FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Where can I find a list of classes currently offered?

The Schedule of Classes shows what is being offered now or next term.

2. How can I obtain a catalog?

You may download the Catalog in Adobe Acrobat in conveniently sized sections.

If you want a printed copy, send your name and mailing address by e-mail to the Admissions Office at iveyr@nacc.edu or call either (256)638-4418 or (256)228-6001, extension 222. You can also ask us for the Catalog in an alternative format.

3. Where can I get information about financial aid?

The Financial Aid Office can be contacted by e-mail at brookshireh@nacc.edu or by phone at either (256)638-4418 or (256)228-6001, extension 227 or 327. High school guidance counselors also have the official information and forms. To read more about kinds of aid available, with links, go to Financing Your Education.

4. How much do tuition and fees cost?

Current tuition and fee amounts are shown at this link: Tuition and Fees.

Tuition and fees are subject to change without prior notice upon action by the college's governing body, the Board of Education of the State of Alabama.

5. What accreditation does Northeast Alabama Community College have?

Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; telephone 404-679-4500; Web site: www.sacscoc.org) to award the Associate Degree.

Visit the Accreditations page to read more about the accreditation of the college and of the Nursing Program, the EMS Program, the EMS Community Training Center, the Paramedic Program, and the Medical Assistant Program. The page also lists institutional memberships held by Northeast Alabama Community College.

6. What is NOAH?

Northeast Online Account Host is your access to your grades, transcript, tuition and fee balance, financial aid status, and online registration. The access link is on the left side of pages on this website. On the home page, it is the computer icon.
For instructions, see Noah Log-In Information. The Admissions Office, Registrar's Office, Educational Technology Support staff, or your advisor can also help and answer your questions about NOAH.

7. How do I obtain a parking permit?

Parking permits will be available in the Admissions Office in the Student Center during the first two weeks of classes. Parking is free for students and employees of Northeast Alabama Community College.
Parking regulations are printed in the Student Handbook portion of the Catalog. Students may park at white or unpainted curbs, or at blue curbs with handicapped permits.

8. When will the next term begin?

See the Academic Calendar. Northeast is on the semester system, with a Fall Semester, Spring Semester, and Summer Term.

9. When is the deadline for applying for admission?

There is no firm deadline, but your application should arrive at Northeast as soon as possible, preferably no later than two weeks before registration day for the term you wish to attend. See How to Apply.

10. I'm not a high school graduate. Where do I find out about the GED?

For GED preparation classes, see the web pages of the Northeast Alabama Adult Education Program at Northeast. If you are ready to take the GED exam, read about it here.

11. When and how do I register for classes?

WHEN TO REGISTER:

Dates for all registration days are shown on the current Academic Calendar.
REGULAR registration days are before the first day of classes each semester.
LATE registration is possible during the first five days of class (two days in summer term).
EARLY registration is held during the preceding term. Students should make appointments to see their advisors before the Early Registration dates during the advisors' regular office hours. Then on Early Registration days the students can be keyed in quickly.
ONLINE registration is available for current students through NOAH.

WHERE TO REGISTER:

First-time students: start at at the Admissions Office in the Student Center. You will be assigned a faculty member as your academic advisor.
Students who attended the previous term: start in your advisor’s office. (In Fall Semester, "previous term" can mean either Spring Semester or Summer Term.)
Students who attended in the past but not the previous term: start at the Admissions Office and fill out a re-admission form.

To see how to contact your advisor, see the Faculty/Staff Directory.

12. What classes do I have to take?

All degree and certificate requirements are shown in the current Catalog.

Your advisor will also give you a checklist of required courses for your major curriculum and will assist you in scheduling them.

You will be asked to declare a major when you enroll, for the purpose of assigning you an academic advisor in your field. However, you will be able to change to another major without losing credit if you do so early, because many beginning courses are required for most majors.

Students planning to transfer to a university should see the information about STARS.

13. How many classes should I take?

You can take one class at a time or six, maybe more. Consider how much time you can spend studying. Here are some other factors—

Graduation requirements: To earn an associates degree in two years, you need to pass five or six classes every semester for four semesters. Certificate programs can be completed sooner.

Summer: a full load in Summer Term is only four typical classes.

