Financial Aid at Hiram

How to Apply

By submitting the FAFSA you will be considered for programs administered by the College for which you are eligible except for merit-based scholarships. All financial aid applicants should submit the FAFSA to the federal processor and can apply online at www.fafsa.gov. There is no fee for submitting the FAFSA. In addition, new and transfer students must also be accepted for admission to Hiram in order to receive a financial aid offer. The FAFSA filing priority deadline for returning students is June 1. FAFSA applications received after this priority deadline are reviewed on a rolling basis and may be subject to reduced aid eligibility.

Tuition Guarantee

The Hiram College Tuition Guarantee ensures that the annual cost for tuition will not increase for the four years a student is at Hiram. While students at other institutes of higher education are never certain what type of annual tuition increase they will encounter, Hiram students will know: there will be no increase. For information, visit  www.hiram.edu/tuition-guarantee/.

Academic Progress and Financial Aid Eligibility

Students must make academic progress towards completing their degree to continue being eligible for all sources of financial aid. This policy is separate from the college’s academic standing policy monitored by the Academic Review Board (ARB).

In general, students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and successfully complete 67% of the cumulative credits attempted. Students eligible for the Choose Ohio First Scholarship must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Academic progress is reviewed on a semesterly basis and failure to meet this requirement can result in the loss of all financial aid. Detailed information is available in the Financial Aid Handbook, available online at http://www.hiram.edu/financial-aid/documents-and-resources or by contacting the Financial Aid Office.

Hiram College Grants (need-based)

Hiram College Scholarships (merit-based)

For eligible incoming freshmen and transfer students accepted into the Traditional College, Hiram College offers merit scholarships of varying monetary value. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence. For details about the various types of scholarships available, see the information online at /https://www.hiram.edu/academics/undergraduate/scholarship-grants/

Federal Pell Grants

Pell Grants were established by the Higher Education Act of 1972. Grants range from $652 to $6,095, but the actual amount available each year depends on congressional action. Eligibility is determined by the federally determined EFC after completing the FAFSA and the award amount is based upon the Federal Pell Grant chart issued for the specific award year by the Department of Education. For the 2018-2019 academic year, student’s whose EFC is between 0 and 5486 are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, provided they are enrolled full-time. Students that are enrolled less than full-time will have their Federal Pell Grant prorated.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, funded jointly by the federal government and Hiram College, are designed for Pell-eligible students who would be unable to attend college without the assistance of the grant. Eligibility is determined through the FAFSA.

State Grants

Ohio residents: Students who are residents of Ohio may be eligible for grant and scholarship funding from the Ohio Board of Regents. The main grant that many Hiram students are eligible for is the Ohio College Opportunity Grant. This grant is provided by the State of Ohio to high need students and range in value up to $3,000 for full-time enrollment. The grant is prorated for students attending less than full-time.  A listing of all current programs offered through the State of Ohio is available online at https://www.ohiohighered.org/sgs. 

Non-Ohio residents: Certain other states offer state grant programs which allow their residents to use such grants at out-of-state schools. Some of these states include Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. For further information and to see if your state grant can be used outside of your residential state, contact your high school guidance counselor or local state agency.

Campus Employment

Campus employment is funded by the Federal Work-Study Program and by the College. Students are considered for jobs on the basis of interests, skills, and experience. Federal Work-Study is a need-based employment program and is included as part of a student’s financial aid award.  Students not eligible for the federal work-study program still have the ability work on-campus through our campus employment program.  Typical employment includes library service, dining hall service, assisting in departments and/or science laboratories, secretarial or clerical work, and campus maintenance. Students receive a bi-weekly paycheck for hours previously worked and can elect to have their earnings applied to their student account as it is earned.  For job listings via Student Job Central, log on to the Hiram College Portal at https://my.hiram.edu.

Loans

Student loans are available through the Federal Direct Loan Program, which includes Subsidized Loans, Unsubsidized Loans, and PLUS Loans (Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students). These loans are funded and guaranteed through the federal government. When the student completes the FAFSA, their financial aid award letter will include their eligibility for their Stafford Loan eligibility. Parents of interested in applying for the PLUS loan should log on to http://www.hiram.edu/financial-aid/loan-information.

In addition to the federal loans, Hiram College administers two special-use college loan programs: the Kennedy Loan Fund and the Trustee Loan Fund. Both of these loan funds are used as “last dollar” funds, after all other loan options have been exhausted and/or denied. Information regarding these loans, including further eligibility criteria and application process, can be obtained from the Financial Aid Office. 

All of these loans have different eligibility requirements, interest rates, repayment rates, etc., and regulations governing their use change frequently. Current information is available from the Financial Aid Office, on our website (www.hiram.edu/admission/financial-aid/loan-information), and in the Hiram College Financial Aid Handbook.

2018-2019 Fees and Charges

Each year, financial resources are assessed to determine the level of funding necessary to provide a quality education for those attending Hiram. A substantial financial aid program is maintained to assist and encourage students of limited means. A sizeable amount of each student’s cost is borne by the College through the income from its productive endowment, accumulated through years of giving by alumni, trustees, and friends. Every effort will be made to operate within the fee schedule printed below, but the College retains the right to adjust fees when, in the judgment of the Board of Trustees, such action is necessary. The following charges are effective only for the 2018-2019 academic year.

Tuition, Room, Board, and Fees

The Hiram College Tuition Guarantee ensures that the annual cost for tuition will not increase for the four years a student is at Hiram. While students at other institutes of higher education are never certain what type of annual tuition increase they will encounter, Hiram students will know: there will be no increase. For information, visit www.hiram.edu/tuition-guarantee/. 
Tuition is charged on class cohort for 12-18 credit hours per semester.

Tuition for the 2018-2019 academic year is $34,008. Part-time students will be charged on a course-hour basis.

Room and Board Traditional Board Plan
• Room rates range from $4,500 to $7,600 for quads to singles. The meal plan is $5,150 per school year.

General Fee
• Based on class cohort.

Graduation Fee
• $150

Refund Policy

Under certain circumstances, students are granted refunds for tuition, room, and board. These circumstances will be evaluated only after a student’s written request to withdraw completely from enrollment has been approved by the Dean of Students and the Academic Dean, and after both offices have certified this withdrawal. The refund policies for tuition, room, and board are explained in the following sections.

Tuition

The amount of the tuition refund is calculated based on total withdrawal from all courses and the time of official withdrawal from all courses during the enrollment period.

Room and Board

All students at Hiram College must sign a contract for room and board and submit a deposit, unless they have permission to commute. For the Fall semester, a student may cancel his or her room and board contract upon permission from the College without loss of the deposit prior to June 15. After June 15, a room will be reserved for the student for the full academic year and the deposit becomes non-refundable. If a student should withdraw during the semester, refunds for the semester charges will be made on a pro-rated basis. A schedule of these refund amounts is available in the Office of Residential, Citizenship, and Commuter Education or the Dining Service Office.

Summary

The refund policy of the College is that which is stated above and is the policy in effect for the academic year 2018-2019. Specific refund dates and policies are subject to change. Refunds of financial aid from the federal and state programs are governed by their respective regulations. Hiram College complies with all federal and state regulations mandating specific refund calculations and procedures. This includes new federal requirements under the Code of Federal Regulations. Copies of federal and state controlling documents are available from the Student Financial Aid Office. Additional student consumer information regarding refund calculations is detailed in the Hiram College Financial Aid Handbook. This handbook is available in the Student Financial Aid Office and on the Hiram College Financial Aid Web site at http://www.hiram.edu/admission/financial-aid.  

