Minisession FAQ's

Minisession courses meet in a one or two week format. One-week sessions will meet daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Two-week sessions will meet daily from 8 a.m. to noon, 1 – 5 p.m., or 6 – 10 p.m.

Fully online courses are also available during Minisession. Depending upon the instructors’ preference, an online class may require a specific daily chat time.

Minisession courses may require assignments due after the final class meeting date throughout the semester.

It will be up to you and your advisor to decide the appropriate number of hours for you to take during Minisession.

Summer 2011:

May 16-20, 2011 from 8:00 - 12:00 and 1:00 - 5:00 (meeting for one week, eight hours per day)
May 23-27, 2011 from 8:00 - 12:00 and 1:00 - 5:00 (meeting for one week, eight hours per day)
May 16-20, 2011 AND May 23-27, 2011 from 8:00 - 12:00 or 1:00 - 5:00 or 6:00 -10:00 p.m. (meeting for two weeks, four hours per day)

Fall 2011:

August 8-12, 2011 from 8:00 - 12:00 and 1:00 - 5:00 (meeting for one week, eight hours per day)
August 15-19, 2011 from 8:00 - 12:00 and 1:00 - 5:00 (meeting for one week, eight hours per day)
August 8-12 AND August 15-19, 2011 from 8:00 - 12:00 or 1:00 - 5:00 or 6:00 -10:00 p.m. (meeting for two weeks, four hours per day)

Spring 2012:

January 3-7 (Tuesday – Saturday), 2012 from 8:00 - 12:00 and 1:00 - 5:00 (meeting for one week, eight hours per day)
January 9-13 (Monday – Friday), 2012 from 8:00 - 12:00 and 1:00 - 5:00 (meeting for one week, eight hours per day)
January 3-7 (Tuesday – Saturday) AND January 9-13 (Monday – Friday) , 2012 from 8:00 - 12:00 or 1:00 - 5:00 or 6:00 -10:00 p.m. (meeting for two weeks, four hours per day)

Credit for Minisession classes is attached to the semester following the Minisession. For example, January Minisession is connected to Spring semester, and August Minisession is connected to Fall semester. The credit hours you take during a Minisession will count as part of your regular semester enrollment for federal and state financial aid programs.

Yes, Minisession tuition is calculated separately from regular tuition and you will receive a separate Minisession bill.

All Minisession courses are assessed a $10 per credit hour alternative learning fee.

Out-of-State tuition is not charged for Minisession courses.

Students have two workings days from the begin date of a course to drop without financial penalty.

For Current Rates please see the following page

Yes, it is possible to receive financial aid to help pay the cost of the Minisession course, but only if you are also enrolled in regular term courses, e.g., fall, spring, or summer.

Students should notify the Financial Aid Office if they wish to inquire about eligibility for Minisession aid. If students have already used the maximum allowable amount of student aid during the regular semesters, they may not qualify for additional student aid for Minisession. Tuition, fees, books and supply costs associated with the Minisession courses can be added to the student’s other allowable regular semester cost. Eligibility for financial aid awards is then based on those allowable costs. However, please contact Financial Aid if you have any questions about your eligibility for Minisession financial assistance by calling 601-266-4774 or by visiting their website: http://www.usm.edu/financialaid/.

For information on residence halls options available during Minisessions, please contact Residence Life at 601-266-4783 or visit their website at http://www.usm.edu/reslife/index2.html.

For information on dining options available during Minisessions, please contact 601-266-5376 or visit their website at http://www.southernmissdining.com.