Panola College offers opportunities for course credit by examination. Results of the following examinations are considered for credit: ACT, College Board Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Subject Examinations, and Institutional Tests - Selected Subject Areas.

Each college and university has its own policy with respect to credit earned by examination. Any such credit allowed by one institution may not necessarily be accepted at another.

General Policies:

1. The person desiring credit by examination must be accepted for admission to Panola College.
2. A student may receive credit by examination only after completing Texas Success Initiative requirements or show proof of exemption.
3. The "Request for Credit by Examination" form must be completed and returned to the Admissions/Records Office.
4. Credit based on the ACT or AP scores is available to beginning freshmen only.
5. The applicant is responsible for having all official scores sent to Panola College. The scores should be received in the Admissions Office at least two weeks prior to enrollment.
6. The student desiring credit based on the ACT, AP, CLEP examinations must enroll within one year immediately following the test date or forfeit the opportunity for credit by examination.
7. No credit by examination will be allowed for a course after the student has registered for the course.
8. A student who has previously received a grade (A, B, C, D, F, or I) in a course may not receive credit by examination for the same course.
9. The applicant must pay $20 per semester hour for any course credit granted.
10. No applicant shall earn more than 12 semester hours or complete more than four courses through advanced placement. The applicant may not earn more semester hours than hours completed in residence at Panola College.
11. Credits earned by examination will not become a part of the student's record until 12 semester credit hours have been earned at Panola College.

ACT Scores:

A letter grade, semester-hour credit, and equivalent grade points will be awarded for ENGL 1301 with the following minimum scores in the English and reading sections: 29 = "B", 31 = "A". No credit will be awarded if the appropriate score is not achieved in both sections.

College Board's Advanced Placement Examination:

A letter grade, semester-hour credit, and equivalent grade points will be given for the following minimum scores: 3 = "B", 4 or 5 = "A".  Panola College does not award credit for scores attained on the SAT II.

_{**The State of Texas requires that 3 hours of history must be taken in a classroom setting.
Testing Sites: Advanced Placement examinations are given by various area high schools. Contact the high school counselor for information.}

CLEP Examination - Subject Examinations Only:

A letter grade, semester-hour credit, and equivalent grade points will be given as follows:

_{*The State of Texas requires that 3 hours of history must be taken in a classroom setting.}

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Panola College will grant a maximum of 24 semester hours within our core curriculum to any entering freshman, who has received an International Baccalaureate diploma. Course credit is given for the IB higher-level examinations passed with grades of 4, 5, 6, or 7 with proper documentation. No credit is awarded for subsidiary-level courses. Applicants with the IB diploma must provide a completed IB transcript to the Admissions Office prior to enrolling in order to receive credit. Students requesting credit must also complete the applicable form.

Texas state law requires the following:

All entering students under 22 years of age must provide documentation of receiving an initial bacterial meningitis vaccination dose or booster within the last 5 years. This includes all new and transfer students, as well as former students who are re-enrolling after a break in enrollment. Students must show proof of having the vaccination at least 10 days prior to the start of the semester.

What is the deadline for receiving the vaccine?

The vaccination must have been administered within the 5-year period immediately preceding the first semester of enrollment and at least 10 days prior to the start of the semester. Students may not register until documentation of vaccination is on file.

How do I prove I have received the vaccination?

You must provide a copy of your vaccination record to the Admissions Office. Panola College will not return vaccination records submitted or provide copies for use at other schools, so do not submit originals. Records may be mailed, faxed, or delivered in-person to the Admissions Office.

• Mailing Address: Panola College, 1109 West Panola, Carthage, TX, 75633
• Fax: 903-693-2031

An acceptable record of vaccination is one of the following:

• A vaccination record that includes the signature or stamp of a physician or his/her designee or public health personnel. Must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered.
• An official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority.
• An official record received from school officials, including a record from another state.
• The vaccination record must show receipt of either the meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Menomune or MPSV4) or meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menactra or Menveo or MCV4).

Are there exemptions from receiving the vaccine?

Yes. Students age 22 and older are exempt. A student is not required to submit evidence of receiving the vaccination against bacterial meningitis if the student, or a parent or guardian of a student, submits to the institution:

• An affidavit or a certificate signed by a physician who is duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States, in which it is stated that, in the physician's opinion, the vaccination required would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student.
• A conscientious exemption form from the Texas Department of State Health Services stating that the student declines the vaccination for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. For information about obtaining this form, call 1-800-252-9152 or go to www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize.

Where can I get the shot?

Each county has a public health division that should be able to administer the shot. The vaccine can also be administered by a private physician's office. Vaccinations may also be available at retail pharmacies such as Walgreens or CVS. Please make sure to call ahead of time to the location where you wish to receive the vaccine to make sure that they have the vaccine on hand and you are eligible to receive the vaccine from that particular place.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Service

Bacterial Meningitis Information

Contact the Admissions Office with any questions by emailing admissions@panola.edu.