Payment Regulations

Bills and notices are sent directly to the student’s permanent address in his or her name. Requests to have bills sent to an address other than their permanent address or to another person must be made in writing to the Registrar’s Office. Total payment for the term must be made or an installment payment plan arrangement completed prior to the due date for each semester. Financial aid credit is applied proportionately to each payment period. Payments not made when due are subject to penalties on the unpaid balance after the due date. The penalties are stated under “Non-Refundable Fees.”

Any federal financial aid disbursed to the student’s account before the beginning of the enrollment period should be considered as estimated.

Tuition Guarantee

The Hiram College Tuition Guarantee ensures that the annual cost for tuition will not increase for the four years a student is enrolled at Hiram. While students at other institutes of higher education are never certain what type of annual tuition increase they will encounter, Hiram students will know: there will be no increase. For information, visit http://www.hiram.edu/tuition-guarantee

Tuition Payment Plans

Hiram College has installment payment plans available. The Hiram payment plan allows for 8 payments spread over 10 months. Information will be sent with initial billing for the semester on all these plans. For additional information, please contact Student Accounts at 330.569.5114.

STUDENT REGISTRATION

General Registration Policy for Traditional Students

Under the Hiram Semester Plan, each 15-week Fall and Spring semester is divided into two sessions: one session comprised of 12 weeks and one session of 3 weeks. Each session, 12-week and 3-week, is an integral component of the 30-week academic calendar year.

All students must register for classes during the scheduled registration period each semester. Prior to this official registration, students must meet with their faculty advisors during the scheduled conference period for Advisor Conferences to plan their academic work for the coming term. Transfer students who have been admitted to the College and have paid the non-refundable financial deposit and met with an academic advisor may register any time on or after their priority registration date for their class.

Students are responsible for completing all course requirements. A student must be registered for a course through the Registrar’s Office in order to earn academic credit. After registration, any changes in schedule must be made in accordance with the College’s add/drop policy. 

All students are required to engage in one three- or four-hour course or an approved equivalent course block during the 3-week session in each semester that they are enrolled at Hiram College.

Graduating seniors who have completed all requirements for graduation at the end of the final 12-week session of their senior year are not required to register for course work in the subsequent 3-week session.

Only those students who are registered for a minimum of three credit hours of approved course work may reside in the residence halls during 3-week sessions. Requests for an exception to this policy must be made to the Office of Residential, Citizenship, and Commuter Education.

Furthermore, students must receive written permission by the Associate Dean of the College (written on an add slip provided by the Associate Dean) to register for more than four semester hours during the 3-week session

Declaration of Major and Advisor Policy

All traditional students must declare their major by March 1st of their Sophomore year, or before earning 56 hours and becoming juniors. Students transferring in with sophomore, junior or senior standing must declare a major prior to registration for their third semester at Hiram College. If a student is not declared in time for priority registration the student will be blocked from registration.

Advising is a key component of major declaration. Therefore, after discussing their interest in a particular major with a faculty member of the department, traditional students can officially declare their major in the following manner:

1. Obtain the Declaration of Major/Minor/Advisor form from the Registrar's website.
2. Obtain the signature of the Chair of the Department on the form and, if required by the chair, the signature of the new advisor.
3. Submit the form with all signatures to the Registrar's Office for Processing.

Credit Hour Policy

The credit hour is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours out of class student work each week within each part of the term within a full semester. An equivalent amount of work is required for other academic activities including: independent study, internship, field experience, clinical experience, laboratory work, private instruction, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours. For classes offered in a shortened format, the hours are prorated so the classes contain the same total number of hours as if the classes were scheduled for a full fifteen week semester.

Independent Study and Independent Research

Students who wish to receive credit for Independent Study (28100) or Independent Research (48100)  must register by submitting a course description and add slip signed by the course instructor.  For  Independent Research, the department chair’s signature is also required.  Any Independent Study or Independent Research courses taught by someone other than a full-time faculty member must also be approved by the Associate Dean of the College. 

Students Registering for Course Outside of their College

During the 12-week session, traditional students with junior or senior standing and a minimum 2.0 GPA may take one Professional and Graduate Studies (PGS) course, per term, on a space available basis and with permission of the Associate Dean and Director of Academic Operations for Professional and Graduate Studies. Students who wish to take a PGS courses must go to the Associate Dean’s Office (Hinsdale 3^rd Floor) and complete a course add form. If the PGS hours place a student over 20 hours for the semester, they must receive permission from the Dean of the College. When registration for PGS students is complete, traditional students will be notified if they have been accepted in the course they requested.

Please note that PGS 8-Week Session 1 (on-ground, at a partnership location, or online) is handled the same as a 12-week course.  PGS 8-Week Session 2 is handled the same as a 3-week course. In addition, students must receive special permission from the Director of Residential and Citizenship Education to remain on-campus during a 3-week term when they are taking only a PGS Session 2 class. International students with F-1 visas will have additional restrictions and must be approved by the Director of International Services prior to enrolling in any online course.

During the summer term, traditional students may register online for PGS courses, and take as many as they would like. For more information contact The Office of Professional and Graduate Studies, Hiram College, 330.569.5161, or www.hiram.edu/pgs. 

PGS students, with a minimum 2.0 GPA, may take one Traditional College course, per term, on a space available basis and with permission of the Associate Dean and Director of Academic Operations for Professional and Graduate Studies. Students who wish to take a Traditional College course must go to the PGS office (H205) and complete a course add form.

Course Add Policy

Prior to the start of the semester, traditional students may add courses through Web4Student for both 12 and 3-week classes. Effective with Fall 2013 registration, students must register for the entire 15-week semester (12 week + 3 week) by the end of the second week of the semester. Once the semester begins, however, students can only add courses via instructor and/or Associate Dean signed add slips.  There is no administrative fee to add a course (12-week or 3-week) during the first 2 weeks of the semester.

Any 12 or 3-week course added after the first two weeks of the semester requires an instructor signed add slip, the signature of the Associate Dean, and a $5 late add fee per course added. The faculty instructor is not expected to adjust course expectations for students who add a course after the beginning of a part of term, nor, in all cases, admit them to the course. Tuition is charged on a class cohort for 12-18 credit hours per semester.  Extra hour charges will be billed for hours less than 12 or more than 18.  

Students should note that any course receiving a “W” is counted in total billed hours.  If a student adds additional hours because of withdrawing from a course and the added hours place the student above the tuition allotted 18 hours, the additional charges will be billed during the semester in which they are taken. 

Students enrolling in more than 4 hours for the 3-week must obtain the signature of the Associate Dean.

Students on academic probation are responsible for fulfilling the terms of probation as set forth by the Academic Review Board.  If a student is unsure of the terms of probation, they should contact their advisor or the Registrar BEFORE making any course schedule changes. 

Course Withdrawal Policy

Prior to the start of the semester classes, traditional students may drop courses through Web4Student for both the 12 and 3-week. During the first two weeks of the 15-week semester, students may drop any of their 12-week courses online. Beginning Fall of 2013, dropping a 3 week course without adding another during the first two weeks of the semester requires the Associate Dean’s signature. During these first two weeks, there is no mark on the transcript for either the 12-week drop or 3-week drop, and the hours dropped do not count in the total 18 tuition hours allotted for the entire 15 week semester. 

