Admissions

Admissions Policy
WSU Tech encourages all individuals who are interested in, and are capable of, extending their education beyond high school to apply. For all admission information see policy 3-22 Admission Policy.

Residency
Students are considered in-state residents for tuition and fee purposes if:
a. they currently reside in the state of Kansas,
b. they are in active military service (or the spouse or dependent of active military member), or
c. they are residents of Texas or one of the four contiguous states surrounding
Kansas, specifically: Oklahoma, Colorado, Nebraska, and Missouri.

When enrolling, the student is responsible for indicating the proper residence classification for tuition and fee costs. Students who disagree with their classification as a non-resident for tuition and fee costs may file an In-State Residency form within two weeks of the date of enrollment with the Registrar’s Office. The payment of tuition as originally assessed shall be a condition of the right to appeal residency classification. Failure to file the in-state residency form within the time and in the manner specified makes classification final for that term.

To request in-state residency for tuition and fee purposes, a student must meet the requirements above prior to the first day of classes AND must complete an In-State Residency form and provide one of the following for proof of residency:
a. Copy of Kansas driver’s license.
b. Bank Statements, utility receipts or rent receipts showing a Kansas address.
c. Employment verification or payroll check stubs from a Kansas employer showing Kansas address.
d. Receipt for purchase of Kansas motor vehicle license tags.
e. Receipt for payment of Kansas property taxes.
f. Copy of voter registration in the State of Kansas.
g. Copy of high school transcript or verification of Kansas address on school letterhead.
h. Notarized verification from a Kansas resident that the above-named student is residing with him/her/them currently. (Include a copy of the person’s Kansas driver’s license).

International Student Status
Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (known as WSU Tech) has been approved to host international students who hold F-1 visas. WSU Tech admits only students in active status transferring from other colleges and universities within the United States of America. For the full international student policy see 3-36 International Student Policy.

Transcript Requirement

Official transcripts must be mailed directly from the issuing institution or submitted electronically through a secure third party (i.e. – National Student Clearinghouse). Paper transcripts must be in a sealed envelope upon receipt and may not be stamped “student copy.” Transcripts must be mailed directly to:

WSU Tech
Registrar’s Office
4004 N. Webb Rd.
Wichita, KS 67226

Admission Assessments

Some programs have admission requirements, including specific assessments on which applicants must meet minimum scores. A student identification number is required to take assessments. Students may take assessments at the National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT) or at WSU Tech South.

Students whose admission assessment score places them in a math or English course higher than the one required for their program have the following options:

  • Enroll in the appropriate course indicated by the assessment score. Tuition and fees are assessed at the normal rate. If the course is completed with a passing grade, it will meet the program requirement.
  • Enroll in the course required for the program. Tuition and fees are assessed at the normal rate. If the course is completed with a passing grade, it will meet the program requirement.
  • If a qualifying assessment and score, request Credit by Exam (CBE) to receive credit for the course required for the program. A grade of S (Satisfactory) will be posted to the transcript by the Registrar’s Office upon receiving the student’s CBE request form. Courses with a grade of S are considered passing but do not count in GPA and may not be eligible for transfer at some institutions.

General Education Admission Assessments

Testing is required for placement in general education courses. Visit WSU Tech Testing for additional information.

Academic Advisors

WSU Tech academic advisors assist students with course selection, scheduling and meeting program requirements. Advising usually precedes registration for WSU Tech programs.

Academic advisors are available to assist with:

  • Course and program information.
  • Student orientation.
  • General financial aid information.
  • Career and job counseling.
  • Personal counseling referral.
  • Agency referrals.

Registration

Once the WSU Tech Application for New Student Admission and admission assessment scores are received, students are eligible to register. Some courses and programs may have prerequisites or additional requirements that must be met before students can register. Academic advisors are available to answer questions and assist with the registration process. Students may register for courses either by appointment or on a walk-in basis. Academic advisors will verify that any course or program prerequisites have been met before registering the student. A $15 non-refundable registration fee is applied once each semester.

Registration continues through the add/drop period, with the exception of courses that have already reached maximum capacity. Students may add a course or courses according to policy 3-24 On-time Registration.

Students may not attend a class in which they are not officially enrolled. Students whose names do not appear on the course roster or who have other registration issues should immediately see an academic advisor.

Online Registration

Current students may register for general education courses through their myWSUTech portal. Registration in program courses is not available online. Please see an academic advisor for enrollment in program courses.

Change of Major

Students who wish to change their major or program of study should meet with an academic advisor.

