Whether a student is entering their first semester of college or going back to school, registering for classes can be one of the biggest struggles – especially online. However, there are steps students can take to make the process easier.
“We see Flint Promise scholars struggle with registering for school all the time,” says James Avery, director of Education & Training for the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce, which administers the scholarship program. “The best advice is to make sure you ask questions early and often.”
Here are some tips to help students get on the right track when registering for college.
- Start with FAFSA
Students are required to complete the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) no matter how they are planning to pay for college. The process can take a while for some students, so starting early on the application can ensure it is completed in time to register for classes. FAFSA opens on October 1 each year and closes on June 30. - Check your college email
Email is the main form of communication that colleges use with students. To avoid missing important emails from an advisor, the registrar’s office or admissions counselor, make sure you keep up to date on your inbox. - Work closely with an academic advisor
Academic advisors can help make sure students take the right classes to complete their intended major and minor. It is important to speak with your advisor regarding which classes you are taking or if you need to add or drop a class. Advisors can help you make choices so there are no delays in your degree plan. - Pay attention to your payment deadline
Whether you are paying for school with scholarships, student loans or out-of-pocket, it is important to know your institution’s payment deadlines to make sure there isn’t any hold up when registering for classes. - Register for classes early
Once you have completed your FAFSA, worked with an advisor and made sure your classes were paid for, you need to register for classes. Students will be notified when class enrollment opens, typically via email, and can then start registering. Registering right away can ensure that you get the classes you need at the times you need before they fill up.
Students who live in Flint and graduated from a Flint school may be eligible for Flint Promise, a last-dollar scholarship that covers up to 100 percent of a student’s college costs at the University of Michigan-Flint, Mott Community College and Kettering University. For more information, visit theflintpromise.org.