Assignment of Full-time Status with Less Than Traditional Full-time Load
Policies and Procedures - No. 7
Assignment of Full-time Status with Less Than Traditional Full-time Load
- Requests for reduced course loads should be submitted to the DSSO counselor in writing with appropriate documentation. Documentation must include a diagnostic evaluation from an appropriate professional that is recent enough to evaluate the current impact of the disability and must meet the requirements of the documentation policy of the college.
- The lead counselor for DSSO evaluates the documentation and the requested course load based on the information provided of the student’s past academic performance, placement test scores, and knowledge of the demands of specific courses.
- If the request is denied, the student may appeal the counselor’s decision through the standard accommodation grievance procedures.
- If the request is approved, the potential consequences of the reduced course load on progress towards graduation, financial aid, billing, etc. will be explained to the student by the counselor. The counselor will indicate the approved reduced course load and explain that this credit load will be considered as the student’s minimum credit load for full time status for the semester in question and that he/she can not drop below this without placing his/her full time status in jeopardy.
- The student, counselor, and appropriate dean sign the Reduced Load Approval Form. Copies are sent to the Registrar, Financial Aid, Cashiering, and the Dean for Student Development.
- At the agreed upon credit load, the student will be considered as full time and entitled to all of the services, benefits, rights and privileges of full time status.
- For approvals dated before the end of the official drop period for the semester, HCCS will prorate the students tuition based on the enrolled credit load and per credit charges if the adjustment results in a figure lower than full time tuition. Other charges (technology fees, course fees, etc.) are not affected by this accommodation.
- Based on the billing adjustments and reduced credit load, the student’s financial aid will be adjusted. Within the limits of Federal financial aid regulations every effort will be made to ensure that the student does not incur additional costs.
- The DSSO will issue a letter stating that the college has approved a reduced course load based on a qualifying disability. The student may obtain a letter from the DSSO stating that the college has approved the specific number of hours as being equivalent to full-time status for this student.
