Frequently Asked Questions

For up-to-date information about your admission status, check the self-service portal:

1. Go to http://www.astate.edu/q/ssb-app, and click on "Apply for Admission or Readmission/Check your Admission Status."
2. Login using either the Web ID and PIN you created when you submitted your application OR your ASU ID number and system generated PIN.
3. Click on the Admission term of the application you submitted.
4. Scroll down to the Requirements section to see which items have a received date entered, and which documents we are still awaiting to complete your application.

Documents will generally be processed within 48 hours of arrival in our offices. If you see that a document has not been marked as received after that time period, please resubmit your document.

Access the myAState portal. Alternately, this site can be reached from a quick link on the current student tab of the A-State homepage.

Arkansas State University evaluates all official domestic and international transcripts. They do not use third-party agencies.

Students who live in Tennessee will need to print out, fill out and fax the below 2 documents to 870-972-3548.

Graduate
TN Enrollment Checklist (Graduate) (.pdf)
TN Enrollment Agreement (Graduate) (.pdf)

Graduate (MPA)
TN Enrollment Checklist (MPA) (.pdf)
TN Enrollment Agreement (MPA) (.pdf)

Undergraduate
TN Enrollment Checklist (Undergraduate) (.pdf)
TN Enrollment Agreement (Undergraduate) (.pdf)

MEM
TN Enrollment Checklist (MEM) (.pdf)
TN Enrollment Agreement (MEM) (.pdf)

SPA
TN Enrollment Checklist (SPA) (.pdf)
TN Enrollment Agreement (SPA) (.pdf)

MMM
TN Enrollment Checklist (MMM) (.pdf)
TN Enrollment Agreement (MMM) (.pdf)

Applications are good for a year. If you are not able to start classes within one year of the date of your original application, you will need to complete a new application when you are ready to start courses. Students who apply will be considered for the current term in which the file is complete. Students admitted for one semester, but need to change semesters, will need the request in writing via email to astateonline@astate.edu. For example, if you apply seeking to start courses in January and are unable to start until May, your application is still valid. You merely need to email us your intent to change terms.

Test scores are good for 5 years. If your test score is older than 5 years, you will need to retake the exam. If needed, you can locate a Remote Testing Site by city, state or ZIP code.

Students enrolled in A-State's large scale distance education programs are not eligible for university housing.

To receive credit for prior graduate work, you will need to submit an official transcript from the university you attended. You will also need to complete the Graduate Transfer Credit Evaluation Form. Please use Chrome or Internet Explorer to complete the form. Master in Public Administration Course Transfer Policy You are allowed to transfer a maximum of nine semester credit hours (normally, three courses) of equivalent graduate coursework previously taken in a NASPAA-accredited MPA program at another university. Find accredited schools. Transfer credit may be obtained only for appropriate courses taken at the graduate level for which you received no less than a grade of "B". Moreover, graduate work cannot be transferred unless a graduate course average of 3.0 was maintained at the university from which the transfer emanates. The courses you wish to transfer will then be evaluated. The Office of the Registrar will send you an email letting you know the amount of credit hours and the specific course(s) for which you have received credit. Students admitted to the MSE in Educational Theory and Practice after Fall 2019 will no longer receive credit for National Board Certification.

Review mentor eligibility.

Having a site supervisor is not a requirement for admission to the MSE in School Counseling program. Students will receive a packet during orientation that outlines and explains the site supervisor eligibility requirements and process.

Amazon’s Career Choice program is an education benefit that empowers Amazon employees to learn new skills for career success at Amazon or elsewhere. Amazon provides a variety of education and upskilling opportunities including pre-paid college tuition, industry certifications designed to lead to in-demand jobs, and foundational skills such as English language, high school diplomas, and GEDs after working for the company for 90 days.

Eligible employees at Amazon may pursue their associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree or undergraduate certificate program online at A-State through the program. For more information, please visit https://www.astate.edu/AmazonCareerChoice.  

Eligible employees should follow the below steps to request payment from Amazon:  

1. Apply for admission 
2. Enroll in classes 
3. Request Payment from Amazon Career Choice: 
4. i. Visit A to Z and submit a payment request for your chosen school and program 
5. The request will be sent to the school to confirm course level details, and either approve or deny the request. 

iii. If approved, Amazon pays the school directly! 

