Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Community Scholar?
Who qualifies to participate in the Community Scholar Program? 
Is there an application process? Do I need to provide transcripts of previously completed college work to enroll in courses?   
How do I obtain permission of the course instructor to register?
Is there a per semester course registration limit?
Where can I find a list of courses?
Are any courses offered online?  
Can I take classes through the Community Scholar Program during the summer? 
How much does the Community Scholar Program cost?  Is financial aid available? 
How do I know whether I qualify for in-state tuition?
Will I receive college credit for the courses I take through the Community Scholar Program? 
May I obtain a degree for the accumulated courses that I take through the Community Scholar Program?
As a Community Scholar, will my chances of acceptance as a full-time student into the University of Virginia increase? 
If I am accepted for admission into the University of Virginia, will all of my credits earned through the Community Scholar Program apply towards my degree?
Are Community Scholars considered U.Va. students?  Do University Standards of Conduct, rules, and regulations apply to Community scholars?
Will I receive a University I.D.?  Am I eligible for housing?    
How long will I be able to take courses as a Community Scholar?
May I fax, mail, or e-mail my Permission to Enroll form?
Where can I find my grades ? 
Where can I request an official transcript?

Complete Community Scholar policies, procedures, calendars, and more can be found in The Community Scholar Handbook, available online or at the Community Scholar Office in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies.

What is a Community Scholar? 
A Community Scholar is an individual who wishes to engage in the academics of the University of Virginia part-time, without applying to a degree program. Reasons for enrolling typically include professional development, personal enrichment, to complete prerequisites for graduate or professional school, to survey a department’s courses prior to applying to a formal degree program, or to earn college credit as a high school student, home school student, or as a student in good standing at another college or university. 

Who qualifies to participate in the Community Scholar Program?
Individuals may enroll in undergraduate courses whether or not they have earned a college degree.  An undergraduate degree is required to register for graduate-level courses.

Anyone currently under suspension or not in good academic standing at any college or university is ineligible for enrollment.

Students currently enrolled in a degree program at the University of Virginia are not eligible for the Community Scholar Program.  

Is there an application process? Do I need to provide transcripts of previously completed college work to enroll in courses?
There is no application required to participate in the Community Scholar Program.  However, the Community Scholar Registration and Permission to Enroll Form must be completed in-full, and the approval signature of the course instructor(s) must be obtained prior to registration. 

If you are enrolling in graduate-level courses, proof of an undergraduate degree must be presented at the time of registration.  A copy of an undergraduate diploma or unofficial transcript may serve as verification.  U.Va. alumni are not required to submit verification.  

Transcripts (official or unofficial) of all previously completed college credits only need to be submitted if you are enrolling in any of the following: any course in the McIntire School of Commerce, 300-level and above Engineering courses, or 700-level and above English courses. These should be submitted several weeks prior to the start date of classes. This information will be forwarded to the appropriate department to assure that the needed prerequisites have been completed to register for the desired course(s).  

How do I obtain permission of the course instructor?
Instructor contact information is available in the Course Offering Directory on the website of the University Registrar.  When you click on the instructor’s name, you will receive the instructor’s e-mail address and phone number.  For more information, visit Five Easy Steps to Enroll.

In addition, several Schools require permission of its Registrar or other staff or faculty.  This contact information can be found at Five Easy Steps to Enroll and on page two of the Registration and Permission to Enroll Form. 

Is there a per semester course registration limit?
Yes.  Community Scholars may take no more than two courses per semester, along with any dependent laboratory or discussion session, for a maximum of 11.5 hours.  
 

Where can I find a list of courses?
The U.Va. Undergraduate and Graduate Records provide comprehensive online listings of all classes offered at the University.  Class descriptions can often also be found on the websites of the various academic Schools and departments.  

Once you know what course you want to take, the searchable Course Offering Directory lists the available courses for a specific term, along with their times, dates, and locations.  

Are any courses offered online?  
A limited number of courses from the regular, on-Grounds course listings of the University are available online.  The School of Continuing and Professional Studies also offers online courses and programs.