Drop, Withdrawal, Refund Policies

Before you drop one or more courses, speak with your Academic Advisor and with a Financial Aid Specialist. They can tell you how dropping courses may affect you, including how dropping courses will affect your financial aid obligations and eligibilities. Dropping courses can be done electronically through your myWSUTech portal or by submitting in writing. See policy 3-15 Drop-Withdrawal-Refund for further information.

Course Cancellation

Insufficient Registration/Class Size Limitations

Courses have specific minimum or maximum registration numbers. If it becomes necessary to cancel courses due to insufficient registration, all tuition and fees are refundable for courses that are cancelled. WSU Tech reserves the right to cancel or postpone courses regardless of the advertised starting date. Registration for most programs is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Academic Success – Tutoring

WSU Tech’s Academic Success program assists students in mastering the necessary skills to ready themselves for entry into college-level coursework and in improving their skills to progress with their college education. The academic success instructional program includes tutoring in various general education subjects. In addition, it offers short-term test preparation courses for COMPASS™ and ATI TEAS assessments. These courses are supported by individualized, self-paced laboratory practice. Materials and tutorial assistance are available at the academic success centers (ASCs) located at WSU Tech South campuses. Tutoring is available free of charge for currently registered students; no tuition is charged for the test preparation courses.

The Academic Success program provides an academic safety net to meet the needs of two student groups:

·      Prospective or currently enrolled students who require or wish to refresh their pre-technical college-level competencies in reading, writing, and math prior to taking program entrance assessments.

·      Enrolled students who require or desire to improve their college experience through tutoring and learning enhancement activities in general education subjects such as math, reading, writing, science, and basic computer skills.

Academic Success instructors are committed to helping students succeed in technical programs and college-level courses as well as preparing students for lifelong success. Visit WSU Tech’s Tutoring site for more information.

Financial Aid

Purpose of Financial Aid

The financial aid program assists students who want to attend WSU Tech but who would find it difficult to do so without assistance. WSU Tech’s financial aid program combines grants, loans and scholarships for students who meet certain eligibility requirements. To receive federal financial aid, students must be registered, or accepted for registration, as a regular student in an eligible program and must meet all admission criteria.

Eligibility Requirements

Before federal financial aid can be awarded, students must:

  1. Be admitted as a regular student at WSU Tech.
  2. Be a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen.
  3. Be registered as a regular student in an eligible program.
  4. Have a high school or GED diploma.
  5. Have resolved any drug conviction issues.
  6. Make satisfactory academic progress.

Applying for Federal Financial Aid

Students must apply each academic year for federal funds. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the application for the Federal Pell Grant, all student loans and certain other programs. The information provided is processed through the formula adopted by Congress to determine financial need. The formula takes into consideration the number and age of family members in the household, the number of college students, income and assets reported on the application. FAFSA results are communicated as estimated family contribution (EFC). This number determines eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant and subsidized loans.

A certain number of applications are selected by the processing center for verification each year. If selected for verification, students are required to bring federal income tax return transcripts provided by the IRS, W-2 forms, verification worksheets and any other forms requested to the Financial Aid office — parents’ forms may also be required. All documents must be brought together — incomplete files are not accepted. Income information is verified, and the results are resubmitted to the processing center. Students are expected to respond in a timely manner to requests for additional documents. Failure to respond to requests may result in a significant delay in the award process.

Course Load

The number of credit hours that students are registered in each semester (fall, spring and summer) impacts financial aid eligibility. See policy 3-20 Enrollment Status and Course Load for further information.

Credit Hours and Student Status

Per Semester Student Status

  • 12 or more credit hours Full-time
  • 9 to 11.9 credit hours Three-quarter-time
  • 6 to 8.9 credit hours Half-time
  • 5.9 or fewer credit hours Less than half-time

Cumulative Credit and Student Status

  • Less than 30 credits First year/freshman
  • 30 to 60 credits Second year/sophomore

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is a federally funded program that provides financial assistance to students who demonstrate financial need.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The FSEOG program is a grant program that provides assistance to needy undergraduate students. Priority in awarding FSEOG funds is given to students who have exceptional financial need and are Federal Pell Grant recipients.

Federal Work Study (FWS)

The FWS program is a federally funded employment program that provides paid jobs for students with financial need.

Loans

A loan is borrowed money that must be repaid with interest.

Federal Direct Student Loans

Recipients of federal student loans are under full obligation to repay loans. Requirements for loans include completing the FAFSA and registering in at least six hours (half-time) per semester.

Before Accepting a Loan

WSU Tech requires all students who are borrowing for the first time at WSU Tech to complete an entrance counseling session and master promissory note. These sessions provide information that students need to know before accepting loans. It also includes students’ rights and responsibilities as borrowers of federal funds and an overview of repayment information.

