Advising and Getting Started

Academic Advising

https://www.witcc.edu/academics/connect-with-advisors/

Academic Advising is “key” to the success of every degree-seeking student at Western Iowa Tech Community College. While enrolled at WITCC, students will need to connect regularly with:

1. Faculty Advisors - Each degree-seeking student will be assigned a faculty advisor from their respective program of study. Faculty Advisors are assigned by the 8th week of the students first term at WITCC. Students can find their faculty advisor contact information at My.witcc.edu in the “Book Advisor Appointment” link of the Academic Self-Service card. The faculty advisor will work directly with each student to ensure progress toward completion of the academic program, as well as registering for the correct courses in the second semester and beyond. The faculty advisor can also serve as a referral source for internships, career field connections, and industry specific information.
2. Admissions Representatives /Career Navigator - Admissions Representatives and Career Navigators will register students for their first two semesters of course work at WITCC. They will provide basic information that new students need to get started. They will also be available to assist students during their entire WITCC experience through graduation. All degree-seeking students will be assigned an Admissions Representative/Career Navigator beginning in the first term of attendance. This staff member will serve as an information and referral resource for questions related to career exploration, registration, financial aid, academic tutoring, resume writing, interview skills, just to name a few.

Academic success and degree completion is dependent upon the team effort of the student, faculty advisor, admissions representative/career navigator, and other faculty during the course of enrollment at WITCC.

Role of the Student in Advising - The role of the student is to:

1. Consult with the faculty advisor at least once per semester to ensure that progress in the designated program of study is in line with the students plan and timeline for graduation. Students will be expected to make an appointment with the faculty advisor or attend group advising meetings within their respective program of study department if sessions are provided. Students should develop a plan of study in the “Student Planning” link of the Academic Self-Service card on MyWIT.
2. Consult with the assigned Admissions Representative/Career Navigator at least once per semester to ensure that the program of study and all student record and financial aid information is accurate and up-to-date. The student should set this appointment a minimum of one month prior to the end of each term in order to plan for the upcoming term.

Role of the Faculty Advisor - The role of the faculty advisor is to:

1. Be available for scheduled appointments with the student each semester to assess progress toward completion of the requirements for the degree program.
2. Serve as a resource for industry specific career related questions the student may have.

Role of the Admissions Representative/Career Navigator -

1. Be available for scheduled appointments with the student each semester to ensure that the program of study, student record related items, and financial aid are accurate and up-to-date.
2. Be a referral source to assist students in addressing individual barriers and making the best use of College resources to ensure completion of the program of study.

Transfer Information

College catalogs and transfer information for four-year colleges and universities are located in Enrollment Services. Transfer representatives from regional colleges visit WITCC regularly to provide information to students pursuing a baccalaureate degree. Please ask for further details at the front desk in Enrollment Services. Visit www.wirrc.org for more information. Contact Transfer Specialist Jennifer Conley at 712-274-8733 x 3225 or book an appointment.

Student Services at Branch Campuses

Arrangements for career counseling, tutoring, mental health counseling, accommodation services, foodbank, and other student services are available at the branch campuses upon request. Contact the Director  at each branch campus as to how to access the requested services.

Enrollment Tips

www2.witcc.edu/semester-prep

Note the start and end date for classes

Not all classes start and end at the same time.

Adding a class

Students may add a class through the day of the first scheduled class session. After the first day of class, instructor approval will be required. Instructors can approve adding you to their class by e-mail to registration, registering you via the faculty registration system, or by signing an Add/Drop Form presented by you. The Add/Drop Form is available in Admissions and Advising.

Dropping or withdrawing from a class

The last day to drop a course or withdraw from a class is seven (7) calendar days before the last scheduled class session.

Dropping a class does not automatically mean a refund will be issued. See Refund Policies below. Students with financial aid should contact Student Financial Services to determine the impact on aid eligibility prior to dropping or withdrawing from a class.
You may drop in the following ways:

• In person in Admissions and Advising - Schedule an Appointment
• By telephone: 712-274-6404
• By email: info@witcc.edu

Transfer Agreements/Colleges and Universities

Western Iowa Tech Community College maintains formal transfer agreements that help ensure that associate degree graduates may transfer a maximum number of credits into a baccalaureate program. Final decisions regarding acceptance at the transfer institution rest solely with that institution. For example, a grade of “D” will rarely transfer if it is earned in a student’s major, and in certain cases, a “D” grade will not transfer under any circumstance. It is very important that students who plan to transfer after completing their studies at WITCC, consult the college of their choice as early as possible in their academic program.

In addition to the formal articulation agreements, many four-year institutions articulate courses with WITCC students upon evaluation of the student’s transcript.

A list of current transfer agreements and links to transfer guides is available at www.witcc.edu/onestop/transferring.cfm. Contact Transfer Specialist Jennifer Conley at 712-274-8733 x 3225 or book an appointment. 

Fees and Expenses

Tuition and fee charges are determined annually by the WITCC Board of Directors and are published in the Credit Class Schedule and in Student Planning on MyWIT.

Course Fees

Material and lab fees may be assessed on a course by course basis. A list of course fees is published in the Schedule of Classes and maintained in Student Financial Services.

Books and Supplies

Students may purchase books and supplies through the WITCC Bookstore. Students attending classes in Cherokee, and Denison may purchase their books at those campus centers. Students may also purchase books online; go to bookstore.witcc.edu. Book rentals are available for some courses.

