Counseling FAQs

Questions

• How do I apply to Coastline?
• Where do I go to research my educational and career options and find the best-fitting major or certificate plan for me?
• I need help paying for college. Who can help me?
• Where can I learn more about four-year colleges that I may want to transfer to?
• Where can I find a tutor?
• How do I know which math or english to take?
• How do I find out if I qualify for programs offered to students with economic or educational challenges?
• Does the college offer accommodations for students with special needs?
• I'm a military Veteran. How do I connect with other Vets on campus or get specialized services?
• How do I get copies of my transcripts?
• What is an Associate Degree, and which ones are offered at Coastline?
• What is a certificate, and which ones are offered at Coastline?
• Is there a general associate degree?
• Am I assigned to a counselor?
• How can I meet with a counselor?
• What is the pass/no pass grading option and how do I take a class as pass/no pass?
• How do I drop a class, and what are the drop dates?
• How do I request evaluation of coursework from other institutions?
• How do I receive honors?
• What is probation and disqualification status?
• What do I do if I am an International Student?
• How can I request an excused withdrawal from my class/es?
• How can I receive counseling for personal issues?
• What is the Coastline College course repetition policy and how can I repeat a course?
• Is Coastline's Academic calendar on the quarter or semester system?
• What is a unit?
• How can I prepare for my upcoming meeting with a Counselor?
• What is prerequisite clearance?
• What is a corequisite?
• What is an overload and what is the maximum number of units a student can take each semester?

Questions & Answers

★ How do I apply to Coastline?

To apply to Coastline, complete the OpenCCC Application. Instructions for applying can be found on the Apply Now page.

★ Where do I go to research my educational and career options and find the best-fitting major or certificate plan for me?

Call the Counseling Department at (714) 241-6162 to schedule an academic counseling appointment. A counselor can also review your transcripts, help you with course planning, and ensure that you will be ready to successfully transfer to a four-year college if that's part of your plan. Tip: Enroll in Counseling Courses C104 (Career/Life Planning) or Counseling C105 (Strategies for College Success).

★ I need help paying for college. Who can help me?

Visit Coastline's Financial Aid Office at the Student Services Center in Fountain Valley and you'll get information on the FAFSA, fee waivers, grants, student loans, work study opportunities, and scholarships.

• Financial Aid
• Scholarships

★ Where can I learn more about four-year colleges that I may want to transfer to?

Transfer Services, located in Fountain Valley, is your home-base for all things transfer related. You'll find information on hundreds of public and private colleges, and learn about upcoming events with UC, CSU, and private colleges.

★ Where can I find a tutor?

Free online tutoring can be found through the Student Success Resource Center. Get help there for writing or math-related assignments, or call to inquire about course-specific tutoring.

• Student Success Resource Center
• Online Tutoring

★ How do I know which math or english to take?

To assist you in determining which English class or classes best fit your needs, log onto our online English and Math Self-Placement Tool.

For non-native English speakers who wish to improve their skills in speaking, comprehending, reading, or writing the English language, please contact the Counseling Office at (714) 241-6162, to schedule an appointment with a Counselor for assistance in determining the appropriate placement into an ESL or English course.

You can also contact the Counseling Department at (714) 241-6162 for assistance in determining the appropriate math course for you based on your major and/or transfer goal.

★ How do I find out if I qualify for programs offered to students with economic or educational challenges?

Our EOPS/CARE and CalWORKS offices at College Center can determine if you meet their program eligibility criteria. If so, they'll provide additional services designed to help you succeed.

• EOPS/CARE/NextUp
• CalWORKs

★ Does the college offer accommodations for students with special needs?

Of course! Special Programs & Services for the Disabled provides support services to students with verifiable disabilities including priority registration, test taking facilitation, adaptive educational equipment, interpreter services and alternative text.

★ I'm a military Veteran. How do I connect with other Vets on campus or get specialized services?

Visit the Veterans Resource Centers (VRC) for information on college programs and services including GI Bill® certification, financial aid, work-study opportunities, and referrals for re-integration into civilian life.

"GI Bill®" is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

★ How do I get copies of my transcripts?

Official transcripts must be ordered online - more info can be found at Coastline College | Transcripts.

You may also access your unofficial transcripts in your MyCoast portal, under My Records.

★ What is an Associate Degree, and which ones are offered at Coastline?

An associate degree is a degree granted by Coastline College. Each associate degree consists of 60 degree applicable semester units, and is a combination of general education, major and elective courses. Coastline also offers several associate degrees for transfer for students planning on transferring to a 4-year University. More info:

• Associate in Arts or Science (AA / AS)
• Associate Degrees for Transfer
• Coastline Catalog

★ What is a certificate, and which ones are offered at Coastline?

A certificate is a program that is focused on providing short-term education and training in preparation for work. Certificates have varying unit requirements depending on the level of certificate. More info:

• Certificates
• Coastline Catalog

★ Is there a general associate degree?

Coastline offers four degrees intended for students seeking a broad range of knowledge in multiple interdisciplinary subjects. These degrees require students to complete 18 units within their focused area of emphasis: American Studies AA, Arts and Humanities AA, Science and Math AA, or Social and Behavioral Science AA.

★ Am I assigned to a counselor?

Counselors and counseling appointments are not assigned. Rather, we encourage you to find a counselor that you are comfortable working with. Once you find that counselor, make sure and make an appointment to meet with the counselor at least once a semester to stay on track.