Loan Disbursement

All loans must be disbursed in at least two equal payments, usually once each semester. In the case of a single-semester loan, half of the loan amount is disbursed at the beginning of the semester; the second half of the loan amount is disbursed after the midpoint of the semester. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Before Leaving School

All student loan borrowers are required to complete an exit counseling session before graduation or at the time of withdrawal. The session provides information about the rights and responsibilities of the borrower, the anticipated date that repayment will begin, to whom and where to make payments and an estimated payment amount. Students who plan to leave WSU Tech should contact Financial Aid, 316.677.9400, for specific information.

Federal Subsidized Direct Loans

Subsidized loans are for students who demonstrate financial need. The federal government pays the interest for students while they are registered at least half-time and during the six-month grace period after graduation. Repayment begins six months from graduation or the last date of attendance.

Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans

Unsubsidized loans are available to students who do not demonstrate financial need. Students may pay interest either quarterly during the period of registration or at the time of repayment. Additional unsubsidized loans are also available to independent students (determined by federal guidelines on the FAFSA) or to students whose parents have been denied a Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) loan. Repayment begins six months after graduation or the last date of attendance.

Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students

Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) loans are available to parents of dependent students who are registered at least half-time and need additional resources. Only parents (as defined on the FAFSA) are eligible to apply for this loan.

Repaying the Loans

After students graduate, leave school or drop below half-time status, there is a six-month grace period before loans are due for repayment. The amount of the loan payment depends on the size of the debt and the time it takes to repay the loan.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available that are not based solely on financial need. These scholarships are usually made possible by private donations to the college and are awarded to students in recognition of academic achievements or work experience. Several scholarships are available to students at WSU Tech. A complete list of available scholarships and eligibility requirements is available through the Financial Aid office.

Other Resources for Financial Aid

The following resources may have funds available for qualified students. Eligibility is determined by the organization. Contact the organization for eligibility requirements:

  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Kansas Department of Human Resources
  • SER Corporation
  • Social and Rehabilitation Services
  • Vocational and Rehabilitation Services
  • Workforce Development Office
  • Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
  • Employer-sponsored programs
  • Private and institutional scholarships

Transferring to Another College

Students who plan to transfer to another college or to WSU Tech during the year must add the new college’s code to the Student Aid Report (SAR). Students should contact either college’s financial aid office for information on how to do this. WSU Tech’s code for the FAFSA is 005498.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

What Students Need to Know

The U.S. Department of Education requires institutions of higher education to establish standards of satisfactory progress for students receiving federal aid. Students must have declared a program of study and be working toward the completion of their program in order to continue receiving aid. Failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress will result in the loss of federal (Pell) and state grants, scholarships, and loans. The Satisfactory Academic progress is reviewed three time a year and at the end of each academic semester (fall, spring, and summer). See policy 3-13 Satisfactory Academic Progress For Federal Financial Aid for further information.

Return of Title IV Funds Policy

Students who have received any financial aid and are considering withdrawing from a course or courses at WSU Tech may have a return to Title IV calculated. For more information refer to 3-32 Return to Title IV Funds.

Registrar’s Office

Privacy Policy

WSU Tech complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records. This act was designed to protect the privacy of educational records, to establish a student’s right to inspect and review their educational records and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings. See policy 3-18 FERPA and Consumer Information page for FERPA Notification.

Student Records

In accordance with FERPA, WSU Tech requires that students who want WSU Tech to release copies of grades, transcripts or any other information relative to academic performance to parents, guardians, bill-payers, prospective employers or governmental agencies must give WSU Tech permission to do so. All requests to secure or release these types of information must be accompanied by a written authorization signed by the student. Without such authorization, WSU Tech does not release this information. This policy extends and applies to parents who request access to and disclosure of their student’s educational records. Student records are never released without written consent except:

  • To school officials with legitimate educational interest;
  • To other schools to which a student is transferring;
  • To specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;
  • To appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;
  • To organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;
  • To accrediting organizations;
  • To comply with judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
  • To appropriate officials, including parents or emergency contacts of an eligible student, in cases of health and safety emergencies; and
  • To state and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law.

Upon request, students may inspect and review their educational records. Students also have the right to request a hearing with the Vice President of Student Success to challenge the accuracy of their records.

