iStudy Information

iStudy is a “distance learning” opportunity that allows you to study outside the confines of a classroom. You will set your own schedule, working on your own time and at your own pace. Don’t worry; you will have the opportunity for feedback from your instructors. The faculty expectations are as high as in a regular class, so be prepared to demonstrate what you learn, not just copy the text.

Because of the flexibility of the courses, iStudy students must motivate themselves to keep up with their studies. Your instructors and the staff members in the iStudy office can help you design a schedule to finish your assignments in a timely manner. We suggest that you begin your course right away and proceed at a regular pace.

All University of Mississippi students are required to have academic dean approval before enrolling in an iStudy course.

We offer students both semester and Flex courses:

iStudy Semester (UM students only)

• Available for enrollment during semester registration for fall, spring, and full-summer (some courses are available during other terms). Must be completed within the semester.
• Cost is included in full-time tuition.
• iStudy semester courses count toward qualifying for federal, state, and institutional financial aid.
• Aid for students taking iStudy courses only disburses when students reach the midpoint of the course. Aid for students taking a combination of iStudy and non-iStudy course disburses normally.
• All UM academic calendar semester dates and related policies apply.

iStudy Flex (UM & Non-UM students)

• Students may enroll any time during the year.
• Asynchronous with the UM semester calendar.
• Complete between two months to one year.
• Cost by credit hour is in addition to any full-time tuition that was or will be paid.
• Non-resident fees do not apply (Flex only).

Application

The iStudy application can be completed online.

Enrollment times

• Semester courses (UM students only)
  When the semester registration window is open iStudy courses are available as Semester courses. These are only available during the registration window of each major semester (fall, spring, and full-summer).
• Flex courses:
  Students may enroll in a Flex course anytime of the year, and aren’t tied to the semester calendar. Once enrolled, students may begin immediately. Flex iStudy courses can be completed in any amount of time between two months to one year. Personal deadlines, such as graduation, supersede course expiration. 

Approvals

• If you are enrolled as a student at UM, your academic dean’s approval is required. The iStudy department sends your application to your academic dean's office electronically.
• Non-University of Mississippi students should check with their institution to determine if the iStudy course will meet the student’s requirements and whether there are limits on the number of credits you may take through iStudy.

Semester Course Requirements

Requirements for Semester students: (Note: this does not apply to Flex students. If you are unsure of your status, the information will appear in your Blackboard course gradebook.)

1. Complete the syllabus quiz as soon as you have access to your Blackboard course. This is mandatory to verify your attendance.
2. Students are highly encouraged to reach the midpoint of their course, as indicated on the lesson page. The exact date is posted in the Announcements section of the course in Blackboard. Coursework, including exams, must be done sequentially – meaning all assignments before the exam should be completed before taking the exam.
3. The last day to submit lessons is the last day of class, per the UM Registrar’s academic calendar.
4. The final exam must be taken by the last day of finals week, per the UM Registrar’s academic calendar.

Specific School Requirements

The School of Business only allows their student to take one iStudy course at a time. However, all other academic schools determine the amount of iStudy classes a student is allowed to take based on their school’s specific criteria. Therefore, you should always check with your academic advisor before enrolling in iStudy courses.

Accountancy majors are not permitted to take ACCY 201 or ACCY 202 via iStudy. Students must enroll in the traditional versions of these courses if planning to remain an Accountancy major. See Patterson School of Accountancy degree requirements for more information.

Non-University of Mississippi students should check with their institution to determine whether there are limits on the number of credits you may take through iStudy.

Semester courses:

• Tuition for a semester-based course(s) is included in full-time tuition.
• Extensions are not available for semester iStudy courses.
• For more information about semester tuition rates please visit the UM Bursar's Office page.

Flex Courses:

• Beginning 8/1/2023 through 7/31/2024 the tuition fee for a three-credit-hour semester course is $1,156.50.
• There is no non-resident fee for Flex iStudy courses.