Can I take classes through the Community Scholar Program during the summer?
The Community Scholar Program is only offered during the fall and spring semesters.  To enroll in classes during the summer months, please contact Summer Session.

How much does the Community Scholar Program cost?  Is financial aid available? 
Tuition Rates
Tuition for high school and home-schooled students
Financial aid and tuition assistance are not available through the Office of Student Financial Aid for Community Scholars.

How do I know whether I qualify for in-state tuition?
To qualify for in-state residency and tuition, individuals must have been legally domiciled in Virginia for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of class.  If you are uncertain as to your residency status, contact the Community Scholar office several weeks prior to the start date of the semester. Students may be required to submit proof of residency. 

Will I receive college credit for the courses I take through the Community Scholar Program? 
Yes, you will receive course credit that will be officially recorded in the Office of the University Registrar and become a permanent record of your efforts.   
 

May I obtain a degree for the accumulated courses that I take through the Community Scholar Program?
The Community Scholar Program is a nondegree program; therefore, no degree can be earned or received. 

As a Community Scholar, will my chances of acceptance as a full-time student into the University of Virginia increase? 
Students who subsequently apply for degree status at the University of Virginia will be evaluated according to the University's usual admission procedures and standards. 

If I am accepted for admission into the University of Virginia, will all of my credits earned through the Community Scholar Program apply towards my degree?
If accepted as a University of Virginia full-time degree seeking student, the degree-granting school will determine what credits will be transferred into the degree program.  This is true for both the University of Virginia and students desiring to transfer their earned credit hours towards a degree at another institution

Are Community Scholars considered University students?  Do University Standards of Conduct, rules, and regulations apply to Community Scholars?
A Community Scholar is a nondegree student at the University of Virginia enrolled through the School of Continuing and Professional Studies.  Community Scholars do not pay the required full-time student fees which include such items as athletic tickets, intramural access, Student Health, Student Legal Services, and University Union tickets.  As such, Community Scholars are not eligible to use the services of the Department of Student Health or purchase the University-endorsed Student Health Insurance plan, nor will they receive the above-mentioned services while taking classes through the program. 

Community Scholar students may purchase a recreation facilities pass during the semester of enrollment in on-Grounds credit classes.  This pass allows use of the recreation facilities at Memorial Gym, North Grounds Fitness, and the Aquatic and Fitness Center.  At the time of class registration, please request a letter from the Community Scholar Office confirming the term registration for presentation, along with appropriate payment, to the Intramural-Recreation Office in the Aquatic and Fitness center.  

Community Scholars enrolling in University courses do agree to abide by the University Honor System, the University’s rules and regulations, and the School of Continuing and Professional Studies policies regarding appropriate standards of conduct. 

Will I receive a University I.D.?  Am I eligible for housing?
U.Va. student I.D. cards are restricted to full-time University students.  Only students officially enrolled in U.Va. degree programs are eligible for student housing. 

How long will I be able to take courses as a Community Scholar?
There is no limit to the number of semesters that a Community Scholar can enroll in most Schools.  The School of Architecture limits Community Scholars to a lifetime maximum of four courses.  The Darden Graduate School of Business limits Community Scholars to a lifetime maximum of six credit hours.

To remain eligible for continued registration, Community Scholars must maintain grades consistent with the expectations for the University's graduate and undergraduate schools.  For graduate course work, grades earned must be a "B-" or above; for undergraduate courses, a "C" or above must be received to remain in good standing with the Program.  A Community Scholar with a grade of incomplete will not be permitted to register for additional courses until the incomplete is satisfactorily completed. 

May I fax, mail, or e-mail my Permission to Enroll Form?
No, registration must be completed in person.  

Where can I find my grades? 
The Office of the University Registrar maintains the official academic records for courses taken by those enrolled in the Community Scholar Program.  Grades are not mailed to students.  Instead, grades may be viewed online.

Where can I request an official transcript?
Official University transcripts may be requested through the Office of the University Registrar.