• The first semester that a student’s grade point average falls below the minimum required, he/she is placed on academic probation. 
• The student is required to go through advisement for pre-registration.
• Students on academic probation are allowed to pre-register for the next term after being advised in their department.

• The second consecutive semester that a student’s grade point average is below the minimum required, he/she is placed on academic probation continued.
• The student is required to be advised by their department and sign a probation-continued contract.
• Students on academic probation continued are allowed to pre-register for the next term after the probation-continued block has been removed by their departmental advisor.

• The third consecutive semester that a student’s grade point average is below the minimum required OR the first semester a student earns fails ALL courses with a full-time status, he/she is placed on academic suspension. 
• Students who are placed on academic suspension and have pre-registered for the next term will have their courses dropped if the academic suspension is not cleared by the last day before classes begin.
• Students who are placed on academic suspension and have pre-registered for a mini-session will be dropped from their mini session course immediately.
• Students placed on academic suspension for the first time are not allowed to attend any institution for one semester.
• Students may appeal their academic suspension through their department advisor and/or college dean. Process varies within colleges.
• If students placed on academic suspension take any course work at another institution without prior written approval will not be allowed to use the transfer work toward their academic degree.
• Once students on academic suspension are allowed to re-enroll, they will be placed on academic suspension automatically each semester until the OVERALL minimum grade point average is above a 2.0.  These students will need to meet with their departmental advisor or college dean to get cleared for continue enrollment each semester.
• If a student is placed on academic suspension a second semester and does not meet the minimum term grade point average, they will not be allowed to enroll for two semesters.

• Students who fail to meet standard admission criteria can be placed on admissions probation. 
• Students with admissions probation must make a minimum 2.0 grade point average on the first 12 hours.
• Students with admissions probation will be allowed to pre-register after being advised by their departmental area.
• Students with admissions probation who fail to meet the minimum 2.0 grade point will be placed on admissions suspension

• Students who are placed on admissions suspension will have their pre-registered courses dropped unless the admissions suspension is removed prior to the last day before classes begin.
• Students with admissions suspension are encouraged to attend another institution to improve their overall grade point average and return by meeting all regular admission criteria.

• Students who audit a class must request the audit in the Registrar’s Office no later than the last day to add a class.  After this date, the student must process the Add/Drop form to have a class changed from a grade to audit.
• Audit classes will appear on the transcript as Audit and do not impact the grade point average.
• Audit classes do not count toward degree requirements.
• Audit classes do count toward full-time enrollment.
• Tuition for an audited class is the same as a graded class.

• Students can add a class before the deadline via their SOAR self-service page or by getting assistance in the Registrar’s Office in Kennard-Washington Hall, room 110. 
• Online tutorials and printed instructions are available at http://www.usm.edu/lec/soardocs/soardocs_89_students.php
  Note: Depending on the session of the class, the deadline will vary.  For deadlines, review the Academic Calendar at http://www.usm.edu/registrar/calendars

Students must process the ‘Permission to Add/Drop” form in order to add a class after the add deadline has passed.  Note: Depending on the session of the class, the deadline will vary. For deadlines, review the Academic Calendar at http://www.usm.edu/registrar/calendars

• The Academic Council has placed a capstone requirement for all undergraduates completing their baccalaureate degree.  Students are required to complete a capstone designated courses prior to graduation. 
• Capstone courses are noted in the class notes and on the transcript as ‘Capstone’ courses.
• Capstone courses that are required for degrees vary depending on the student’s major.  See the University Bulletin for specific degree requirements.

• Students with an active SOAR login and password will be allowed to change their address via their SOAR self service page.  Some restrictions do apply for certain addresses.  Review the address maintenance policy before making any address changes.