Beginning with week 3 of the semester, withdrawing from a course (12-week or 3-week) will result in the mark of “W” (Withdrawal) on the student transcript.  Students who wish to replace one 3-week course for another should refer to the Course Swap 3-Week Policy below. Courses that receive a “W” are counted in the 18 total tuition hours allotted for the entire 15 week semester. Students withdrawing from their 12 week course will do so through Registrar’s Office and will receive a grade of “W”. Students wishing to withdraw from their 3-week course must obtain permission from the Associate Dean of the College beginning with week 3 of the semester through day 3 of the 3-week, and will receive a grade of “W”.   From day 4 through day 12 of the 3-week, students withdrawing from their 3-week course will do so through the Registrar’s Office and will receive a grade of “W”.

Students who withdraw from their 12-week course beginning week 10, and from their 3-week course beginning on day 13 of the 3-week, will receive an automatic “F” grade in the course. The “F” grade will appear on the student transcript and will be calculated in the grade point average; the hours are counted in the 18 total tuition hours allotted for the entire 15 week semester. 

Students should note that any course receiving a “W” is counted in total billed hours.  If a student adds additional hours because of withdrawing from a course and the added hours place the student above the tuition allotted 18 hours, the additional charges will be billed during the semester in which they are taken. 

PLEASE NOTE: Dropping and withdrawing from courses at any point in the semester may affect tuition, financial aid, housing, and/or athletic eligibility. Students should consult with the appropriate College departments BEFORE making any course schedule changes. Students on academic probation are responsible for fulfilling the terms of probation as set forth by the Academic Review Board.  If a student is unsure of the terms of probation, they should contact their advisor or the Registrar BEFORE making any course schedule changes. 

Three-Week Course Swap Policy

Prior to the start of traditional classes, students may add and drop courses through Web4Student for both the 12 and 3-week. After the beginning of the first day of the 15 week semester, students may swap one 3-week course for another, provided the instructor of the course the student is “swapping” into has signed the swap slip.  

Beginning the day following the last day of 12-week finals and continuing through the third day of the 3-week, the swap form must have both the Associate Dean and instructor signatures. There is no fee for swapping 3-week courses prior to day-4 of the 3-week.  Swapping one 3-week for another requires the Registrar’s Office to administratively drop the 3-week course initially registered for. 

The faculty instructor is not expected to adjust course expectations for students who add a course after the beginning of a part of term, nor, in all cases, admit them to the course. Tuition is charged on a class cohort for 12-18 credit hours per semester. Extra hour charges will be billed for hours less than 12 or more than 18.  

Students should note that any course receiving a “W” is counted in total billed hours. If a student adds additional hours because of withdrawing from a course and the added hours place the student above the tuition allotted 18 hours, the additional charges will be billed during the semester in which they are taken. 

PLEASE NOTE: Dropping, swapping, and withdrawing from courses at any point in the semester may affect tuition, financial aid, housing, and/or athletic eligibility. Students should consult with the appropriate College departments BEFORE making any course schedule changes. Students on academic probation are responsible for fulfilling the terms of probation as set forth by the Academic Review Board. If a student is unsure of the terms of probation, they should contact their advisor or the Registrar BEFORE making any course schedule changes. 

Credits and Course Numbering

All credits are expressed in semester hours. Thirty credit hours constitute normal progress for one academic year; 120 semester hours of academic credit are required for graduation. Most courses carry three or four hours of credit. Many science, nursing, and a few other departmental courses meet for additional laboratory, clinical, or other special instruction.

Courses numbered 10000-19900 are normally freshman-level courses; courses numbered 20000-29900 are normally First Year and sophomore-level courses; courses numbered 30000-39900 are normally sophomore- through senior-level courses; courses numbered 40000-49900 are normally junior- and senior-level courses.

Pass/No Credit Regulations

Courses taken to fulfill requirements for graduation within a student’s major, minor, or core curriculum requirements cannot be taken Pass/No Credit. Pass/No Credit (P/NC) credit may be earned in two ways:

1. Some courses are only offered on a pass/no credit basis. For a course to be offered P/NC, a faculty member’s request must be approved by the faculty, and the course must be so designated on the course schedule;

2. Students may elect, at the time of registration, to take a regularly graded course on a Pass/No Credit basis. Students must complete an add slip and a pass/no credit registration form in the Registrar’s Office. Students may change the grade mode of a course from a letter grade to P/NC, or vice-versa, ONLY during the first two weeks of the twelve-week session or during the first three days of the three-week session. Absolutely no changes from a Pass/No Credit to a letter grade or vice-versa will be permitted after these deadlines.

If the course is taken P/NC, the faculty submits a P or NC; the grade of P is recorded if the student receives a C- or better in the course, and the student is awarded credit hours which will be counted in the hours earned towards graduation. However, there will be no effect on a student’s grade-point average.If a student receives a grade of NC for a course, no hours will be awarded.

If available, letter grades are revealed only to other colleges and universities in the event they should require them for the transfer of credit or admission, or to prospective employers, and then only at the request of the student. Students are permitted to know the letter grade for courses taken P/NC and should contact the faculty member of the course for this information.  Students preparing to attend professional or graduate schools are reminded that excessive use of the P/NC option may endanger admission or the granting of graduate fellowships.

Students may elect to take only one P/NC course per semester. Study Abroad trips cannot be taken Pass/No Credit.  Students, with the exception of transfer students, may take a maximum of twenty semester hours under the Pass/No Credit option. Transfer students may take a maximum of 1/6 of their Hiram course work under the P/NC option.

Auditing of Courses

Hiram College courses may be audited with the permission of the instructor and are subject to class size or space restrictions. Students must formally register for the course either on-line or with an add slip, and complete an audit registration form in the Registrar’s Office. It is important to note that audited courses do not provide credits toward graduation. An audit fee is charged per credit hour; the student is subject to all the general college policies on withdrawal and refunds.

Students may change the grade mode of a course from a letter grade to an audit, or vice-versa, ONLY during the first two weeks of the twelve week session or during the first three days of a three week session. Absolutely no changes from an audit to a letter grade or vice-versa will be permitted after these deadlines. Students are expected to fulfill regular attendance expectations and perform any additional tasks stipulated by the instructor. If these conditions are satisfactorily met, the audited course will be recorded on the student’s official transcript with the mark of AU (Audit). If these conditions are not met, the student will receive a mark of ANC (Audit No Credit).  

Non-Degree Hiram College Students

Non-degree seeking students at Hiram College are eligible to enroll in any of the courses offered if they have met the prerequisites.

STUDENT ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES AND PERFORMANCE

Class Attendance

Class attendance policy is the prerogative of the individual instructor, and responsibility for class attendance rests with the student.  A student who is absent from class for any reason is responsible for arranging with the instructor to make up the work missed. When academic activities or class trips cause students to be absent from classes, the professor responsible for the activity will give the names of all students involved in the activity to the Office of the Dean of Students. Student athletes should consult the Student-Athlete Policy Manual regarding missing class for intercollegiate practices and meets. 