Yes. Students enrolling in bachelor’s programs may transfer up to 90 credit hours in eligible degree programs.  

Eligible employees can participate in Career Choice after just 90 days of employment with Amazon.  

Career Choice participants will have their application fee waived upon applying to their selected program.  

BioSig ID is a biometric gesture password that is unique to each student. The biometric gesture software measures the unique way every user moves their mouse, finger or stylus when they authenticate with their biometric password. Biometric identifiers such as the length, speed, direction, angle and height of each stroke are collected by the software to create the user's unique biometric profile. Review for additional information.

Students can register for courses inside the A-State portal, myAState. Students will need to click on the Self Service tab. To avoid any trouble with registration, please check your account in Self Service so that you can take care of any holds before your assigned registration time. You can check your holds in Self Service by clicking on "Student and Financial Aid," "Student Records," and then "View Holds." An office and phone number should be displayed. If you find you have a hold, please call the number that is displayed so that you can find out the proper steps needed to take care of the hold. You may also view the Registration Guide for information on how to register.

No. The university requires a record of your assignment within the course. Submitting your assignment in the course shows documentation of completing course requirements.

Yes. Please use APA (American Psychological Association) formatting guidelines for documenting sources.

Once you begin, you cannot stop and start or navigate out of the exam.

Scholarly writing uses peer-reviewed sources and edited publications including journals and books. Peer-reviewed articles are reviewed or judged by a panel of experts, including scientific or scholarly peers.

View textbook information.

Up to nine graduate hours from A-State or other higher education institutions may be credited toward a program. No course can be older than six years by graduation time. Transfer credit will be evaluated by the Director of the Program. To request prior credit be evaluated, please complete the Graduate Transfer Credit Evaluation Form.

To receive credit for prior graduate work, you will need to submit an official transcript from the university you attended. You will also need to complete the Graduate Transfer Credit Evaluation Form. If you are a Master of Public Administration student and wish to have courses considered for evaluation please make sure the school you wish to transfer from is accredited through NASPAA. Find accredited schools. The courses you wish to transfer will then be evaluated. The Office of the Registrar will send you an email letting you know the amount of credit hours and the specific course(s) for which you have received credit.

This information will be sent to your campus email account the Friday before classes begin, provided you have paid for the course.

Your first course contains a handbook and some videos which will explain your supervised internship in more detail. During your first course of the program there will be a list of activities made available to you through the learning management system course. You work on this list of items throughout the course of the program. You will not register for this course until the last course in your program and you will need to enroll in that course at the beginning of your last semester even though it doesn't officially start until the last course of the semester. This will allow you time to start compiling your data and documents you have worked on prior to the internship course and some additional tasks during the internship course to create the portfolio.

Live Text is an online repository for students' assignments, portfolios, lesson plans and projects. More information is available from A-State Student Support.

Yes. Tutoring Services will be available for the following courses: Developmental Math, College Algebra, Calculus 1-3, Business Cal, Human A & P, Intro to Financial Accounting, Intermediate Accounting, Managerial accounting, Biology (all), Chemistry 1 & 2, and Intro to Psychology. Students interested in receiving tutoring should send an email to Learning Support at asulearningss@gmail.com.

Credit for prior learning (CPL) is a broad term that defines the type of credit students are awarded for their previous academic work. This includes transfer credit and prior learning assessment (PLA) credit.

A PLA is the process by which a student demonstrates their prior learning experiences, and the university evaluates and awards credit for such experiences. Examples of prior learning assessments include credit by exam such as AP, CLEP or DSST; credit by portfolio assessment; or credit by pre-assessed experiences such as licenses, certifications or credentials.

Generally, PLA credit is awarded for college-level learning outside of the traditional classroom environment while transfer credit is awarded for college-level learning within the traditional classroom environment.

Yes. Some examinations such as AP, CLEP and others charge their own fees in order to take the exam. A-State may assess fees based on the type of PLA you submit and the amount of credit awarded.