• Students begin the process to file for their degree by completing the degree application form for their major via http://www.usm.edu/registrar/graduation/steps/ugrad_students/degree_apps

• PRIOR TO THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS –Students may drop all of their courses for the next semester by submitting a request via their SOAR student center account under ‘Drop ALL Classes.”  This process is called a UNIVERSITY CANCELLATION and requests must be submitted on SOAR prior to the first day of the regular term.  Students who process a cancellation will not receive any grades for the term and will not be charged any tuition. Students will be contacted by various USM faculty and/or staff members to discuss issues surrounding the cancellation and any other alternatives.  Once final grade rosters have been generated for a class, students are not able to withdraw from the University.
• AFTER CLASSES HAVE BEGUN –Students may drop all of their courses after the semester has started by requesting a UNIVERSITY WITHDRAWAL via their SOAR student center account under ‘Drop ALL Classes.”  Students will be contacted by various USM faculty and/or staff members to discuss issues surrounding the withdrawal and any other alternatives.  Depending on the timing of the withdrawal, students will be responsible for all tuition charges and may be required to return any refunds previously issued.  Students who withdraw after the drop date will receive a grade of WP (withdrawal passing) or WF (withdrawal failing).  WP grades have no impact on the grade point average whereas WF grades count the same as a grade of F.  Once final grade rosters have been generated for a class, students are not able to withdraw from the University.
• AFTER THE SEMESTER HAS ENDED –Students who wish to drop all of their courses after a semester has ended may petition for an Administrative Withdrawal through their college dean.  Administrative Withdrawals are given in extreme circumstances and have strict guidelines for filing for a petition.  See the University Bulletin for complete details of the process

• Students who wish to drop an individual course may do so via the SOAR self service page until the drop date for the course has passed.  Prior to this date, no grade will appear on the transcript.  However, after the financial drop date has passed, students will still be responsible for the tuition assessed for the course.  Note: Depending on the session of the class, the deadline will vary.  For deadlines, review the Academic Calendar at http://www.usm.edu/registrar/calendars
• Students who wish to drop an individual course after the drop date for the course has passed must process a ‘Permission to Add/Drop’ form.  Forms are available in the departmental areas and in the Registrar’s Office in Kennard-Washington Hall, room 110.  Note: Depending on the session of the class, the deadline will vary.  For deadlines, review the Academic Calendar at http://www.usm.edu/registrar/calendars
• Students dropping a course after the deadline will receive a grade of WP (withdrawal passing) or WF (withdrawal failing).  WP grades have no impact on the grade point average whereas WF grades count the same as a grade of F.
• Online tutorial and printed documentation can be found at http://www.usm.edu/lec/soardocs/soardocs_89_students.php

• Some courses meet for shorter periods than a full-term class.  Depending on the course, the class may meet two periods back-to-back or every day for half of the semester.  Review the Schedule of Classes via SOAR Class Search for complete details of when the class meets. 

• Students are assigned an enrollment appointment window each semester for pre-registration.  Enrollment appointments are assigned based on the following rank:  Classification, Units Earned, USM grade point average.
• Enrollment appointments windows (timeframes) are shown on the students SOAR self service page.

• Students who need proof of enrollment may request an enrollment verification via their SOAR self service page or by contacting the Enrollment Verification Specialist in the Registrar’s Office in Kennard-Washington Hall, room 110.

• Students who wish to apply for federal and/or state financial aid must complete the FAFSA via http://www.usm.edu/financialaid/
• Students with questions regarding their financial aid may contact a financial aid counselor in the Financial Aid Office in Kennard-Washington Hall, room 101.

• Drop/Add forms can be picked up in the Registrar’s Office in Kennard-Washington Hall, room 110 and in most academic departments.

• Full-time enrollment for the fall & spring term for undergraduates is a minimum of 12 hours; for graduates, minimum of 9 hours.

• Students who feel a grade has been given in error should contact their instructor for clarification.  Grades can only be changed at the discretion of the instructor, chair and dean of the course.

• Grades are posted on the Monday after full-term exam for all courses regardless of when the course ended. Students will have access to view the grades via the SOAR self service page immediately if they have completed their Faculty Evaluations via their SOAR self service page.  If they have not completed their evaluations, they will be able to view their grades one week later.

• Students who have filed for degree must reserve a seat for Commencement.  Details and deadlines can be found at http://www.usm.edu/registrar/graduation
• For additional assistance regarding the graduation ceremony, contact the Degree Auditors in the Registrar’s Office in Kennard-Washington Hall, room 110.

