Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Panther Card?
It is a computerized card that identifies individuals as FIU students. It contains the student’s photograph, name, signature, barcode for library use and a magnetic strip for electronic identification. A student’s Panther Card allows her or him access to the Libraries, Fitness and Recreation centers, Health and Wellness Centers, Multicultural Programs and Services, Student Government and Homecoming elections, University and theme events, and Instructional Media Centers, Career Services, Athletic events, computer labs, Financial Aid Book Advances and Campus Life: lectures, comedy shows, concerts, movies, dances, etc. The Panther Card may also be used as a debit card.

What is the Drop/Add Period?
Students may drop courses or withdraw from the University with no transcript record of the courses and without a tuition fee liability prior to the end of the drop/add period. If tuition and fees have already been paid, an automatic refund will be mailed to the student's local address within six weeks. Courses must be dropped through the Kiosks or via the Web in order to avoid liability. To add courses during the drop/add period no signature is required unless the course is closed. If the course is closed, permission is required from the appropriate department.

My student says he or she sees a hold on his or her account. What does that mean?
Students who have registration holds cannot register until the hold is removed by the issuing department. Typical holds seen during Orientation are:

FTIC: First Time in College; needs to see an Academic Advisor prior to registration

Immunization: Immunization records must be turned in prior to the student registering for classes.

My student didn’t do well in one of her or his courses. Can she or he retake the course? What is the Forgiveness Policy?
The forgiveness policy is a method by which students may repeat a limited number of courses to improve their grade point average (GPA). Only the grade received on the last repeat is used in the GPA calculation. Under the University's forgiveness policy, students must file a Repeated Course Form with the Office of the Registrar. There is no time limit on the use of the forgiveness policy for grades; however, the forgiveness policy cannot be used once a degree is posted. All courses taken with the grades earned will be recorded on the student's transcript. Undergraduate students may use the forgiveness policy a maximum of three times for the purpose of improving their GPA. The same course may be repeated up to three times or the student may use the three opportunities to apply to three different courses.

Is there a shuttle on campus?
Yes there is. The Golden Panther Express Shuttle is managed by the Department of Parking and Transportation. It provides an alternative to driving between FIU's two main campuses: University Park Campus and Biscayne Bay Campus. The pick up and drop off stop for University Park Campus is to the East of the Graham Center, in front of the Gold Parking Garage. The pick up and drop off stop for Biscayne Bay Campus is located in front of AC1 Building.

Please note that there is a charge for the Golden Panther Express Shuttle. The cost is $2.00 each way and a ticket must be presented to the bus driver. Students may purchase shuttle tickets at the Information Desk in the Graham Center and at the Gold, Blue and Red Parking Garages at the University Park campus. At the Biscayne Bay Campus, students may purchase tickets at the Information Desk in the Wolfe University Center. There is also a shuttle that is free that runs between the University Park campus and the Engineering Center.

When do students turn in housing applications to live on-campus?
Students interested in living on-campus must apply by completing a housing application/agreement and submitting it with a $100.00 non-refundable application fee to the Housing Office. The application fee is non-refundable. This is a one-time fee assessed with initial application. Current Residents are not assessed an application fee as long as they sign-up during designated sign-up periods. The Housing and Residential Life website provides more specific details: www.fiu.edu/~housing

When do students turn in financial aid forms?
Specific details for when and how to submit financial aid information is available online at: http://www.fiu.edu/~finaid/

Where can students get a parking decal?
Your student can obtain her or his parking permit AFTER they register for classes. Students can apply for their parking decal online via their Panthersoft account, twenty-four hours AFTER they register for classes.

Is there security on campus?
Yes, there is security on campus. General services provided by the FIU Police Department include: vehicle, foot and bicycle patrol, criminal investigation of misdemeanors and felonies, traffic enforcement, traffic crash investigation, special events management, and crime prevention programs. It has a patrol unit, an investigative unit, a communications unit, and a crime prevention unit. If you would like more information, please visit the Public Safety website at-http://police.fiu.edu

How can students pay for tuition?
There are several ways to pay for tuition. Once the student has registered for classes, they can view their Account Summary on the Panthersoft website. From that screen, the student can choose to pay for classes via credit card, or Electronic check. Please note that there is a 2% charge for credit card payments, and that the University does not accept VISA at this time for payment of classes. The other options are to use the Night Deposit box which is located on the first floor of the PC (Primera Casa) building, or they can wait in line to pay at the Cashier's office.

Are there tutoring services on campus?
Yes there are tutoring services. Many of the academic departments have students who are willing to tutor their peers. There is also a Center for Academic Success on campus, which houses both the University Learning Center and the University Testing Center.

The University Learning Center provides academic enhancement resources and activities for the university community. Tutors and instructors assist students in areas such as mathematics and statistics, writing, test-taking, textbook comprehension, conversation, reading, and study-skills. Students are encouraged to explore a variety of learning methods/resources including audiovisual, computer/on-line, workshops and worksheets, and one-on-one / small-group tutorials. Special emphasis is also given to those students who want to prepare for the CLAST. Encourage your student to visit the University Learning Center online at: http://undergrad.fiu.edu/learning

The University Testing Center administers college placement testing for freshmen (CPT), the CLAST and CAT-CLAST (computer-based CLAST), CLEP, LSAT, NET, portions of the FTCE, PRAXIS and various other professional evaluations.

When can my student register for classes for each semester?
For a student’s first semester, they can register for classes on Day 2 of Orientation, after they have met with their Academic Advisor. For future semesters, students will have a specific date and time when they are allowed to register online, called an Enrollment Appointment. Your student may find their Enrollment Appointment through their Panthersoft account. A student should plan to meet with an Academic Advisor each semester to prepare for future semesters.
Have a question that wasn’t answered here? Contact us at: parent@fiu.edu