Academic Honesty

 Hiram College believes that the development of intellectual honesty is at the heart of a college education. The process of education is severely compromised if we cannot depend on the academic integrity of each member of the community. Moreover, the principles of academic honesty are aligned closely with the principles of good scholarship and research, principles of critical thinking and reasoning, and the standards of professional ethics. Thus, students who fail to practice academic honesty not only risk losing the trust of the academic community, they also fail to develop the most essential skills and abilities that characterize a college graduate.

Any student who violates the integrity of the academic process will be subject to punishment, including possible dismissal from the College. There are many forms of academic dishonesty, including the giving or receiving of help in any form on an examination, the sale or purchase of papers and test materials, the abuse of computer privileges and regulations, the misuse or abuse of online or library resources, and any other action which debases the soundness of the educational process.

Faculty members and librarians are expected to report all instances of academic dishonesty to the Associate Dean of the College, who will provide advice on an appropriate action.

Plagiarism

The most common form of academic dishonesty is plagiarism. An essay or term paper is designed to develop a student’s own ability to think clearly and critically about a subject and to express ideas fluently. Similarly, a laboratory report is designed to develop a student’s capacity to record observed phenomena and to interpret them correctly. A creative work in the arts is intended to demonstrate the student’s own creative abilities. If a student confounds these purposes by receiving unacknowledged assistance from an outside source, he or she is guilty of plagiarism. To avoid any suspicion of plagiarism, students should acknowledge any work not their own; in other words, any language, illustration, information, or diagram which is not original must be documented.

Hiram College expects students to develop a thorough understanding of what constitutes plagiarism and to avoid it in all forms of campus communication. When plagiarism occurs in work required for a course, it is particularly serious and becomes a reportable offense. Hiram College’s plagiarism policies are equally binding on both rough and final drafts.

Students must assume that collaboration in completion of assignments is prohibited unless explicitly specified by the instructor. Students must acknowledge any collaboration and its extent in all submitted work. This applies to collaboration on editing as well as collaboration on substance. (This statement is not intended, however, to discourage students from forming study groups.)

There are two categories of plagiarism offenses. Category I includes instances of plagiarism in which there is clear intent to falsify, mislead, or misrepresent another’s work as one’s own. An obvious example would be an attempt to hide the source of plagiarized material by not even including it in the paper’s bibliography. Category II includes instances in which there is not clear intent. Instead, there is evidence that the student made a simple mistake in citation, or did not fully understand what constitutes plagiarism. The process for dealing with cases of plagiarism is intended to facilitate the development of the student as a scholar who practices academic honesty. First offenses involve a penalty left to the discretion of the instructor and the Associate Dean. Students are expected to learn from these mistakes and, therefore, there is less tolerance for subsequent offenses.

Cases of plagiarism are handled in the following ways:

• The course instructor judges whether the offense is Category I or II.
• All cases of plagiarism are reported to the Associate Dean of the College who will maintain a database of plagiarism cases.
• Starting fall 2018, all students who commit plagiarism will be required to complete a free, online tutorial that will give them additional practice on this important topic.  After completing the tutorial successfully, students will be issued an electronic certificate that will become part of their academic record maintained by the Associate Dean's office.
• For first-offense, Category II cases involving an underclass (not a senior) student, the course instructor has the option of allowing a makeup of the paper or assignment, coupled with a penalty. These cases do not require a conference with the Associate Dean and the student.

All other cases require a conference with the Associate Dean.

• Category I cases, even if first offense, may result in an F in the course.
• A pattern of Category II offenses, or any second offense, will usually result in a suspension from the College.
• Records of plagiarism are kept by the Associate Dean. The student’s advisor is informed of the results of plagiarism cases.
• Appeals of plagiarism case decisions may be made to the Dean of the College. 

Undergraduate and Graduate Grading System

Letter Grades - Numerical Point Values - Description of Grade

The mark F means failing work; the mark NF means the student never attended the course and therefore failed; the mark SF means the student stopped attending the course and therefore failed. These marks are computed in the grade-point average.

A failed course must be repeated at Hiram College if the student is to receive credit in the grade point average. Successful repetition of the work does not remove the original grade from the transcript but does remove the F from the student’s grade-point average. The grade earned from the most recent enrollment in a repeated course is computed in the student’s grade-point average. (See Course Repeat Policy for additional information)

The mark P indicates passing work (grade of C- or higher) without specific reference to quality; it is not included in the grade-point average. The grades NC (no credit), AU (audit), ANC (no credit in audit course), and I (incomplete) are not included in the grade-point average. The NR (grade not reported) is not included in the grade-point average and is only assigned by the Registrar’s Office in cases where no grade has been reported by faculty.

Grade-Point Average

To determine a student’s grade-point average, the total number of points earned is divided by the total number of graded hours attempted, which are also known as GPA hours. Thus, a student taking 30 hours of work and earning 90 points would have a grade-point average of 3.00. Grades of W, P, NC, ANC, I, and NR are not included in this computation. When a course is repeated, the grade from the most recent enrollment in the course is the grade included in the student’s grade-point average. See each academic department for procedures to determine grade point average in departmental majors.

Course Repeat Policy

Repeating a Failed Course:  The mark F means failing work; the mark NF means the student never attended the course and therefore failed; the mark SF means the student stopped attending the course and therefore failed. These marks are computed in the grade-point average.

The course must be repeated at Hiram College if the student is to receive credit in the grade point average. Successful repetition of the work does not remove the original grade from the transcript but does remove the F from the student’s grade-point average. The grade earned from the most recent enrollment in a repeated course is computed in the student’s grade-point average. (Even if the most recent grade is lower than the former grade). Students will only be allowed to earn credit for a course one time unless that course is deemed repeatable in the course description.

While there is no institutional limit to the number of times a student can repeat a course, students should be aware of the following policies which include new federal financial aid regulations regarding repeated courses:

• The grade and credits earned from the most recent enrollment in a repeated course is computed in the student’s cumulative grade-point average.
• The original grade remains on the transcript with a notation that it has been excluded from the student’s term and cumulative grade-point average, while the most recently earned course grade and credits will be noted as included. The original credits are also excluded from the term and cumulative earned credits.
• For students who are eligible for financial aid, there is a limit to how many times financial aid will pay for repeating a course. If a student has failed a course, he/she may continue to receive financial aid to retake the course until a passing grade has been earned: a minimum passing grade of D- would be needed for a non-major course, while a higher grade may be needed to pass a course as required by a department for a major. If a student is retaking a course which they have already passed, he/she can retake the course once and receive financial aid for it. After that, it will no longer count in the semester hours to determine enrollment status for financial aid purposes (e.g. full-time status). For more information, please see the Financial Aid Handbook (www.hiram.edu/finaid/financialaiddocuments) or call the Financial Aid Office at 330-569-5107.

Incomplete Grade Policy

The Incomplete (I) mark indicates work incomplete for reasons beyond the student’s control. Normally, the student will have completed at least 75 percent of the course work. The student and instructor jointly file the Incomplete Grade Contract which states the reasons for the incomplete and sets a precise deadline for completion of the work. The Incomplete Grade Contract is available from the Registrar’s Office and through Faculty Portal.