Labs: Laboratory classes, activity classes, and clinicals meet for more hours than lecture classes.

Financial aid: Pell Grants and most scholarships require certain minimum class loads; find out what they are before you register.

Classes are available day, evening, and online. You can take a full class load in most programs by coming to campus 2, 3, or 4 times a week.
2:   T-T day and evening classes
3:   M-W-F day and M-W evening classes
4:   M-T-W-T evening classes

You can also take a combination of on-campus and online classes.

Of course, the traditional five days a week are still available as well.

14. Can I take classes online?

Yes. Many courses are offered through online instruction. Please visit Distance Education for more information.

15. Can I drop or add classes after I register? How?

You may change your schedule (drop and/or add classes) during the late registration period (the first five days of class in Fall or Spring Semester, the first two days of class in Summer Term). You must see your advisor to fill out a form.

You will also want to see how dropping classes will affect your financial aid, insurance, or other status before you decide to do so. Here is the procedure to add, drop, or change classes.

16. What is the deadline for withdrawing from a class without penalty? How do I do it?

The deadline to withdraw from any or all of your classes without penalty is always published on the Academic Calendar. Your permanent record will show a W beside the course(s) you drop. If you quit attending a class without officially withdrawing, you may receive an F.

Here are the procedures for dropping classes or withdrawing from college.

17. How do I obtain a transcript of my permanent record at Northeast?

Print the Transcript Request Form, fill it out, and deliver it to the Registrar's office by FAX, mail, or in person (129 Pendley Administration Building). Do not attempt to order a transcript by telephone or e-mail. Transcripts are free.

The transcript will be mailed or given to you in person. Transcripts are not faxed, and information on your college record is not given over the telephone.

18. Can I repeat a class to try for a better grade?

See the "Course Forgiveness" policy described in the current Catalog of Northeast Alabama Community College. You will notice it is up to you to request that the new grade be counted instead of the first one; this procedure is not automatic. Your advisor can assist you in understanding the policy.

19. Can I request that a semester of bad grades not count?

Yes, you can request that one semester of bad grades not be counted in your grade point average. This procedure is called "Academic Bankruptcy" and is described in the current Catalog of Northeast Alabama Community College. There are several restrictions involved, so discuss this with your advisor. You can be granted Academic Bankruptcy only once.

20. How do I contact my advisor?

Faculty member offices, phone extensions, and e-mail addresses are shown in the Faculty/Staff Directory. They are also available by telephone or voice mail through the college switchboard.

21. Will the courses I took previously at Northeast still count?

All work you take at Northeast Alabama Community College remains on your permanent record. Most courses count the same now they counted in the past. If a course differs (for example, a course that formerly earned fewer credit hours), you should ask your advisor how it will count.

Similarly, most courses you have taken at other colleges will count; ask your advisor to find out exactly how.

If you took college classes at Northeast before graduating from high school, your record will show them but not count them as college credit until after you graduate from high school (or the equivalent) and complete all requirements for admission to Northeast as a regular college student.

22. What about transferring from Northeast to other colleges? What is STARS?

Two full years of credit at Northeast will transfer as two full years of credit at any public college or university in Alabama, if the student has passed the required courses for his/her major and met other requirements to be admitted. This is guaranteed by STARS, the STatewide Articulation Reporting System.

At the STARS website, you can choose a public state university and print out a personalized Transfer Guide stating that, if you pass the specified courses at Northeast, they will count as equivalent courses at that university. It’s that easy, and it’s guaranteed by Alabama law. For more information on how to use STARS, click here.

Transferring to private or out-of-state universities is not covered by the STARS plan, but with the help of your advisor you can make sure that everything you take at Northeast will transfer. Remember, Northeast Alabama Community College is accredited.

23. What if I want training but not college-transfer courses?

Look at Northeast’s Workforce Development Division and Community Education.

24. What if I didn’t take advanced classes in high school? Can I still come to college?

Yes, Northeast Alabama Community College is an open-admissions institution. You won’t get over your head in math or English courses because we determine your skill levels before you register. We also have tutors in math and English, a student success center, and guidance counselors who can help you develop study skills. Your advisor will also be helpful.

For more information about being admitted to Northeast, go to our Admissions page.