Five Reasons to Stay Enrolled

The joys of summer aren't just found in vacations or cookouts, you can also find great rewards by planning for your educational future.

As you consider what options work best for you, keep in mind these four important peices of information about the importance of staying enrolled in classes as we enter the summer and fall semesters. Above all else, know that you have a Maverick family here to support you and help you find the path to your educational destination.

Access and register for courses through MavLINK.

Need assistance? Reach out to UNO Dean of Students Cathy Pettid at cpettid@unomaha.edu or by phone at 402.554.3523.

Staying Enrolled Keeps You Focused

While it's true many can remember how to ride a bike after a long time away, that is not always the case with coursework. Like many skills, classroom learning both in person and virtual requires practice to maintain positive outcomes.

If you can't commit to a full course load, that's OK! Fewer classes is better than no classes at all. Make sure to talk with your advisor about how to create a schedule that best meets your individual needs.

You Get More Time to Pay Back Your Loans

While many federal and private student loan providers do provide an option that allows you to defer payments, that only applies if you are enrolled in courses. Additionally, the grace period you may receive after you stop taking classes isn't tied to graduation, but your enrollment.

In other words, taking a semester off will start the clock on how quickly you need to pay back your student loans and the time used cannot be reset. While summer courses don't count towards the enrollment clock, taking time off in the Fall 2021 semester could mean you lose that grace period entirely by the time you re-enroll for Spring 2022 courses.

It Helps With Maintaining Financial Aid

Much like student loans, timing is key when it comes to being able to apply for and obtain federal financial aid.

Often times the ability to maintain aid you already have is dependent on being enrolled; taking time off could mean you lose access to that funding and would potentially need to reapply and be approved a second time.

No matter what funding you have, please consult with our Financial Support and Scholarships Office to understand the risks of taking a semester or year off from your classes.

You Have a Built-In Support Network

There is no question that one of the biggest support systems you have as a student in college is your classmates and friends who you've come to know by being in the same classes at the same time because you enrolled together as part of a cohort. These connections are even more important out of the classroom as they are in the classroom.

Additionally, UNO offers a number of resources through Counseling and Psychological Services; Multicultural Affairs; Gender and Sexuality Resource Center; Accessibility Services; and more that provide virtual spaces where you can work one-on-one with trained staff and faculty members to help you with any issues - not just school work - that you may be struggling with.