FAQ ~ Current Students

Counseling

Why do I need my transcript if I already have a degree?
This is a standard requirement by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for those students enrolled in courses for college credit.

Will courses transfer?
Most college level courses will transfer; however, final determination for degree application will be made by the college to which the student transfers.

Can I get credit for classes that I took somewhere else?
This will be determined by transcript evaluation by the Director of Admissions.

Do I need THEA?
Students must satisfy the THEA or an approved alternative test before enrolling in college level courses unless otherwise exempt or waived.

How do I get THEA waived or exempt?
THEA is waived if the student is enrolled in a certificate program that is 42 semester hours or less. Student is exempt if (l) 3 college hours were completed prior to the Fall of 1989, (2) student has earned a Bachelors Degree, or (3) student has reached a designated level on the ACT, SAT, or TAAS test within a designated time period.

Do I need the placement test and why do I need to take developmental classes?
The placement test is required of those programs that are THEA waived and for placement into reading and writing classes if these areas were not passed on THEA.

How does a student achieve advanced placement and credit by exam?
A limited number of credits may be earned via Advanced Placement or credit by exam. Check with a Counselor for specific courses.

If I took classes a long time ago, are they still good credits?
Yes, unless otherwise stated in the Galveston College catalog. If a 13-month break is taken from GC, requirements in the current catalog must be followed.

Explain Fresh Start-what is it?
An applicant for admission may petition for non-consideration of academic course credits/grades earned 10+ years prior to starting date of the semester in which the applicant seeks to enroll.

Fresh Start-can I keep some of my earlier good classes?
No. All classes falling in the Fresh Start time frame are lost.

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Can I attend GC if I'm working on my GED (can I get Financial Aid if I'm let in)?
If you are in the process of completing the last two exams, you can attend GC with the approval of the VP for Student Development Services and Enrollment Management. Students are not eligible for Financial Aid until they pass the GED.

Can I switch classes?
Yes, but only during the "drop/add" dates stated in the course schedule.

Can I get extra testing time?
See the Counselor for Special Services to see if you qualify.

Disability questions, ADA -where do I go?
The Counselor for Special Services in the Counseling Center.

Do you have housing/dorms?
On campus housing is provided only for the student athletes.

I only want to take an Art/PE class; do I have to get my transcripts/testing, etc?
Yes, unless otherwise waived because of age exemption (55 and older).

Can I get credit for past work experience?
Not at the present time.

How do I know if I need ESL ?
If English is not your primary language and you score below 4 in Reading and/or English on the Placement Test, you need to take these classes.

How do I know if I need English classes?
If you score below 4 in Reading and/or English on the Placement Test, you need to take these classes.

Does anybody speak Spanish here?
Yes, including staff members in the Counseling, Admissions, and Financial Aid offices.

Can I substitute a course?
Yes, with the approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Student Services. The form for doing this is available in the Counseling Center.

Can I take a Workforce class as a credit class?
For many workforce classes there is a credit equivalent, you must meet the requirement for credit courses to register.

How is my Grade Point Average calculated?
Your Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of class hours attempted.

How do I contact an instructor?
Review the course syllabus or contact the respective Dean' s office.

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Will courses transfer to another college or university?
Contact the Counseling Center or the school to which the student is transferring for specific information.

How long is a semester?
Usually 16 weeks during the Fall and Spring and 6 weeks during each summer term.

What is the difference between credit and non-credit semester hours?
Credit hours are those which apply toward academic credit and apply toward a degree. Non-credit classes are neither and are usually offered through Community Education.

How do I determine credit hours?
The second number in the course number determines the number of credit hours received for a course. This is normally equal to the number of hours a course meets per week Courses involving laboratory time typically meet additional hours.

Financial Aid

When is the deadline to apply for Financial Aid? Scholarships?
The deadline for applying for Financial Aid is May 8 prior to the upcoming Fall Semester to receive aid by registration. The deadline for applying for scholarships is April 15 prior to the upcoming Fall Semester. Students can still apply after these dates, but students may have to pay for their tuition and fees. Aid may be awarded retroactively after classes begin.

Can I transfer my financial aid from Galveston College to another college or university?
No. You must apply for financial aid through the other college or university.

Will Financial Aid pay for my books?
Books may be charged to Pell, TEXAS grants and other scholarships in the College Bookstore. Universal Access
does not pay for books.

Can I get Financial Aid if I am a part-time student?
Yes, in most cases.

