Spring 2012 Registration is Now Open
Spring 2012 Term (in-class) Courses Begin:
Week of Monday, May 7, 2012
Spring 2012 On-Line Learning Courses Monthly Intake Start Dates:
Spring 2012 Term - May 11, June 1, July 3 and August 1
Note: Start and finish dates may vary. Please check scheduling information. The last day to withdraw without receiving a grade for most courses is June 29, 2012. This date will be adjusted accordingly for courses that start early or late. (See 'COURSE TRANSFERS, WITHDRAWALS' for details).
Fall 2012 CE Graduation in October 2012:
Applications to graduate must be received by the Registrar's Office no later than September 1, 2012.
[ MORE KEY DATES ]
Enrolling
Eligibility
Anyone age 19 or over, or with a Secondary School Graduation Diploma is eligible to attend our courses. If you’re under 19 and without a Secondary School Graduation Diploma, you may be eligible to enroll in some classes one week prior to the class start date, provided you have permission from the faculty teaching the course and the Registrar’s Office.
For information, call 905-735-2211, ext. 7500.
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Centre for Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Centre for Students with Disabilities (CSWD). The CSWD provides academic supports, accommodations and services for students who have documented disabilities, including learning difficulties, visual impairment, hearing impairment, physical or mobility impairment, chronic health problems or social/emotional problems.
If you are a student with a disability, please contact the Centre for Students with Disabilities located in the Student Success Centre at the Welland or Niagara-on-the-Lake campuses to make an appointment with a counsellor to discuss your needs for assistance. For more information, call:
Welland Campus (Room SE102)
905-735-2211 ext. 7602
NOTL Campus (room W102)
905-641-2252 ext. 4409
Or visit our website at: niagaracollege.ca/cswd
NOTE: Documentation of disability is required. Evening hours are available.
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Fees, Materials, Texts and Tax Credits
Only officially registered students may attend class, laboratory situations or field placement activity. This means that the student must be officially enrolled and fees paid in accordance with College regulations.
When are fees due? Fee, including lab and/or material fees, are payable in full at the time of registration.
For many courses, a textbook may be required. This cost is not included in the course fees listed in this catalogue. Textbooks for on-line courses may be purchased at www.textnet.ca or the Welland Campus Bookstore.
For information, call 905-735-2211, ext. 7584.
Some courses qualify for income tax credits. Students will receive a T2202A - Tuition and Education Amounts Certificate for these courses. The T2202A will be available on the student portal (my.niagaracollege.ca) by the end of February next year for curses that qualify. See your Income Tax guide for courses that qualify.
Every effort has been made to list the actual cost of the courses in this calendar, however, Niagara College reserves the right to change fees as necessary.
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Seniors: Special Rates
If you’re 60 years of age or over, you are eligible for a 10% discount off the regular tuition fee of credit and vocational courses. This discount does not apply to one-day or general interest classes.
Please note that senior and staff discounts will not be deducted from the tuition fee when enrolling on-line. Discounts do apply and will be refunded to your account within 10 business days.
For information, call 905-735-2211, ext. 7500.
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Confirmation of Enrollment
This important document provides a registered student with the room/campus location of the chosen course. It’s also part of the necessary documentation needed to withdraw from a course. Within five days after registration, students will receive this document.
For information, call 905-735-2211, ext. 7556.
Confirmation of Enrollment - On-Line Learning
Students will receive an e-mail containing login information the day the course starts. For those students that register after the course start date, they will receive login information within 24-48 hours.
For information, call 905-735-2211, ext. 7556.
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Classroom Locations
The scheduling information listed with each course description in this calendar indicates campus location. The actual classroom for your course will be printed on your Confirmation of Enrollment form and will be posted at the appropriate campus on the first night of class.
For information, call 905-735-2211, ext. 7500.
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Waiting Lists
The waiting list addresses the situation when demand for a course exceeds capacity. The good news is that you have the option of being placed on a waiting list whenever the course you apply for is already filled.
If, or when, a vacancy occurs, the seat is then offered to the first person who was added to the waiting list. The applicant then has 24 hours to accept the offer and pay for official enrollment. If official registration is not completed within the time limit, the offer is cancelled and a new one is made to the next person in line on the waiting list. There are no wait lists for on-line courses.
For information, call 905-735-2211, ext. 7556.
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Financial Assistance
Niagara College is committed to making college education affordable for students. The following types of financial assistance are available to eligible students: The Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) provides eligible students with various types of assistance based on financial need. Students must be enrolled in CREDIT courses leading to the completion of a Ministry of Training Colleges and University approved post-secondary certificate or diploma.
Assistance is also available through the following programs:
- Ontario Special Bursary Program
- Bursary for Students With Disabilities
- Part-Time Canada Student Loan Program.
