Students who are looking to save some cash in difficult economic times by cramming courses into their schedules might be in for a rude awakening.
While some students may choose to take five classes to accelerate their degree progress, it won’t only cost them extra time and effort.
Students who enroll in five or more classes per quarter are subject to an overload charge if the classes are used to accelerate graduation, said Weinberg Assistant Dean Richard Weimer.
Each extra course costs about $3,000, according to the Student Financial Services Web site. The fee is charged when a student takes more than four classes to graduate early and does not fulfill the university residence requirement: 12 quarters for a single-degree program or 15 quarters for a combined degree program.
Weimer said the fee often deters students from graduating early.
“You have to pay for every overload that you use, and it’s quite expensive,” he said. “Financial aid doesn’t cover overload, so as a consequence, there wouldn’t be any motivation encouraging early graduation.”
However, students might be able to take five classes if they are able to transfer credits, including Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate credits or credits from other colleges. Students can also earn credits from “credit by examination” – placing out of a language requirement, for example, or from credits attending NU while not enrolled full-time. If a student enters NU with a combination of one or more of these credits, the extra fee does not apply.
Weinberg junior Neil Panchal said he is graduating this June because he came in with eight or nine AP credits.
“I took summer school freshman year, but other than that I’ve taken four classes every quarter,” he said. “I’m an economics major so I’ve finished all my pre-med requirements, and I didn’t want to do a minor. Medical school is going to be expensive, so I figured I’d save my parents a year of tuition.”
Even with the extra cost, some students are willing to overload courses and will likely pursue early graduation.
Medill sophomore Zoe Fox has taken five classes for two quarters and hopes to earn enough units to graduate in winter of her senior year.
“Spring of senior year nobody wants to do work,” she said. “I think it will be fun to do job interviews and not have to worry about taking classes.”
For other students, taking five courses will allow them to graduate with their class. Weinberg sophomore Emily Kline said she has taken a fifth class to ensure she graduates on time.
“I’m planning on studying abroad winter and spring,” she said. “I might be in a credit bind when I get back, and I didn’t want to spend money on an extra term here.”
If students want to take an extra class to lighten their load in the future or simply because they are interested, there is no extra cost, Weimer said.
Reed Wilson, a theater major double minoring in history and sociology, said this policy is advantageous because it allows him to fulfill his requirements and avoid penalties.
“I’m a theater major and a history and sociology minor, so I have a lot of requirements for theater that I have to take,” the Communication sophomore said. “If the university were to say you have to pay for more credits, then people like me would be in financial trouble.”
Weimer said most students come into his office asking to take a fifth class for nothing more than personal enrichment, not acceleration.
Austin Young said he took five classes last quarter when he was unable to decide between two electives.
“I think it’s great that the university allows you to take the extra class and push yourself,” the Weinberg freshman said. “Taking the fifth class without having to pay let me learn more and not prohibit me from doing so because of the cost.”