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What is Universal Access?
Universal Access is a program of the Galveston College Foundation that provides paid tuition and fees for all recent graduates of a Galveston Island high school, GED and home school graduates who live on the Island. Complete requirements and guidelines are available in the Financial Aid Office.

What scholarships are available and how do I apply?
Galveston College has thousands of dollars in named scholarships available. One application in the Financial Aid Office makes the student eligible for a pool of named scholarship awards.

When are Pell checks received?
After the tenth week of class.

Business Office

How much are tuition and fees?
The tuition and fees table is printed in each class schedule, which can be accessed online. Additional lab or miscellaneous fees may be obtained by calling the Business Office at (409) 944-1214 or (409) 944-1362.

How can I pay for my classes?
Cash, debit cards, check, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express.

When do I have to pay?
Students registering during open registration and late registration must pay at the time they register. Students who register during early registration do not have to pay the same day. Please see the class schedule for payment due date.

Do you have a payment plan?
Yes, the Galveston College installment plan payments are available. Students pay half of their total tuition and fees plus $25 at the time of registration. Two more installments follow thereafter.

How long does it take to get a refund?
Refunds are not processed until the last published refund date. This date can be found in the class schedule under Refund Policy.

Am I eligible for a concurrent enrollment discount?
In state students enrolled at two institutions and taking 3 hours or less at Galveston College receive a concurrent discount. Out of state students enrolled at two institutions and taking 4 hours or less at Galveston College also receive a concurrent discount. The discount is determined by the number of hours enrolled at Galveston College.

Where do I get my student ID card/parking permit?
Media Services on the first floor next to the library issues student ID cards and parking permits. ID cards stickers can be obtained in Media Services and the Business Office.

What are ID cards used for?
School ID cards are used for library services such as computer lab usage, checking out books and videos. ID cards are also used to access the gym and the weight room. In addition, students receive a discount at Galveston’s local movie theater with their student ID.

Distance Learning/VCT

What is distance education?
Distance Education uses technology to bring regular college instruction to those who cannot attend classes on campus. Distance education courses have no regularly scheduled class meetings.

Is the registration procedure different for distance education classes?
No, the first step is to see a counselor, just the same as if it were an on-campus class.

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What is the Virtual College of Texas?
VCT is a collaboration of Texas two-year colleges to make Internet courses available to every Texas college student. Instruction takes place online.

How do I register for VCT courses?
Go to www.gc.edu/DistanceEd and fill out the information request form, or contact Heidi Scott at (409) 944-1397 or come by the Galveston College Counseling Center.

Other Questions

What are the College's buildings?
Galveston College has two campus locations. The main campus at 4015 Avenue Q has five buildings: Moody Hall (M), Regents Hall (R), Northen Building (N), Fine Arts Building (FA), and the Cheney Student Center (SC). The college gym and Hermes Fitness Center are on the first floor of the Fine Arts Building.

The College's second campus is Fort Crockett (FC) at 5001 Avenue U, which houses the Continuing Education Division and Radiologic Health Sciences Programs.

What are the College's emergency procedures?
The College has a published emergency operations manual available for review in the Library or through the Public Affairs Office. In the case of emergencies of weather, fire, criminal behavior, or disaster, the College's security and administration will become proactive in leading evacuation, setting up communications and advising students and visitors. If the college closes, KTRH 740 radio and KHOU (11), KTRK (13), KPRC (2), News 24 (24) TV stations will broadcast announcements. The GC emergency number is 944-4242.

Does the College have a lost and found?
Lost and found is located in the Security Office located in the Cheney Student Center.

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I've locked my keys in the car; can someone help unlock my door?
College security personnel will assist visitors and students by helping them call a locksmith, but due to liability issues, no security personnel is allowed to attempt to unlock vehicles.

Where are the pay phones located?
Pay phones are located in the lounge areas of all three floors of Regents Hall and the Cheney Student Center.

Where do I get change for the drink and snack machines?
The Business Office, located on the second floor of Moody Hall, can provide change or at the snack machines located on each floor of campus.

Where are the elevators located?
Elevators are located on all floors of the Sarah Hermes Fitness Center, Regents Hall, and the Northen Building on the Main Campus and one elevator is located in the central part of the Fort Crockett campus.

Where are access and parking for the disabled?
Disabled access is through the entrance of the Sarah Hermes Fitness Center with ample parking for the handicapped at the Avenue R parking lot.

Appropriate and legal handicapped licenses or stickers must be displayed.