In accordance with Texas law governing tuition charges, students who enroll at Panola College will be classified as Texas Residents, Louisiana Residents, Out-of-State Residents, or International Residents. Texas residents will be classified as in-district or out-of-district residents. Louisiana residents may take advantage of a reciprocity agreement that allows them to pay in-state tuition when enrolling at Panola College because of the school's proximity to the two states' common border. Out-of-state tuition and fees are charged for those students whose legal residence has been determined as out-of-state or international.

In-District Residency

Citizens with the legal residence status of the State of Texas, who are 18 years of age or older, who are financially independent from their parents or guardian, and who reside within the boundaries of the Panola College taxing district for 12 months prior to the 12th class day of a long semester, the 4th class day of a summer session, or the official census day for terms of varying length qualify for in-district residence status.

Legal Texas residents under the age of 18 or Texas residents 18 years of age or older who are not financially independent from their parents or guardian are classified according to the residence status of their parents or guardian.

Legal residents who reside outside the boundaries of the Panola College taxing district, own property within the taxing district, and pay ad valorem taxes on that property, may have the difference between in-district and out-of-district tuition waived for themselves and their dependents.

Verification of property ownership shall be determined by an ad valorem tax statement or receipt issued by the tax office of the District; or by the presentation of a deed, property closing statement, or other appropriate evidence of ownership of property that is subject to ad valorem taxation by the District.

The documents listed below may be acceptable for determining in-district residency in support of the signed Oath of Residency. The Admissions Office requires that two (2) of these documents be submitted.

• Texas high school transcript
• Employer statement date of employment
• Texas voter registration
• Lease agreement that includes student's name and periods covered
• Property tax payments
• Texas driver's license
• Other as accepted by the Registrar

An applicant for admission who is a Texas resident may seek to enter this institution pursuant to the Academic Fresh Start Statute, Texas Education Code, 51.931. If the applicant informs the Admissions/Records Office in writing of the election, the institution will not consider academic course credits or grades earned by the applicant 10 or more years prior to the starting date of the semester in which the applicant seeks to enroll. An applicant who makes the election to apply under this statute may not receive any course credit for courses taken 10 or more years prior to enrollment.

Grading System

A student's standing in his/her work is expressed by grades obtained from class work and examinations. College grades are important because they become a part of the student's permanent record and may be used as the basis for many decisions related to the student during his or her lifetime. The student's grade point average (GPA) is significant in determining eligibility for continued financial aid, for continuance in school, for acceptance at a transfer institution, for graduation, and eventually for employment after completion of a formal education. A system of point values exists to convert alphabetical grades into a numerical system. The following grades have the indicated number of points assigned for each semester hour of credit earned:

The grade point average (GPA) is determined by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total number of semester hours attempted.

*Developmental Studies Only: Receiving a "Q" can only occur once per developmental class. If the student fails to retake the class the following semester, the "Q" remains on the transcript and is treated as a "W" for state reporting purposes and Financial Aid. If a student is awarded a "Q", he/she must repeat the same course the next long semester or retake and pass a TSI assessment before the next long semester begins. The repeated class will receive the grade earned, but the "Q" from the previous semester will not be amended. Students who are TSI deficient in two or more areas may not skip a semester if a grade of "Q" is attributed. If a student who received a "Q" decides to retest rather than take the course again, the existing TSI policy in regards to retesting will hold true. His/her "Q" from the previous semester will remain on his/her transcript. In the case where a student has been given an "I", after the 6 week completion period the "I" may be changed to an "F" or "Q" if the student meets the criteria.

Grade Reports

Grade reports are no longer mailed to students. Semester grades are available to students through the college's online services. Mid-semester deficiency grades of "D" or "F" are filed by the instructor for semester-length classes. These grades are assigned to the students and are also available online, but they do not become a part of the student's permanent record. Students may obtain specific information about mid-semester grades on an individual basis from their instructors.

Repeating a course to improve a grade

Grades cannot be changed. The only way a course grade may be raised is by the student repeating the course and making a higher grade. If a course is repeated, both grades will remain on the transcript but the highest grade becomes the grade of record and is used in calculating credit and overall GPA. The student is cautioned, however, that all colleges do not follow this practice. Taking the course at another college in an attempt to improve a grade will neither change a grade nor figure into the GPA at Panola College.

Incomplete course work

Incomplete ("I") is a temporary grade indicating that a student has satisfactorily completed the requirements of a course with the exception of a final examination or other work delayed by illness, emergency, or authorized absence. In the meantime, the grade of "I" is non-punitive and is not used in computing the GPA. Before awarding an "I", the instructor must secure the permission of the Vice President of Instruction. The student must complete work within six weeks after the end of the semester in which the grade was issued or receive an "F" for the course. Any exceptions must be approved by the Vice President of Instruction.

