2008/2009 WINTER INTERSESSION
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The 2008/2009 Winter Intersession schedule of courses is at the end of this document

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What is Winter Intersession?
Winter Intersession is a short, highly condensed term held between the traditional fall and spring semesters.  The primary purpose of Winter Intersession is to provide students with an additional opportunity to take required courses and earn credit toward graduation.  By planning carefully, students can take courses during the Winter Intersession that will allow them to fulfill graduation requirements and to graduate more quickly.  In the future, as the Winter Intersession develops strength and popularity, it is anticipated that there will be opportunities for students to study abroad during the Winter break. 

Registration:
When can I register?  
Students can register for the 2008/2009 Winter Intersession during the regular fall registration period, August 5 -20, 2008 and Aug. 23 and 24, 2008.  Students may also register during the early Spring registration period, November 16-December 3, 2008
For how many courses can I register?   
Students may register for only one Intersession course.
What if I register and then can’t take the course?
The final drop date for a 100% refund of Winter Intersession Tuition will be December 14, 2008.  Students who have not officially withdrawn by that date will be responsible for the entire tuition for the Winter Intersession course for which they registered.

Financial Aid and Book Vouchers:
Is financial aid available for Winter Intersession?
Yes.  A student must be enrolled in both the Winter Intersession and spring semester in order to qualify for financial aid for Winter Intersession.  The spring financial aid package will be used to cover Winter Intersession courses.  A student’s combined enrollment must be on at least a half-time status (five hours for Masters/Doctoral candidates; six hours for under graduates, second bachelors, and teacher certification candidates.)  Furthermore, the student must be in compliance with all other federal state and institutional regulations governing financial aid eligibility. 
What can I do if I don’t have financial aid available for Winter Intersession?
If a student is enrolled for the immediately preceding fall semester, she or he might want to consider applying for a fall semester student loan, or increasing a loan already applied for) and saving money from the loan to cover the tuition and book expenses of the Winter Intersession. 

Will I be eligible for book vouchers?
Yes, but only if you are eligible for spring semester financial aid.  Your Winter Intersession book voucher will come from money awarded you for the spring semester.  Remember to plan so you have sufficient money available for Winter Intersession and spring semester.
What do I have to do to arrange for financial aid, a loan, or book voucher?  What are the deadlines for these actions?

• File a FAFSA as early as possible before the beginning of the Winter Intersession
• Review your SAR (student aid report)
• If selected for Verification, access CSU X-Press to review document requirements and submit the required documents promptly
• If additional funds are needed apply early (September) for a loan
• Read all email correspondence from the Office of Student Financial Aid: NOTE: information concerning students’ financial aid awards is sent to students via their CSU email addresses.  If you have not activated your CSU account, do so immediately in LIB 122.
• Access CSU X-Press periodically to review your financial aid status
• Check the Office of Student Financial Aid website periodically for important information.

Important Considerations:
Winter Intersession classes cover the same amount of content covered in a regular long semester.  In order to cover all of the material necessary, Intersession classes meet several hours per day for several days.  Some Intersession courses are entirely classroom based.  Others are a combination of on-line learning and classroom instruction.  Success in Intersession classes requires that students:

• Make necessary arrangements with employers and child care providers before Intersession classes begin.  Since class time is condensed in intersession classes, one absence could be the equivalent of 2-3 weeks’ of missed classes during a regular long semester.
• Understand that reading and other assignments will be assigned daily and must be completed by the next class meeting.  This will mean that time to do the daily assignments must be scheduled as well as class time.
• If they are signed up for a course that is taught both on-line and in the classroom, students must be certain that their CSU email account is activated and that they have reliable access to a computer with internet access.  Students who are not comfortable using a computer and the Internet should avoid taking hybrid courses.
• Be prepared to spend long periods of time in the classroom, actively participate, and maintain energy and interest in the subject matter of the course.

2008-2009 winter intersession schedule of courses (.pdf)