Student Toolkit

If your overall or cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0, you could be put on Academic Warning. If you do not meet the requirements of Academic Warning, you could be moved to Academic Probation or Academic Suspension.

If you have entered Academic Suspension, and would like to request a review of your standing, you can fill out the Academic Suspension Appeal Form.

Remember, if you are put on any of these Academic Probation statuses, your Financial Aid can also be impacted – a separate appeal process is required for that called the SAP Appeal.

Student Intervention Services and your Advising Team will work with you so you understand how to bring yourself back into Academic Good Standing.

Think about this way: When you have a job, you are required to perform assigned duties for that job. If you do not, you could get placed on an improvement plan to help you improve your performance. These plans help you make the right adjustments to get back on track. If you fail to improve your work performance, other consequences may happen including suspension or termination.

This is a similar process for Academic Warning, Probation and Suspension. Because you are not meeting academic expectations, we will get you on a plan that serves as a guide to improve your academic performance. This article by ASO Staff Writers (2022): Academic Probation in College: What It Is and How to Get Back on Track can help you better understand this process.

Learn more about Student Intervention Services: 

Student Intervention Services

When you register for classes, you are agreeing to pay all the tuition and fees associated with those courses. Once you register, a bill will be sent to you indicating how much you owe and can be viewed in the Student Hub.

If you do not pay your bill by the due date, there will be service charges added to your balance. A service charge is an additional fee on top of the amount you already owe so it is important to pay your bill on time.

If you are paying for school using Financial Aid, funds must be paid before the due date as well.

Think about it this way: You pay rent every month, right? If you do not pay your rent on time, most likely you will be charged late fees. Your tuition bill works the same way.

If someone is loaning you money to help pay your rent, you would still need that money before your rent is due. Financial Aid works the same way.

Associated Terms, Words or Phrases: 

• Payment Plan
• Tuition Bill
• Bill

Learn more about tuition and fees:

Tuition & Fees

Important Dates

When campus is closed, that means all offices, resources, and services are closed too. You will be unable to access the people and these places until we open again.

Think about this way: Sometimes your fave coffee shops are closed on certain days including Holidays. If you are craving that Pumpkin Spice Latte and find your go-to coffee shop closed, you have to come back another day.

If the campus is closed, our offices are closed. That also means, we will not be answering emails during the closure until we return.

Full-semester classes typically last approximately 16 weeks depending on the semester schedule. Generally speaking, full-semester classes last from mid-August to mid-December in the Fall and mid-January to early-May.

When you register for classes, you are agreeing to pay all the tuition and fees associated with those courses. Once you register, a bill will be sent to you indicating how much you owe and can be viewed in the Student Hub. Sometimes after you have registered, you may need to add or remove classes from your schedule due to a variety of reasons (for example: job conflicts, timing, extra sleep, you name it).

If you must adjust your schedule by removing (or “dropping”) classes, you must do so before the 100% refund deadline to get all your money back.

Think about this way: You booked a flight last night and paid $200. Today, you found out that you cannot go on that dream trip. *Sigh

You have 24 hours to cancel your flight to get all of your money back. You canceled your flight before 24 hours have passed and get your full $200 back. Whew!

Same thing with dropping your classes, do it before the 100% refund deadline to get all your money back.

Associated Terms, Words or Phrases: 

• Add/Drop
• Add/Drop/Withdraw Classes
• Reduce Courseload
• Reduction in Courseload

Learn more about the Drop Process:

Student

When you register for classes, you are agreeing to pay all the tuition and fees associated with those courses. Once you register, a bill will be sent to you indicating how much you owe and can be viewed in the Student Hub. Sometimes after you have registered, you may need to add or remove classes from your schedule due to a variety of reasons (for example: job conflicts, timing, extra sleep, you name it).

If you must adjust your schedule by removing (or “dropping”) classes and the 100% refund deadline has already passed, unfortunately, you cannot qualify to get all your money back. However, you can drop your classes before the 50% refund deadline to get half of your money back. The 50% refund deadline is also sometimes called “census date.”

Think about this way: You booked a flight last night and paid $200. Today, you found out that you cannot go on that dream trip. *Sigh

You have 24 hours to cancel your flight to get all of your money back. If you do not cancel your flight within 24 hours, you only get half of it back. You canceled your flight after 24 hours have passed and now you can only get $100 back.

Same thing with dropping your classes after the 100% refund deadline has passed. To get half of your money back, drop your classes before the 50% refund deadline.

Associated Terms, Words or Phrases: 

• Census Date
• Census Day
• Census

Learn more about the Drop Process:

Student

This policy requires you to actively participate in your course(s) before the census date or the Office of the Registrar may drop your course(s). To avoid being dropped, make sure to participate in any class assignments (graded or not), check-ins, or otherwise as indicated by your faculty on your course syllabus.