★ How can I meet with a counselor?

To meet with a Counselor, refer to the Schedule a Counseling Appointment information on the main counseling page.

★ What is the pass/no pass grading option and how do I take a class as pass/no pass?

Pass/no pass is a good option if you want to take a class, but don't want the grade to impact your grade point average. If you receive a "C" grade or higher in the class, the grade will appear as a "P" (for "pass") on your Coastline transcript, and you will also receive the units for that course. If you receive a "D" or an "F" in the class, however, a "NP" (for "no pass") will appear on your transcript, and you will not receive the units for that course. In either case, the course will not impact your grade point average. More info can be found in Records & Transcripts.

It is strongly recommended that you meet with a counselor to determine if pass/no pass is a good option for your class and goal.

★ How do I drop a class, and what are the drop dates?

You may drop a class in the registration area in your MyCoast portal. For a list of withdrawal and refund dates and deadlines, refer to your Student Class Program (Web Schedule Bill) in your MyCoast portal.

You are strongly recommended to speak with a counselor to determine if withdrawing from a class will impact your academic status at Coastline College. Stopping your attendance in a class or your participation in an online course does not withdraw you from the course, and may result in a grade of "F". Please remember that it is your responsibility to drop a class.

Non-Payment Drop Dates can be found at Coastine College | Payments.

★ How do I request evaluation of coursework from other institutions?

Evaluation and application of credit from other accredited institutions towards Coastline degree and certificate programs, GE or IGETC or CSU GE can be a complex process when the previous coursework has not been completed at another California Community College.

Students need to schedule a counseling appointment for "Transcript Evaluation" by calling the counseling office at (714) 241-6162.

If you are requesting an evaluation of English composition courses, be prepared to bring a copy of the course syllabus. If you do not have the syllabus, contact the department at the institution where the course was completed to obtain a copy. It is the student's responsibility to have official transcripts, from all institutions attended, sent directly to Coastline College's Admissions & Records office prior to scheduling the transcript evaluation appointment.

★ How do I receive honors?

Review the Academic Standards page to learn about the 4 academic honors distinctions.

★ What is probation and disqualification status?

Probation status is a warning that your cumulative GPA has dropped below a 2.0 (Academic Probation), or the percentage of classes you attempt but do not complete has dropped below 50% (Progress Probation). If you do not raise your GPA or completion percentage you run the risk of being Disqualified. Disqualification status requires a student to sit out for at least one semester before being allowed to take courses within the Coast District again. Disqualification status may affect your ability to receive Financial Aid.

Review the Academic Standards page to learn about probation and disqualification status.

★ What do I do if I am an International Student?

Because International students holding F-1 visas have specific requirements for both admission and for academic planning, it is important that you work directly with the International Students Office and then schedule a counseling appointment.

★ How can I request an excused withdrawal from my class/es?

Students that need to withdraw from a course due certain extenuating circumstances may be eligible to petition for an excused withdrawal. An excused withdrawal occurs when a student is permitted to withdraw from a course(s) due to specific events beyond the control of the student affecting his or her ability to complete courses. An Excused Withdrawal will result in an "EW" on your transcript.

To learn more, visit the Withdrawal information page.

★ How can I receive counseling for personal issues?

If you are experiencing constant stress, depression, or having other personal problems, please contact Student Mental Health Services.

★ What is the Coastline College course repetition policy and how can I repeat a course?

Only courses which fall into certain categories may be repeated. See the Course Catalog: Admissions and Registration for full information.

★ Is Coastline’s Academic calendar on the quarter or semester system?

Coastline College is on the semester system, and has two 16-week semesters, in the fall and spring. Some classes during the semester are offered as 12 week and 8 week courses. We also have a winter session during January, with classes 4 weeks in length, and a summer session with classes 8 weeks in length. View at Coastline College | Academic Calendar.

★ What is a unit?

A unit is the amount of credit you receive for successfully completing a class.

Units also give you an idea about the approximate number of hours the class meets each week. For example, a 1 unit class will meet about one hour per week for the semester, while a 5 unit class will meet about 5 hours per week for the semester.

Units also are an indicator about the level of difficulty of the class. The more difficult the course, the more units you receive for successfully completing that class.

★ How can I prepare for my upcoming meeting with a Counselor?

You can prepare for your meeting with a counselor by completing the following:

• Orientation in MyCoast
• Pre-Counseling Workshop

This will ensure you come prepared to your Counseling meeting and can maximize the time you have with your counselor to answer your questions and focus on future planning.

★ What is prerequisite clearance?

A prerequisite is a course or skill that must be met before a course is taken. Prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher. Prerequisite courses completed with grades of D or F indicate unsatisfactory performance in the course and do not satisfy the prerequisite. To obtain prerequisite clearance using a course completed at another institution, please email matriculation@coastline.edu with a copy of your unofficial transcript showing the completed prerequisite course.

To Challenge a prerequisite, visit Admissions & Records | Prerequisites page.

★ What is a corequisite?

A corequisite is a course that must be taken during the same semester as another course in which a student would like to enroll.

★ What is an overload and what is the maximum number of units a student can take each semester?

An overload of units requires a counselor's signature for registration. An overload is considered to be anything over 19 units for the fall or spring semesters and anything over 9 units for the summer. View the main Counseling page for overload petition information.

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