University of Massachusetts Amherst

University Without Walls

Students

 

Giving to UWW

New Student Information—Incoming Students

(UPDATED FOR SPRING 2010)

Advising in UWW: Answering Your Questions

YOUR UWW ADVISOR: UWW assigns advisors after students enroll in UWW 191G Frameworks of Understanding so that, whenever possible, the instructors of that course will advise students within their course sections. (See more information about the UWW faculty and staff in the staff and faculty profiles.)

JANUARY OR SUMMER ADVISING: Many questions are answered below, and others will require talking to an advisor on call during summer or winter break. We'll begin by outlining next steps:

Questions and answers for new students about...

  • I'VE BEEN ACCEPTED, BUT WHAT DO I DO NEXT?
    • Read carefully all the material in your acceptance packet, especially the "next steps" information sheet, and review your preliminary transfer evaluation.
    • Send in your Intent to Enroll form and fee so that you can be officially matriculated as a UWW student, setting in motion all the other administrative processes, such as receiving SPIRE login information allowing you to check your financial aid status at UMass. If you intend to have the fee put on your UMass account, you may e-mail the form information according to the directions in your acceptance packet.
    • Bookmark and read through this web section for new students, including the recent announcements blog, so that you can feel confident that you are fully informed.
    • Check your SPIRE record for financial aid status, and bookmark the SPIRE site. Be sure that you have submitted the FAFSA and any additional required documents (such as those required if selected for verification) as early as possible. SPIRE will be available to you when you have matriculated as a degree student, a process that occurs once you have returned your Intent to Enroll form.
    • Activate your OIT internet account by following the directions that come with the password and login information sent to you at your e-mail address. You will not be able to participate in online courses or receive official UMass notifications until your OIT account is activated.
    • Select your first semester UWW course sections pdf iconto prepare for registration. (If intending to enroll in more than these six credits, see below.)
    • Register for courses on the Continuing & Professional Education web site beginning on Novemer 12, 2009. Individualized Degree Program students in particular should register as soon after November 12th as possible if they wish to select a particular delivery mode, such as online or blended. Or call the CPE Registration office at: 413-545-3653
    • Attend the UWW orientation (optional for students taking fully online courses and living far away from campus) to meet your advisor and learn more about your UWW courses and program.

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  • How do I decide what I want to study in UWW? Because part of your initial course work in UWW 191G Frameworks of Understanding will involve planning your individualized degree, in most cases, it isn't necessary to seek out advising prior to the semester for that purpose. We encourage new students instead to focus on completing the administrative steps explained in this site and in your acceptance packet so that all is in order when classes begin.
  • What if I have questions about which of my courses are transferring into UMass Amherst? With your acceptance letter, you will have received a preliminary evaluation of your previous transcripts for transfer credits and general education requirements. Only those courses with a grade of C or better can be transferred, and then only those that meet Admissions standards for four-year colleges. (More details about transfer credits...) Your evaluation may indicate credits that are not being transferred automatically but may be transferred later with department approval if related to your concentration when your UWW degree plan is approved around the end of the first semester. Most questions relating to specific transfer courses are best addressed when your credits appear on SPIRE sometime during the first semester.

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  • What if I want to enroll in winter or summer session courses or take more than the two UWW courses in my first semester?
    If you wish to enroll in winter or summer courses prior to matriculation in UWW or take more than six credits in your first semester, we encourage you to select additional courses by giving priority to any remaining general education requirements as indicated on your transfer evaluation sheet. Certainly, if you have not completed the College Writing (CW) requirement, that should be given top priority. If all your general education requirements are complete, then select either a second UWW Reflections course (UWW 310, 320, 330, or 340) or a course numbered 300 or higher (upper division) that would fit your preferred area of study. In this case you may want to talk to a UWW advisor (413-545-1378).
  • I don't know which UWW classes I should enroll in for my first semester? Check the first semester UWW course sections pdf icon for updates before registering. This page will indicate the courses and sections to select when you enroll, depending on whether you are in the UWW Individualized Degree or Elementary Licensure program. Individualized degree students can select from blended and online formats, whereas Elementary Licensure students will meet one evening a week from 4:30-8:30, combining two classes.

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  • What if I have financial aid questions or problems? First, be sure you have submitted your FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov and have included the UMass school code (002221). Until that crucial first step is taken, no financial aid award can be created for you by the UMass Financial Aid office. Check the FAFSA site regularly until it indicates the FAFSA has been processed successfully. Some people are selected for verification, requiring more documents to be submitted, and in other cases, specific questions are raised about data you have entered. Stay on top of this process to avoid holding up your financial aid award. Any financial aid questions after the FAFSA has been approved should be directed to the UMass Financial Aid office. Once you have been matriculated and received your SPIRE login and password, you will be able to track your financial aid status online on SPIRE, the UMass student record site. UWW advisors do not normally address financial aid issues, though they may be able to help you figure out to whom your concerns should be addressed.

    Students who have worked in early care and education or are paraprofessionals in the Elementary Licensure programs may be eligible for Massachusetts Board of Higher Education grants for paraprofessionals in Massachusetts public schools or scholarships for early care and education workers. Please direct your questions about these programs to the contacts listed on the web sites.
  • I can't get on SPIRE? What should I do? Once you have returned your Intent to Enroll form and fee and been matriculated, you will receive your student number and login information for SPIRE, the web access to UMass student records. Bookmark the SPIRE site and check it regularly throughout your UWW career. On it you will see information about your enrollments, grades, financial aid package, UMass accounts, your advisor, and other information. During the period after you are accepted, your primary concern is likely to be checking the "to do" lists in SPIRE to see if you are required to take additional steps before receiving your financial aid package. If you have difficulty getting on SPIRE, call the Office of Information Technology (OIT) Help Desk or call at (413) 545-9400.

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  • I'm having problems registering, so what should I do? First, review the important information about registering for classes, payment, waivers, etc.pdf icon . If you continue to have adminIstrative problems related to registering, first check the CPE web site under registration information or e-mail regoff@contined.umass.edu or call (413) 545-0513.
  • I still have questions, so what should I do? If you can't find the information you need on this new student site, then e-mail (uww@uww.umass.edu) or call (413-545-1378) and explain your question. We will do our best to give you the help or information you need. If the issue can wait until after the orientation or till January or June, we would appreciate your waiting till that period to raise your questions. Once our current semester has ended, faculty advisors will have more time available to address your concerns.

Links to…

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University Without Walls • 100 Venture Way, Suite 200 • Hadley, MA 01035 • (413) 545-1378 • uww@uww.umass.edu
http://www.umass.edu/uww/