Laptop Policy

All tuition-paying, credit students may check out a college-issued laptop computer. Some restrictions may apply. Students who have been issued a device are required to turn in the laptop computer by the date set at the end of each semester unless the student is registered for the next academic semester. Failure to return the device will result in a monthly charge to be placed on the student’s account. The College will immediately bill the student or parent, if applicable, the full replacement cost of the issued device. WITCC may also require the device and all related materials to be returned to WITCC due to other reasons such as Student Code of Conduct  violations, etc. as determined by the College

Other

Depending on the program, the student may be required to purchase uniforms, tools, instruments or other equipment (examples of such programs or courses are art, science, health occupations programs, auto tech programs, construction trades, etc.). For an estimate of costs, see the program advisor or check out the program page for your program.

Payment of Accounts

Charges incurred each semester for tuition, fees, and other expenses (books and supplies) are the responsibility of the student. Payment or arrangement for payment is due on or before the first day of class. Failure to make payment or payment arrangements may result in disenrollment of all classes.

No student shall be permitted to register for a new semester or attend classes until all prior accounts are settled. Students will not be granted a degree, diploma, certificate, final grade report, or official transcript until all outstanding accounts with the College have been paid in full.

1. Payment in Full - you may pay your tuition and fees in person, by phone, or online at my.witcc.edu. Payment may be made with cash, check, debit card, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express).
2. Payment by Financial Aid - approved financial aid will be applied to the student’s charges.
3. Payment by Third Party - if sponsored by an agency (JTP, DVRS, etc.), please sign the invoice and return to Student Financial Services.
4. FACTS Tuition Payment Plan - Western Iowa Tech Community College has a tuition payment plan option to accommodate the financial needs of students. Students using the FACTS payment plan may apply online at any computer with online access by using my.witcc.edu. Additional information regarding online application is provided by Student Financial Services at (712) 274-8733, ext. 1210).

Returned Checks. A service charge is assessed for returned checks.

Residence Qualifications

For tuition charges, students will be classified as either an Iowa resident or non-resident based on the purpose of being in Iowa. A student is classified as a non-resident if the sole purpose for being in Iowa is to attend school. However, a student’s residency status may change, once the student has resided in the State of Iowa 90 days prior to the start of a semester.

If the student establishes an Iowa residence and wishes to apply for a change of status, it is the responsibility of the student to request a change of residence status by filling out the Request for Iowa Residency Status form. This request must be initiated with the Enrollment Services Office. Two forms of supporting documents will be required with the student’s current Iowa address. These documents must be dated 90 days prior to the beginning of the semester that Iowa residency will take effect. The decision of the Dean of Students will be final.

Institutional Refund Policy

A student must officiallywithdraw from class. Students who stop attending and who fail to officially withdraw will NOT receive a refund of tuition and fees and will be charged for the class.
A schedule of deadlines for refunding of tuition and/or fees is published each semester on MyWIT (my.witcc.edu) under “Important Dates” for each term. Copies are available in the Admissions and Advising Office, Room A300, or online at my.witcc.edu.

Military Refund Policy

Western Iowa Tech Community College is supportive of a student who is a member, or the spouse of a member if the member has a dependent child, of the National Guard or reserve forces of the United States and who is ordered to National Guard duty or federal active duty. Upon verification of orders requiring active duty, you may select from several tuition credit options. Additional information regarding tuition credit may be obtained by contacting the Registrar’s office.
Options available to qualified students: Upon meeting with the Registrar to verify orders, the college will work with you to determine the best plan for your circumstances. The college has three options to review and consider with you:

1. Withdraw from the student’s entire registration and receive a full refund of tuition and mandatory fees.
2. Make arrangements with the student’s instructors for course grades, or for incompletes that shall be completed by the student at a later date. If such arrangements are made, the student’s registration shall remain intact and tuition and mandatory fees shall be assessed for the courses in full.
3. Make arrangements with only some of the student’s instructors for grades, or for incompletes that shall be completed by the student at a later date. If such arrangements are made, the registration for those courses shall remain intact and tuition and mandatory fees shall be assessed for those courses. Any course for which arrangements cannot be made for grades or incompletes shall be considered dropped and the tuition and mandatory fees for the course refunded.

Appealing Tuition and Fee Charges

Students who must drop classes within a semester due to extenuating circumstances may request an adjustment of tuition. Extenuating circumstances may include medical hardship, the death of immediate family members, military activation, or other situations which prohibit the student from completing a class. Students appealing charges must provide supporting documentation.

Students wishing to appeal tuition and fee charges for a semester must complete the appropriate appeal form available at Enrollment Services. The appeal form must be received by the end of the subsequent semester. Appeals received after this time will NOT be reviewed. The Appeals Committee will review and make a decision. The decision of the Dean of Students, or its designee, is final.

Student Insurance

Western Iowa Tech Community College does not have a compulsory insurance plan, but the college recommends that students enroll in a voluntary group accident and/or health insurance plan, available through commercial insurance companies. If students are enrolled as a member of a family health or hospital related plan, students should check to see at what age that coverage ends.

Student IDs

All students are expected to obtain a photo ID and carry it with them while on campus or be able to access electronically on mywitcc. Photo IDs are free and can be obtained in the Admissions & Advising Center, Dr. Robert H. Kiser Building, Entrance #1 or the Robert E. Dunker Student Center. Please protect your ID. A Replacement fee will apply.