Students are admitted to their respective home universities, not UC. This is ultimately the university from which you will receive your degree and diploma.

Transfer students need to complete an application for admission and request that transcripts from the colleges/universities previously attended be sent directly to University Center.

At UC, your degree and diploma will come from your “home university,” aka the university to which your degree program is attached. University Center is not a university in itself; we are simply the gathering place for all of these degrees to come together in Sioux Falls.

We strive to process your application and admit you as quickly as possible. Typically we can do this within a week or even a couple of days. In certain cases (especially for transfer students), it could take a few weeks. We recommend that you apply as soon as you know you’d like to attend to avoid any delays in admission.

You should meet with a university representative or academic advisor to discuss your degree plan. They can help steer you in the right direction to find classes that fit your schedule.

Yes. Just like you do your taxes every year, your financial aid status needs to be updated and readdressed every year. You should fill out a new FAFSA after you complete your yearly tax forms. 

Students must confirm that they will be attending a South Dakota Board of Regents university each and every semester they are enrolled to specify their payment information and refund preferences along with verifying their addresses on record. Also, by completing this process, financial aid offices can award students more efficiently and quickly. Attendance Confirmation is completed in Webadvisor about 20-30 days prior to the start of each semester. Students receive an e-mail regarding how to complete this process from their HOME school. The link to complete Attendance Confirmation can be found at the upper part of the screen on the "Student's Menu" in Webadvisor about 20-30 days prior to the start of the semester. Bullet points on Attendance Confirmation:

• Confirm attendance for upcoming term
• Select payment options and responsibilities
• Select refund preferences – mail out service or Direct Deposit
• Refunds will not be generated unless attendance confirmation is completed
• Review and update address and contact information while attending school
• Designate a Refund address – valid only if you select mail out service and you wish the refund to be mailed to an address other than the address while you are attending school

Yes, you must be seeking a degree or be enrolled in an eligible certificate program to qualify. Contact the financial aid office if you have questions on your eligibility.

Yes. Knowing many of our students are balancing work, school and a family, UC offers flexible payment options. Find payment plans here.

The FAFSA evaluates factors such as assets, family income, household size and the number of family members in college to estimate what a family can provide for educational expenses and what "need" is remaining. It is the "need" which determines the amount of federal aid you are eligible to receive.

As an undergraduate, you need to be enrolled in at least six credit hours. Graduate students must be enrolled in at least five credit hours.

Undergraduate limits range from $5,500 to $12,500 per year depending on certain factors, including your year in college. Graduate students can borrow up to $20,500 each year. In addition, PLUS loans may also be available for graduate students to help pay for their education.

Your home university will send you an award letter that lists what financial aid you are eligible for. 

Your home university through which you are seeking a degree will process your aid.

Your FAFSA code will depend on which university you’re earning your degree from:
USD: 003474
SDSU: 003471
DSU: 003463
NSU: 003446
BHSU: 003459

FAFSA has strict qualifications for determining independent students, and this status may not match your tax filing status. Find the guidelines for independent student status here.

For Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters, you should fill out the FAFSA form that has the same start and end years (i.e. if you want Summer 2015, Fall 2015, and Spring 2016 to be eligible for aid, you would fill out the 2015-2016 FAFSA. The online form can be found at www.fafsa.gov. You will need to have your recently filed tax forms, W2s, and a PIN (Electronic Signature) in order to complete the form. If you need a PIN (or can’t remember it), you can get obtain it by visiting www.pin.ed.gov. If you have a PIN and can't remember it, choose "Request a Duplicate PIN." 

A financial aid award includes a variety of financial sources to help you meet the cost of college. Awards consist of student loans, grants, scholarships and other gift aid. 

Your EFC is your estimated family contribution determined by the FAFSA. This is the amount that the FAFSA estimates you can provide for education expenses as determined by your family’s financial situation. Your EFC is a set amount and will be the same at every university.

A subsidized direct loan is awarded based on need; the loan offers a low interest rate, and no interest will accrue on it while you’re in college. An unsubsidized direct loan is not awarded on the basis of need. This loan accrues interest from the time of disbursement.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form used to apply for financial aid including loans and grants. Scholarships are applied for and processed separately through University Center. Start your FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov.

Students access their bill using the SDePay system available through WebAdvisor. We do not send paper bills. Payment is due in full the day following the add/drop date, which is uniquely set for each term, but typically falls within the first 10 days of the start of classes. 

You should always maximize your federal student loan options before seeking private loans. Federal student loans are guaranteed and regulated by the U.S. government and do not require a credit check. These loans also have a fixed interest rate that is lower than most private student loans. Private student loans are not subsidized by the government and aren’t regulated as closely. They may have variable interest rates and fees based upon your credit profile.

Although applying for a private or alternative loan may seem easier, remember that federal student loans usually have lower interest rates and better repayment options. Additionally, universities use information from the FAFSA to determine other types of financial aid including grants and work opportunities.