In most circumstances, a maximum of 90 credit hours can be obtained through a combination of traditional, non-traditional and PLA transfer credits.

Students must be admitted to the university prior to being evaluated for any A-State-approved PLA credit or engaging in the PLA process. Once admitted, students can work with the PLA office at A-State to begin the process by contacting pla@astate.edu or 870-972-3623.

Financial aid is available for qualified students.

Students should apply for financial aid as soon as possible. Students should allow up to 4-6 weeks for the financial aid process to be completed.

It's easy! Follow these steps.

If the program you are applying for is TEACH Grant-eligible and you have completed your FAFSA application for the current academic year, you may apply for a TEACH Grant. The maximum grant amount can vary by year. TEACH Grants are available to qualified applicants who enroll in a TEACH-Grant eligible program and require approved recipients to sign a service agreement for certain teaching service obligations. If you do not meet the requirements of your service obligation, the grant will turn into a loan that must be repaid, with interest. For more information, please visit: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/teach or visit astate.edu/a/finaid/types-of-finaid/grants/. You'll find the undergraduate/graduate links to apply for the grant on the same page in the TEACH Grant section under "How do I apply for a TEACH Grant?" Email your TEACH Grant application, along with a copy of your current teacher's license, to Financial Aid Services at astateonlinefinaid@astate.edu to find out if you qualify.

Yes. Students must be registered in degree-seeking courses, at half-time status, per semester, in order to be processed for a financial aid award offer. Graduate students must enrolled in at least three degree-seeking hours to meet the half-time enrollment status requirement. Undergraduate level students must be enrolled in at least six degree-seeking hours to meet the half-time status enrollment requirement. Please register for ALL courses (in all available terms) you plan to take at the beginning of the semester to ensure payment is applied to all courses with financial aid disbursements.

Courses must be paid for by the tuition deadline; there are NO exceptions to this policy. If you have been awarded financial aid, have accepted enough to cover your balance and have completed all follow-up requirements, then your account should be satisfactory. If you have not been awarded or have not accepted an offer of financial aid, you are still required to pay for your courses by the tuition deadline.

The A-State financial aid office will communicate with students via their A-State email account. Students can also monitor their progress by checking their Financial Aid Checklist located online via myAState under the Self-Service Banner-Financial Aid option. Messages will also be available on the checklist for incomplete requirements or additional information requests.

For A-State online participants, the amount of eligibility/award amount is determined by the student's cost of attendance (COA). The COA budget is based on a student's program and enrollment. For online-only participants, the COA budget consists of tuition and fees expenses, books and supplies, personal expenses, and the cost of some living expenses.

Students can obtain enrollment verifications in Banner Self-Service. This feature is located under the Student Tab; select Student Records. Click on the last choice, Enrollment Verification through Student Clearinghouse. Outside agencies can obtain enrollment verifications from the Student Clearinghouse or by calling 703-742-4200. If you need additional information, reach out to an AOS registrar at: apartnershipregistrar@astate.edu

Please check the bottom of your Financial Aid Check List to see if you are eligible to request Book Money for the current semester. If it has been determined that you will have sufficient aid to allow book money, there will be a link to the Book Money Request Form in the Book Money section of your Financial Aid Checklist. Additional Information

• Book Money can only be used at the Neebo Bookstores on the Jonesboro and Mt. Home campuses.
• All Book Money Form Request will be processed within 2 business days.
• All information must be completed on the form. Any incorrect information can cause the form to be declined.
• Any unused Book Money will be automatically transferred to Express Dollars beginning January 28th for those whose Student Account has been paid in full.
• Refunds of unused Book Money or Express Dollars can be requested by submitting the Express Dollars Refund Request Form. All refunds are applied to the Student Account first. Any credit balance will then be refunded.
• During the Fall I and Spring I terms, there will be a Book Credit Request link you can use
• During the Fall II, Spring II and Summer I & II terms, you can email finservices@astate.edu and ask for a Book Credit Request form to complete

If you have questions concerning the Book Money Process, email Student Accounts at finservices@astate.edu.

