Listed below are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers. Questions can also be answered by emailing virtualcollege@fhsu.edu or by calling (785) 628-FHSU (3478) or toll free at 800-628-FHSU (3478).
Accounting services
Admissions
Enrollment
Technical Information
Starting courses/delivery
Grades, credits, and graduation
Q. What is the cost of a Virtual College course? A. Tuition and fees are posted online at the Student Fiscal Services website at www.fhsu.edu/sfs.
Q. Are textbooks and materials included in the tuition and fees? A. No. Textbooks and course material costs are not included in the tuition cost. To order textbooks and materials, visit the University Bookstore online at fhsu.bkstore.com or call 877-387-7448. The $5 handling fee is not refundable.
Q. How do I start? A. You will find information about how to begin your college career with FHSU on our web-page entitled Six Steps to Starting Your Course. This page offers information about how to begin your course after you have enrolled. It also explains how to view your enrollment, financial status, update personal contact information, where to order your books, access your free Scatcat email account, and review syllabi.
Q. Is Fort Hays State University accredited? A. Fort Hays State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, USA, 800-621-7440; or (312) 263-0456.
Q. What is the application fee? A. Students enrolling for the first time at FHSU must pay a one-time, nonrefundable application fee of $30 for undergraduates and degree seeking graduates. International student fees are $35 (U.S. funds). No action will be taken pertaining to enrollment until this application fee is paid.
Q. Do I need to be admitted to FHSU to take courses offered through the Virtual College? A. Yes. Students enrolling at FHSU for the first time must submit an application for admission/registration form available online at www.fhsu.edu/admissions.
Q. Do I need to be admitted to the Graduate School to take graduate-level courses? A. Yes. The application form is available online at www.fhsu.edu/gradschl/forms.shtml. Non-degree seeking students will not be assessed a graduate application fee, but students must complete the application for admission and supply evidence of the bachelor’s degree (transcript) with at least a 2.50 GPA for the last 60 credit hours from a regionally accredited educational institution. Inquiries should be made to the Graduate School at (785) 628-4236 or gradschool@fhsu.edu prior to registration/ enrollment.
Q. How can I find out who is assigned as my advisor? A. Advisor information is provided to each student by the Registrar’s Office when the student is admitted to the University. To find out who your advisor is, refer to the Registrar’s letter, visit TigerTracks at tigertracks.fhsu.edu, or contact the Academic Advising and Career Exploration Center, Fort Hays State University, Picken Hall 100, 600 Park Street, Hays, KS 67601-4099; (785) 628-5577; advising@fhsu.edu.
Q. I am in the Navy and would like to attend FHSU, what should I do first? A. Contact your local Navy Education Office. Education Counselors will explain the Navy College Partnership Distance Learning Program and assist you in getting your SMART transcript. You can learn more about the program online at www.fhsu.edu/navy, or by calling (785) 628-FHSU (3478) or 800-628-FHSU (3478).
Q. How do I find out what classes are offered next semester? A. For an up-to-date list of course offerings for current and upcoming semesters visit tigertracks.fhsu.edu.
Q. How will I know what classes to take? A. Contact your advisor to discuss the courses necessary to obtain a degree.
Q. How can I pre-enroll/enroll for my Virtual College course? A. TigerEnroll is the online system that will guide you through the process fo selecting classes, pre-enrolling , and enrolling. Once you have logged into your TigerEnroll account you will see a five tab screen. Each tab represents a different step in the TigerEnroll process. The process follows a tab-by-tab sequence, starting with the Worksheet and proceeding to the Enrollment Holds, Pre-Enroll/Schedule Changes, Advisor Approval, and Enrollment/Payment tabs.
Q. How can I drop/withdraw from a Virtual College course?
A. Courses must be dropped through TigerEnroll. Once you have logged into your TigerEnroll account:
1. Select the semester and click on the “Pre-Enroll/Schedule Changes” tab
2. Select the course you would like to drop and place a check in the box to the left of the course
3. Click on the “Remove Selected” button.
Your request will then be sent to your Academic Advisor for approval prior to processing.
For refund information and drop deadlines refer to the Academic Calendar at http://www.fhsu.edu/registrar/calendarbase.shtml.
It is important to check with the office of Financial Assistance prior to dropping or withdrawing from a course to verify how it will affect your Financial Aid status.