Federal regulations require that a student complete (earn) a minimum of 67 percent of the credits they attempt in order to remain eligible to receive student financial aid. Attempted credits and credits earned are accumulated at the end of each semester.

Attempted credits include:

1. All credits for courses in which a student is formally enrolled as of the first day of class (this includes credits taken at the undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree levels and credits taken during enrollment as a non-degree student)
2. All credits that a student drops or adds after Add/Drop Period and any drop or withdraw that might happen before the last day to withdraw (see Academic Calendar)
3. All credits for courses in which the student enrolled, but subsequently withdrew or failed
4. Transfer credits from another school that are accepted
5. Credits earned through examination and credit by portfolio assessment

Earned Credits include:

1. All credits completed with grades of 'D' or better as well as Satisfactory and Pass grades
2. Pre-general courses count toward aid eligibility (i.e. ENGL 033, MATH 095, etc.), but only courses numbered 100 or higher count in completed credits; therefore they impact a student's satisfactory academic progress requirement for financial aid. A passing score of "RS" is used in determining continued eligibility as RS is "Remedial Satisfactory"
3. Transfer credits from another school that are accepted
4. Credits earned through examination and credit by portfolio assessment

Example: If a student who has attempted a total of 30 credits after one year of enrollment and completed 12 credits in the fall and 6 credits in the spring, for a total of 18 credits, does not meet the minimum 67% completions rate [18 (divided by) 30 = 60%] This student is below the minimum 67% required completion rate and does not meet the Student Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Standard and risks loss of eligibility to receive student financial aid.

Students who fail to complete 67% of their cumulative attempted credits risk loss of eligibility for student financial aid.

Undergraduate degree students who fail to complete a minimum of 67 percent of their cumulative attempted credits at the end of a semester will be placed on a 1 semester Financial Aid Probation Status for their next semester of enrollment. Undergraduate students failing to meet the required 67 percent completion requirement after a semester on Financial Aid Probation Status will be denied student financial aid in future semesters until their completion rate is back to 67 percent or higher.

Students are only allowed 1 Financial Aid Probation semester. Graduate and professional degree students who fail to meet the 67 percent completion requirement will be denied student financial aid until their completion rate reaches 67 percent or more of credits attempted. Graduate and professional students do not receive a 1 Financial Aid Probation semester.

University Center offers a deferment program for students with employers offering tuition reimbursement. To enroll, you need the following items:

1. Signed authorization form from your employer stating that the employer agrees to reimburse the student for tuition.
2. Copy of your employee handbook or policy manual page(s) that state what requirements must be met in order for the employer to make a payment. For example, some employers require that the student earn a “C” grade or above before reimbursing the cost of tuition.

Bring these items to the UC Business Office to complete your deferral agreement. Here, you will also need to sign a deferral agreement. The tuition due date is usually calculated as a date after grades are posted for that semester. Please note: a new deferral agreement must be completed for each semester, and the items listed above are required each time.

The deferral agreement obligates students to pay the amount owed by the date for final payment regardless of whether or not they have been reimbursed by the employer. Failure to pay by the posted final payment date can result in a late fee, an administrative withdrawal from all classes at University Center, the inability to obtain transcripts and the inability to register for next semester's courses.

A college or university that received qualified tuition and related expenses on your behalf is required to file Form 1098-T with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 states that educational institution are required to file and furnish a Form 1098-T to students whom payments for qualified billed tuition and related expenses were received during the applicable (Jan-Dec) calendar year. The information being reported to the IRS verifies your enrollment with regard to certain eligibility criteria for the Hope Tax Credit, the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit and the Higher Education Tuition and Fees Deduction. However, the enrollment information by itself does not establish eligibility for either credit or deduction. Since the University sends your 1098-T information to the IRS, there is no need to attach a copy of the form to your tax return. The information contained in the 1098-T will help you to determine if you may claim the Hope or the Lifetime Learning education tax credits. View your 1098T by logging-in to Heartland Campus Solutions (ESCI).  For Heartland Campus Solutions Customer Service call (866) 428-1098. Visit the following SDBOR link for step by step instructions for getting your 1098-T:  SDBOR Website. 

In order to qualify for federal college loans and grants, all young men must register with the U.S. Selective Service System when they turn 18. Registering will also keep men eligible for important opportunities like jobs and job training programs. The easiest way to register is to check 'yes, register me' when filling out the FAFSA, or register online at https://www.sss.gov/Home/registration. There's no late penalty for registration, but once a man turns 26 he can no longer register, and becomes permanently barred from all opportunities associated with registration, including college loans and grants. Visit www.sss.gov to learn more.

No – you can take classes from any and all partner universities at UC. Universities and their courses work together seamlessly at UC, so your credits will still add up even outside of your home university. Taking classes from multiple universities gives you more choices, better options and a great way to take a broad range of classes. A student taking classes from more than one university is described as cross-enrolled. But even though you’re cross-enrolled, you can still complete just one admissions form and make one payment for all classes.  