Don’t know what part of term or census date you need to participate by? Check out the Parts of Term website for clarification.

Think about it this way: If you are part of a team and you do not show up for practice, more than likely you will not play in the games or there may be other consequences because you are not actively participating. You have to practice to play!

With the Mandatory Participation Verification Policy, you have to participate to stay in your class so you do not get dropped by the Office of the Registrar. Keep in mind, this is a federal regulation that MSU Denver has to follow. If you have questions about this policy for specific classes, be sure to check in with each faculty member.

Associated Terms, Words or Phrases: 

• Mandatory Participation
• Participation Policy

Learn more about the Mandatory Participation Verification Policy:

MSU Denver Participation Policy

If you are taking at least 9 credits at MSU Denver, you are required to have health insurance. All students are automatically provided the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) at a cost. This is great for students who do not have their own health insurance plan or not covered under someone else’s plan such as parents, guardians, spouse or other family members because they have access to medical care, if they ever need it.

However, there are students who already have their own health insurance plan or are covered under someone else’s plan and do not need the SHIP provided by the school. If this is your situation, you will need to fill out the Health Insurance Waiver form by the deadline so you do not have to pay the SHIP fee.

In simpler terms:

• If you do not already have your own health insurance plan or not covered under someone else’s plan, the school provides every student the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) at a cost. When you receive your tuition and fees bill, you will see the SHIP fee.

• If you already have your own health insurance plan or are covered under someone else’s plan, you can bring your own and will need to fill out the Health Insurance Waiver form by the deadline to opt-out of SHIP and not be assessed the fee.

Think about this way: Now when you go to the store, if you didn’t bring a shopping bag with you, the store will provide one to you at a small cost. If you brought your own shopping bag, it doesn’t make sense to pay for something you already have.

The Health Insurance plan works the same way. If you don’t have health insurance, don’t worry, you’re covered. You will see the SHIP fee on your tuition and fees bill. If you brought health insurance with you, fill out the Health Insurance Waiver form. It doesn’t make sense to pay for something you already have.

Associated Terms, Words or Phrases: 

• Health Insurance Requirement
• Health Waiver

Learn more about SHIP:

MSU Denver Student Health Insurance

Health Insurance Opt-Out Waiver Instructions

Coverage Dates, Premiums & Deadlines

The day and time you can register is based on how many credits you have completed and your class standing (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, or Senior level). Students who have completed the most credits and have the highest class standing register first or have “priority registration.” Students with the next highest number of credits and class standing register next and so on until registration is open for everyone.

Typical Priority Registration Order (Subject to change):

• Undergraduate seniors with 120+ completed credit hours
• Undergraduate seniors with 105-119 completed credit hours
• Undergraduate seniors with 90-104 completed credit hours
• Graduate students with 40+ earned credit hours
• Undergraduate juniors with 80-89 completed credit hours
• Graduate students with 31-39 earned credit hours
• Undergraduate juniors with 70-79 completed credit hours
• Undergraduate juniors with 60-69 completed credit hours
• Graduate students with 21-30 earned credit hours
• Undergraduate sophomores with 50-59 completed credit hours
• Graduate students with 0-20 earned credit hours
• Undergraduate sophomores with 40-49 completed credit hours
• Undergraduate sophomores with 30-39 completed credit hours
• Undergraduate freshmen with 20-29 completed credit hours
• Undergraduate freshmen with 10-19 completed credit hours
• Undergraduate freshmen with 1-9 completed credit hours
• Undergraduate freshmen with 0 completed credit hours and last name A-K
• Undergraduate freshmen with 0 completed credit hours and last name L-Z
• Graduate students that are non-degree seeking

Think about this way: Bad Bunny is playing at Ball Arena and you NEED those tickets. You have an early access or presale code that allows you to buy tickets before anyone else. You got the seats you wanted and you’re front row!

No code? You have to wait until general tickets go on sale.

Just like early access or ticket presales, with priority registration, you have to wait until registration opens for you.

Associated Terms, Words or Phrases: 

• Registration
• Registration Period

Learn more about Registration:

Registration Guide

Registration Resources

It’s time to review your Degree Progress Report. The Degree Progress Report is exactly that, a progress report. It tells you what classes you have completed and what you still need to do, along with other important information to get you to graduation.

You should review this with your Academic Advisor on October 15th and March 15th of each year.

Think about this way: It’s recommended that you get your teeth cleaned at least twice a year to maintain good oral hygiene and to ensure your dental health is on track.

Same thing with your Degree Progress Report. Check it at least twice a year with a professional advisor to maintain your academic health and to ensure you’re on track to graduate.

Associated Terms, Words or Phrases: 

• DPR
• Degree Progress

Learn more about the Rowdy Pit Stop:

Rowdy Pit Stop

How To’s and Tutorials

You don’t have class (#lucky), but we still have to work. That means all offices, resources, and services are open to you during this week. You will be able to access the people and these places you need during normal business hours.

