REGISTRATION AND RECORDS
Q: Where can I find a list of deadlines for adding, dropping courses, etc?
A: The academic calendar containing all important dates and deadlines is posted on the Registrar’s Web page (www.msstate.edu/dept/registrar/calendar). All deadlines are at 5:00 PM unless otherwise stated.
Q: How do I change my major?
A: Obtain a “major change” form from Registrar’s Office or your Department. Fill out and obtain required signatures. Return to Registrar’s Office.
Q: Where do I get my RAC number?
A: Your advisor or someone in the department of your major can look your RAC number up on the web or on the printed Enrollment Form sent to your department by the Registrar’s Office or Office of Admissions and Scholarships. The Registrar’s Office CANNOT give RAC numbers to students.
Q: What happens if my RAC has been disabled?
A: Call the Registrar’s Office and let them know that the RAC has been disabled. They will set a new RAC number. Please contact your advisor to get the new RAC.
Q: What do I do if my “password” has been disabled?
A: In order for us to reset your password you must come to the Registrar’s Office or fax a copy of your I.D, social security #, and a phone # or e-mail address to 325-1471.
Q: Can I add a course after the 5th day of class?
A: Students may normally NOT add a class after the 5th class day. Students may request their College Dean to consider a late add request. The Dean has the right to approve or NOT approve your add request depending on circumstances. First obtain signatures from your advisor, instructor of the course on an “add slip.” Second, submit the add slip to your dean for consideration. If the dean approves, they may send the add slip to the Registrar or permit you to hand carry it to the Registrar.
Q: How do I drop an individual course AFTER the drop date?
A: You may NOT normally drop a course after the drop date. Your dean MAY consider to approve or NOT approve a late drop depending on your circumstances. If your dean approves a late drop, your student account will be charged $50.
Q: Is there a charge for dropping or adding an individual course late?
A: Yes. When your approved add or drop slip is processed, your student account will automatically be charged a $50 late fee.
Q: What do I do if I wish to take MORE hours than the computer will allow me to?
A: Get an “overload form” from the Registrar’s Office. Request your advisor and Dean’s approval. The Dean and Advisor may or MAY NOT approve your request depending on your situation. If approved/signed return form to Registrar’s Office.
Q: What is the difference between dropping a class and a withdrawal?
A: A drop is for one course and a withdrawal is withdrawing from ALL of your courses.
Q: How do I withdraw from the University?
A: Go to your Dean’s office and have them fill out a “Withdrawal Form.” Return to Registrar’s office.
Q: What do I do if I haven’t been here in a while and want to return to MSU?
A: If an Undergraduate: fill out a “readmission form” either in the Registrar’s Office or online.
If a Graduate student, contact the Office of Graduate Studies.
| MASTER CLASS SCHEDULES | Top Of Page |
A: The Master Class Schedule is posted on the Web approximately two weeks before faculty advising for pre-registration begins. The spring class schedule is posted in mid-October; summer and fall schedules are posted in mid-March.
Q: Where can I view the master class schedule on the Web?
A: The Master Class Schedule is posted on the MSU Web page. Current students may view the schedule by logging in to (Banner Web) and choosing 'Curriculum Information.’ Prospective students and the general public may view the schedule by visiting the Registrar’s Office Web page (www.msstate.edu/dept/registrar/) and choosing ‘Class Schedule.’ Faculty and staff may view the schedule by logging in to (Banner Web), choosing ‘General Reports’ and then ‘Master Schedule.’
Q: Where can I get a paper copy of the master class schedule?
A: The Registrar’s Office no longer publishes the master schedule in booklet format. A printable PDF file of the schedule is posted on the Registrar’s Web page (www.msstate.edu/dept/registrar/) under ‘Class Schedule.’ Note: This is a very lengthy document, but individual pages or small sections may be selected for printing.
| APPLYING FOR GRADUATION | Top Of Page |
A: You must apply for your degree before the application deadline and make sure your account is paid by the posted deadline to pay your account. These dates are published on the Academic Calendar on the Registrar’s Office Web page. (www.msstate.edu/dept/registrar/calendar)
Q: What if I miss the deadline?
A: If you miss the deadline to apply for a degree, you will have to fill out the paper application form in the Registrar’s office and pay the degree audit fee plus a $50 late fee. You must also pay your account balance in full before you may fill out the paper application. If you miss the deadline to pay your account, you can be pulled from graduation due to unpaid fees.
Q: How do I apply for a degree online?
A: Go to the MSU home page (www.msstate.edu), click on OnCampus (Intranet), log in, click on the Banner tab, then click on Apply for a Degree under the Academic Records section. At this same page, you should have to option to check your degree application status. When your application has been submitted, your degree application will be “applied”. It will continue to say “applied” until after the ceremony and you receive final degree clearance. When you have been fully cleared your status will change from applied to awarded.
Q: Why will the system not allow me to apply for my degree on line?
A: One of the most common reasons is because you have applied for this degree in a previous term. The system will not allow you to apply for a degree more than once online. You will have to fill out a paper application in the Registrar’s Office. Another common reason is that there is a problem with your student record. If you have made a change in your student record within the same term that you are applying for a degree, you will have to come to the office and fill out a paper application.
Q: Can I cancel my application and will my money be refunded?
A: You can cancel your application at any time before graduation, but to receive a refund of your degree audit fee, you must cancel before the posted deadline for degree applications.
Q: If I cancel my application, will it be carried over to the next term?