Call 605-274-9500 to schedule an appointment.

New and current students may add or drop courses using WebAdvisor or by completing an add/drop form. If you have a restriction or hold on your account, you cannot drop or add a course until the hold is cleared. After you add or drop semester classes, we advise you to look at “My Class Schedule” to verify the correct changes were made.

First, you’ll need to meet with your academic advisor, who will help you plan your schedule and select the right classes for the coming term. Once you have a plan in place, you can register online through your home school's WebAdvisor. In some cases, students may also use a paper registration form.

You may drop all of your courses for all South Dakota universities by completing a withdrawal form. You can find these at the UC front office or from your advisor. If you have financial aid, we advise you to meet with a financial aid advisor prior to withdrawing, as this may have implications on your financial aid.

If an instructor needs to cancel a class, you can check University Center’s homepage for an announcement. If inclement weather forced us to cancel all classes and close the campus, UC will post the cancellation on the homepage of the website, alert students, faculty and staff via Campus Alert System as well as notify local radio and television stations. 

Occasionally, classes may be cancelled if enough students don’t enroll. If this happens, a staff member will contact you by phone, email or regular mail. A full tuition refund will be made if tuition has been prepaid, unless you choose to register for another class.

Due to regulations mandated by the Board of Regents, all students, whatever their classification or status, must document their immune status for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). Proof of two doses of the MMR vaccine; or two doses of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine; or the presence of immune antibody titers for measles, mumps and rubella shall be required. Immunization forms are available at University Center. Students who fail to provide the required, signed proof of immunization or file an exemption for religious or medical reasons shall not be permitted to register for or attend classes at any state institution until in compliance. Students born before January 1, 1957 are exempt from providing immunization documentation. If documentation is not presented at the time of registration or already on file, you will not be registered until the documentation is provided. If you do not know if your MMR documentation is already on file, please call (605) 274-9500 to verify this information.

FERPA stands for the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. FERPA is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of a student’s personal education records kept at the university. The law provides that the institution will maintain the confidentiality of each student’s education records and covers matters relating to accessing student records and the disclosure of such records.

WebAdvisor is an online portal that allows current UC students to view semester class schedules, register for classes, add or drop classes, obtain unofficial transcripts, view SDePay accounts, find financial aid information and more.
 

You can log onto your school's WebAdvisor here or by choosing your school on the UC homepage. If you’ve never used WebAdvisor and need a username and password, select a link to your home university, click on “Students” and follow the steps under the “I’m New to WebAdvisor” link. Here you’ll be able to get a username and password, then log on and manage your class activity (See Webadvisor Tutorial).
 

We encourage you to register as soon as you can. Most classes have a limit on the number of students accepted. Registering early will ensure you get the best classes that fit your schedule.

You can find the semester schedule by logging onto your home school's WebAdvisor. Locate classes under the “Search for Sections” link. You can also find course offerings here on our website.

The location of your class will be listed on your course schedule. There are two primary classroom buildings at University Center:

• UC Main Building (FADM or Classroom Building) – this is the building in the center of our 3 buildings. In addition to classrooms, UC's Main Building houses administration offices, advising, Student Success Center, IT Help Desk and The Business Office.
• Science & Technology Building (FSC1) – this is the southern building. It has classrooms, science labs and most faculty offices.

To view a map of these locations, see UC Facilities

Click on the department below to view their hours of operation:

General Hours

Business Office Hours
Testing Center Hours

UC Virtual Bookstore

Technology Services

Students have an array of help and support at University Center. See the links below to check out each area:

Technology Services
Academic Advising
Testing Center

Public Safety and Security
Career Development
Disability Services
UC Virtual Bookstore
Financial Aid
Business Office

Student Success Center

Students may park in any lot that is not designated as “Staff/Faculty” or “Visitor” parking. A parking permit is not required. All students registered for University Center courses will be assessed a $15.00 Parking Fee (Vehicle Registration Fee) per semester approved by the SD Board of Regents.  No parking permit decals will be issued. Parking tickets will be issued for visitors parking longer than 2 hours in the visitor parking lots, or for parking in OLLI, staff, faculty or handicapped Parking without appropriate permit.  Students must only park in student parking. Maps of our parking lots are available upon request and on the website. (See Parking Map). Green Car parking is only for vehicles found on the Green Car list.

University Center's Virtual Bookstore, in collaboration with eCampus, represents one convenient online location for students to purchase books and supplies for courses at University Center.

The cost of classes at University Center is set by the South Dakota Board of Regents. Students attending face-to-face classes at University Center pay the cost of tuition only (See Tuition Costs). Books and/or other course materials are separate and determined by course/instructor requirements. (See UC Bookstore)

University Center's Lost and Found is located in the Receptionist Office in the Administration Building Rm 103 (FADM 103). Lost and found items will be received and kept throughout the current semester until the first week prior to the proceeding semester. After this time each semester, unclaimed items will be disposed of.