The 8-Week Advantage

Students will be expected to complete the same amount of contact hours and learn the same amount of content during an 8-week session as they would in the traditional 16-week semester. To fulfill the necessary requirements, there may be different class options made available (online vs. face-to-face), more coursework and/or longer individual class meeting times. Just remember that you’ll be taking half the hours / courses as you normally would during a 16-week semester.

When possible, students should take at least two courses per 8-week session. A student can attempt a maximum of 10 credit hours per 8-week session.

Registration timelines will not change from the current schedule. Registration for Fall opens in April and ends in October, and Spring registration opens in November and ends in March.

The tuition payment deadline for 8-week sessions will remain the same as for the current 16-week format. Students will be required to pay, or make payment plan/ financial aid arrangements, for their classes before 5 p.m. on the payment due date to avoid being dropped from their class(es).

With the COM 8-Week Advantage, students will be able to focus on fewer subjects while completing the same number of hours over a 16-week semester. Additionally, our faculty have designed 8-week courses to support student needs while meeting expected learning outcomes.

COM has no plans to increase tuition, however, for the 24-25 Academic year, tuition and fees will be assessed as a flat rate per credit hour. This flat rate will include tuition and all required fees and will be assessed per credit hour. This means there will be no more “minimum tuition.”

Many community colleges across the country are transitioning to an 8-week, or shorter, format. The reason for this is because the research clearly shows that shorter sessions provide students with a better educational experience and yield higher rates of student success- both in terms of grades and graduation rates.

No, financial aid is awarded based on full-time enrollment, or 12 credit hours, and is adjusted according to the actual enrollment at the census date (12th day of class) of each 8-week session.

The process will remain the same for requesting accommodations for your semester courses. Your academic accommodations will still apply for your classes regardless of the length of the semester.

Yes, credit hours will not change, but the frequency of when you attend class during an 8-week session will.

Yes.

The 8-week format would allow part-time students to become full-time status while only having to focus on two courses per session.

The 8-week format will still enable full-time students to maintain their current coursework. However, since they will be taking half the courses they would during a traditional 16-week semester, students will experience less stress and the possibility of burnout.

Students taking dual credit courses at their high school will continue following a 16-week semester format to align with the high school bell schedule. Students taking dual credit courses on a COM campus will take 8-week courses. Students taking online dual credit courses may take 8- or 16-week courses, depending on what is offered each semester.

As long as students take six credit hours, with at least one face-to-face, during an 8-week session, they will be considered full-time. Visit the VA website for more information. 

VA Benefits

For all VA benefits – Chapters. 30,31,33 and 35 – the rate of pursuit can be affected, which can cause a change in your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) or monthly stipend. (Textbook stipends and tuition payments from VA to the College remain unchanged.)

• For the Post 9/11 (Ch. 33) benefit, students must take a minimum of three credit hours in an 8-week session, with at least one credit hour in a face-to-face course, to receive any basic housing allowance. If all three credit hours are taken online, the BAH would be 50% of the national BAH average.
• Please note: If you are enrolled for both 8-week sessions, you will need to verify your attendance with the VA at the end of the first, 8-week session. Make sure to select "still attending." This also applies if you are currently enrolled in a 16-week course.
• For Ch. 30 and 35, three credit hours in an 8-week session will be paid at 50% of your monthly stipend.
• For Ch. 31, please check with your VR&E counselor

You will only receive BAH for both 8-week sessions if you take at least four credit hours, with at least three credit hours, with at least one credit hour being face-to-face, in each session.

Hazlewood Exemption

There will be no effect on Hazlewood benefits.

Students with disabilities enrolled in any of our courses, including 8-week, may request accommodations through our Disability Services office.