• Students who wish to apply for a dorm may apply for housing via http://www.usm.edu/reslife/
• For additional assistance, contact Residence Life in Hickman Hall or call 601-266-4783.

• Students who receive an “I” (incomplete) grade in a course must contact the instructor of the course to complete the class.
• Incomplete grades will be ‘time lapsed’ to a grade of F at the end of the next fall or spring term regardless of enrollment.  Incomplete grades given in the spring term will not be time lapsed at the end of the summer term.
• Upon completion of an incomplete grade, the instructor must submit a Grade Change form in order for the grade to be changed.

• An audited class will show up on a student’s transcript with a grade of Audit and the student will pay the same tuition as a graded class.
• A Listener’s License requires permission from the instructor and does not show up on the transcript.  Registration for a Listener’s License is recorded in the Registrar’s Office in Kennard-Washington Hall, room 110.  The cost of a license is $50.00 per class.

• Mini session classes meet between the regular semester classes.  Some mini session classes will meet for one week while other mini session classes will meet for two weeks. Review the Schedule of Classes via SOAR Class Search for complete details of when the class meets.
• Students can register for a mini session class via their SOAR self service page.
• Additional tuition will be applied to mini session classes.
• Deadlines for adding and dropping mini session classes are different from regular semester classes.   For deadlines, review the Academic Calendar at http://www.usm.edu/registrar/calendars
• Grades for mini session classes do not post to the student’s transcript until the end of the regular semester session.

• Students with a Mississippi residency are charged in-state tuition and residency is determined initially at the application stage.
• Mississippi residency is based upon federal guidelines.
• Students who wish to appeal their residency status may file a Residency Appeal form in the Registrar’s Office in Kennard-Washington Hall, room 110.

• New students can be advised and pre-register for their courses at “PREVIEW” orientation sessions held at various times of the year.  Details and deadlines for specific orientations for upcoming semesters can be found at http://www.usm.edu/fye/preview
• New students who miss the “Last Call” (final orientation) must go through late registration the first week of the term and are charged a $50 late fee for registration.

• Some courses and/or degree programs are offered online. Students may register for an online course via their SOAR self service page.
• A complete list of online course and/or degree programs offered can be found at http://www.usm.edu/southernmissonline

• Graduate students who wish to re-enroll may complete the Graduate Reapplication request online via http://www.usm.edu/admissions/futurestudents/applyhere  or submit a Graduate Readmission form via http://www.usm.edu/graduatestudies/forms  and submit to the Office of Graduate Studies in McCain Library, room 211.
• Undergraduate students who wish to re-enroll may complete the Undergraduate Reapplication request online via http://www.usm.edu/admissions/futurestudents/applyhere or contact the Office of Admissions Processing in Kennard-Washington Hal1, room 202.

• Undergraduate students who take a course more than one time are allowed to mark a repeat on the lower grade to improve the USM grade point average.
• Undergraduate students are allowed two repeats or 6 hours maximum on course work taken at USM during their undergraduate career.
• When courses are marked with a repeat, the grade is shown on the transcript with a note “Repeated” and the grade is removed from the grade point average. 
• Repeats that are marked can not be moved to another course at a later date.
• After all repeats are marked on the transcript, courses are noted as “Retaken” and the grades will continue to be averaged in the USM grade point average but will not count toward degree requirements unless it is an approved multiple credit course.
• Repeats can not be placed on courses taken at another institution or if one of the multiple attempts was taken at another institution.
• To request for a ‘repeat’ to be marked on a transcript, the student must complete a form available in the Registrar’s Office, KWH 110. Only the student signature is required.

• A complete listing of mini session classes can be found at http://www.usm.edu/minisession/
• Class Search instructions via SOAR are available at http://www.usm.edu/lec/soardocs/89/docs/GEN_Class_Search_Mini_Session.pdf
• A complete listing of online courses and programs can be found at http://www.usm.edu/southernmissonline/
• On class search, use the additional search criteria and select Mode of Instruction/Online, Internet, Web.  Also select campus and career.