Q. How can I add a course to my schedule?
A. Courses must be added through TigerEnroll. Once you have logged into your TigerEnroll account:
- 1. Select the semester
- 2. Select the course you would like to add under “Course Search”
- 3. Click on the “Add Courses to Schedule Worksheet” button
- 4. Click on the “Pre-Enroll/Schedule Changes” tab
- 5. Select the course you wish to add to your schedule and place a check in the box to the left of the course
- 6. Click on the “Add Selected Courses to Student Schedule” button
Your request will then be sent to your Academic Advisor for approval prior to processing. Once your add request is approved by your advisor you will receive an email notification in your ScatCat account reminding you to complete payment for the course. You should complete payment within your TigerEnroll account by going to the “Enrollment/Payment” tab.
For add and enrollment deadlines refer to the Academic Calendar at http://www.fhsu.edu/registrar/calendarbase.shtml.
Q. What are the system requirements for courses offered on Blackboard or CD-ROM? A. The minimum technical requirements to take CD-ROM, DVD and Online courses are: 800 MHz Pentium Processor or faster, 128 MB of RAM, 200 MB of free hard drive space, Sound card and speakers, CD-ROM/DVD drive, 56 K modem (or faster), 800x600 Resolution, Internet access, E-mail account (FHSU provides a free lifetime account), Web browser and certain plug-ins (depending on the course). Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP or Mac OS X (or higher) (Note: Courseware cannot be accessed using Web TV). For additional information, please visit the Virtual College website at www.fhsu.edu/virtualcollege/techsupport. shtml.
Q. What if I don’t have all the software required to view the material for my online course? A. A list of free software downloads is available at http://www.fhsu.edu/virtualcollege/plugins.shtml.
Q. What if I have technical problems with my CD-ROM, DVD or Online course? A. For technical assistance with CD-ROM, DVD, or online courses that are offered through the Virtual College, call (785) 628-FHSU(3478) or toll-free at 800-628-FHSU (3478).
Q. Can I purchase or keep my tapes? A. No. CD-ROMs, DVDs and videotapes are property of Fort Hays State University and are not available for resale. CD-ROMs, DVDs and videotapes must be received by the University Bookstore no later than 10 days after the completion of the semester/term in order for you to receive your deposit refund.
Q. How are the courses delivered? A. The Virtual College delivers distance learning coursework through asynchronous and synchronous modes. Asynchronous delivery (anytime/any place) includes: CD-ROMs, DVDs, the Internet, videotapes and guided study. Synchronous delivery (same time/different locations) includes: face-to-face and internet protocol television (IPTV).
Q. How do I log in to Blackboard? A. Go to blackboard.fhsu.edu and read the information provided. Click on the log in button. You will then be prompted to enter your “Username” and “Password”. The username is normally your first and middle initials followed by your last name. If you do not have a middle initial then use an “_” in its place. There are no spaces and the username is in lowercase. If you have a common name (i.e. John Smith) check with your instructor to see if they made special amends to your username (jsmith2). Your password is often the last four digits of your social security number.
Q. How do I find my syllabus? A. Tentative syllabi for courses offered through the Virtual College are listed online at www.fhsu.edu/syllabus.
Q. How do I take exams? Do I need to find a test proctor? A. Information on exams will be found in the course syllabus (www.fhsu.edu/syllabus) or provided by the instructor. Some instructors request students to secure a test proctor during exams. Proctor information can be found online at www.fhsu.edu/proctorform.
Q. When will I receive my grades? A. Final grades from instructors are due in the Registrar’s Office on the first work day after the semester/term ends. Students may view their grades at tigertracks.fhsu.edu. Grades will only be mailed to the student if the student sends a written request to the Registrar’s Office, Fort Hays State University, Sheridan Hall 106, 600 Park Street, Hays, KS 67601-4099.
Q. Will the credit I earn apply toward my degree for teacher certification? A. Contact your advisor or the Licensure Office at (785) 628-4542 before you register to ensure credit will apply toward degree requirements or certification.
Q. Will the Virtual College issue my degree and what will be on my diploma? A. The student’s FHSU degree will be awarded through one of four colleges: College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and Leadership, College of Education and Technology, or College of Health and Life Sciences at Fort Hays State University. The words Virtual College will not appear on the diploma.