Ask Advisor Alex and Other Apt Advice for the Week of April 21, 2008

• Don’t get too distracted by the weather! Definitely take time to enjoy the sun, but don’t forget you still have 4 weeks of classes and finals left so stay focused just a little longer!
  
• Beginning this week, peer advisors are available in the Student Center (417W) to assist with program planning for fall 2008. Don’t wait too long to get advising about your classes and schedule because as registration approaches the wait to see an advisor will get longer!
  
  

Ask Advisor Alex

Dear Advisor Alex:
I would love to take a couple classes this summer to help move toward graduation, but I can’t afford to pay for them myself. I get financial aid to help with tuition in the fall and spring. Can I get it for summer too? How?

Sincerely,
Broke Brian

Dear Broke:
The short answer is yes. There is financial aid available for the summer session. The longer answer is that everyone’s financial aid is different, and some types of aid may not be available over the summer, or may require that you complete additional forms.  In addition, getting financial aid over the summer may result in a reduction of the amount you receive in Fall and Spring.  For specific information about your financial aid options, stop by the OASIS in 217 North for a referral to a financial aid counselor.  Hope that helps!

Always,
Advisor Alex

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Dear Advisor Alex:
I tried out the new DIG degree audit system and it says I am missing a GER requirement that I know I have completed! I have talked with my advisor every semester and been very careful about choosing classes that I need. Why is it saying I am missing something??

Sincerely,
Panicking Patty

Dear Panicking:
Deep breaths. The new DIG degree audit system is a great tool for getting a sense of what requirements you need, but it is new and not quite perfect, and there are some things it can’t do. If you have transfer courses or course exceptions, substitutions and exemptions, DIG is not always able to translate those onto your audit. It is a smart system, but like any computer program, it has trouble with interpreting exceptions to the rules. If you have been as diligent as you say in keeping up with the requirements, you probably do have everything, but for some reason DIG is not picking something up. You should submit questions or problems with your DIG audit by using the “Report a Problem” button in DIG, and they will do their best to correct it. For reassurance, you can always take your audit to an advisor and have them check to be sure you really do have everything. Happy DIGging!

Always,
Advisor Alex

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For more advisement information or questions:

Visit the Advising Web Site

Contact the Office of Student Services
(212) 772-4882
1119 East Building

Contact a peer advisor in the Sylvia E. Fishman Student Center
(212) 650-3282
417 West Building

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