Registration FAQ

Q. I want my grades mailed to me.  What do I need to do?
A. The College no longer mails grades to students since they are available online through Banner-Web. Students who are not in Good Standing academically at the end of the term will receive their grades as a reminder via their student e-mail account. If you need grades mailed to a 3rd party (parents, employers, etc.) you must complete an Authorization of Grade Disclosure in the Registrar's Office.

Q. My parents want to see my grades every term. Can you send them my grades.
A. No. Federal law requires that we have a specific authorization from you to release your grades.  There is a form for that purpose in the Registrar's Office.  Just ask at the counter.

Q. I attended Macon State last term as a transient, but my record at my home institution does not reflect that I took the course and passed it.
A. If you did not request a transcript to be sent to your home institution, that is why.  Your signed release is required by law.  If you did request a transcript you should follow-up with the Registrar's office to determine when it was mailed.   Request a transcript.

Q. My Academic Standing is wrong.  My overall GPA (Institutional & Transfer) is over a 2.0.
A. Your Academic Standing at Macon State College is computed solely on your institutional academic GPA, which excludes your transfer work.  The institutional GPA also excludes Learning Support courses.

Q. I received a grade for the semester which is wrong.  How do I correct it.
A. Assuming the semester just ended, you should promptly discuss that matter with your instructor.  If a mistake was made he or she will submit a Grade Change form through the division to the Office of Academic Affairs for approval.  The Registrar will post the change as soon as it is received.  Otherwise, you should follow the Grade Appeals process outlined in the catalog.  If the grade was received some time ago, outside the time limits published in the catalog, you would have to petition the Vice President for Academic Affairs with complete documentation to substantiate your claim.

Q. I am a new student at Macon State College. I wanted to register online but found I could not. Why?
A. New students are prevented from registering online for their first semester because the College wants them to see an advisor first. Unless you are a Learning Support Student, or have a HOLD that prevents registration (i.e. Business Office, Admissions), you will be able to register yourself on-line next semester.

Q. I am on Probation and have an Advisor Hold on my record.  Why?

A. This is the Academic Affairs registration hold on all students who are on probation. Because you are experiencing academic difficulty with dismissal possibly occurring next, the College is concerned and wants you to see an advisor.  The Hold is intended for the advisor to discuss your situation and help you succeed academically. 

Q. I had the grades to be on either the President's or Dean's List last term. What does it take to receive those recognitions.

A. The criteria for Academic Recognitions may be found in the catalog, which I always recommend you review. Here's the criteria:

• President's List . (1) Academic load of at least 9 semester hours with no outstanding I or Incomplete grades for the term. (2) Term GPA for those 9 or more hours of at least 3.80. (3) Cumulative Institutional GPA of at least 3.5. (4) No student with a cumulative GPA comprising Academic and Learning Support grades of less than 3.5 for the semester will be eligible.
• Dean's List. (1) Academic load of at least 9 semester hours with no outstanding I or incomplete grades for the term. (2) Term GPA for those 9 or more hours of at least 3.5 or better. (3) Cumulative Institutional GPA of at least 2.5. (4) No student with a cumulative GPA comprising Academic and Learning Support grades of less than 3.3 for the semester will be eligible.

Q. What can I do to improve my GPA.  (How your GPA is calculated)

A.  There are two policies that  will help students improve their institutional GPAs at Macon State College -- academic renewal or repeating a course.

• Academic Renewal: This policy allows degree-seeking students who have experienced academic difficulty (probation, dismissed) previously at Macon State College  to have one opportunity to make a fresh start after an absence of five calendar years from any post-secondary institution. Students should apply before returning to MSC, but may apply after they have returned provided they do so within two academic semesters of re-enrollment, or within one calendar year, whichever comes first. Academic renewal does not remove grades previously earned from the the student's transcript, nor does it change academic standing. Instead, it excludes all grades previously received from the student's institutional GPA. The result is a 0.0 GPA.  The new GPA can change dramatically after the first semester of enrollment if the student does well. For example, a student who is granted Academic Renewal takes two courses during the first semester after re-enrollment for which he or she receives two B grades would now have a 3.0 GPA and would be in Good Standing. There are other provisions applicable to Academic Renewal as applies to graduation, honors etc. which students who apply for academic renewal should be aware of.  These are published in the online catalog on page 59-60.
• Repeated Course Policy: If a student repeats a course previously taken at Macon State College the new or most recent grade is included in the GPA and the previous grade is excluded.  So, if a student took ENGL 1101 ( ENGL 101 under the Quarter System) and received an F grade, retook the course and received a new grade of A, the A grade would be included in the GPA and F excluded.  A student can determine the effect of this policy in reviewing their transcript.  Grades included and excluded are identified by I or E by the grade.  This policy started with the Fall 1999 semester. This means any course repeated starting with the Fall 1999 semester is subject to the repeat course policy.

Q. What is Macon State College's Grading Policy

A. An explanation of the Grades used by Macon State College may be found on the GPA Calculator page. The College does not have a PASS/FAIL grading system.  The only courses graded in such a manner are the Regents' Remediation courses where an S (Satisfactory) is awarded upon successfull completion of the Regents' Test.  The U (Unsatisfactory) is awarded only when the student fails the test.

Q. Where can I find information on taking the Math Placement Test.

A. See Macon State College - Department of Mathematics and Computer Sciences