For detailed information on the above programs refer to the OSAP website at osap.gov.on.ca and the CanLearn website at www.canlearn.ca.
Please check with the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office to see if your certificate program is eligible for bursary and/or loan assistance.
Information on available financial aid/scholarships and bursaries can be obtained on-line at niagaracollege.ca/finaid.
For more information about Financial Aid Services, go to: niagaracollege.ca/finaid.
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Credits, Grades
Grade Reports and Transcripts
It is Niagara College’s policy to record all attempted courses on the official transcript in accordance with the “National Transcript Guide for Use in Canadian Post-Secondary Institutions”.
The basic principle that the transcript should be a complete and historically accurate image of the academic record means that requests to have grades removed from your student record cannot be granted.
When a student repeats the identical course, even though the lower grade will remain on the transcript, it will not be included in the weighted grade average calculation.
For more information, please refer to the Grading and the Transcript practice on the College website at http://niagaracollege.ca/practices_registration_records.
Grade reports are available on the student portal (my.niagaracollege.ca) to all students registered in credit courses and vocational courses. Distance Learn grades may take up to 3 weeks to e entered after the end of the course. Your official transcripts are available from the Registrar’s Office at no cost. The transcript includes an explanation of the College evaluation system printed on the back. A request for your official transcripts must be submitted in writing. Please allow two working days for the request to be processed.
For more information on transcripts and a copy of the Transcript Request form, go to niagaracollege.ca/transcripts or call 905-735-2211 ext. 7500.
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Accessing the Student Portal
Navigate to my.niagaracollege.ca. If you are a new user, you will need to retrieve your Username and Password. Click the Set/change your password link on the login page. You must have your student number, found on your Confirmation of Enrollment, and your birth date. Once logged in, navigate to the My Apps tab, and click on the My Student Records icon.
For more information, call 905-735-2211, ext. 7500.
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Transfer Credits
A student may be exempted from courses at Niagara based on courses successfully completed at recognized post-secondary institutions. A copy of the Transfer Credit Request form is available at the Registrar’s Office and Information Centre at both campuses, or by calling ext. 7538 (Welland Campus) or ext. 4204 (Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus) or visiting the transfer credit page on the college website at niagaracollege.ca/transfercredit.
For information, call 905-735-2211, ext. 7538.
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Prerequisite/Corequisites
A prerequisite is a course that is required prior to taking a higher level course. A corequisite is a course that must be taken in conjunction with another course. The student must ensure that he/she has the necessary prerequisite(s) and is also registering in any specified corequisite(s).
For more information, call 905-735-2211 ext. 7500.
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PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition)
Niagara College believes that many people acquire college-level learning and skills through various learning situations such as: work experience, community work, non-credit courses, self-directed study, travel and military service. Candidates who can show that they have achieved the learning outcomes of a specific course may be granted Niagara College credits based on an assessment of their prior learning.
For information visit niagaracollege.ca/plar or call 905-735-2211 ext. 7491.
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Graduation
Upon completion of all requirements, the student must complete an Application to Graduate form. Form is available for download - click here “Application to Graduate” or pick one up at the Registrar’s Office. Students will be required to pay a $25 fee to attend the convocation ceremony in October 2012.
The Convocation fee is payable with the application to graduate. Applications for the October 2012 Convocation Ceremony must be received by the Registrar’s Office no later than September 1, 2012.
For more information call 905-735-2211 ext. 7500.
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Campus Bookstores, Libraries, Parking and Other Services
Campus Store
The Campus Stores sell in-class textbooks, supplies, computer accessories, trade and reference books, College clothing and giftware. The stores, located at the Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake campuses, are open year-round to students and the general public. The store hours are extended at the beginning of each term.
Textbooks for on-line courses are to be purchased at the Welland Campus Bookstore only.
Welland Campus Regular Store Hours:
8 am to 4:30 pm
Phone 905-735-2211 ext. 7585,
Fax 905-736-6015 or email wcstore@niagaracollege.ca
Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus Regular Store Hours:
8 am to 4:30 pm
Phone 905-641-2252 ext. 4055,
Fax 905-988-4315 or email notlstore@niagaracollege.ca
The Campus Store accepts cash, VISA, MasterCard, American Express or debit card for payment. Credit card phone orders are also accepted and shipped directly. A shipping fee applies.
You can also shop on-line at niagaracollege.ca/store.
Returned merchandise must be in resaleable condition. Do not remove the shrinkwrap, mark or read your textbook until you are certain about your courses.
The Campus Store Refund Policy requires that a sales receipt must be provided for all returned items. Refunds are available for two weeks from the first day of class, with a receipt. NO refunds will be given just prior to, during or just after exam weeks. If you are withdrawing from a course after the two week period, you must provide a copy of your withdrawal form.
