1. What is my G number? What is my PIN for myBanner?
  2. What is FERPA?
  3. What can I do to protect my educational records?
  4. Where is the Registrar's office located?  What are the office hours?  How can I contact the office?
  5. I’ve lost my Grand Valley student ID card.  How do I get a new one?
  6. How do I change my mailing address, email address and/or phone numbers?
  7. What is my Grand Valley email address?  How do I access it?
  8. How do I change my name?
  9. How do I know if I have a hold on my records?  What are the various holds and what do they mean?
  10. How do I order transcripts?
  11. How do I transfer credit from another school to Grand Valley?
  12. I was dismissed.  How do I appeal?
  13. How do I receive my final grades for a semester?
  14. How many times can I repeat a course?
  15. How do I audit a course?
  16. How do I take a class as credit/no credit?
  17. What is an Incomplete (I) grade?
  18. I need a letter sent to my insurance company, employer, etc to verify my full time student status  How do I get one?
  19. How do I declare or change my major, minor or concentration?  How do I request a new advisor?
  20. Do classes that I transfer into Grand Valley affect my GPA?
  21. Where can I get a catalog, or course description?
  22. What is an advisor hold?  How do I get it removed?
  23. How do I register for classes?
  24. How do I drop a class? How do I withdraw from all of my classes for the semester?

1.  What is a G number?  What is my PIN?  When Grand Valley converted to the Banner system in 2006, a unique identifier was assigned to everyone (students, staff, vendors) affiliated with Grand Valley and it replaces all previous ID numbers.  It is a "G" followed by eight numerical digits and has no meaning outside of campus.

A PIN is a Personal Identification Number assigned to each student, and is used to establish a student's myBanner account.  Newly admitted or re-enrolling students will receive their PIN in their admission letter.  The PIN is initially set to be a 6 digit number.  After logging in for the first time, the system will tell you that your PIN is expired and you will be required to choose a new PIN.  The new PIN number must be six to ten characters long, and may include a combination of both numbers and letters. 

Need your G number or PIN? Contact the Records Office during normal business hours at 616-331-3327 or regdept@gvsu.edu.

2.  What is FERPA?   Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) requires that the university establish a policy and adopt and enforce procedures to protect the confidentiality, accuracy and privacy of the information it collects on its students.   The information collected on students may only be viewed by those individuals who have a legitimate “business” need to use the data as determined by the university’s FERPA officer; the responsible officer at Grand Valley is the Registrar.

3.  What can I do to protect my educational records?   DO NOT reveal your G number or PIN to anyone. Immediately change the PIN that you were given and change it again at least once a semester. When you are finished using myBanner, be sure to log off and exit.  Those students who do not desire the release of their directory information can complete a Request to Withhold/Release Directory Information form at either Student Assistance Center.  The form is also available here.

4.  Where is the Registrar's office located?  What are the office hours?  How can I contact the office?  The Registrar’s office is located in 150 Student Services Building in Allendale.  However, all of the same services provided by the Allendale office can also be performed at the Pew student assistant center in 115C DeVos.  You can reach either office by calling 616-331-3327 or regdept@gvsu.edu.  Hours for the Allendale office are 8am-6pm Monday thru Thursday and 8am-5pm on Friday during fall and winter semesters, and 8am-5pm Monday thru Friday during spring/summer.  The Pew center is open 9am-7pm Monday thru Thursday, 8am-5pm on Friday, and 9am-1pm on Saturday during fall and winter semesters.  They are open 8am-5pm Monday- Friday during spring/summer.  Many of the same functions can also be performed at the satellite campuses in Holland, Muskegon, and Traverse City.

5.  I’ve lost my Grand Valley student ID card.  How do I get a new one?  A replacement for your Grand Valley ID card may be obtained at either student assistance center in Allendale or at the Pew Campus.  Students may also purchase replacement cards at the Holland, Muskegon and Traverse City campuses.  There is a $15 for each replacement card.

6.  How do I change my mailing address, email address and/or phone numbers?  Local and permanent addresses, and phone numbers may be changed by logging in to myBanner and selecting the ‘Personal Information’ tab.  Choose the menu option ‘View or Update Addresses and Phones.’ 

Grand Valley requires students to use their assigned Gmail address for all university communication, so it may not be changed.  However, parent email addresses may be added or updated via myBanner. 

7.  What is my Grand Valley email address?  How do I access it?  Grand Valley provides a free Gmail email account for each student,  and it is required that each student use it.    Since Gmail is the official email provider for the university, that is where all Grand Valley communications will be sent.   For more information on your Grand Valley email, go here. 