A: No, the degree application and the degree audit fee are only good for one term. If you cancel your application, you will have to reapply for the degree in the next term or whenever you are ready to graduate. This is our way of knowing when you are ready to graduate and we can begin the degree audit process.
| DEGREES AND DIPLOMAS | Top Of Page |
A: Final grades are due in our office on Tuesday after graduation. Once grades have been entered, the college academic coordinators meet with the Registrar’s office staff to clear each student. At this time, the degree audit staff will begin to award degrees. Within a couple of weeks, undergraduates should be able to check the degree application status and see that it has been changed to “awarded”. Graduate students may take longer to clear.
Q: What if my degree is not awarded?
A: Check with your department for information on why the coordinator did not clear you for the degree. If your degree is not awarded, you will have to reapply for your degree the next available term.
Q: When will my diploma be mailed?
A: After all undergraduate and graduate degrees are awarded; we will print and mail diplomas. This process of clearing students and printing diplomas usually takes about 4 to 6 weeks.
Q: Where will my diploma be mailed?
A: The diploma will be mailed to the address designated in your application. It will be mailed “First Class” and will be packaged in a mailer clearly marked “DIPLOMA-DO NOT BEND".
| GRADUATION CEREMONY INFORMATION | Top Of Page |
A: About three weeks before graduation, the Registrar's office will send information about the ceremony to the address that you request your diploma be sent. It will tell when and where to pick up regalia. It will include information about when and where to line up at the coliseum. It will also include information regarding the purchase of a tape and or a DVD of the ceremony. Videos and DVDs are sold by the MSU TV Center.
Q: Can I purchase my regalia?
A: The regalia are rented by the Registrar's Office and will have to be returned. If you are interested in purchasing regalia or accessories, contact Herf Jones Graduate Services, Inc. at 601-898-7883.
| TRANSCRIPTS | Top Of Page |
A: Yes. The transcript request form is posted on the Web at http://www.msstate.edu/dept/registrar/transcript
Q: What information does the Registrar's Office need to process a transcript request?
A: If you cannot access the request form online, you can fax or mail the Registrar's Office this information: Social Security Number, Full Name, Date of Birth, Date of Last Attendance at MSU, Daytime Phone Number, Current Mailing Address, Address where transcript should be mailed, and credit card information for payment. Be sure to sign Your Request (VERY IMPORTANT)
Q: Can I request a transcript by telephone or e-mail?
A: No, we must have your signature.
Q: What is the fee for having a transcript mailed?
A: All transcripts are $5 per copy.
Q: Can I have a transcript faxed?
A: Yes, but a faxed transcript is NOT an official transcript and there is a $10 fee for faxing an unofficial transcript.
Q: Can an official transcript be faxed?
A: No. Faxed transcripts sent via fax and the type of paper used for copying makes these transcripts unofficial. Official transcripts are printed on special tamper proof and copy proof paper. The fee for an unofficial faxed transcript is $10.
Q: Is the first copy of my transcript free?
A: No. All transcripts are $5 per copy, however, your Dean provides you with a coupon for a free transcript. The coupon is mailed to you with your diploma.
Q: If I buy transcripts in bulk, will I get a discount?
A: No.
Q: Can my transcript be sent electronically?
A: No. In the future, we plan to employ a system whereas there will be exchange of information electronically between universities.
Q: Can my parents or friends request or pick up my transcript?
A: No, not unless you provide them with a written, signed letter giving them permission to pick up your transcript.
Q: Are rank information and ACT scores automatically posted to my transcript?
A: No, you must request this information at the time you request your transcript.
Q: Have you ever had problems with credit card fraud or misuse of credit card information when ordering transcripts?
A: No. Our credit card machine is in a secured location, away from public view or accessibility.
Q: Do you still have records from the early 1900's?
A: Yes.
| VETERANS' ASSISTANCE | Top Of Page |
A: Contact the Veteran's Assistance Office at (662)325-2024. The office is located in Room 176 of the Registrar's Office in Garner Hall.
Q: How can I check the status of my monthly VA checks or find out how many months remain on my eligibility?
A: Call the VA toll free, automated number: 1-888-GI Bill 1 (442-4551)
Q: Where are Montgomery GI Bill checks mailed?
A: The checks can be mailed directly to you or you can choose to have your checks automatically deposited into a checking account or savings account. Call toll free 1-877-838-2778 to set up direct deposit.
Q: How do I verify my monthly enrollment to the VA?
A: The verification can be done by using the Web Automated Verification of Enrollment (WAVE): https://www.gibill.va/wave/default.cfm or by using an automated system 1-877-823-2378.
Q: If I am in the National Guard or Reserves and receiving the GI Bill, can I get additional educational assistance?
A: Check with your Education Service Officer at your unit to see if you are eligible for Tuition Assistance (TA), kickers, or State Education Assistance Program (SEAP)
Q: How can I find out if I have been approved to receive TA (Tuition Assistance) or SEAP (State Education Assistance Program)?
A: Contact the Sponsored Student Programs Office at (662) 325-2857
Q: Can I receive credit for my military training?
A: Those wishing to receive credit must furnish an official transcript mailed directly to the Registrar's Office from their branch of service. The student's dean will determine applicable credit toward a degree. Mail official transcripts to: Veterans Assistance Office, Mississippi State University, Registrar's Office, P.O. Box 5268, Mississippi State, MS 39762. Request forms for transcripts are available in the Veterans Assistance Office. Community College of the Air Force transcripts are mailed directly to the MSU Admission Office.