• The SMART sheet is the Southern Miss Advisement and Registration Transcript and includes all the degree requirements necessary to receive an undergraduate degree. 
• The SMART sheet is available for students to print their own via their degree progress report link on their SOAR self service page.
• Graduate students print their “GRD11” which includes graduate degree requirements also via SOAR self service page.

• SOAR is Southern’s Online Accessible Records and contains all the student data that is maintained for graduate and undergraduate students. 
• Students should regularly check their SOAR self service page for detailed information regarding the academic status, and other detailed information.
• Some of the information currently available on SOAR includes academic courses, contact information, grades, degree progress report, financial aid, account balance, academic advisor and contact information, enrollment appointment window, transfer credit report, demographic information, etc.

• When students are admitted to the University, they are given a SOAR login (w+student emplid) and a randomly-generated password.  Students are able to login into USM student information system (SOAR) and access their records at https://soar.usm.edu
• Students need to change their password through the Campus ID Management link in the SOAR login page.

• Students who wish to apply scholarships must complete the FAFSA via http://www.usm.edu/financialaid/
• Students with questions regarding scholarships may contact a financial aid counselor in the Financial Aid Office in Kennard-Washington Hall, room 101.
• Some colleges may have additional University foundation scholarships available.  Students should contact their Dean’s Office for more details on foundation scholarships.

• If you have been admitted and are a continuing USM student, you must make sure to be advised by your department.  Check with your department to be advised and have them check your ‘eligible to enroll’ flag.

• Students with an active SOAR account may request a transcript to be sent to them or to a third party via their SOAR self service page.
• Students may also request a transcript by completing the Transcript Request form via http://www.usm.edu/registrar/forms/Transcript_request_form.pdf and faxing the form to 601-266-5816 or mailing it to the Registrar’s Office.  The transcript request form must have complete information including a student’s signature.
• Transcripts can be sent via email or mailed and are $5.00 per transcript (Non-refundable).  Transcripts faxed are charged $5.00 processing fee (within the United States) - PLUS $5 per transcript charge; and transcripts sent via FedEx are charged a $20.00 processing fee (within the United States)  - PLUS $5 per transcript charge.
• Depending on the student’s records and/or the intended destination, some transcripts can not be sent via email.
• Students may also pick up transcripts in the Registrar’s Office in Kennard-Washington Hall, room 110.

• Students with an active SOAR login can view and print their own Unofficial transcript via their SOAR self service page.
• Students can have a transcript emailed to their email account, mailed to an address, or picked up in the Registrar’ Office in Kennard-Washington Hall, room 110 with a valid photo ID.

• Transcripts that students receive are noted as “Issued to Student” and are printed on security paper.  It is the discretion of the third party as to whether they will accept an “Issued to Student” transcript.

• Students with transfer credit must submit an official transcript from all institutions attended.  The transcript evaluator in the Office of Admissions Processing will evaluate the transfer credit and institution to determine if the transfer work is acceptable.
• Some transfer work (particularly from Mississippi community and junior colleges) is considered as a direct equivalent to USM course work and will be posted as such.
• Transfer work that is not considered as a direct equivalent will be posted as a general subject course.  Departmental advisors with the approval the chair and/or college dean’s office will determine if additional transfer work can be applied toward degree requirements.

• Veterans or dependents of veterans may be eligible for benefits based on federal guidelines.  For details and deadlines, contact the VA Specialist in the Registrar’s Office in Kennard-Washington Hall, room 110.

• Some courses that are offered via online can be accessed through the WebCT.  To access WebCT, go to https://soar.usm.edu/ and click the link to Blackboard CE6 (WebCT) on the left navigation. 
• Use your student SOAR login and password to access your class information

• The Academic Council has placed a writing intensive requirement for all undergraduates completing their baccalaureate degree.  Students are required to complete a minimum of 9 hours of writing intensive designated courses prior to graduation. 
• Writing intensive courses are noted in the class notes and on the transcript as ‘Writing Intensive’ courses.
• Writing intensive courses that are required for degrees vary depending on the student’s major.  See the University Bulletin for specific degree requirements.