2013–2014 UNIVERSITY CATALOG - Florida Institute of Technology

Provide official records for advanced testing/external examination
credit (CLEP, DANTES, AARTS, SMARTS, advanced placement
examinations).
Students with credit hours from other institutions will automatically be
evaluated for transfer credit as a part of the application process. Only
courses with a grade of C (2.00) or better received from a regionally
accredited college or university will be considered for transfer credit
(see “Classification of Florida Tech Online Students” in this section).
A grade of C- or below is not eligible for transfer credit.
All incoming degree-seeking students are required to take diagnostic
assessments in mathematics and English to determine the appropriate
academic requirements and classes.
Only fully admitted students are eligible for federal financial aid
(Stafford loans). The full application is required if financial aid will
be requested.
Transient Students
Transient students are those students who are using Florida Tech to
meet requirements for their home institution. Florida Tech allows
these students to enroll in up to two consecutive 8-week terms by
following the transient student admissions process that includes an
application and a copy of their current university transcripts. Transient
students are not required to take Mastering eLearning (ASC 1006)
or complete diagnostic assessments.
International Students on Melbourne Campus
Florida Tech is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant
students. Florida Tech provides a certificate of eligibility (I-20) to all
admitted international students. The form is used to apply for the F-1
student visa. It also verifies to U.S. immigration officials the student is
academically qualified to attend Florida Tech and has sufficient funds to
cover the first year of study and that subsequent funds will be available
for the future. Students must demonstrate proof of financial support
at the time of application. Florida Tech policy states that students
are required to attend for one full semester when entering the United
States on a Florida Tech-provided I-20 form. Florida Tech will not
release a student to another educational institution until the student
completes one semester at Florida Tech (see “Office of International
Student and Scholar Services” in the Institution Overview section).
Transfer Students
Applicants to Florida Tech must demonstrate readiness to succeed in a
challenging academic curriculum. Transcripts are the most important
element of the application. While no minimum grade point average
is specified, the student’s GPA must indicate a readiness for college
studies in a chosen academic program.
Transfer applicants must provide official transcripts from any and all
colleges and universities attended. Students who have earned less
than 24 semester credit hours will be evaluated as a first-year candidate
(see “Application Requirements for First-Year Admission” in
this section). Admission will be granted to those applicants who have
completed appropriate coursework that indicates progress toward
their chosen field of study.
Special High School or Community College Dual Enrollment
Upon application, Florida Tech may grant “special status” to an outstanding
junior or senior enrolled in a high school in Brevard County,
or an outstanding community college student from Brevard Community
College or Indian River State College. Enrollment is on a reduced tuition
30 Florida Tech 2013–2014
basis and allows students to take up to a maximum of 12 semester
credit hours in total. Registration is on a class-by-class space-available
basis. Interested students should contact Florida Tech’s undergraduate
admission office for application materials and the policy agreement.
Admitted Students on Melbourne Campus
Merit-based scholarships are determined at the time of admission
to Florida Tech and are based on past academic performance (SAT
or ACT results and GPA). To maximize opportunities for all types of
assistance including federal, state and university need-based grants,
it is recommended that students submit a FAFSA by March 1 of the
academic year in which they wish to enroll. A copy of the student aid
report should be sent to Florida Tech (list the Florida Tech Title IV
code (001469) on the FAFSA).
Florida Tech subscribes to the College Board candidates’ reply date of
May 1. A $300 nonrefundable tuition deposit is required as a means
of confirming a student’s intention to attend Florida Tech. Payment
is due by May 1. If the student is admitted after May 1, or for the
spring or summer term, payment within 30 days of the date on the
acceptance letter is required. The deposit guarantees a place in the
entering class in the indicated major/program and is applied to the
student’s account. In addition to the nonrefundable tuition deposit,
admitted students must also submit the “Attendance Confirmation”
form included with the acceptance packet.
Entering first-year students can qualify for advanced standing by earning
academic credit through any of the following programs:
Advanced Placement Exams (AP) administered each May by the
College Board (must receive a score of four or five)
International Baccalaureate (IB), based on an IB diploma, or a
score of four or higher on the HL IB examinations
Cambridge Advanced-Level Examinations (A-levels)
Dual enrollment at a regionally accredited college, university or
community college
Official results of these examinations or college transcripts must
come directly to Florida Tech from the examination board or college
attended. The credit Florida Tech awards for each examination can
be found through www.fit.edu/ugrad/exams.
Once admitted to the university, incoming students are assigned a
TRACKS account username and password allowing access to Panther
Pass. Panther Pass (https://pantherpass.fit.edu) is an admitted student
portal that guides newly admitted students through all mandatory
tasks required between acceptance and university orientation.
Examinations for Credit or Placement
Placement Examinations for Melbourne Campus Students
Placement examinations are administered to new freshmen online
through Panther Pass via the university’s learning management system
before and during the orientation period each semester. Academic
credit can be earned on the basis of these examinations if the result
is placement into a more advanced course than an entry-level course
in the same field, as designated in the student’s published program.
There are two mathematics examinations given for specific majors.
Depending on the incoming student’s major, they will be required
to take the College Algebra Readiness Examination or the Calculus
Readiness Examination. These examinations are given through Panther
Pass before enrollment or once the student arrives on campus, and