The A-State Treasurer's Office/Student Account Services will begin processing excess refunds after the Financial Aid office has disbursed funds to student accounts. It usually takes at least 2-5 business days to process a refund. Please review Refund Disbursement Options for more information.

Refunds will be processed through the direct deposit information that students' set up in Student Self-Service Banner via myAState. Once the student enters their banking information, the information is pre-noted through the bank (or verified) to make sure that the information is correct. This can take up to 7 banking business days. Once the verification occurs, the message "awaiting verification" should no longer be displayed. Please follow the below instructions to set up a Direct Deposit account:

1. Log into myAState.
2. Click on the following:
   1. SSB Self-Service
   2. Student
   3. Student Records
   4. myBill
   5. myBill (again)
   6. eRefunds tab
      1. Set Up Account
      2. Choose your account type (Checking or Savings).
      3. Enter routing number (consist of 9 digits).
      4. Enter account number and confirm.
      5. Save.

Questions concerning financial aid status, options, eligibility or requirements should be directed to Financial Aid Services at astateonlinefinaid@astate.edu or by calling 870-972-2920 and selecting Option 4. Questions regarding tuition, billing, excess aid disbursements, and book money should be directed to Student Account Services at finservices@astate.edu or by calling 870-972-2920 and selecting Option 5.

To accept your financial aid, log in to myAState with your username and password, then complete these DUO steps:

• Select Banner Self Service
• Enter your Student User ID and PIN
• Select Financial Aid
• Select the appropriate Academic Year

You can then accept, decline or make a partial acceptance of your Financial Aid Award by completing the following steps:

• View the Financial Aid Checklist; if satisfactory, proceed with Award Offer
• Click Submit when done
• Go to studentaid.gov to complete Entrance Counseling and Master Promissory Notes (both are required in order to receive federal student loans)

Note: You are not required to accept the maximum loan amount offered to you. You may accept all, or a portion of, aid awarded to you. To accept a lesser amount, indicate the total amount you wish to borrow for the academic year; do not enter any special characters. Fall/spring students accepting aid: Your loans must be divided equally throughout both semesters.

For Entrance Counseling:

• Go to studentaid.gov, then click Log in and use your FSA ID and password to log in
• Select Complete Loan Entrance Counseling
• Add Arkansas State University under "Add School to Notify"
• Select I am completing entrance counseling to receive Direct Loans as an undergraduate student
• Complete Entrance Counseling, steps 1 through 5
• Your Entrance Counseling is complete once you receive the message "You have successfully completed Entrance Counseling"
• Allow at least 2 business days for the MPN/Entrance Counseling status to be updated on your Financial Aid Checklist

Note: If you are a graduate student who is NOT receiving a grad PLUS loan, please complete the Entrance Counseling as an undergraduate student. To complete the MPN:

• Go to studentaid.gov, then click Log in and use your FSA ID and password to log in
• Select Complete Loan Agreement (Master Promissory Note)
• For Stafford subsidized/unsubsidized loans, select Complete a Master Promissory Note, then select MPN for Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan
• Follow the prompts to complete sections 1 through 4, then sign and submit the MPN; make sure you have added Arkansas State University to your MPN
• Your MPN is complete once you receive the message "You have successfully completed the Master Promissory Note"
• Allow at least 2 business days for the MPN/Entrance Counseling status to be updated on your Financial Aid Checklist

Note: There are separate MPNs for Stafford and grad PLUS loans. If you are accepting a grad PLUS loan as well, you will also need to complete the PLUS MPN for graduate/professional students.

Summer eligibility requires an undergraduate to be enrolled in a minimum of 6 hours in order to be evaluated for Summer Financial Aid. If you plan to take courses in both terms, you must register for all courses you plan to take in both terms prior to Term I starting. Click here to view more information regarding summer eligibility.

Yes. The graduation fee is assessed regardless of participation and covers the cost of posting your degree and maintaining the record.

All students who wish to graduate must register and pay for their graduation fee and submit the Intent to Graduate form online.

You must reapply for graduation for the following semester and repay the graduation fee. Graduation fees are not refundable. All students must pay the graduation fee even if they are not attending the ceremony.

