Policies & Guidelines

Academic Good Standing Administrative Calendar Class Registration Eligibility – Undergraduate or Graduate Community Scholar Status and University Services Community Scholar Standards of Conduct Course Selection Employees of the University Faculty Approvals and Signatures Grade Notification and Official Academic Records High School Students Home Schooled Students Honor System In-State Residency & Tuition Registration Blocks Registration Dates Registration Late Period Senior Citizens Transcripts UVA Students Wishing To Go Part-Time Visa Status   Please refer to the Community Scholar Handbook for the most complete listing of policies and guidelines.   Academic Good Standing Anyone currently under suspension or not in academic good standing at any college or university is ineligible for enrollment through the Community Scholar Program.   To remain eligible for continued registration as a Community Scholar, individuals registered in undergraduate courses must maintain an average grade of “C”; individuals registered in graduate courses must earn a grade of “B-” or above to continue in the program.  A Community Scholar with a grade of incomplete will not be permitted to register for additional courses until the incomplete is satisfactorily completed.    Degree candidates in good standing at other accredited institutions may enroll as a Community Scholar.  The student is fully responsible for assuring that transfer credits will be accepted by the home institution and applied to the degree.    Written appeals for admission or readmission into the Community Scholar Program must be submitted to the Director of Academic Programs, School of Continuing and Professional Studies (434-982-5284) prior to the start of the registration period for the semester that the student desires to enroll.      Administrative Calendar The Community Scholar Program maintains its own registration calendar specific to add/drops, refunds, withdrawals, incompletes, and grade changes. Current dates.   Class Registration Eligibility – Undergraduate or Graduate Individuals who do not possess an undergraduate degree may only register for undergraduate courses.  Proof of an undergraduate degree must be presented at the time of registration in order to enroll in a graduate course.  A copy of an undergraduate diploma or unofficial transcript may serve as verification. UVA alumni are not required to submit transcript verification.     Community Scholar Status and University Services Community Scholars do not pay the required full-time student fees which include such items as athletic tickets, intramural access, Student Health, University Transit, Student Legal Services, and University Union tickets.  As such, they are not eligible to use the services of the Department of Student Health or purchase the University-endorsed Student Health Insurance plan, nor will they receive the above-mentioned services while taking classes through the program.  Community Scholars are urged to make other healthcare arrangements.    Community Scholar Standards of Conduct Community Scholars enrolling in University courses agree to abide by the University Honor System, the University’s rules and regulations, and the School of Continuing and Professional Studies policy on appropriate conduct.  In addition, Community Scholars assume an obligation to conduct themselves in a manner that is civil and compatible with the University’s function as an educational institution. In a community of learning, willful disruption of the educational process, destruction of property, interference with the orderly process of the University, or with the rights of others cannot be tolerated. In order to fulfill its functions for imparting and gaining knowledge, the University has the authority and responsibility to maintain order within the University. The Dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies has the authority to exclude those who are disruptive of the educational process, including those whose behavior would present a threat to the health and safety of others.    Course Selection Courses may be selected from departments and schools throughout the University with the exception of the Schools of Medicine, Law, and Education.  Community Scholars may enroll for an unlimited number of semesters, but may take no more than two courses per semester, along with any dependent laboratory or discussion session, for a maximum of 11.5 hours.  More information.    Employees of the University   University Human Resources announced a new Education Benefits Program that went into effect on July 1, 2008.  A core component of the program is tuition benefits, designed to provide Employees and their Schools and Departments with centrally-provided financial support for employee education, vocational and professional development opportunities, in accordance with State policy.  Full and part-time Academic Division employees, including classified and university staff and faculty, with one year of benefits-eligible service, can request up to $2000 per calendar year in tuition benefits for eligible courses. Employees choosing to enroll in the regular On Grounds credit courses of the University of Virginia will do so through the Community Scholar Program. More Information. Faculty Approvals and Signatures Community Scholars must obtain the permission of the instructor(s) to enroll in each class, lab, and discussion group.  Faculty reserve the right not to admit a Community Scholar into a class based upon class size or lack of prerequisite education.  Additional signatures may be necessary.  All signatures must be obtained prior to visiting the Community Scholar Program office to pay tuition and fees and complete the registration process.  More information.  Students seeking to audit classes must obtain instructor permission at the time of registration.  Courses successfully taken on an audit basis have the symbol AU recorded and no credits are earned.  A grade of W is recorded for any student who discontinues the audit after the drop deadline or who fails to meet the instructor’s standards.  Regular tuition rates and fees apply.    Grade Notification and Official Academic Records The Office of the University Registrar maintains the official academic records for courses taken through the Community Scholar Program.  Grades are not mailed to students.  Instead, grades may be viewed online or to print an unofficial grade report, visit the University Registrar's website at www.virginia.edu/registrar/. All grades are a permanent record of student performance. (See below for official transcript information).   High School Students Exceptional high school students who wish to pursue advanced study in an academic environment when they have exhausted their high school’s resources are eligible to register for one course per semester in the Community Scholar Program.  More information.  Home Schooled Students Home schooled students are eligible to register for one course per semester in the Community Scholar Program.  More information.   Honor System Community Scholars are bound by the University’s Honor System. The purpose of the Honor System is to sustain and protect a community of trust in which students enjoy the freedom to develop their intellectual and personal potential.  Each student is charged with the responsibility to refrain from dishonorable conduct.  The essence of the system is that a student's word as a member of the University can be accepted without question and that any violation of a student's word is an offense against the entire student body.  An honor offense is defined as an intentional act of lying, cheating or stealing which warrants permanent dismissal from the University.  Criteria regarding an honor offense, and other related information may be viewed online at www.virginia.edu/honor.   In-State Residency & Tuition To qualify for in-state residency and tuition, individuals must have been legally domiciled in Virginia for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceeding the first day of class.  If you are uncertain as to your residency status, contact the Community Scholar office several weeks prior to the start date of the semester. Students may be required to submit proof of residency.  University information regarding residency may be found at www.virginia.edu/undergradadmission/status.html.   Registration Blocks Unpaid bills, library fines or University parking tickets can generate blocks during the registration process.  Individuals may not enroll in courses or complete registration if a registration block exists on their account.  It is necessary to clear all registration blocks prior to registering for courses.      Registration Dates The Community Scholar registration period begins approximately weeks prior to the start of fall classes and six weeks prior to the start of spring classes, ending nearly three weeks following the start of the semester.  Current dates.   Registration must be completed in person at the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, Zehmer Hall, 104 Midmont Lane (Monday-Friday, 8am – 5pm). Full course payment is required at the time of registration.   Registration Late Period A late registration period will commence at the close of the semester’s open registration period.  A fee of $25 will be assessed if registration is completed during the late registration period.  No registrations will be accepted beyond the late registration period.   Senior Citizens The University offers courses with tuition and certain fees waived for qualified senior citizens in compliance with the Senior Citizen Higher Education Act.  More information.   Transcripts Official University transcripts may be obtained on-line, by mail, or in person.  Transcript requests are not available by telephone, fax, or e-mail.  The cost of an official transcript is $4.00 per copy.  More information.   UVA Students Wishing To Go Part-Time Students from the College of Arts and Sciences and SEAS, under certain unique circumstances, may enroll part-time through the School of Continuing and Professional Studies.  More information.   Visa Status Any student with non-immigrant status is required to indicate their status at the time of registration.  Necessary guidance may be obtained from the International Studies Office at (434) 982-3010 or by visiting http://www.virginia.edu/iso/.