8.  How do I change my name?  Students must acquire a new social security card with their new name and submit it to the records office with a Name Change Form.  You can also go to the Registrar’s office webpage at www.gvsu.edu/registrar and select ‘Name Changes.’

9.  How do I know if I have a hold on my records?  What are the various holds and what do they mean?  Students may view holds on their account by logging into myBanner, selecting 'Registration' menu and choosing 'Registration Status.'  Common holds include:

  • Academic- this hold prevents registration.  The student must complete a petition to return form (available here) and provide supporting documentation to be reviewed for readmission.
  • Financial- this hold prevents registration, drop/add, and the ability of a student to obtain a transcript.  The student owes a financial balance that must be settled with the Student Accounts Office.
  • Dean of Students- this hold prevents registration.  Contact the Dean of Students' Office for more information.
  • Re-entry required- this hold prevents registration, and is added to a student's record when a student has not attended Grand Valley in two or more semesters.  Contact the Records' Office at 616-331-3327 to have your records updated and the hold removed.  
  • Advance registration- this hold prevents registration for a future term on a date prior to your assigned registration date.  The hold will be automatically removed on the student's date to advance register.  The student does not have to do anything to have the hold removed.

10.  How do I order transcripts?  Students can view their advising transcript at any time via myBanner.  Official transcripts may be requested via myBanner, fax or mail.  Directions for ordering a transcript are available here.

11.  How do I transfer credits from another school to Grand Valley?  To have credits evaluated for transfer to Grand Valley State University, the student should request an official transcript from that school be sent to the following address:  Grand Valley State University, Attn. Records, 150 Student Services Building, Allendale, MI 49401.

12.  I was dismissed.  How do I appeal?  A dismissed student may apply for readmission after a period of one calendar year.  Evidence of maturity and improved attitude toward academics as well as the written support of the student's academic advisor must accompany the application for readmission.  Petitions are reviewed by the Academic Review Committee on a continual basis.  Approval of a petition allows the student to enroll on a conditional basis, as stipulated by the committee.  The academic standing for a readmitted student will be jeopardy of dismissal.  The Petition to Return form is available here.

13.  How do I receive my final grades for a semester?  Students will receive an email sent to their Grand Valley Gmail email address when grades are final.  Students are then able to log into myBanner to view their grades via the 'Student Records' menu.  Grade cards or mailers are no longer sent.  Instead, students who need a written confirmation of their grades should request an official transcript.

14.  How many times can I repeat a course?  A student may repeat any course one time.  When repeating a course, the grade earned shall be the grade of record, but the grades of all courses attempted will remain on the student's official transcript.

15.  How do I audit a course?  Any student may register to take a course on an audit (or non-credit) basis, provided admission and course prerequisites have been met.  Students who wish to audit a course must indicate their intent to the registrar by completing a form during the first five class days of the semester.  Changes from credit to audit and vice versa will not be allowed after the first week of the semester.  Tuition costs for auditing a course are the same as taking it for credit.

16.  How do I take a course as credit/ no credit?  Undergraduate students may elect certain undergraduate coursework on a credit/ no credit basis. A maximum of 10 semester hours of major, minor, or cognate courses within the major may be taken on a credit/ no credit basis only with the consent of the student's major department. A maximum of 25 percent of a student's hours of Grand Valley courses earned to fulfill graduation requirements may be taken on a credit/no credit basis (Credit = C or above for undergraduate courses, Credit = B or above for graduate courses). Courses that are graded CR/NC as the standard grading scheme (e.g. internships) do not count in the maximums stated above. Consent is unnecessary if the course is an elective, a general education course, or a degree cognate. Students who wish to take a course as credit/no credit must indicate their intent to the registrar by completing a form during the first five class days of the semester.  Changes from a grade to credit/no credit and vice versa will not be allowed after the first week of the semester.

17.  What is an Incomplete (I) grade?  An incomplete is a temporary grade given for work that is lacking in quantity to meet course objectives. It may be assigned when illness, necessary absence, or other reasons generally beyond the control of the student prevent completion of the course requirements by the end of the semester. This grade may not be given as a substitute for a failing grade or withdrawal. Unless changed by the instructor, the I will be changed to an F (NC when appropriate) according to this schedule: fall semester incompletes- end of winter semester; winter and spring/summer incompletes- end of fall semester.

