Mission Statement : Minnesota West Community & Technical College is dedicated to serving the varied educational needs of our diverse populations in affordable, accessible and supportive settings.

 eServices, , & D2L  Financial Aid  Advising & Registration  Textbooks  Tuition and Fees  Succeeding at MN West  Support Services  Student Policies

1. Ask Jay 2. Search Box 3. Current Students link 4. A-Z index

eServices, , D2L

 Unique, single Username/Password Combination  Will be used for eServices, Student and D2L

 Register for classes.  Drop/add or withdraw classes.  View your grades (2-4 days after end of term).  Display and print your class schedule.  Check your DARS (Degree Audit Report).  Check your financial aid.  Pay your tuition.  View charges, payments & current balance due.  Verify/update your address with the college.  And More…… Username: StarID Password: StarID password

 is a primary means of communication at Minnesota West. All Communications will be sent to your student account only.  All students receive a free Minnesota West account. Accounts will be set up within 2 working days of your registration of classes.  Login: Access student through “Quick Links” from the Minnesota West homepage. Address: Username: Password: StarID password Address: Username: Password: StarID password

 Access D2L through “Quick Links” on the Minnesota West homepage.  Take the Free Introduction to Online Learning tutorial. Username: StarID Password: StarID password

Financial Aid

Successfully navigating financial aid  Complete FAFSA every school year at  Monitor your eservices student account for financial aid status and award updates.  Determine how much financial aid you need.  Complete student loan paperwork if applicable.  Communicate with your advisor and campus resource specialist if class schedule or academic standing changes during the semester – This could impact your financial aid award and eligibility.

Other important information  Financial Aid Overage Disbursement Reference student calendar for dates Sign up for direct deposit  Loan eligibility - minimum of 6 credits  Summer financial aid is available  Don’t take more than you need  Questions? – contact your campus resource specialist or check out helpful info on the web

Advising & Registration

Know your advisor and how he/she can assist you:  Course selection & program requirements  Test scores/pre-requisites  Transfer credits  Alternative methods of earning credit /credit for prior learning  Communication throughout the semester

 Work with your advisor to determine the appropriate classes.  Register through your eServices student account using the “Courses & Registration” link.

 Waitlists are available for some classes each semester.  Students can be added to a waitlist by using their eServices student account. Students will receive an if a spot becomes available in a waitlist class. Students have 24 hours to respond to the and register for the available spot in a class.

For Standard Academic Terms Add/Drop a class  Students may add/drop classes without permission within the first five days of the term. Withdraw from a class  Students may withdraw from classes from the 6 th day until 80% of the academic term has elapsed.  Students withdrawing from classes may have to repay part of their financial aid.

 Designed to help you identify and understand current academic requirements for your degree or program completion.  Log-in to the eServices students account to view your degree audit report.  Learn more about the DARS via

Textbooks

 Books are usually available two weeks before classes begin.  General supplies, tools for specific programs, gifts, souvenirs, & computer software are available at bookstore.  Textbook refund policy Refunds available through first FIVE days of term with receipt Books enclosed in shrink wrap are not returnable if unwrapped.  Book Buyback held at end of each term.

On-campus bookstore: (Worthington, Jackson, Canby only) 1.Bring your printed class schedule 2.Bring your student ID # 3.Give the above information to the bookstore attendant OR locate your textbooks on the shelves online ordering: (Jackson, Granite Falls, Centers, Online Students) 1.Determine which textbooks books you need 2.Check prices 3.Order books to be shipped OR picked up at your campus bookstore  Books that are shipped may include a shipping fee

Methods of Payment 1.In advance online using debit or credit card 2.At the bookstore (cash, check, credit/debit card) 3.Third Party (must have written authorization on file) 4.Book voucher What is a book voucher?  A method by which your “extra” financial aid pays for your textbooks so you do not need to pay for them out-of-pocket How does a voucher work? 1.Determine the cost of your textbooks. 2.Determine how much leftover financial aid you have available after your tuition is paid. 3.Use the “voucher” option for payment online or tell the attendant at the bookstore that you would like to pay with a voucher.

Tuition and Fees

 Tuition and Fees are due no later than the 5 th business day of the term.  Tuition statements are only available online via your eServices student account.  Online payments are encouraged.  A tuition payment plan is available for sign- up prior to the start of the term.

Succeeding at MN West

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) “progressing in a positive manner toward fulfilling requirements for the degree or certificate in a given program of study” SAP = GPA & Completion Percentage GPA  6 – 15 credits: 1.60 GPA  16 – 30 credits: 1.80 GPA  31+ credits: 2.0 GPA Completion % = 67%

Warning  Student falls below Satisfactory Academic Progress standards.  Still eligible to receive financial aid.  Must meet the SAP standards at the end of their warning period to be removed from warning. Suspension  Student does not satisfactorily remove him/herself from Academic and/or Financial Aid warning.  Suspension from enrolling in classes until successful appeal (CASE Management) Probation  Return from suspension.  Must maintain a 2.5 GPA and 75% completion rate during probationary term to remain in good standing.

 Check into your online class often.  Read your .  Read the syllabus; know the instructor’s expectations.  Know how and when to contact your instructors. Contact instructor about unexpected or emergency events that may cause you to miss classes or assignments  Know when and how to ask for help. Seek out tutoring sooner rather than later  Be proactive - ask questions on Assignments.

 GradesFirst is a communication tool used by faculty, advisors & students at Minnesota West.  Includes quick & easy reminders for class assignments and various other academic requirements via texts, s, phone calls, or even Facebook.  Faculty may post reports at any time to alert you if you are at academic risk or if you are succeeding.

Activities:  Student Senate  Business Professionals of America  Intramural Athletics  Music  Phi Theta Kappa  Theater  SkillsUSA  Numerous Clubs (program specific)  Intercollegiate Athletics National Junior College Athletic Association Minnesota College Athletics Conference

Support Services

 Research: Thousands of resources available through the LARC. Students need barcode # from their student ID card to access Library databases from home.  Tutoring: The LARC offers free tutoring to students who request help with classes.  Career Services: We offer career counseling with a free career assessment tool along with resume and job application assistance. (College Central)  Other Services: The LARC can also assist students with student , D2L concerns, and can proctor exams.  Disability Services: Need accommodations? – See Campus Student Services Advisor for assistance.

Smarthinking is a live online tutoring service, and is available to students at anytime and from anywhere.  Smarthinking Subjects: Math Accounting Economics Biology Physics Spanish Writing Chemistry and more  Log in through your D2L page.

 Obtain from LARC coordinator or at student services  Barcode is required to check out “physical” items from LARC (print books, dvd’s, equipment, etc.)  Accessing digital materials from off-campus (research databases, streaming videos) requires your Star ID.

Student Policies

Minnesota West students should be aware of policies, rights, and responsibilities that impact them. Examples:  Code of Conduct  Petitions and Appeals  Sexual Harassment & Violence  Privacy Rights  Alcohol & Drug Policy

 Weather related announcements can be found via  Announcements are usually posted by 7:00am when a campus or center is going to be closed. Closure = cancellation of classes, activities, and meetings hosted/ sponsored by students, faculty, or staff. General offices are closed.  Closures also announced on local radio stations.  Sign up for text-alerts  More information can be found in the “Student Policies” section of