Course withdrawal

If it becomes necessary for a student to withdraw from a course, the student must contact the Admissions/Records Office. The grade of "W" (withdrawn) is given during the first 12 weeks of the semester. The grade of "W" has no negative effect on the student's GPA. If the student does not contact the Admissions/Records Office and exits a class unofficially, a grade of "F" will be award by the instructor.

Challenging a grade

Challenging a grade must occur before the end of the fall or spring semester immediately following awarding of the grade. Students with questions concerning grades should contact the Admissions/Records Office.

Scholastic probation

Probation occurs when the quality of a student's work falls below the accepted standard of satisfactory progress. Scholastic probation is a conditional permission for a student to continue in college. A student must maintain a cumulative "C" (2.0 GPA) on all course work completed and/or accepted in transfer at Panola College. A student who fails to achieve a 2.0 GPA after accumulating 12 semester hours will be notified of his/her probationary status. The student should visit with a counselor concerning recommendations for improvement. A student on probation may not register for more than four academic courses and two one-hour courses without the approval of the Vice President of Instruction. Students will have their status reviewed after the completion of each additional 12 semester hours. Should a student fail to achieve a cumulative 2.0 GPA at the end of the second consecutive evaluation, the student will receive notification that he/she must report for counseling before being allowed to register and continue on a probationary status. If a student fails to achieve a cumulative 2.0 GPA at the end of the third consecutive evaluation, he/she will be placed on academic suspension. Students on probation who achieve a "C" (2.0 GPA) for any given semester will be allowed to continue on probation for the next semester even though the cumulative average is below 2.0. Students on probation for the third consecutive semester who do not have a "C" average for the immediately preceding semester will not be allowed to attend Panola College for the next long semester. A grade of "I" will be considered a failing grade in computing averages for removal from probation.

Scholastic Suspension

A student on Scholastic Suspension is denied the privilege of registering for one spring or fall semester, as appropriate. Following the semester of suspension, the student may re-enroll on a probationary status. The student remains on probation until a cumulative 2.0 or better GPA is earned. Students who have been on suspension from Panola College or another college, who are allowed to register, must earn a "C" average on courses attempted that semester, or they will be suspended for one year. NOTE: Exceptions to this policy may be made through written appeal to the Vice President of Instruction. Students may enroll in the summer sessions without restriction. Students who are on scholastic suspension or probation may attend summer school for the purpose of raising their grade point averages.

Dean's list

Only full-time students (minimum of 12 semester credit hours) with a grade point average between 3.5 and 3.79 will be included on the Dean's List. Only courses that apply toward an associate degree or a certificate are included in this computation.

President's list

Only full-time students (minimum of 12 semester credit hours) with a grade point average between 3.8 and 4.0 will be included on the President's List. Only courses that apply toward an associate degree or a certificate are included in this computation.

To be considered as a candidate for a degree or certificate, the student must submit a formal application for graduation in their final semester. It is the responsibility of the student to make certain that all requirements for graduation are completed. Graduation exercises are held twice a year at the end of the fall and spring semesters.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 was designed to protect the privacy of educational records, to establish the rights of students to inspect and review their educational records, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings.

Disclosure of student records

In general, no personal information from a student's educational records will be disclosed without written consent from the student. Two exceptions may be made:

1. Directory Information will be released unless the student requests that it not be released (see below).

2. Records may be released to parents of students who are dependents as defined by the internal revenue code.

Directory Information

In compliance with the Family Educational and Privacy Act of 1974, the College may release only information classified as "directory information" to the general public without the written consent of the student. Directory information includes: 

• Student name
• Student address
• Telephone number
• Dates of attendance
• Classification
• Previous institutions attended
• Major field of study
• Awards and honors (includes Dean's List and President's List)
• Degree(s) conferred (includes dates)
• Past and present participation in officially recognized sports and activities
• Physical factors (height and weight of athletes)

Directory information is disclosed unless a request to withhold the release of information has been made in writing. Each student may request that any or all of this information be withheld from the public by making a written request to the Admissions Office.

Review of records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, provides the student with the right to inspect and review the contents of his/her educational records (except as limited under the law). Areas in which records are maintained:

1. Academic: registrar, continuing education, and faculty offices.
2. Placement and testing records: registrar and counseling offices.
3. Financial: financial aid and business offices.

The student is entitled to obtain copies, at his/her expense, to receive explanations or interpretations of the records, and to request a hearing to challenge the content. Access to records must be requested on a form available from the official in charge of the particular record. 

Informal Review: Follow the procedure requesting examination of records. An official will date and sign a summary of action form which will be maintained in the student's file. 

Formal Review: If the question of accuracy is not resolved during the informal review, the student may request a formal review. The Academic Appeals Committee will hear challenges concerning these records. Challenging a grade must occur before the end of the fall or spring semester immediately following awarding of the grade.