Frequently Asked Questions
Am I required to required to meet with my advisor?
What are the differences between the A.A., A.S., and A.A.S degrees?
What are the requirements for my associates degree?
What happens if I forget my User ID or password for NICOnline?
When is payment for tuition due?
Can I repeat a course for additional credit?
Can I repeat a course in order to receive a better grade?
Does NIC accept Advanced Placement and CLEP?
What is Add/Drop?
Can I challenge a course?
What is a withdrawal?
How do I withdraw from a class?
How do I withdraw from all my current classes?
How does a "W" course grade affect my transcript?
What is a prerequisite and a corequisite?
What happens if I just stop attending classes?
What happens if I lose my student ID card?
How do internet courses work?
Am I required to meet with my advisor?
Yes! The first semester that you attend NIC you must meet with an advisor before registering for classes. This is done at an Orientation Advising and Registration Session (OARS). It is highly recommended that you meet with your assigned advisor before registering for classes each semester thereafter. This allows you, with the help of your advisor, to review your education objectives and your plans for fulfilling those objectives. One of the best times to meet with your Advisor in on Advising Day. Consult the academic calendar for each semester’s Advising Day.
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What are the differences between the A.A., A.S. and A.A.S. degrees?
The Associates of Arts (A.A.) and Associates of Science (A.S.) degrees are designed to help students select the courses needed to fulfill the first half (lower division or 100 and 200 level courses) of many different bachelor degree programs. Completing the second half of the degree (upper division or 300 and 400 level courses) involves transferring to an appropriate college or university where the desired degree is offered.
The A.A. degree is designed to automatically satisfy general core requirements at Eastern Washington University, Central Washington University, Whitworth College and Gonzaga University. It will also satisfy core requirements at all public colleges and universities in Idaho. It lacks some of the flexibility of the A. S. degree due to the fewer amount of non-core electives allowed, but offers a sometimes stronger transfer preparation to unidentified or out-of-state transfer institutions because of its many core areas and its use of more traditional, widely accepted course options.
The A.S. degree is designed to automatically satisfy general core requirements at all Idaho public colleges and universities as well as Gonzaga University. It offers a wide range of options in many of the core areas and a generous number of elective credits for meeting course requirements specific to your major. This makes it very versatile in adapting to specific requirements at other institutions. With some planning, it can make receiving an associate’s degree appropriate for almost all transfer situations.
The A.A.S. degree is designed to provide educational training for entry-level job skills in Professional-Technical Programs. Reinforcing basic skills and developing job-related skills are integral components of all of the Professional Technical programs. Career oriented programs vary in length depending on program objectives. Since many courses are specifically designed for each A.A.S. program, the A.A.S. degree is not designed to prepare students to transfer to a 4-year college or university. However, many of the general education courses required for the A.A.S. degree may also apply towards an associates or bachelors degree.
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What are the requirements for my associate degree?
See Degrees Offered for information on A.A., A.S., or A.A.S. degrees.
Students should use the program guidelines for the major they have chosen to decide on specific courses to be used to fulfill degree requirements where choices are available.
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What happens if I forget my user User ID or password for NICOnline?
To find your User Id enter your NICOnline account and click on "What's my User ID?" in the top right corner.
If you have forgotten your password please call the help desk at
(208) 769-3280
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When is payment for tuition due?
See Student Accounts website for specific due dates for each semester. Your enrollment in courses may be cancelled if payment is not received by the due date!
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Can I repeat a course for additional credit?
Yes! Some disciplines that have repeatable courses include Physical Education and Music. Refer to the course descriptions for specific courses and the number of times each course can be repeated.
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Can I repeat a course in order to receive a better grade?
You may repeat any North Idaho College course as long as the course does not have repeat restrictions. Restrictions are included in course descriptions provided in the college catalog. If you choose to repeat a course, the previous course, along with its credits and grade, will remain on your transcript, but will be superseded by the new course, its credit and grade (whether the grade is higher or lower). Your cumulative grade point average will be calculated solely upon your new grade.
After completion of the term in which you have repeated a course, you should go to the Registrar's Office and complete a Request for Repeat Grade form. This will guarantee your transcript is promptly reevaluated. If you are receiving financial aid, you should check with the Financial Aid Office to make certain your funding will not be affected by repeating a course. If you are participating in varsity sports, you should check with the Registrar’s Office to ensure repeating a course will not jeopardize your athletic eligibility.
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Does NIC accept Advanced Placement and CLEP?
see Advanced Placement
see College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
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Can I challenge a course?
see Academic and Registration Information
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What is add/drop and withdrawal?
see Academic and Registration Information
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How do I Withdraw from a class?
To withdraw from a class, a student must complete a Course Withdrawal Form and return it to the Registrar's Office. Final withdrawal dates are published on the college calendar.
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How do I withdraw from all my current classes?
To withdraw from all courses, a student must obtain a College Withdrawal Form. The student must then secure the signatures of those persons indicated on the form. Once this is complete the student must return the form the registrar's office. Final withdrawal dates are publised on the the college calendar.
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How does a “W” course grade affect my transcript?
A “W” (for withdraw) will remain on your transcript; however, it does not affect your G.P.A.
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What is a prerequisite and a corequisite?
A prerequisite in the course description means there is a requirement that must be met prior to enrolling in the course. This may include, but is not limited to: completion of other courses, acceptance in certain programs, sophomore standing, Instructor permission, and prescribed test scores. If the prerequisite is another course, then that course must have been completed with a minimum grade of “C-“ in order to satisfy the pre-enrollment requirement. A corequisite is a course that must be concurrently taken with another course.
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What happens if I just stop attending classes?
If you stop attending classes without dropping or withdrawing by the published withdrawal date, you will receive a grade of 'F,' which will be recorded on your transcript permanently.
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What happens if I lose my student ID card?
If you lose your student ID card, you may get a new one for a $10.00 replacement fee. Replacement cards are available in the Computer Lab, second floor of the Molstead Library.
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How do internet courses work?
Go to the eLearning (Office of Distance Education) website for answers to all of your questions about internet courses.
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