Upon expiration of the contract, which may not exceed one calendar year, the instructor is obliged to record a permanent grade determined by the degree to which course requirements have been met. If no grade is reported by the instructor, the incomplete grade is permanently recorded as an F. Upon graduation, all course work listed on a student’s transcript must have a grade. Any incomplete course work must be assigned a grade by the instructor. If no grade is reported by the instructor, the incomplete grade is permanently recorded on the student's transcript as an F.

Change of Grade

The grade submitted to the Registrar by the faculty member is regarded as the final mark in a course. A grade cannot be changed unless the faculty member requests it, and then only with permission of the Academic Review Board. There will be a one-year time limit for challenging a grade, after which students forfeit their right to petition to change their grades unless extraordinary circumstances intervened.

Grade Appeal Process

Students may equate effort exerted on course projects with appropriate grades. Faculty, however, are professional educators charged with assessing the quality of student work, irrespective of student effort. Misunderstanding of what grades measure may lead to student disagreements with faculty regarding final grades.

Students with questions about a grade received on an individual assignment should discuss that grade with the instructor. Students with questions about a final grade should contact the instructor to ensure the accuracy of the recorded grade. If the instructor agrees that a grade change is warranted, the instructor will take the case to the Academic Review Board (ARB). If, after discussion with the instructor, the student still believes that his or her grade resulted from prejudicial, capricious, or otherwise unjust evaluation, he or she may appeal using the following process and timeline.

1. Step One, to occur within 10 working days of official grade posting on Web4student: The student sends a formal letter of appeal to the instructor stating the rationale for the appeal and meets with the instructor to discuss the grade. 
2. Step Two, to occur within 13 working days of official grade posting on Web4student:If the issue is not resolved, the student may appeal to the department chair, or, if the department chair has issued the grade in his or her faculty capacity, to the associate dean. 
3. Step Three, within 15 working days of official grade posting on Web4student:If resolution is not reached within the department after every effort has been made, the student may write a formal letter of appeal to the associate dean stating the rationale for the appeal and request a hearing before the associate dean.
4. Step Four, with 18 working days of official grade posting on Web4student: The associate dean, in consultation with the chair and the instructor, will make a final decision.
   

Documented extenuating circumstances may after alter the timeline stated above.

This process is designed to protect both the student, whose voice needs to be heard, and faculty, whose expertise needs to be trusted.

Departmental Honors

Graduating seniors may receive Departmental Honors if they meet the following criteria:

• An overall grade-point average of at least 2.80 and

• A departmental grade-point average of at least 3.60 and

• A sum of grade-point average (1 and 2) which equals 6.80

• Further requirements for departmental honors such as papers, examinations, performances, or productions. These will be determined by each department conferring the honors.

In addition, the student must be recommended by the department for these honors.

Graduation with Honors

Students may graduate cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude from Hiram College. Students who receive one of these honors are judged on the basis of cumulative grade-point average. The minimum grade-point requirements are 3.50 for cum laude, 3.70 for magna cum laude, and 3.90 for summa cum laude. Summa cum laude will be awarded only on the basis of an academic record with no more than three Pass/No Credit courses for a total of 12 semester hours, elected by the student. Summa cum laude will be awarded to transfer students only on the basis of no more than two Pass/No Credit grades elected by the student under the Pass/No Credit option.

Honor Societies

Hiram College has local chapters of many nationally organized honor societies. Each of these in its own right reflects the seriousness of academic pursuits. Together they exemplify the liberal arts tradition of honoring academic excellence in Hiram College students.

Phi Beta Kappa membership has long been recognized as the highest distinction an individual can receive for scholarly excellence in undergraduate studies in the liberal arts and sciences. It is a distinctive honor for an institution to be awarded a Phi Beta Kappa chapter. Since the founding of Phi Beta Kappa in 1776 at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, only 280 additional colleges and universities have been deemed worthy of sheltering a Phi Beta Kappa chapter.

The Hiram College Chapter, designated Mu of Ohio, was instituted in the spring of 1971 and elected its first class of twenty seniors and two juniors in May of that year. The Chapter is an organization that exists independently of the College and is composed of professors, staff, and students. Admission to Phi Beta Kappa always represents a judgment by the Chapter about the quality of a student’s work at Hiram. Students who wish to be considered for Phi Beta Kappa must take courses in a broad range of liberal studies, including substantive work in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. The national organization of Phi Beta Kappa requires that all candidates study mathematics and a foreign language to a level commensurate with a liberal education.

Criteria for membership in the Hiram chapter include a GPA of 3.7 or above (though students with GPAs of 3.6 or above who have extraordinary breadth may be considered); effective for the graduating class of 2015, the foreign language requirement is four semesters or through 10400.  For students graduating before 2015, the foreign language requirement remains at 10300; and at least one college level mathematics course (determined by consultation with members of the Department of Mathematical Sciences to exclude Mathematics 10100-19700). Courses of a pre-professional or vocational nature (i.e., accounting and related courses, music or theater performance, education methods courses, studio art, practica) cannot be considered in determining eligibility for Phi Beta Kappa. Any questions should be directed to the Secretary Erin Lamb.

Alpha Society membership is one of Hiram’s highest scholastic honors. Its members receive public recognition each year. Membership is limited to students who have completed 12 or more hours of graded course work at Hiram College and whose cumulative grade-point average is 3.75 or better.

Dean’s List is awarded each semester to students who, during the semester, complete 12 or more hours of graded course work at Hiram College with a semester grade-point average of 3.6 or better.

Kappa Delta Pi is a national education honor society of men and women devoted to the teaching profession. The purpose of Kappa Delta Pi is to promote excellence in and recognize outstanding contributions to education. Students who have reached junior standing, have maintained a 3.25 or better cumulative and education grade-point average, and have at least 12 semester hours of Professional Education courses are eligible for membership.

Omicron Delta Kappa, a national leadership honor society, was established at Hiram College in 1962. Juniors and seniors selected to membership hold responsible positions on the campus, have gained the respect of the student body for the quality of their achievements, and rank in the top 35 percent of their class.

Phi Alpha Theta is the national history honor society.  Hiram College's chapter, Alpha Iota Pi, was established in 2001. Membership is open to students who have achieved a minimum of a 3.1 average in at least 12 semester hours of history coureses, have attained a minimum of a 3.0 average in all other courses, and are in the top 35 percent of their class. 

Lamda Pi Eta is the official communication studies honor society of the National Communication Association. Hiram Colleges chapter, Zeta Lambda, was established in 2011. Membership is determined by an overall GPA of at least 3.00, a GPA in communication courses (equivalent of 12 semester credit-hours) of at least 3.25, junior standing, and a ranking in the top 35 percent of the class.

Degree Completion Requirements

Hiram College students are candidates for a Bachelor of Arts degree, which requires completion of 120 or more semester hours, or a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, which requires 133 or more semester hours.  Graduate students who are candidates for a Master of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies are required to complete 30 semester hours.

Both the BA and the BSN degrees require a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.00. In addition, students must attain a cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 in their major field of study and minor field (where applicable). Each department calculates departmental GPA differently; please check with the Department Chair for the particulars.  The degree is awarded upon successful completion of all coursework and fulfillment of all requirements.  We consider each student to be responsible for fulfilling the current graduation requirements. Faculty advisors and the Registrar’s Office can provide assistance in explaining the graduation requirements.

