students. For more information about these various services please contact Academic Support Services.

My son/daughter is taking 3 hours at a community college and 9 hours at TWU. Is he/she still considered full-time?

No. In order for an undergraduate student to be considered full-time, he/she must be enrolled in at least 12 hours during the semester here at TWU.

 

TWU QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

 

The following are answers to some frequently asked questions from new and returning students:

 

Q: How do I begin the admission process to TWU?

A: Submit a completed application form with the $30 applica­tion fee ($50 for international students) to the Admissions Office. You must also submit all required official transcripts and test scores. See the General or Graduate Catalog for spe­cific requirements.

 

Q: If I’ve been enrolled at another university, must the other school mail you the official transcript?

A: TWU will accept personally delivered transcripts, if they are in the other school’s sealed envelope. TWU will not accept transcripts issued to the student or unofficial copies.

 

Q: After I’m admitted, how do I know what courses to take?

A: New freshman and transfer students will meet with an adviser during orientation. New graduate students should contact their faculty adviser. The adviser will recommend which courses to take and how to enroll for those courses.

 

Q: Can any adviser advise me?

A: If you are a freshman or a transfer with fewer than 21 credits, see your college adviser. Other students should see a faculty adviser in the department of their major.

 

Q: How do I change my undergraduate major?

A: An approval form must be completed in the department and school or college of your new academic program (under­graduates only) and submitted to the Office of the Registrar.

 

Q: What is a course code?

A: The course code is a five-digit number that is specific to the course and section. Course codes appear in this Class Schedule.

 

Q: How do I register for my classes?

A: Once you have been advised, you may register online through the Pioneer Portal at www.twu.edu.

 

Q: Once registration starts, can I register whenever I want?

A: The beginning of registration is controlled by student clas­sification for an exclusive registration access period, after which the system is open to everyone. Late registrations are charged an extra fee.

 

Q: Can’t registration be offered longer?

A: No, registration must be completed and payment made due to State of Texas requirements for Official Census date.

 

Q: What is a waitlist?

A: Waitlist is a registration feature that allows you to indicate that you want to register for a class that is full. If a seat becomes available, you will be notified through your Portal e-mail.

 

Q: How do I know if I am waitlisted for a class?

A: You can check your status by logging into the Pioneer Portal and selecting the “Manage Waitlist” link near the bottom of the My Start Page. Any courses you have waitlisted will be displayed. You can register for courses that have become available and/or remove unwanted waitlisted classes there.

Q: How will I know when my waitlisted class is available?

A: Check your Portal e-mail daily! If a seat becomes available in a course you have waitlisted, you will receive an email giving you 24 hours in which to register for that course. If you do not register for the course within that time, the opportunity expires and will be given to the next person on the waitlist. Remember that if you register for a waitlisted course, your account balance will change so be sure to check it and make a payment accordingly.

 

Q: If I register early and pay before the deadline on my bill, can I go straight to class?

A: Yes. You should come by the Housing Office in Jones Hall sometime during the first week with your payment receipt to get your student ID card or to replace a lost card.

 

Q: Why should I pre-register?

A: Because it guarantees your course selections, and you won’t have to pay any earlier than if you waited to register.

 

Q: How do I pay my bill?

A: Bills will not be mailed. Students must access their bill through the Pioneer Portal. Payment may be made online, or in person at the Bursar’s office.

 

Q: What happens if I don’t pay for my registration before the payment deadline?

A: Your schedule will be deleted, unless financial aid has already been applied. You may attempt to reconstruct it during Late Registration. There is an additional fee for late registration.

 

Q: What if I have already registered, but decide not to attend?

A: Even if you have not paid, you must go into the Pioneer Portal and drop all your classes to be certain a previous credit balance does not hold your schedule.

 

Q: Is there any limit to how many classes I can cut?

A: The university expects all students to attend all class sessions.

 

Q: What’s the difference between dropping and withdrawing?

A: Dropping a class means that there is at least one other course left in your registered schedule. Withdrawing means that you will no longer be attending any class that semester. The refund rates and deadlines are quite different, so you should consult the Directory of Classes and the Bursar’s Office for specific information. Failure to withdraw will lead to receiv­ing the grade of “F” in those classes. Withdrawals are initiated in the Office of Student Life.

 

Q: How do I add or drop a class?

A: During registration, you have complete access to changing your own schedule. You should confine your alterations to the courses that your advisor recommended to you. After you have paid for your registration, you may add classes during a portion of the first week of the semester through the Pioneer Portal. Fees and differences in tuition must be paid at the Cashier’s Office. Final dates for dropping or withdrawing are listed in the Academic Calendar.

 

Q: Do I get charged fees for adding or dropping?

A: You will be charged a $5.00 processing fee for each transac­tion and the actual costs for any increase in tuition and fees for schedule changes made as of the last day to add or the last day to drop or withdraw.

 

Q: Do I need a parking permit to park on the Denton or Dallas campuses?

A: Yes. Parking permits may be purchased at the Denton Public Safety Office 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please check with the Dallas and Houston Public Safety Office for their hours.

 

Q: Can I access my grades at the end of the semester?

A: Yes. Grades may be accessed through the Pioneer Portal at www.twu.edu.

 

Q: What is a Colleague number?

A: This is a TWU number assigned to you for academic identifi­cation. Using this number helps protect your social security number from identity theft. When you access your Portal account, it is the number in RED on the front page.

 

Q: What is DARS?

A: DARS is TWU’s official tool to track a student’s academic progress toward a bachelor’s degree. Students should access their DARS through the Portal each semester.