Degree-Seeking students: All degree-seeking students need to submit a formal application, visit the campus, and request that their high school and any post-secondary transcripts be sent to Central Penn. If any of these items are missing, then we do not have all the necessary review items to grant acceptance. If you have completed all the above steps, please be in touch with the Continuing Education office to check on your status. Many times, we are awaiting the arrival of transcripts, so it might not be a bad idea to double check with those institutions to ensure that they have been mailed.
Non-degree students: If you are attending as a non-degree student, and you have not received confirmation that your registration form was received, please call the Continuing Education office at 800-759-2727. If you already have confirmed that your registration form was received, then you probably are due for a campus visit. This is a necessary step to ensure you receive all orientation-related information such as ordering textbooks and obtaining your parking permit and ID card. If you have completed both steps and it's been longer than one week since you've heard anything, please be in touch with the Continuing Education office.
By now you have had some time to decide whether or not Central Penn is right for you. Now is the time to notify us that you plan to attend by sending a $100 deposit, which will enable us to reserve your spot in class. The remainder of your bill is not due until the billing due date (approximately 3 weeks prior to the start of the term). If you are using financial aid, please be in touch with the Financial Aid office to ensure that everything is in place to clear your account. If you have elected not to attend, please notify the Continuing Education office at once.
Central Pennsylvania College is accredited by the Middle States Association on Higher Education. Central Penn will accept credits from other accredited institutions. In order for your credits to transfer, students need to have earned a grade of C or higher. Once you have applied to Central Penn, and your high school and college transcripts arrive, the Continuing Education Dean will review your file and determine which classes will transfer to Central Penn. Upon completion, you will receive a letter in the mail indicating the classes and number of credits that transferred, as well as a break down of the classes that you must take to fulfill your degree requirements.
Sure! We encourage you to visit the campus and attend classes. Please contact your Admissions Counselor who can then be in touch with the appropriate professor. This will ensure that you visit on a day that field trips, exams, etc. are not interfering with your scheduled visit.
Central Penn does offer credits for Lifelong Learning. For the Bachelors degree programs up to 18 credits can be awarded for work/life experience and for the Associates Degree, up to 9 credits. The Continuing Education Office can give you instructions on earning Lifelong Learning credits.
There are 3 financial aid forms that you will need to complete: the FAFSA, the Stafford Loan form, and the Central Penn Financial Aid Form. These forms can be obtained from the Continuing Education or the Financial Aid offices. Financial Aid forms should be turned in within 5 days of your acceptance to ensure that you receive the maximum amountof money for those grants of which you may qualify. Financial Aid processing takes a minimum of 2 weeks to complete and only can be processed after a student has been accepted. The Financial Aid priority deadline each year is mid-March. New forms should be submitted on or before this timeframe every year that you are enrolled in a degree-granting program. Please contact the Financial Planning Coordinator at 717- 728-2312 for further details.
To avoid paying a late fee, your account must be cleared with the Business Office approximately 3 weeks prior to the start of the term (call your Admissions Counselor for the exact due date). Failure to do so may result in paying a late fee, loss of financial aid awards, and exclusion from any classes for which you may have been scheduled.
Students always are advised to check with their benefits administrator at their place of employment to ensure that they meet all necessary criteria for receiving tuition assistance benefits from their employer. Once that has been established, contact the Financial Planning Coordinator at 717- 728-2209 and indicate that you will be using this benefit. He or she can give you further instruction.
Textbooks can be purchased online at www.centralpenn.edu. Click on "College Services" then click on "Book Store." This will take you directly to the eCampus.com store front for Central Penn. Just click on the Shop by Course icon and follow the simple directions. Your book list will provide all appropriate information. Both new and used books can be purchased (assuming that they are currently in stock). You can pay online with a credit card and there are various types of shipping methods available.
For evening courses that meet 5:45-9:30, a student can miss one class without penalty. Missing two or more classess will result in letter-grade deductions. Students are strongly recommended to notify their professors and make them aware of any situations that inhibit the ability to attend class. In some cases, it may be best for the student to withdraw from the course. To withdraw for any reason, contact the Dean's office at 717-728-2202.
For classes that meet after 5:30 p.m. and on Saturdays, the "Business Casual" policy is in effect. Business casual includes khakis, jeans, capri pants for women, Central Penn T-shirts, clean tennis shoes, and sandals. However, clothing that might be considered tight, revealing, or in poor condition is not permitted. For classes held during the day, 7:30a.m. - 5:30p.m., Tuesday through Friday, there is an appearance policy in effect. Please refer to the student handbook for specifics on the appearance policy.
The Safety and Security Office (located in Bollinger Hall, Room 52) issues both of these mandatory documents. Security officers are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can get these items at any time during the first week of class. Should security be away from their office when you stop by, call them at 717-728-2364 and have them meet you at the Security Office.
Room 300 in the ATEC building is open Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 midnight and Saturday and Sunday 12:00 noon - 12:00 midnight. You also may access computer terminals in the library during their regular business hours (times may change; check with your professor). If you need access at a different time or to a different lab, be in touch with your professor to make those arrangements.
From the homepage, www.centralpenn.edu, click on College Services and then click on Information Technology. On the next page you can access either I-Campus or Blackboard. You will be prompted for the username and password that was provided in your acceptance packet. All of the tools you need to complete an online course are available through the I-Campus or Blackboard site only.
If you are unable to start in the term which you originally applied for, please contact your Admissions Counselor as soon as possible. Your Admissions Counselor then will notify all of the appropriate offices. Applicants may change their start dates once without having to reapply. In any event, please contact your Admissions Counselor who will be able to determine whether or not you need to submit a new application.
Every student is assigned to an Academic Advisor (to determine who your advisor is, visit www.centralpenn.edu, then click on "College Services" from the homepage. From the College Services page, click on CPC Web). Pre-registration takes place the 4th week of every term. During the 4th week, make every effort to be in touch with your advisor to discuss class choices for the following term. Even if you elect not to take any classes during the upcoming term, you still need to notify your advisor. By pre-registering during the 4th week, you are getting "first pick" at the course selections before registration is open to new students. Your tuition bill for the classes you select will not be due until approximately 3 weeks prior to the start of the term.
Unless you are radically changing careers, in many cases, internships can be completed at your current place of employment. Otherwise, this may be the time where you elect to start your new career and complete a (potentially) paid internship with your new employer. Internships require 180 hours (except Paralegal which requires 360 hours) during the 11-week term, so you may not necessarily have to put in 40 hours/week to complete an internship. The Career Services office should be a great resource to assist you in finding an internship as you approach the end of your coursework. Students complete their internship during their final term after all coursework has been completed.