Directory Information

Unless specifically requested by the student to not disclose the information listed below, WSU Tech may disclose such information at its discretion for any purpose. WSU Tech designates the following student information as public or directory information:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Telephone listing
  • Electronic mail address (e-mail)
  • Age in years
  • Photograph
  • Degree and Major/Program of study
  • Dates of attendance
  • Enrollment Status
  • Grade level
  • Honors and awards received
  • Degrees conferred, including dates
  • Past and present participation in officially recognized activities and sports
  • Most recent educational agency or institution attended

Currently registered students, or any who have previously attended WSU Tech, may inspect their academic records by submitting an official written request to the Registrar’s Office. Students must schedule an appointment with the Registrar to inspect their records.

Students may challenge possible inaccuracies or misleading items in their records during the course of such an inspection — the fairness of a grade may not be challenged under this provision. Students also have the right to file a complaint with the United States Department of Education over alleged failures by WSU Tech to comply with FERPA requirements.

Students are notified each year of their rights under FERPA through the catalog/student handbook and FERPA Notification. Questions regarding student records and FERPA may be directed to the Registrar’s Office.

Student Rights Regarding Personal Information

Student social security numbers are personal information. Section 7 of the Privacy Act of 1974, Pub L. No. 93-579, provides that it shall be unlawful for any federal, state or local government agency to deny any individual any right, benefit or privilege provided by law because of such individual’s refusal to disclose his social security account number. Any federal, state or local government agency that requests an individual to disclose his social security account number shall inform that individual whether that disclosure is mandatory or voluntary, by what statutory or other authority such number is solicited and what uses will be made of it.

Students who are asked to supply private or confidential information are to be informed of:

  • The purpose and intended use of the information.
  • Whether they may refuse, or are legally required, to supply the requested information.
  • Any known consequences arising from supplying, or refusing to supply, private or confidential information.
  • The identity of other persons or entities authorized by state or federal law to receive the information.
  • Upon request, students must be told whether WSU Tech maintains information on them and the classification of that information — this includes confidential information.

Students shall not be required to provide their Social Security number, nor shall they be denied access to services should they refuse to provide a SSN, except where the SSN is required by law. Some of the primary reasons for the collection of SSNs by WSU Tech are for students applying for Financial Aid, as any students applying are required to provide their SSN to the college. IRS regulations also require the college to request a SSN as a Taxpayer ID for use in reporting qualified tuition and related expenses for tax purposes. SSNs are also collected as a secondary identifier for students that enroll.

Course Load

For registration purposes, a student must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours to be considered a full-time student in the fall and spring semesters and 6 or more credit hours in summer. See policy 3-20 Enrollment Status and Course Load for further information.

Information Update

To update student information, such as a name or address change, students should contact an admissions counselor, academic advisor or the Registrar’s Office. To process a name change, official documentation will be required such as a valid driver’s license and social security card.

Transfer of Credits to WSU Tech

WSU Tech considers coursework with a grade of C or better when evaluating transfer credit from colleges and universities that are accredited or hold candidacy status with the Higher Learning Commission, Middle States Commission on Higher Education, New England Commission of Higher Education, Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges/Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and Western Association Senior College and University Commission.

Official transcripts are required to be sent to the Registrar’s Office to be evaluated. Transfer evaluations are completed by either the Registrar’s Office or appropriate academic department. Not all coursework previously completed will be transferred. WSU Tech only evaluates and transfers courses applicable to the student’s current program of study at the time of the evaluation and informs students in writing as to the transferability of the coursework. Transfer credits are not included in the student’s WSU Tech cumulative GPA but the credit hours are applied to the program degree requirements.

WSU Tech does not automatically accept or post-transfer credit for students who have completed postsecondary coursework at institutions that are not accredited by one of the accrediting bodies listed above. However, students are able to request that work be evaluated through the Credit for Prior Learning process.

A student may appeal how a course did or did not transfer for credit toward requirements in their program of study by requesting a re-evaluation. The student must provide a syllabus of the course to the Registrar’s Office, who will forward to the dean of the appropriate department. If the syllabus does not include all necessary information, the student may have to provide additional documentation or show competencies (via exams or labs) before the academic department can make a final decision on transferability. The dean will consult with the academic program director/chair for a recommendation and review the documentation to make a determination on the transferability of the course. The decision of the dean shall be final.

Students should address any questions about the appeals process to the Registrar’s Office.

Auditing Courses

Students who audit courses attend regularly but are not required to take exams or complete assignments. No credit is awarded for audited courses.