ALL REFUNDS ARE MADE AT THE DISCRETION OF STORE PERSONNEL.
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Niagara College Libraries and Learning Commons
CE students taking a credit course are automatically entitled to full library services. A student photo ID card is required to borrow material from the Library. This can be obtained at the InfoCentres located at each campus.
CE students in non-credit courses can obtain a library card at their campus library by bringing in their Confirmation of Enrollment form.
For more information on library schedules and services please visit the Library website at niagaracollege.ca/library or call 905-735-2211 ext. 7767 (Welland) or ext. 4413 (NOTL).
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Parking
Parking at the Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Maid of the Mist campuses is free on weekends and daily after 5 pm.
If you are attending a Continuing Education activity or event prior to 5 pm, Monday-Friday, parking is by permit only. Daily paid-parking permits are available at all campus locations. Be sure to display the permit on your dashboard.
Vehicles which are not in compliance with the College parking regulations will be subject to ticketing under the Municipal Bylaw.
Changes and Cancellations
Course Changes
Occasionally, we too are forced to deal with the unexpected and will make a change, or changes, to a course’s location, teacher, starting date, content, or other details. Niagara College reserves the right to do this. For more information call 905-735-2211 ext. 7510.
Cancellation of Courses
While Niagara College sincerely regrets having to cancel any courses, we reserve the right to do so. For more information call 905-735-2211 ext. 7510.
Cancellation of Classes - Campus Closings
Severe weather conditions or storm warnings may result in the cancellation of classes. These types of cancellations will be announced on local radio stations. You may also check the college website niagaracollege.ca. For more information call 905-735-2211 ext. 7510.
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Course Transfers, Withdrawals and Refunds
Transfer Privileges
To request a transfer from one course to another (pending space availability), you must transfer before the start of the third class of the section TO which you are transferring, AND before the start of the third class of the section FROM which you are transferring. All course transfer requests must be made through the Registrar’s Office. Transfers cannot be made from one term to the next. For information call 905-735-2211 ext. 7500.
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Withdrawals
Students who wish to withdraw must notify the Registrar’s Office in writing and return the Confirmation of Enrollment (withdrawals cannot be done on-line).
For in-class courses starting the week of May 7, 2012, the final withdrawal date is June 29, 2012 (for most classes).
This last day to withdraw for courses that start/finish early or late, is the date closest to the two-thirds point of the course duration. If the Registrar’s Office does not receive written notification (telephone notification is not acceptable) before the withdrawal deadline, your official student transcript will be assigned your accumulated grade to-date. Students who withdraw after the third class and prior to the final withdrawal date will receive a grade of W (Withdrawn).
Please remember that notice by telephone will not be accepted as course withdrawal notification, nor will the cancellation of a payment cheque or the failure to attend classes. Only a written notification along with the Confirmation of Enrollment, received by the Registrar’s Office before the withdrawal deadline will be considered to be a valid withdrawal request.
For more information please contact 905-735-2211 ext. 7556.
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Refunds
A full refund of fees is issued when:
- the College cancels a course, or
- the student is unable to attend a course due to unanticipated scheduling or location changes made by the College.
A refund of fees, less a $20 administration charge, will be issued if the student:
- withdraws seven or more days prior to the start date for a course or seminar that has 6 classes or less, or
- withdraws from other courses prior to the third class.
Please allow 3 weeks for processing refunds.
For more information please contact 905-735-2211 ext. 7556.
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Refunds for On-line Learning Courses
On-line learning students must notify the Registrar’s Office in writing within 14 days from the start date of the class for a refund less the administration fee.
For more information please contact 905-735-2211 ext. 7556.
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Auditing of Courses
Students may audit a credit or vocational course with permission from the Dean of Continuing Education before the start of the course. Regular course fees will apply. Course attendance is required, but there will be no evaluation given for the course. A grade of AU will appear on the transcript. Some courses are prerequisites for other courses. A course with an ‘audit’ grade will not qualify as a prerequisite for higher level courses. there are no on-line courses that can be audited.
For more information please contact 905-735-2211 ext. 7556.
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International Students
International students will be assessed a $50.00 administration fee per course if withdrawing from a credit course, regardless of the date of withdrawal.
For more information please contact 905-735-2211 ext. 7556.
Class Breaks, Student Rights and Responsibilities
Official College Teaching Contact Hour
Each teaching contact hour consists of a 50 minute block plus a break of up to ten minutes. The scheduling of breaks within any class session is at the discretion of the teacher and students.
Student Rights and Responsibilities
To learn more about Student Rights and Responsibilities, visit: niagaracollege.ca/practices_student_rights.
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