18.  I need a letter sent to my insurance company, employer, etc. to verify my full time student status.  How do I get one?  Enrollment verifications are requested by completed a Permission to Release form and submitting it to the Records office.  Enrollment can not be verified prior to the beginning of the semester. 

19.  How do I declare or change my major, minor or concentration?  How do I request a new advisor?  Undergraduate students can add or change a major, minor or concentration as well as request a new advisor in myBanner.   After logging in, select the 'Student' tab followed by the 'Student Records' menu option.  From the Student Records menu, click on the last option titled 'Change Major.'  Once your request has been submitted, an email will be sent to the department responsible for the requested major, minor, concentration or advisor for their action.  Graduate students cannot change their major via myBanner.  A new admissions application must be submitted for the new program.

20.  Do classes that I transfer into Grand Valley affect my GPA?  No, only classes completed at Grand Valley affect your GPA.

21.  Where can I get a catalog or a course description?  In order to provide the most current information, the Grand Valley catalog is online at www.gvsu.edu/catalog.  The online catalog dates back to 2005-2006.  Printed catalogs from 2000 to the present are also available at that link.  If a course description prior to 2000 is needed, call the Records office at 616-331-3327 or send and email to regdept@gvsu.edu. 

22.  What is an advisor approval hold?  How do I get it removed?  Students who earn a GPA below 2.0 in a semester are required to meet with an advisor to develop a schedule for upcoming semesters.  Once the students receives the advisor's approval (via a signature on a drop/add form), the hold will be lifted and the students will be able to register via myBanner.

23.  How do I register for classes?  Students can register via myBanner, by phone at 616-331-3327 or in person at any Grand Valley location.  Students must first be admitted to Grand Valley before they can register.  If you are not yet admitted, contact the Admissions office at 616-331-2025 or 1-800-748-0246.  Prior to registering for classes, follow the tips given below:

  • Do not attempt to register prior to your assigned day & time.
  • Know the CRNs (course reference numbers) of the classes for which you want to register.
  • Resolve time conflicts between overlapping courses before you attempt to register.
  • Check the course catalog at www.gvsu.edu/catalog to verify that you have met all the prerequisites for your selected courses.
  • Resolve outstanding financial holds on your student account.  You will be blocked from registering for classes if you have a financial hold on your account.
  • Obtain electronic registration overrides from the respective academic departments for courses that you know you do not meet the prerequisite, are closed, or require special permission. 
  • Select all the required pieces for linked courses.  For example, if a course requires a lecture, discussion and lab; you must select one of each and register for them all at the same time.

There are two methods to register for classes in myBanner. 

Method 1:

If you already know the CRN (course reference number) of your course(s), click directly on "Add or Drop Classes" from the Registration menu.  Select the term for which you want to register, and enter the CRNs under the "Add Classes Worksheet."  Then Submit your changes.

Method 2:

If you are unsure of the classes for which you want to register, click on "Look Up Classes" and select the term for which you want to search.  Select a minimum of one subject and any other search criteria you desire.  Then click "Class Search."  Once you select the checkboxes next to the sections for which you want to register, select "Register."

Additional registration information is also available here.

24.  How do I drop a class? How do I withdraw from all of my classes for the semester?  A student may withdraw from a course and receive a grade of W when a completed Registration and Drop/Add Form is presented to the Registrar or the course is dropped through self-service Banner by the end of the ninth week.  Students who receive financial aid should consult the financial aid office before withdrawing from any of their courses.

Late Withdrawal

Students who do not withdraw before the ninth week must accept a grade other than W depending on the instructor’s judgment of their performance in the course(s) and any mitigating circumstances.

Students who request an exception of the withdrawal deadline due to extenuating circumstances must present the following to the director of the Student Academic Success Center

  1. Explanation of appeal attached to a Registration and Drop-Add Form signed by their professor and department chair
  2. At least one statement of support from the professor or department chair

Students should continue attending class until notification of a final decision about their appeal is received.

Complete Withdrawal from Grand Valley State University

Students withdrawing from Grand Valley after the withdrawal deadline must submit a Complete Withdrawal form to the Registrar’s Office.   Any refunds will be based on the date the completed form is received by the Registrar’s Office.

Students in good standing who wish to return to Grand Valley after an absence of two or more semesters should contact the Registrar’s Office to update their records and be activated to register for classes. 

For additional questions withdrawing from classes throughout the academic year please contact the Registrar’s office at regdept@gvsu.edu or 331-3327.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page last modified March 4, 2013