In addition to meeting the above degree completion requirements, all traditional undergraduate Hiram College students must complete a major (a minor is not required) and fulfill the Core Requirements included in the following General Education Requirements:

• First-Year Colloquium
• First-Year Seminar or Foundations of the Liberal Arts 
• Core Curriculum Requirements: Creative Methods (CM), Interpretive Methods (IM), Modeling Methods (MM), Experimental Scientific Methods (SM), Social and Cultural Analysis Methods (CA), Experiencing the World (EW), Understanding Diversity in the United States (UD), Meaning, Ethics, and Social Responsibility (ES).
• The Interdisciplinary Requirement
• The Foreign Language Requirement (Effective Fall 2012 for all new students)
• Hiram Connect (Effective Fall 2015 for all new students)
• Capstone Experience

For more detail on each requirement, please see Academic Program: The Hiram Plan section.

Residency Requirement

Students must complete a minimum of 45 passed hours in residence at Hiram College, the last 30 hours must be done on the Hiram College campus or approved program. A minimum of fifty percent of major and minor coursework must be completed with Hiram College courses; some majors, including the individualized major, may require more. Transfer courses explicitly specified in an articulation agreement may be exempt from this requirement. Study abroad and study away programs that count toward a student's Hiram College earned hours count toward the residency requirement. Any exceptions to this policy must be granted by either the Associate Dean or Dean of the College.

Degree Completion Policy after Withdrawal

Major and general education requirements that are in effect the year (known as the catalog year) when the student initially enters Hiram College will remain in effect for the student during the five-year period from his/her date of entrance.  

Students who wish to return to the College after being withdrawn for longer than a calendar year and have First-year or Sophomore standing (55 or fewer earned hours) will be required to complete the current general education requirements, which may or may not be the same as those of the initial catalog year. 

Students with Junior or Senior standing will be required to complete the general education and major requirements of their initial catalog year. However, students who have been withdrawn from the college for longer than four years beyond their initial catalog year should be aware that Hiram College cannot guarantee the initial catalog year’s general education and major requirements will be accommodated. Moreover, any special arrangements for meeting the major requirements may be withdrawn after a one-year period.

Questions regarding general education requirements for readmitted traditional students should be directed to the Registrar's Office. 

Posthumous Degree Policy

An academic department may request the awarding of a degree posthumously; an honor bestowed at the discretion of the faculty. Minimum requirements for eligibility are:

1. The student was enrolled or medically withdrawn at the time of death.
2. The student was in good standing.
3. The student had a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average.
4. The student was within 30 credit hours of earning their bachelor's degree or 6 hours of earning their master's degree.

A posthumous certificate of recognition may be awarded, at the discretion of the faculty, for students not meeting one or more of the above requirements.

Senior Requirements: Residency and Graduation Application

The work of the senior year (the final 30 hours) must be completed at Hiram College or in a program approved by Hiram College. Any exception requires approval of the Associate Academic Dean of the College.

In order to graduate and walk in Commencement, a formal application for graduation must be filed with the Registrar's Office at least one full semester before degree requirements will be completed. Students may petition to graduate for either August (summer semester), December (fall semester), or May (spring semester).  

Additional Hiram College Bachelor's Degree

Hiram graduates who have already received either the B.A. or the B.S.N degree may wish to obtain the other bachelor degree. Students interested in pursuing this must adhere to the following graduation requirements:

• Students who have completed a Hiram College bachelor’s degree and thus all general education requirements within the last five years may be exempt from completing general education requirements for their second Hiram bachelor’s degree. All requirements for the major of the second bachelor’s degree must be completed as well as maintaining a major and cumulative grade point average of 2.00. Major requirements are set by each academic program. Therefore, students should consult with an advisor in the major on requirements for the major.
• Students returning to Hiram for their second bachelor’s degree and who have been away from the College for five or more years may be required to follow the College’s Core Curriculum general education requirements. Questions regarding status of general education requirements should be directed to the Registrar’s Office.

Students pursuing both a Hiram B.A. and B.S.N. simultaneously must complete all requirements for each major, earn a 2.00 cumulative grade point average as well as a 2.00 grade point average in each major, and fulfill all general education requirements.

Additional Hiram College Major or Minor after Hiram College graduation

Hiram graduates who wish to return to Hiram to complete an additional major or minor may do so by contacting the Office of Professional and Graduate Studies. In most cases, students returning to complete an additional major/minor will not be eligible for financial aid.  Questions regarding financial aid should be directed to the Financial Aid Office.

Commencement Ceremony Participation

Undergraduate and Graduate students completing their degree requirements by the end of Spring semester, will walk in May’s Commencement ceremony.  Undergraduate and Graduate students completing their degree requirements in August or December will walk in the December Commencement ceremony.

In order to be reviewed for graduation and walk in Commencement, a formal application for graduation must be filed with the Registrar's Office at least one full semester before degree requirements will be completed. Students may apply to graduate for either August (summer semester), December (fall semester), or May (spring semester).  Students may participate in only one Commencement ceremony. 

HIRAM COLLEGE ACADEMIC REVIEW BOARD POLICIES

Suspension

A student who has been suspended once by the Academic Review Board is not eligible for readmission for two semesters (counting the Summer Session). In order to be readmitted, the student must provide the board with convincing evidence that the conditions that led to the suspension have been effectively dealt with and that he or she will now be able to meet the academic standards of the college. A student who has been suspended twice by the Academic Review Board is not eligible for readmission for five years.

*Requesting Exemption from Suspension for all Students

A request for exemption may be made to the Academic Review Board ([email protected]).  Students making such a request may also approach a faculty or staff member to request that they write a letter on the student’s behalf.   All petitions and supporting documents must reach the Chair of ARB by a deadline that will be communicated to all students when grades roll.  The date will be chosen to give students a minimum of 48 hours to prepare and submit their materials. 

ARB requests the following information be in the request for exemption of suspension letter:

• For each of the classes in which the student performed poorly, the student must explain the reason for their grade.  ARB is looking for specific student actions that led to this result, whenever possible. 

• The student is to identify the courses they plan to take next semester and provide a plan of action for performing well in the courses.

Students who request an exemption will be notified of the Board’s decision.  

Appeal of an ARB Decision
A student who wishes to appeal an ARB decision must submit a written statement to the Dean of the College within 4 business days after the decision has been communicated. Appeals may be made only on two grounds:

1. The ARB failed to follow its policies and procedures correctly;

2. There is new information that was not available to ARB at the time of the decision. 

The Dean will review the case and will make a final decision of whether to allow the student to return to the College on Academic Probation.

Classification of Students

Designations are made in accordance with the following table:

Enrollment Status

Transient Coursework

A currently enrolled Hiram College student may take courses as a transient student at another accredited college or university. A Transient Student Authorization Form must be completed and submitted to the Registrar’s Office for written approval of the courses prior to the student registering for the courses. Students must receive a letter grade of C or higher and prior approval in order for the credits to be considered transferable toward their Hiram degree. If courses are to be applied toward a student’s major or minor, written approval from the student’s major department or advisor must be obtained on the Transient Student Authorization Form.

Students who are regularly enrolled in another college or university may register as transient students to take a limited amount of work at Hiram College without becoming candidates for a Hiram degree. Contact the Registrar’s Office or the Office of Professional and Graduate Studies for additional information.

For information regarding transient courses taken during a study abroad not under Hiram College purview, refer to the Study Away section in this catalog.