  • All course prerequisites must be met or students must obtain instructor approval.
  • Each division determines which courses are suitable for the audit option.
  • A grade of X is recorded on the transcript. Under no circumstances may an audited course be changed to a course taken for credit, and courses registered for credit cannot be changed to audit. Students may register to audit courses if space is available. Registration dates for auditing courses follow the published add period for the semester.
  • Permission from the appropriate department dean is required to audit courses.
  • Tuition and fees for audited courses are the same as those charged for credit courses. Tuition and fees are due at registration and may not be charged to students’ accounts.
  • Financial aid and scholarship monies may not be used to pay for audited courses.

Prior Learning Assessment

Students may apply for credit for prior learning. Awarding credit for prior learning is a process of evaluating and assessing students’ learning that is gained outside a traditional academic environment. Credit may be earned through credit by exam, military credit, standardized tests, and prior learning assessment. See 5-27 Credit for Prior Learning policy for further information.

Transfer of Credits from WSU Tech

WSU Tech is a Kansas Board of Regents Institution and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Credits earned at WSU Tech are often easily transferred to other colleges and universities. Academic Advisors are available to help guide students through the transfer process and develop an academic plan. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to confirm transferability and course equivalency with the receiving institution.

Attendance

Class attendance is a reliable predictor of future performance as an employee, and WSU Tech is dedicated to providing employability and technical skills. Punctual attendance in all scheduled classes is regarded as integral to all courses and is expected of all students. Students are also expected to maintain satisfactory progress in all courses in which they are registered. Because all coursework builds upon material sequentially presented in classes, WSU Tech faculty members include attendance expectations in their course syllabi. Penalties for excessive absences may include reduction of grades and/or withdrawal from courses. Students are responsible for obtaining information presented during absences. WSU Tech encourages all students to check with their instructors if they have any questions regarding attendance expectations.

Grading System

Letter Grades

WSU Tech issues letter grades to communicate students’ level of achievement or competency. It is important to note the quality points and the meaning of each letter grade.

Letter Grade Quality Points Per Credit Hour Grade Description
A 4 Superior achievement (credit awarded)
B 3 Above average achievement (credit awarded)
C 2 Average achievement (credit awarded)
D 1 Below average achievement (credit awarded but may not satisfy graduation requirements)
F 0 Failing work (no credit awarded)
S Not Calculated Satisfactory achievement (credit may be awarded)
U Not Calculated Unsatisfactory achievement (no credit awarded)
W Not Calculated Withdrawn
WT Not Calculated Withdrawn by Teacher or per attendance policy
I Not Calculated Incomplete
N Not Calculated Grade not submitted
X Not Calculated Audit (no credit awarded)

Grade Point Average

Semester and cumulative grade point averages (GPAs) are calculated and recorded on students’ permanent transcripts at the end of each grading period. Semester GPAs are calculated by adding the quality points earned, which is the number of credits taken multiplied by the points awarded for each letter grade (A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0). This number is then divided by the credit hours attempted that semester. Cumulative GPAs are calculated the same way, but are a composite of all quality points earned and credit hours attempted at WSU Tech. While transferred credits are added to transcripts, the grades for these hours are not included in calculating the WSU Tech GPA.

Repeating Courses

Students are allowed to repeat failed or dropped courses. All course-related charges must be paid for repeated courses. Repeat courses are noted on transcripts with an ‘I’ after the letter grade for courses that are included in the calculation of GPA and credit hours earned. Courses that are excluded from GPA and credit hours earned calculations are noted with an ‘E’ after the letter grade. Only the most recent grade earned, higher or lower, is used to calculate the GPA.*  Questions about grades or GPAs should be directed to the Registrar’s Office.

*A few select courses are repeatable (all attempts are included in GPA) and do not follow the standard college repeat process.

Work Ethics

WSU Tech acknowledges the importance of good work ethics. The college awards a numerical grade for work ethics in some courses. The work ethic grade is listed next to the letter grade on the transcript but it does not impact GPA, hours earned, or graduation requirements. The work ethic grade is determined by evaluating ten work ethic traits including attendance, character, teamwork, appearance, attitude, productivity, organizational skills, communication, cooperation and respect:

  • 3 – Exceeds expectations
  • 2 – Acceptable
  • 1 – Needs improvement
  • 0 – Unacceptable

Incomplete Courses

Students who are unable to complete a course on time due to extenuating circumstances beyond their control may request a temporary Incomplete “I” grade from their instructor. Credit for the course is postponed and not included in the student’s grade point average until a permanent letter grade is assigned. Incomplete grades will be granted only in exceptional circumstances and to be considered for an extension, the student must have attended and successfully completed a majority of the coursework. In certain courses, an incomplete grade cannot be given due to the nature of the course material or teaching methodology.