Payments can be made in three ways:

• Pay Online (MyBill) - pay with Credit Cards (2.75% service fee will apply to debit/credit card payments) or Bank Account (Web-check is a free option)
• Pay at the Cashier's Window - Check or Cash only
• Mail Payment to our Office:
  Treasurer's Office
  P.O. Box 2640
  State University, AR 72467

All excess aid or refund checks are released by the A-State Student Accounts services office within 14 days of the aid disbursing to the student's account. Refund checks are mailed unless a Direct Deposit account is effective.

Refunds will be processed through the direct deposit information that students' set up in Student Self-Service under Mybill on the eRefund tab. Once the student enters their banking information, the information is prenoted through the bank (or verified) to make sure that the information is correct. This can take up to 7 banking business days. Once the verification occurs, the message "awaiting verification" should no longer be displayed.

1. Log into myAState.
2. Click on the following:
   1. SSB Self-Service
   2. Student
   3. Student Records
   4. myBill
   5. myBill (again)
   6. eRefunds tab
      1. Set Up Account
      2. Choose your account type (Checking or Savings).
      3. Enter routing number (consist of 9 digits).
      4. Enter account number and confirm.
      5. Save.

No, your courses must be paid for in full by the Payment Deadlines located here.

Students can register for courses inside the A-State portal, myAState. Students will need to click on the Self Service tab. To avoid any trouble with registration, please check your account in Self Service so that you can take care of any holds before your assigned registration time. You can check your holds in Self Service by clicking on "Student and Financial Aid," "Student Records," and then "View Holds." An office and phone number should be displayed. If you find you have a hold, please call the number that is displayed so that you can find out the proper steps needed to take care of the hold. You may also view the Registration Guide for information on how to register.

Registering for all courses available in the term will assist in your financial aid processing. If you are not receiving financial aid and are paying for courses individually, you will not be required to pay for those courses all at once. However, you can register for each one individually before the course deadline.

Students can contact the help desk by email or by phone at (866)986-2010.

Students who wish to withdraw will need to drop all but the last course in which they are registered. Once this step is complete, the student will need to email the Registrar confirming that they wish to withdraw from the program completely.

You may view the Course Drop Video

You can request both official and unofficial transcripts electronically here.

For more information about Experiential Credit please review www.cael.org, then contact Tracy Finch at tfinch@astate.edu for more specifics. Review information about Prior Learning Assessment. Contact information is listed on the site.

If you do not start the program within one of the application date or start the program and sit out for a year, you must reapply.

Your email account is created when you are admitted to the program. To activate this email account, go to the Automated Account Manager and follow the instructions.

Yes. Once you have been officially admitted into the program, you need to set up your University email. All official communication will be sent only to this account.

See the technology support page for all technical needs.

You can navigate from the A-State Homepage via the course title on the right. From the A-State Homepage:

1. Click once on Course Title (on the right).
2. Using the navigation tree on the left, click once on the Week in which you want to work.
3. Click once on the task you wish to complete (reading, lecture, etc).
4. Use the back and forward blue arrows in the top right corner of your screen to move forward and backward between screens.

The software remembers where you left off and will return you there the next time you visit the course. Use the arrows in the top left corner if you wish to move from that place in the course.

Use the blue arrow key located at the top right corner to navigate through the lectures. The blue arrow key will allow you to view the weekly lectures from start to finish. Written transcripts of lectures and slides can be located by clicking on Resources in the Course Map.

Open the document you want to print and save it to your desktop. From there, you can print it.

Course expectations are located in the syllabus of each course.

Click on the arrows located to the right of the discussion board window so that the arrows point down to expand the threads.

You will email your instructional associate with your questions.

After the course is over, students will have access for an additional two weeks. You should take this opportunity to save any documents you might need in the future.

You will use two different PINs (Personal Identification Numbers) when applying for A-State Jonesboro Academic Partnership programs. The first PIN is one you will choose when completing the application online. You will create it when logging into the Self-Service system. This PIN will be used each time you log back in to check the status of your application. The second PIN will be assigned to you when you are admitted to the program. The initial PIN is your date of birth in a MMDDYY format. Once this PIN is assigned, you will be able to change it to a more secure, secret number combination, and we encourage you to do so.