AWARDING OF TRANSFER CREDIT POLICY

SUMMARY OF TRANSFER CREDIT POLICY

Hiram College follows an established policy in the awarding of transfer credit to ensure degree integrity. At the discretion of the Registrar’s Office, transfer credits are initially accepted to fulfill core curriculum credit or elective credit. Applicability of any accepted transfer credits to a major or a departmental requirement is expressly approved by the individual major departments. A student may transfer in unlimited hours of transfer credit; however, in order to receive a Hiram College degree, the student must complete a minimum of 45 semester hours at Hiram College. Therefore, students transferring to Hiram should expect to spend at least three semesters to receive their degree. The work of the senior year (the final 30 hours) must be completed at Hiram College or in a Hiram College approved program. Any exception requires approval of the Associate Academic Dean of the College.

Credit hour values transfer; grades do not. The credit hours from the awarding institution are applied to the student's degree, not the credit hours of the Hiram College equivalent course, if applicable. Hiram College operates on a semester hour system. Generally, semester hours transfer in equally as awarded by the issuing institution. Please see additional credit hour criteria below for more information. In the case of quarter hours, a quarter hour to semester equation is applied. Quarter hours are divided by 1.5 to provide the equivalent semester hours. For example, a course worth 4 quarter hours converts to 2.66 semester hours. If fractions remain in the total number of hours transferred in, that number is rounded down to the next whole number. For example, if a student transfers in 52 quarter credit hours, 34.66 semester hours remain after the conversion process. The 34 semester hours would be applied to the student’s academic record, and the student must successfully earn 86 semester hours in order to graduate.

Progressing towards graduation, transfer students may take a maximum of one-sixth of their Hiram course work under the Pass/No Credit option. For additional Pass/No Credit information, please refer to the "Pass/No Credit Regulations" and the "Graduation with Honors" sections of the catalog.

STATEMENT OF CRITERIA ESTABLISHED BY HIRAM COLLEGE REGARDING TRANSFER OF CREDIT EARNED AT ANOTHER INSTITUTION

When determining transferability of credits, Hiram College follows the guidelines of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the American Council on Education, and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation’s, Inter-Institutional Transfer and Award of Credit guidelines. Therefore, the following three criteria are employed when evaluating transfer courses:

1. The educational quality of the learning experience being evaluated for transfer;
2. The comparability of the level, nature, and content of the learning experience to that offered by the receiving institution;
   • Transfer institution must be fully accredited by a Hiram-approved regional, national, international, or professional accrediting body.
   • Transfer courses must reflect a similar level of rigor to courses listed in the Hiram College catalog.
   • Transfer courses with no corresponding Hiram College course are evaluated based on the general standard of academic content.
3. The appropriateness and applicability of the learning experience to the programs offered by Hiram College, in light of the student’s educational goals;
   • Hiram College reserves the right to deny or award partial transfer credit for courses that do not meet these standards.
   • Only applicable courses, in which the student received a grade of "C" or better, are considered for transfer. This demonstrates that the coursework was completed at a satisfactory level.
   • Courses graded as "P" (Pass) or "S" (Satisfactory) are not accepted unless officially designated as equivalent to a grade of "C" or better by the institution which issued the grade.
   • A maximum of 75 hours of transfer credit may be applied toward the minimum 120 hours that are required to earn a Hiram College degree.
   • Certain programs with outside accrediting agencies or other departmental restrictions may not accept transfer courses older than 7 years.
   • Previously transcripted experience credits by a regionally accredited institution will be accepted by Hiram College; those student bringing experience directly to the College for consideration of credit must be reviewed and approved by individual academic departments and will be limited to 30 credit hours. For further information, please see Additional Methods of Gaining Transfer Credit.
   • An official transfer credit evaluation requires that an official transcript be received in a sealed envelope (unopened by the student) by the College Registrar’s Office, Admissions Office, or Professional and Graduate Studies. For information regarding international transcripts, please see the Origination of Coursework section below.
   • Upon receipt of an official transfer credit evaluation, students who wish to appeal a decision may request that the Registrar’s Office complete a re-evaluation. If, upon completion of the re-evaluation, the student has further concerns, the Dean of the College or the Associate Dean of the College may be asked to make the final determination.

ACCREDITATION CRITERIA

Determination of the institutional source and quality of coursework, as reflected by the accreditation held by the originating institution, is the overarching criterion used to assess the eligibility of a course for evaluation and the awarding of Hiram College transfer credit.

Accreditation affords reason for confidence in an institution’s or a program’s purposes, in the appropriateness of its resources and plans for carrying out these purposes, and in its effectiveness in accomplishing its goals, insofar as these things can be judged. Accreditation speaks to the probability, but does not guarantee, that students have met acceptable standards of educational accomplishment. While coursework from both collegiate and non-collegiate originating institutions may be considered in this process, each institution must be accredited by a regional, national, international, or professional accrediting body that is recognized by Hiram College. Coursework from institutions that do not have accredited status are not eligible for evaluation and awarding of Hiram College credit.

A. University Level Institutions

• Consistent with established educational practices, Hiram College evaluates and awards credit for courses at accredited post-secondary institutions (e.g., colleges, universities, community and junior colleges, technical colleges and institutes).

B. Non-University Level Institutions

• On a case-by-case basis, seminars, workshops, training programs and other formal learning experiences provided by non-collegiate agencies and organizations (e.g. Armed Forces, General Motors, licensure through national registries, recognition by foreign ministries of education, etc) may be eligible for consideration in the evaluation process. While some courses may be denied Hiram College credit, other courses may be deferred to the appropriate major department for further assessment and a Pass/No Credit determination. For further information, please see Additional Methods of Gaining Transfer Credit.

C. Other Institutions

• Credits earned at institutions such as proprietary business schools, vocational/technical schools, or other single purpose institutions are not transferable without individual assessment.

ORIGINATION OF COURSEWORK

Courses originating from accredited domestic, international, and inter-institutional affiliated institutions may be considered for transfer credit at Hiram College.

A. Domestic Institutions

• The evaluation and awarding of Hiram College transfer credit for coursework originating at U.S. institutions is based on official transcripts. To be eligible for evaluation, coursework must appear on an official transcript from the institution that offered the coursework and initially conferred the credit. Students may be asked to provide additional documentation such as course descriptions, syllabi, etc, for clear determination of applicability.

B. International Institutions

• The evaluation and awarding of Hiram College transfer credit for coursework originating at non-U.S. institutions is also based on official transcripts from the institution that offered the coursework and initially conferred the credit. Students may be asked to provide additional documentation such as course descriptions, syllabi, and certified true copies of translations if the original documents are not in English.

C. Inter-institutional Affiliations

• Coursework originating at a branch or regional campus of an institution will, for the purposes of evaluation and award of Hiram College transfer credit, be treated in a manner similar to coursework originating at the institution's main campus. This principle shall not apply unless the branch or regional campus is specifically and separately accredited.
• Further, it is recognized that some free-standing institutions have established close contractual relationships that, in terms of interdependent course offerings and academic record keeping, resemble a main-regional campus configuration. In those cases where such a relationship can be documented, the coursework is evaluated based on the accreditation criteria in this policy. For example, a student, while enrolled at Home University, a domestic, regionally accredited institution, takes courses at an affiliated foreign institution. The coursework is recorded on the Home University transcript in a manner similar to courses taken on the main campus of said university. In this case, the coursework is evaluated in the same way as courses taken on the main campus of Home University.