Think about this way: You’ve got some free time. Your fave coffee shop is open. Pumpkin Spice Latte, here you come!

If the campus is open, we’re open!

When you register for classes, you are agreeing to pay all the tuition and fees associated with those courses. Once you register, a bill will be sent to you indicating how much you owe and can be viewed in the Student Hub. Sometimes after you have been in your classes for awhile, you may need to withdraw due to a variety of reasons.

Students who need to withdraw after the 100% and the 50% refund deadlines have passed, will need to do so by the withdrawal deadline. Students who withdraw will receive a “W” notation on their transcripts and will have to pay full tuition and fees.

Think about this way: You booked a flight last night and paid $200. Today, you found out that you cannot go on that dream trip. *Sigh

You have 24 hours to cancel your flight to get all of your money back. If you do not cancel your flight within 24 hours, you only get half of it back. Cancelling your flight completely slipped your mind, and now you’re not sure what to do. You read online that you have 30 days to completely cancel your flight and unfortunately, you do not get any money back.

You completely canceled your flight before the 30 days have passed and you get $0 back. You call the customer service representative (just in case) to see if there is anything they can do and to talk through next best options.

Similar to flight cancellation policies, if you wait too long to drop your classes and must take a “W,” you miss out on getting any money back at all. If you find yourself in this situation, meet with an Advisor right away to talk through next best options.

Associated Terms, Words or Phrases: 

• Last day to Withdraw
• Withdraw
• “W”

Learn more about the Withdrawal Process:

Student

Before you graduate, you have to apply for graduation to ensure you have met all the requirements for your degree. The application must be turned in by the due date.

Think about this way: You want to apply for a job and the application is due January 1. Before you can be hired, you have to meet all the qualifications and requirements of that job.

This is similar to the Application for Graduation. You must turn your application in before the due date and we will ensure you are meeting all your degree requirements before you are awarded your diploma.

Associated Terms, Words or Phrases: 

• Graduation Application
• Application for Graduation

Learn more about Graduation: 

Graduation

Who they are: Admissions is typically one of your first stops to learn more about MSU Denver. Admissions Counselors can help you with the application to get into MSU Denver and provide general information about campus life, cost and other important information. They also do high school visits, campus visits and tours, and are the ones who are typically sending you welcome emails and next steps after you’re admitted.

Why messages from them are important: They provide application status information and next steps to get you started as a student at MSU Denver.

Messages from Admissions are rated at a level 2 – very important, especially during your first semester.

What they can help with:

• General Information for future and new students including:
  • First time to college – students attending college for the first time after high school graduation regardless of age
  • Transfer – students who are or have attended college before (2-year or 4-year)
  • Re-admit – students who have attended MSU Denver before
  • International – students who are seeking a student visa
  • Veteran and military – students who are active-duty or veterans of the military
  • Masters – students who have completed a Bachelors Degree
  • Non-degree seeking – students who are not getting a degree, but want to take classes
  • Concurrent enrollment – high school students who want to take college courses
  • Metro Meritus – students over the age of 60
• Application for admission
• Admissions Status
• Next Steps after Admission
• High School Visits
• Campus Visits and Tours

Messages will most likely be sent from: Admissions Department, [email protected]

How you can reach them:

• Website: https://www.msudenver.edu/admissions/
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 303-556-3058

Who they are: Orientation is a chance for incoming students to explore the campus, meet faculty, staff and other students, and talk to an academic advisor before registering for classes. Orientation leaders help ensure a smooth transition to college life.

Why their messages are important:

Orientation is required for all MSU Denver students.

Messages regarding Orientation are are rated at a level 2 – very important especially during your first semester.

What they can help with: 

• General Orientation questions
• Orientation registration
• Orientation formats
• Orientation types

Messages will most likely be sent from: Orientation, [email protected]

How you can reach them:

• Website: https://www.msudenver.edu/orientation-transfer-reengagement/orientation/
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 303-615-0770

Who they are: The Bursar plays an important role at the University because they handle tuition and fee billing. If you have questions about your bill, payment plans, balance due, really, anything to do with paying for classes, you will want to talk to them.

Why their messages are important: Any message that involves money or payments are important. Pay particular attention to these messages as they may impact your student status and ability to take classes.

Messages from the Bursar are are rated at a level 1 – extremely important.

What they can help with:

• Billing statements
• Tuition payment deadlines
• Financial Rights and Responsibilities
• Payment Options
• Payment Plans
• Tuition and fees questions
• Balance due holds
• Refunds

Messages will most likely be sent from: Bursar’s Office, [email protected]

How you can reach them:

• Website: https://www.msudenver.edu/bursar/
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 303-615-0070

Who they are: Some students pay for school using their own money. Most students pay for school using some type of financial aid. There are typically 4 types of aid including grants, loans, work-study and scholarships.