Options

• Bursar – For UM students only, bursar accounts can be charged by iStudy
• Credit Card –Visa or Master Card payments are made online through TouchNet.
• Check or money order – Please make these out to the “University of Mississippi”.
• Financial Aid- The iStudy office does not provide any form of tuition assistance.  However, tuition assistance may be available through other departments. It is the student’s responsibility to check with the appropriate department to determine eligibility. More information can be found on the Office of Financial Aid website.
• Specific populations-
  • UM and UMMC Faculty/Staff Tuition Waiver 
    The Faculty/Staff Tuition Benefit applies to iStudy courses. 
  • Child of UM and UMMC Faculty and Staff Tuition Waiver
    Children of UM and UMMC Faculty and Staff may be eligible for a 50% tuition waiver.
  • Agency Banked Hours
    (Follow procedures per your school district/institution)
  • AmeriCorps 
    Contact AmeriCorps directly about using their benefits at UM.
  • Military reimbursement 
    Send your DD form to the Financial Aid Office.
  • VA scholarship 
    Contact the coordinator for Veteran and Military Services in the Center for Student Success and First Year.

iStudy is not authorized to award any forms of student aid or scholarships. Students should check with the Financial Aid Department of their college or university to determine their eligibility to enroll in iStudy courses using financial aid.

More information can be found on the Office of Financial Aid website.

Semester courses:
A University of Mississippi student taking a Semester course(s) can only withdraw when the semester withdrawal period is open, per the academic calendar. 

Flex Courses:
A University of Mississippi student taking a Flex course(s) can only withdraw before reaching the course midpoint and before the course expiration date. See the section on Withdrawals for more information.

Non-UM student:
A non-University of Mississippi student may withdraw from a course at any time prior to taking the final exam with no academic penalty for withdrawal, and no grade will be recorded.

To apply for a withdrawal, please fill out the iStudy Withdrawal Request located within your application. You will need to log back into your iStudy application to find the iStudy Withdrawal Request.

Flex Courses:
For students taking a Flex course(s), a refund of 100% is given when students withdraw within thirty days of enrollment. For more information about refunds, click HERE.

Semester courses:
Semester iStudy courses must be completed within the semester and no extensions are available. Instructors may be approached for a temporary grade of incomplete. Incompletes are not automatic and are at the instructor’s discretion as they are in traditional courses. All normal semester protocols apply. 

Flex Courses:
The course completion deadline is one year from the enrollment date. One three-month extension is available, and costs $150. If you need the course completed by a particular deadline, including graduation, we suggest taking the final exam two weeks prior to your deadline. The minimum time needed for the completion of a Flex course is two months from the date on which the first lesson is submitted. This may be waived by the instructor on an individual basis.

To apply for an extension, please fill out the extension request questionnaire located within your application. You will need to log back into your iStudy application to find the extension questionnaire.

Disability Services
We believe in equal educational opportunities and a welcoming academic, physical and social environment for all students with disabilities. Student Disability Services (SDS) assists the University in fulfilling its commitment to educate and serve students with disabilities.

To request services and learn what documentation you will need to provide, visit the Student Disability Services website or call 662-915-7218 (voice) or 662-638-0379 (video phone). You can also email SDS at sds@olemiss.edu.  Once you have registered for services, the Disability Resource Center will ensure that the necessary technology and accommodations are made for you.

Career Center
The Career Center’s website contains information on upcoming events like career fairs and networking opportunities that may be of interest.

UM Library Access
Students taking iStudy courses and needing to access electronic resources off campus should use the University of Mississippi Libraries Website. You will need to use your Ole Miss Web ID and password to access databases and other e-resources. More information is available at Library Online Learning Resources.

Complaints Procedure
The University of Mississippi seeks to resolve concerns and complaints in a fair and prompt manner. Current or prospective University of Mississippi students who have a complaint may submit their concerns to the appropriate department. Before pursuing external options, students should exhaust internal avenues of complaint resolution.

The Student Complaint web page provides guidance as to such appeals and complaint procedures. UM students with a concern directly related to iStudy may contact the Office of iStudy at istudy@olemiss.edu or 662-915-7313, or may report the matter of concern to the Office of the Dean of Students for guidance through resolving concerns within the campus community.

Technical Requirements
The university’s IT services keep an updated list of computer recommendations and special technical considerations for online learners.

Tutoring
Should you have the need for a tutor, the iStudy department will work with you to find appropriate resources.

Transcripts are issued only by The University of Mississippi's Registrar's Office, not by iStudy. There is a fee for each transcript requested.

Requests for official transcripts can be made through your myOleMiss portal, in person, by mail, by fax, or by a 3rd party.

More information is available at the University Registrar's Transcript Request page here.

The University of Mississippi and, where appropriate, its subdivisions, are recognized by institutional and national organizations and accrediting agencies. More information about accreditation is available through the Office of the Provost.

Your instructor is available to answer content questions, and the iStudy staff (662-915-7313 or istudy@olemiss.edu) can help you with any other questions.