See policy 5-01 Academic Code of Conduct for further information about the Incomplete Grade Contract process and requirements.

Transcripts

An official transcript is a certified copy of a student’s permanent academic record including courses attempted, earned, and grades received. A transcript fee must be paid before transcripts are provided to students or other institutions. Unofficial transcripts and semester grade reports are available through the myWSUTech portal. Students with questions about their course grades should contact their instructors. Failure to meet financial obligations of any kind to WSU Tech could result in a student’s transcript being held until the obligation has been met. Contact the Registrar’s Office for additional information.

Academic Achievement

Each semester, students who enroll in and complete a minimum of 12 credit hours and earn an overall grade point average of 3.5 to 3.99 will be listed on the Dean’s List. Students who enroll in and complete a minimum of 12 credit hours and earn an overall grade point average of 4.0 will be listed on the Presidential Scholar List. The designations will be noted on the student’s transcript and a certificate of achievement will be issued to the student. See policy 5-20 Deans List/Presidential Scholar List.

Academic Standing

To graduate, students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 grading scale. Students who are registered in six or more credit hours and do not maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher are placed on academic grade probation the following semester of registration.

At the close of each semester, the Registrar reviews the students’ academic records and notifies students in writing of their probationary status.

To register while on academic grade probation, students should meet with their academic advisor.

If the student’s semester GPA meets or exceeds 2.0 at the conclusion of the probationary semester, the student will remain on continued probation until the cumulative GPA meets or exceeds 2.0 when the probationary status can be removed. If at the conclusion of the probationary semester the semester GPA is less than 2.0, students will be placed on academic grade suspension (certain programs may have more rigorous or additional requirements).

Students who are placed on academic grade suspension are not eligible to register for the next semester. After one semester of academic grade suspension, students may register under continued probation status until their cumulative GPA reaches 2.0 when the probationary status can be removed.

Students who are placed on Academic Grade Suspension may need to receive permission from the Dean for re-admission back into the program. Academic advisors can direct students on specific program re-admission requirements.

Academic Grade Probation or Suspension can be appealed to the appropriate academic department via the Grade Appeal process as outlined in policy 5-01 Academic Code of Conduct.

Note: Students who receive Financial Aid must meet additional criteria to meet satisfactory academic progress as outlined in policy 3-13 Satisfactory Academic Progress for Federal Financial Aid.

Graduation Requirements

To be awarded an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, Technical Certificate or Certificate of Completion, students must pass all required coursework, submit required transcripts for transfer credit and meet all academic, financial or other obligations required for their program of study. To be eligible for graduation, students must have an overall GPA of at least 2.0. Technical course curriculum should be passed with a “C” or better and some programs may have additional requirements for graduation. WSU Tech urges students to continuously monitor their educational progress and degree requirements through their myDegreePlan. Prior to the final semester or registration period, students should meet with an academic advisor to ensure that all requirements will be finished by the student’s anticipated graduation date. For further information, see 3-21 Graduation Requirements policy.

Graduation Application

All students must notify the Registrar’s Office of their intent to complete their degree requirements by Applying to Graduate. Even if a student does not intend to participate in the commencement ceremony, an application for graduation must be submitted for any AAS, Technical Certificate, or Certificate of Completion the student plans to complete. This is required so the Registrar’s Office is aware of the specific program(s) and semester(s) a student will be finishing their requirements. The graduation application should be submitted at the time of enrollment for the student’s final semester. The Registrar’s Office will complete a degree audit after the student’s final semester and will award those students that complete their program requirements. Students with questions about applying to graduate should contact their academic advisor or the Registrar’s Office.

Commencement Ceremony

WSU Tech hosts one commencement (graduation) ceremony each academic year at the end of the spring semester. All students that complete or are intending to complete an AAS or Technical Certificate degree that academic year are eligible to participate. Information about the ceremony and requirements to participate is distributed to eligible students. Eligible students are those that earned a degree in Fall or have an active application for graduation on file with the Registrar’s Office for the Spring or Summer semester. Students are required to complete a Commencement Ceremony RSVP form in addition to a graduation application to participate in the ceremony.

Some academic departments hold their own celebrations/ceremonies to recognize their specific program students. Students with questions regarding those program specific ceremonies should contact their academic program directors.

Career Services

Career Services provides coaching and mentoring for a variety of services, including career exploration, resume writing, interview preparation and support. Our team can help you connect to your next job through our professional connections. Our goal is to translate industry expectations into student best practices through professional guidance and preparation. Career Services utilizes JobsEQ powered by Chmura for area job/career data and employment trends.