1. Grants – money provided to you to pay for school that doesn’t need to be repaid. This is essentially “free” money, but for most grants you must financially qualify to receive it.
2. Student Loans – these work like any other loans; it is borrowed money that has to be repaid with interest.
3. Work-Study – allows you to work part-time at your school to pay for school.
4. Scholarships – money provided to you to pay for school that doesn’t need to be repaid. This is essentially “free” money, but for most scholarships you must apply to receive it.

Read more about each type of financial aid by visiting Federal Student Aid’s: Types of Financial Aid webpage. Or simply stop by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships as they can help you with ALL things related to Financial Aid.

Why their messages are important: Any messages about how you are paying for school are important. Pay particular attention to these messages as they may impact your student status and ability to take classes.

Messages from Financial Aid and Scholarships are are rated at a level 1 – extremely important.

What they can help with:

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CAFSA)
• Questions about your grants, student loans, work-study, scholarships
• Financial aid packages
• MSU Denver Scholarship application
• Financial aid forms
• Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Appeals

Messages will most likely be sent from: Finaid, [email protected]

How you can reach them:

• Website: https://www.msudenver.edu/financial-aid/
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 303-556-8593

Who they are: The Registrar is responsible for maintaining your official school records. This includes registration, major declaration, class scheduling, grades, transcripts, transfer evaluations, degree evaluations and audits, graduation and diplomas, catalogs, academic calendars, forms, FERPA, and much more.

Why their messages are important: Pay close attention to messages from the Registrar because they deal with your “official” record at MSU Denver. They are like the cloud to your iPhone.

Messages from the Registrar are rated at a level 1 – extremely important.

What they can help with:

• Academic Calendar – dates and deadlines
• Catalog
• Registration and Waitlists
• FERPA
• International Students Services
• Administrative Withdrawal
• College Opportunity Fund (COF)
• Drop and Withdrawal
• Final Exams
• Grades
• Graduation – Audits, Diplomas, Evaluations
• Holds
• Transfer – Evaluations, Guidelines
• Forms – Declaration of Major, Late Enrollment, Time Conflict, Fresh Start, Grade Appeals

Messages will most likely be sent from: Regquery, [email protected]>; Graduation, [email protected]; Transcript Evaluations, [email protected]; International Student Support, [email protected]; [email protected]

How you can reach them:

• Website: https://www.msudenver.edu/registrar/
• General Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 303-556-3991

What it is: The ‘Runner is a weekly newsletter sent to all MSU Denver students every Monday that highlights upcoming campus events and programs, provides reminders about important dates and deadlines, opportunities, resources, special announcements and more.

Why these messages are important: It puts everything you need to know about the upcoming week in one easy location.

Messages featured in the ‘Runner vary in importance.

• Messages about dates and deadlines and ‘Runner Special Edition’s are are rated at a level 1 – extremely important.
• Messages about resources are 3 – fairly important, especially if you need services provided by that resource.
• Messages about events and programs, opportunities are
• rated at a level 4 – slightly important

Messages will most likely be sent from: Student, Communications, [email protected]

Who they are: Professional Academic Advisors and Faculty Advisors can help you with all things related to academics  including deciding on a major, sorting out transfer credit, making referrals, choosing classes for next semester, exploring careers, and more. You are typically assigned a Professional Academic Advisor first then transition to a Faculty Advisor. However, each College/School and Department differ on how you are assigned.

Why their messages are important: They guide you on the best route to reach graduation ensuring you meet your academic goals at a pace that works for you.

Messages from your advisor are rated at a level 2 – very important.

What they can help with: 

• Course selection and registration
• Class scheduling
• Major exploration
• Referrals to on-campus resources and offices
• Degree planning
• Degree Progress Reports
• Internship and career opportunities
• Letters of recommendations

Messages will most likely be sent from: Your individual advisor, from Departments, from the College or School

How you can reach them:

• Use this form to find advising contact information including phone and email for your College or School.

• If you already know which College or School you belong to, find your Professional Academic Advisor by using the MSU Denver Advising Directory.

Who they are: The Access Center helps students who have disabilities or may need additional accommodations or support in the classroom.

Why their messages are important: Equity in the classroom is your right! If you have a documented disability and need accommodations, do not ignore these messages. They are here to help!

Messages from the Access Center are rated at a level 1 – extremely important, if you think you need or are already receiving classroom accommodations.

What they can help with:

• Exploring accessibility options including accommodated attendance, deadlines, testing, service animals, and more.
• Technology including notetaking, reading support (text-to-speech), dictation, scanning
• Accessibility Documentation
• Pregnancy accommodations
• Reporting accessibility concerns

Messages will most likely be sent from: Access Center, [email protected]

How you can reach them:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 303-615-0199