Course Information

Auditing A Class

Auditing a class allows students the opportunity to learn without receiving a grade or credit for successful completion. This option is desirable for exploring topics, refreshing or improving skills, or simply learning for pleasure. Students must meet course prerequisites and pay the full tuition cost. Auditing students may fully participate in the class or selectively choose not to complete assignments or tests. Attendance is expected and students should withdraw if they will not be completing the course. Once a student is classified as auditing, they cannot change back to credit status.

When a course is audited, a "V," representing "audit," will be recorded on the student's transcript in place of a grade. Audited courses do not affect the grade point average, will not fulfill program or degree requirements, will not satisfy course prerequisites and are not transferable. An audited course will not count in credit hour requirements for financial aid, veteran's certification or athletic eligibility.

To audit a class that has been registered and paid, a student must fill out and submit an audit request before or during the first week of class. Audit request forms are available in the Admissions, Registration and Records Office, room 9140 on the Texas Township Campus or at the Student Service Center in Anna Whitten Hall on the Arcadia Commons Campus. You may also print the form below and return it to us before the deadline.

Printable Audit Form

Dropping or Withdrawing from Classes

What is the difference between a drop and withdrawal?

A course dropped during the refund period is eligible for a refund of paid tuition. The dropped course will not appear on your transcript. The refund period includes any time prior to the start of the class through the posted deadline, normally shortly after the course begins.

Removing yourself from a class after the refund period is withdrawing. A "W" is recorded on your transcript in place of a grade. A withdrawal does not affect your KVCC grade point average.

The Refund and Withdrawal chart provides deadlines for registration, refunds and withdrawals.

How do I officially drop or withdraw from a class?

You may drop or withdraw from classes using the self-service registration feature inside MyValley. Watch our how to video to learn how this is accomplished. You may also drop in person in the Admissions, Registration and Records office (rm TTC-9140) or at the Student Service Center in Anna Whitten Hall on the Arcadia Commons campus.

Some deadlines fall on a weekend or a holiday when only self-service features are available. If you require personal assistance, please plan ahead to contact office personnel while the college is open before the deadline.

Discontinuing class attendance and/or notifying the instructor is not an official drop. You must complete the paperwork or use the self-service feature. If you fail to officially drop a course, registration is continued until the end of class and the grade earned is recorded on your transcript.

What should I consider before deciding to drop or withdraw?

Discontinuing course attendance is a very important decision. Consult with appropriate people to accurately assess your current situation and re-evaluate as necessary. Consider all courses you are taking and recognize you may make a different decision with each course. Be sure you have exhausted every effort to complete the course successfully.

This will not be an easy decision and there are many implications to consider. It is not a decision you should or need to make alone. We invite you to discuss these options with your instructor, Student Development Services, Financial Aid, the Learning Center and other resources available to you.

You may also wish to request input from other people regarding any impact outside of the college. If you are a high school student, will this decision affect your meeting graduation requirements? Was an employer or other third party sponsoring you? Will you need to reimburse them for the cost of your tuition?

Work with any of the following offices for help successfully completing your course. Please reference their website through the provided links for details about the services.

What is the benefit of dropping or withdrawing from class?

It isn't unusual to attend the first session of a class and learn that you may be at the wrong course level, the content is not what you expected or the course will require more time than you have available. Quick action at this point will allow you to drop and receive a refund. If you do so during the first week of the course, you may be able to add a different class that is a better fit.

A withdrawal will prevent your Kalamazoo Valley grade point average (GPA) from dropping. It is a helpful option if an unexpected life situation will prevent you from continuing your class participation. It can also prevent you from being placed on academic probation if you will not be able to successfully complete the course.

What are the consequences of dropping or withdrawing from a class?

First, dropping or withdrawing could delay completion of your program. This could be a one-semester delay or it could be a year. A specialized course or sequence of courses may be offered only once or twice per year. You could also potentially miss the deadline to enter a program with a selective admission policy.

Eligibility for a selective admission program could also be a risk factor. Programs may limit the number of withdrawals you are allowed to remain eligible. They also generally admit students with a high GPA, so it is important to have conversations about the best course of action with instructors, counselors and advisors.

Financial Aid students may experience a loss or reduction in federal aid eligibility when dropping, withdrawing, or unofficially discontinuing attendance. This could result in an over payment owed to the college and/or the federal government. Students are required to repay over payment amounts in a timely manner. We strongly recommend you consult with the Financial Aid office before making your decision to drop or withdraw from a class.

High school students must be conscious of high school graduation requirements. In addition, students may need to reimburse the high school for the cost of the course, if the school provided payment under the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act (PSEO). We strongly recommend you consult with your high school before dropping or withdrawing from a class.

International students should consult with the International Student Services office before dropping or withdrawing from a class. Dropping or withdrawing might jeopardize your legal status with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Transfer students will want to know the admission policy of their chosen university. Some institutions will count withdrawals as failures. They may even recalculate your GPA for their purposes by incorporating withdrawals as failures.

Prerequisite Requirements

Course Prerequisites

A prerequisite is a course you must complete before enrolling in a second course. In some cases, prerequisite courses may be taken concurrently. Unless otherwise indicated, “successful completion” of a prerequisite course means that you have earned a 2.0 grade or higher.

Course prerequisites are listed in course descriptions found in the college’s Catalog. You can also access the description from within self-service registration by clicking on the Course Reference Number (CRN) after performing a search for the class you wish to take.

Course Placement Testing

Academic placement is required for all new students who are pursuing a degree or certificate at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. The college now offers Guided Self-Placement where students complete a self-evaluation in reading, writing and math on their own and receive feedback to make a responsible choice about class placements.

After the self-evaluations are completed, students should meet with a counselor or advisor for assistance in making an informed decision on course placement. Appointments with a counselor or advisor may be scheduled with Student Development Services by calling 269.488.4040. If you feel that the recommended courses do not accurately reflect your abilities, or if you'd like a more comprehensive evaluation of your skills, you have the option to take a placement test. This can help ensure you're placed in the most appropriate level courses for your current abilities. More information about placement testing can be found at the Placement Testing webpage.

Waivers for Completion of Equivalent Prerequisite Courses

Any student attempting to enroll in a class that requires a specific prerequisite course may request a waiver of that requirement if an equivalent prerequisite course has been completed with a grade of 2.0/C or better. Submit a Prerequisite Waiver Request form to Student Development Services (SDS) for review by your advisor or counselor. If the equivalent course was completed at another college or university, you must attach your transcript (unofficial transcripts are accepted).

Prerequisite Enforcement After Grades are Issued

Students currently attending a course that is a required prerequisite for another course are allowed to pre-enroll for the second course. If you do not pass the prerequisite course with at least a 2.0 grade, you will automatically be dropped from the second course before the semester begins. For example, if you are taking BIO 115 in the Fall semester, you may register to take BIO 215 during the following Winter semester. If at the end of the Fall semester you have not completed the prerequisite course or you have earned a grade lower than 2.0 in BIO 115, you will be dropped from the Winter BIO 215 course. If you have been dropped from a class due to prerequisite enforcement and have questions, contact your advisor or counselor.

Financial aid students who are dropped from a class are strongly encouraged to consult with the Student Financial Services office as the drop may affect your financial aid status. You can contact Student Financial Services at (269) 488-4340 or by emailing finaid@kvcc.edu.