HandShake

WSU Tech Career Services utilizes HandShake (Indeed for colleges) where employers reach out, post jobs, and can actively recruit WSU Tech students. WSU Tech students receive a free account to HandShake where they can warehouse their resume and apply for jobs.

Career Follow-up Study

WSU Tech conducts a Follow-up study each year to determine where graduates are in their career path. Placement Rates reflect WSU Tech graduates who are employed, are in the military, or have chosen to pursue additional education. Results are online at https://wsutech.edu/. WSU Tech provides career placement assistance to all WSU Tech Graduates and can assist you with continuing education choices. Career or job placement cannot be guaranteed.

References and Letters of Recommendation

To request a letter of recommendation or reference from a WSU Tech faculty member, students must complete, sign and date a Student Reference Request form. Students are responsible for submitting the original completed form to the Registrar’s Office and a copy of the form to the faculty member before a recommendation is given. The form can be found under Career Services on the Forms page.

Financial Services

Costs for Academic Year

Tuition and Fees

Tuition costs vary by program and are reviewed annually. WSU Tech reserves the right to adjust tuition and fees without notice subject to approval by the WSU Tech Industry Advisory Board. For more information refer to WSU Tech Tuition and Fees page.

Registration Fee

Per semester (non-refundable)………………………….$15

Transcript Fee

Per transcript requested……………………………………$11

Returned Check Fee

Nonrefundable for returned check…………………….$30

Technology Fee

Per semester (non-refundable)…………………….$60

Textbooks, Materials, Tools and Supplies

Students are responsible for purchasing textbooks, materials, tools, uniforms and other costs that are charged separately. Costs differ from course to course.

Payment

Payment for classes is due two weeks prior to the start of the semester. The payment due date for each semester is published on the website. Students who have not paid or made arrangements for repayment through the Business Office or Financial Aid Office by the payment due date may be dropped from their courses. Students whose courses have been dropped may re-enroll if courses are still available and payment arrangements are made at the time of enrollment.

  • Students may obtain class schedules and make payments at the National Center for Aviation Training and WSU Tech South. Class schedules and online payment are also available on myWSUTech, the WSU Tech student portal.
  • To mail payments, students should send check or money order with full name, ID# and program to:

WSU Tech
Business Office
4004 N Webb Rd
Wichita KS 67226

You may pay your account balance online at www.wsutech.edu by logging in to your student portal via myWSUTech, accessing your account from the student tab and clicking ‘View or Pay My Bill’. You may pay using your credit card. If you have questions regarding online payments, please contact our Business Office at 316-677-9511.

WSU Tech Payment Plan

WSU Tech offers a payment plan as an option. The WSU Tech payment plan allows students to pay for tuition, student fees and lab fees in monthly installments when enrolled in programs for fall, spring and/or summer.

No interest or finance charges are assessed, but a down payment is due at the time of application for the payment plan, plus a non-refundable enrollment fee of $30. WSU Tech accepts cash, check, money orders, MasterCard and Visa. The remaining balance will be divided into monthly payments, due on the first day of each month.

Note: Certificates and degrees will not be issued to students until payment is made in full.

What Students Need to Know About the WSU Tech Payment Plan:

  • Students are responsible for the full amount of tuition, fees, lab fees and other charges on their account that are deferred unless they officially drop and/or withdraw within the refund period (see catalog, student handbook or the Web site).
  • Failure to attend classes or lack of attendance does not constitute an official drop. Students are still responsible for the full amount of tuition and fees.
  • Any financial aid (Pell grant, scholarships, student and/or parent loans, etc.) that is subsequently awarded will be applied toward any remaining deferred amount before students receive any financial aid proceeds.
  • A nonrefundable $30 enrollment fee and a required down payment (25, 33 or 50 percent, depending on when enrolled) is due at the time of application for the payment plan.
  • Final payments are due prior to the last day of the class in that semester.
  • For any changes to their course schedule, students must contact WSU Tech’s Business office to make adjustments to current payment plan.

Students may not be able to register for classes if there are any outstanding balances on their accounts. Accounts may be turned over to collections and/or Kansas Setoff program if not paid.

Financial Obligation

Failure to meet financial obligations of any kind to WSU Tech could subject a student’s account to suspension of future services; referral of the delinquent account to a collection agency; and Kansas Setoff program, and transcript holds.

Direct Billing: Students who are employed by a company or have a third-party agency paying for some or all of their educational costs should contact the Business office for information regarding the direct billing process between WSU Tech and the student’s employer or agency. The Business Office must have an agreement from the employer or agency on file before any company or agency can be billed directly for students’ educational costs. Students who arrange to pay their account by means of a direct-billing process between WSU Tech and their employer or agency must understand that these educational costs have not been waived. Students remain personally liable for payment in the event that the indicated person, company or agency fails to pay for any part of the full amount of these charges.

