Register for Classes

Class Registration

Registration involves reserving a space in the class(es) selected and paying tuition. Information on the dates and location of registration can be found on the college website under Register for Classes. Allowance is made for late registration, but a student may not enroll in a course after the last day to add without approval from the appropriate division office. Students who have outstanding financial obligations from previous semesters with the Brightpoint Community College Business Office, Bookstore, or Library or have outstanding financial obligations for parking violations or owe any college within the Virginia Community College System the amount of equal to or above $500 are not permitted to register for classes until their accounts have been paid in full.

Dropping a Course

Students may drop a course with a full refund only during the first 15 percent of the course.  Drop w/refund dates are published in the academic calendar and in course syllabi. Students who never attend a class or have a last date of attendance for the course prior to the drop date will be administratively removed from the course, and NO REFUND will be given. Students are responsible for dropping courses by posted deadlines. 

Withdrawing from a Course

Students may withdraw from a course without academic penalty during the first 60 percent of the course.

Withdrawing cannot be done online.  It must be done through the Office of Admissions and Records either in person or by emailing admissionsandrecords@brightpoint.edu with a VCCS email account on or prior to the posted last day to withdraw without academic penalty for that course. The student will receive a grade of “W” for withdrawal. After the deadline to withdraw, the student will receive the grade earned at the end of the course. (In the case of mitigating circumstances documented by the instructor and approved by the dean, a grade of “W” may be awarded after the 60% deadline.) Administrative withdrawals may be initiated by an instructor in the event of excessive absences on the part of the student. Students should refer to the syllabus. In addition, an instructor may recommend withdrawal if it is believed a student is experiencing undue academic difficulty.  Students on financial aid are strongly encouraged to meet with a financial aid counselor before withdrawing from any class, as it may result in significant financial burden on the student. It is the student’s responsibility to understand the consequences for not withdrawing. Students are responsible for reviewing final course grades in their myBrightpoint account at the end of the academic term. Per VCCS policy, the college may not expunge a student’s course enrollment after the last day to drop with a refund.

Maximum Credit Hours Per Session

The maximum full-time student load is 18 credits in the fall and spring semesters and 13 credits in the summer semester. Students wanting to take more than the semester maximum load must have the approval of the vice president of learning and student success or designee, and ordinarily, should have a minimum grade point average of 3.5.

The maximum number of credits a student may take within each separate session depends on the session length. The maximum credit limit per session is outlined in the table below.

Maximum Credit Hours per Session

Within any one semester, students may enroll in courses across multiple sessions. However, the total number of credits taken across all sessions must not exceed the semester maximum student load. For instance, the total number of credits for a fall or spring semester cannot be more than 18 without permission from the vice president.

Note: Credits earned during a mini session are not calculated as part of the semester maximum student load.

Students wanting to take more than the semester or session maximum load must have the approval of the vice president of learning and student success or designee. If you wish to take an overload of credits, please complete the online Request to Take an Overload of Credits Form.

If you have any questions about the Overload of Credits Form, please email academics@brightpoint.edu. 

Passport and Uniform Certificate of General Studies (UCGS) Courses

Passport and Uniform Certificate of General Studies (UCGS) courses are transferable and satisfy lower-division general education requirements at public institutions of higher education in Virginia. The Passport and UCGS offer a large number of courses to optimize the student’s educational experience while also preparing for their program of study. You will find Passport and UCGS course designations in the course description.

7-Week Session FAQ

Beginning 2023, Brightpoint will begin offering students the option of completing some programs by taking 7-week session courses. The 7-week sessions allow students whose schedules prevent them from taking more than two or three classes at a time to complete their programs of study more quickly. Students should check with their faculty advisor to determine if the 7-week option is available for their program and if it is the right fit for their instructional needs. 

Where can I find the start and end dates for 7-week sessions?

Academic Calendars for the current and upcoming semesters can be found on the college website at https://www.brightpoint.edu/academics/academic-calendar/ and include dates for the 7-week sessions.  

Can I still qualify for financial aid if I’m only taking two or three 7-week courses?

It depends on the total number of credits you register for during the semester. For instance, during the fall and spring semesters, if you enroll in two 3-credit classes for the first 7 weeks and two 3-credit classes for the second 7 weeks, you will be taking 12 credits for that semester and will be considered a fulltime student. For questions about financial aid, you can reach out to the Help Hub for assistance. To be eligible for financial aid, you should register for all of your classes at the beginning of the semester.   

Should I register for one 7-week session at a time?

It is best to register for both the first 7-week and second 7-week sessions at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters, especially if you are receiving financial aid. If you are receiving aid and wait until the second 7-week session starts to register for a class, it will not be covered. 

It is possible that your plans for the second 7-week session may change. If so, you can “SWAP” the original class you enrolled in for another class without impacting your financial aid.  

When should I purchase my textbooks and other course materials?

You need to order your books for both 7-week sessions at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters, especially if you plan to use financial aid funds. You must have your textbooks and course materials on the first day of class. 

How will 7-week sessions impact part-time students?

7-week sessions are great for part-time students, allowing them to focus on one or two classes at a time while having the opportunity to accumulate more credits each semester. 

Will my 7-week course meet twice as long as a 15-week course?

7-week courses at Brightpoint will be scheduled as either asynchronous or hybrid sections. (See below for definitions of those modalities.) However, it is important to note that the amount of material covered and instruction time required in a 7-week class is the same as in a 15-week class, and that the learning outcomes are identical. For that reason, students are limited to taking no more than 9 credits (typically 3 classes) during one 7-week session. 

What modalities are offered for 7-week courses?

Asynchronous classes have no scheduled Zoom or on-campus meetings. Reliable internet access is required to complete course activities and assignments. Students will access course material using Canvas, and it will be made available on or before the first day of the class session. All students attend class by completing required asynchronous online activities by published weekly deadlines.

Hybrid classes require in-person meetings at either the Chester or Midlothian campus or synchronously on Zoom on the specified days and times. Due to shortened in-person meetings, students must complete required asynchronous online activities by published weekly deadlines. Regular weekly assignments with established due dates are provided in Canvas. Reliable internet access is required.  

How many 7-week courses can I take at one time?

It is recommended that students take no more than two classes (6-7 credits) in a 7-week session, and they are limited to no more than 9 credits total in that session.  

What is the typical schedule for a student taking 7-week courses?

It will depend upon the student’s major program of study, however the typical schedule for a student who wishes to be enrolled full time during the fall or spring semesters would be two classes during the first 7-weeks and two classes during the second 7-weeks. Students can combine both 7-week and 15-week classes in a semester, but should be very careful not to exceed the total number of credits allowed. 

Examples:

In this example, the student is enrolled in seven credits the first 7 weeks and six credits the second 7 weeks, for a total of 13 credits for the semester.  

In this example, the student is enrolled in six credits the first 7 weeks and three credits the second 7 week, while taking a 15-week science course for four credits, which equals 13 credits for the semester.