LEVEL AND NATURE OF COURSEWORK CRITERIA

The following levels of coursework are eligible for evaluation by Hiram College.

A. Post-Secondary Level

• Undergraduate and graduate level coursework is considered for the evaluation and awarding of transfer credit at Hiram College, regardless of whether the coursework is completed prior to or after high school graduation. Coursework that is clearly secondary is not awarded credit.

B. Undergraduate Level

• Lower division coursework typically taken during the first half of a degree, as well as upper division courses usually associated with the last half of a degree program, are determined to be undergraduate level coursework.

C. Graduate Level

• Hiram College grants up to six semester hours of applicable graduate level transfer credit, at the discretion of the Office of Graduate Studies.

D. Non-University Level

• Courses determined to be at a developmental level are not awarded Hiram College credit. This category includes but may not be limited to study skills, career skills, or employment focused courses.
• Hiram College does not award credit for host-based orientation courses, music lessons, or most physical education courses.
• Technical or skills-based courses are evaluated on an individual basis.

ADDITIONAL METHODS OF GAINING TRANSFER CREDIT

Hiram College awards credit based on minimum score requirements for select college level examinations. Examples include, Advanced Placement Level (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate Examinations (IB), and Cambridge International Examinations (CIE). Guidelines for awarding these types of credit can be found on the Registrar’s Office website:

Hiram College also recognizes that students may have acquired knowledge through life and work experience. Such learning may have come from outside seminars through one’s employer, volunteer work, community service, travel, military service, or extensive reading. It must be emphasized, however, that the awarding of advanced credit cannot be allowed to detract from the College’s commitment to the highest standards of academic performance. Hiram College does not award credit for the actual experience, but rather for the learning that has resulted from the experience. For example, a student would not receive credit for having lived in a foreign country, but must demonstrate that he/she acquired and possesses college-level knowledge as a result of the experience in that country. The quantity and quality are the basis for awarding credit. It is important to keep this in mind when considering whether or not to apply for experiential learning or outside seminar credit. For further information on additional ways of gaining transfer credit, please contact the Registrar's Office or Professional and Graduate Studies. 

AWARDING OF CREDIT TO FULFILL CORE, GENERAL EDUCATION, OR ELECTIVE REQUIREMENTS

Hiram College is committed to a rigorous, creative, and demanding intellectual environment that focuses on methods for acquiring knowledge and understanding about human beings and the world and to the development of socially responsible, ethical citizens

The Registrar’s Office determines if transferred courses, after meeting the requirements within the above Statement of Criteria, align with the learning outcomes of our Core Curriculum and General Education Requirements respectively, and therefore, fulfill said requirements. Decisions are made based upon course descriptions, syllabi, and, when needed, student writing samples from the course. If the Registrar’s Office is unable to determine clear alignment, the Dean of the College or the Associate Dean of the College will be asked to make the final determination.

Courses that do not fulfill Core Curriculum or General Education Requirements but align with the learning outcomes of Hiram College courses will be transferred in as elective hours, and may be applied to the student’s major upon approval by the appropriate department. Courses that do not have a similar Core or General Education course to align with, will be reviewed for transfer as such based upon course descriptions, syllabi, and if needed, student writing samples, in order to determine a reasonable match with the appropriate goals of a Core Curriculum or General Education Requirement.

AWARDING OF CREDIT TO FULFILL FIRST-YEAR COLLOQUIUM REQUIREMENTS

All Hiram College traditional students are required to complete both a First-Year Colloquium (FRCL) and a First-Year Seminar (FSEM). The Colloquia are a series of seminars on special topics across the liberal arts and sciences, designed to introduce students to college-level writing and oral communication. The First-Year Seminars continue the students’ introduction to the examination of substantial intellectual issues, while seeking to improve the students’ college-level writing and analytical abilities by emphasizing research across disciplines. Professional and Graduate Studies students are required to complete both Writing in the Liberal Arts and Foundations of the Liberal Arts (FDLA), which have similar learning outcome goals as the First-Year Colloquium and First-Year Seminar. For additional information on the goals of Core Curriculum, please see Hiram’s Core Curriculum section below.

The Registrar’s Office determines if transferred courses, after meeting the requirements within the above Statement of Criteria, align with the learning outcomes of our FRCL and WRLA, respectively, and therefore, fulfill such requirements. Decisions are made based upon course descriptions, syllabi, and, when needed, writing samples from the course. Those students, for whom the First Year Colloquium or Writing in the Liberal Arts is waived, are required to take FDLA, which is considered to be essential for a student's future success at Hiram College. In addition to honing research writing skills, the course strengthens oral communication, critical thinking and analytical skills. It is a top centered, discussion based course which provides a solid introduction to the liberal arts. 

Withdrawal and Readmission

Students who withdraw from Hiram College are not considered officially withdrawn until they have submitted a completed withdrawal form to the Dean of Students and have had an exit interview. All students who wish to return to Hiram College after having withdrawn for any reason must apply for readmission. Readmission forms are available to download at www.hiram.edu/registrar.  Readmission procedures must be completed prior to the beginning of the term for which the student has applied. There is a $100 deposit fee for readmission and a $100 deposit fee for housing, if housing is desired. Those who need financial assistance should contact the Director of Student Financial Aid, since previous loans, jobs, or scholarships are not automatically reinstated upon readmission.

Note: Application materials for Readmission following academic dismissal may also be found at www.hiram.edu/registrar, and should be completed and sent to the Academic Review Board Chairperson, c/o the Associate Dean’s Office. 

Hiram College reserves the right to deny readmission to any student for reasons including but not limited to outstanding financial obligations, academic deficiencies, college disciplinary actions, or convictions of criminal activity. Students will be informed in writing about the College’s readmission decision, and may appeal a denial of readmission to the Dean of the College. Appeals must be made in writing within three (3) business days of received denial and submitted to the Registrar’s Office, Hiram College, PO Box 67, Hiram, OH 44234.

Leave of Absence Policy

Students in academic good standing who qualify for any of the following may apply in the Vice President  & Dean of Students Office for a Leave of Absence:

1. Students studying or traveling away, but with Hiram College advisor and Associate Dean approval.
2. Students working on an incomplete grade authorized by a Hiram College faculty member.
3. A senior who needs one or more courses that are only offered the following semester (graduation audit required).
4. A student who needs a semester off in order to remain in the sequence of a particular program (advisor approval required).
5. Students participating in a Hiram College approved 3/2 program, or other accelerated collaborative program.
6. Students called to active duty in the military (military order required).
7. Students who have been approved by the Associate Academic Dean to finish course hours elsewhere needed to fulfill graduation requirements. 

Students on an approved Leave of Absence may stop out for a period of time not to exceed two semesters. Extension of a Leave of Absence may only be permitted with express authorization by the Dean of the College. The student should contact the Registrar’s Office when ready to return to campus.

An administrative Leave of Absence may be granted if one of the above criteria is met and the student is unable to complete the paperwork, or at the discretion of the Vice President and Dean of Students or Associate Dean of the College.

NOTE: A student who fails to return from an authorized Leave of Absence will be withdrawn from Hiram College as of the date the student last attended classes. Students should note that even an approved Leave of Absence may have financial aid and graduation consequences.