Student Loans and Grants: Students who wish to pay for their educational costs with federally sponsored student loans and/or grants must complete the application process in the Financial Aid office. Proceeds from Federal Stafford Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized), PLUS loans and grants are not disbursed until students are fully enrolled and classes have begun. See the Financial Aid section in the catalog or contact the Financial Aid office for further information regarding disbursement dates to students’ accounts. An amount equal to the charges to be incurred for all tuition, fees and other educational costs during the designated loan or grant period is withheld from funds received from student loans or grants. Any overpayment generated by student loan or grant payments is automatically returned to the student (see Credit Balance Refunds for details).

Students who initially arrange payment for their educational costs by means of federally sponsored student loans or other forms of financial aid are held personally responsible for immediate payment in full should any or all of the anticipated loans and/ or financial aid not transpire. Decisions to reduce or eliminate student loans, changes in enrollment, and/ or any changes in financial aid eligibility must be discussed immediately with the Business office to arrange acceptable alternative payment arrangements.

Nature of Credit: The credit that is granted to students by WSU Tech for any of the above extended payment arrangements is entirely for educational purposes and is considered an educational loan. As such, this loan may not be dischargeable in bankruptcy.

Monthly Statements: If students have a balance due on their account, WSU Tech sends them a monthly statement regardless of which payment arrangement they have chosen. It indicates the current balance and lists all charges, payments and adjustments that have been made to the account during the month.

Change of Address: To facilitate accurate record keeping and to ensure correct address for refunds, it is necessary to keep the college apprised of current name, address and social security information. Students can update their address online through their myWSUTech student portal, with an academic advisor or the Registrar’s Office. They should make these updates immediately upon any address change.

Cashier Services: Payments to WSU Tech for any purpose may be paid by personal check, cash (or equivalent), or credit card. A fee in the amount of $30 is assessed for each check that is returned by WSU Tech’s bank and not paid for any reason. If a check returned for non-sufficient funds was intended as a payment on account, it is considered as a non-payment. Students who present checks in payment for any services or merchandise at WSU Tech, which is subsequently returned unpaid by the bank, may be denied check-writing privileges. In addition, a service hold is placed on the student’s account until the outstanding bad check and fee have been paid in full.

WSU Tech’s Business offices are located at the National Center for Aviation Training (NCAT) and WSU Tech South. For your protection, WSU Tech reserves the right to request positive photo identification when any financial services are requested.

Financing Alternatives: When possible, students are encouraged to seek alternative funding sources such as corporate education assistance, external scholarships and private educational loans. Students or parents should contact their lending institutions for other possible sources of financing. Many commercial lenders make private educational loans to families who meet their credit requirements.

Account Disbursement Policy: Financial aid is applied in the following manner: 1) first, to term-related program charges and then 2) to any remaining educational-related expenses. Under no circumstances does WSU Tech advance funds on the presumption of financial aid not yet authorized or any anticipated funding from outside sources. Students’ accounts must evidence a credit balance before cash disbursements to students are made.

Default: If students do not pay their account in accordance with any agreement approved by WSU Tech in writing, they are considered to be in default. If WSU Tech does not have a written agreement, students are in default if they do not pay their balance in full by the due date. If payment is not made, student will be referred to collection agency and State of Kansas Setoff program.

Refund/Repayment Policy

Refunds

Refunds, when due, are made within 30 days from when the credit balance is generated. If refunds are a result of the receipt of Title IV funds, any credit balance is to be refunded to the student, or parent if from a PLUS loan, within 10 business days from the date that the credit balance is generated. Students are encouraged to sign up for eRefund as a safe and convenient way to receive refunds. Each refund will be electronically sent to your debit card or direct-deposited to your bank account. Students may sign up for eRefund by going online to their myWSUTech portal. Refund checks are mailed directly from Finance to student’s recorded address. Students may not pick up refund checks.

Credit Balance Refunds: Financial aid for the applicable enrollment period is not credited to a student’s account until enrollment has been finalized and all associated charges have been posted. Credit balances are not refunded until all current charges have been paid in full. Students who wish to retain the credit balance in their account to cover anticipated additional educational expenses may arrange to do so by written request. Forms are available in the Financial Aid and Business offices.

Administrative Dismissal from College: If a student is administratively dismissed from WSU Tech, the dismissal date is used as the effective date to calculate any refund.