Center for Distance Learning - NC A&T State University

Student FAQs

How do I log into Blackboard?
How do I log into my NCAT email?
Will financial aid pay for Distance Learning courses?
How many online courses am I allowed to enroll in per semester?
Who do I contact if I have technical difficulties while online?
How do I know if I’m enrolled in an online course?
Will I need an email account?
Are freshmen allowed to enroll in distance learning courses?
Can I enroll in distance learning courses via the Internet?
Can I participate in both distance learning and on-campus courses?
Can I pay for tuition in installments?
Can I buy books for my online course from the University bookstore?
What support services are available for distance learning students?
What are your policies relating to copyright?

Q: How do I log into Blackboard?

A: Effective Spring 2008, the website for Blackboard is http://blackboard.ncat.edu (please bookmark or add to favorites addresses). Your login is your NCAT Email Username and your Password will be your email password, which is the first four characters of the username plus the last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN). See the example below.

EXAMPLE

Email address: waters@ncat.edu
SSN: XXX-XX-1234

Username: waters
Password: wate1234

If you have trouble accessing your courses, please contact the Center for Distance Learning IMMEDIATELY!

Q: How do I log into my NCAT email account?

A: The website for for your NCAT email is https://webmail.ncat.edu (please bookmark or add to favorites addresses) or messages can be sent via the Blackboard course site. Students can access it by clicking on the "Communication" tool and then the "Send Email" Link. Your login is your NCAT Email Username and your Password will be the first four characters of the username plus the last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN). See the example below.

EXAMPLE

Email address: waters@ncat.edu
SSN: XXX-XX-1234

Username: waters
Password: wate1234

If you have trouble accessing your email, please contact the Help Desk at (336) 334-7195.

Q: Will financial aid pay for Distance Learning courses?

A: Distance learning students who have been admitted to a degree-seeking program can apply for financial aid. For more information on financial aid, Visit the N.C. A&T State University’s financial aid website at www.ncat.edu/~finaid/ for more information.

Q: How many online courses am I allowed to enroll in per semester?

A: Undergraduate students are allowed to enroll in twelve (12) or more semester hours to be designated as full-time students. Graduate students are allowed to enroll in nine (9) hours to be designated as full-time students. The Center for Distance Learning recommends that students consult with their advisors before enrolling in more than two (2) online courses per semester.

Q: Who do I contact if I have technical difficulties while online?

A: Distance learning students enrolled in online courses have access to the following technical support services:

If you experience problems with online course login issues, please call the Center for Distance Learning at 1-888-498-6752 (toll free) or 336-256-0355. The hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
If you are enrolled in DL courses and your account has been validated and you experience technical difficulties with Blackboard, you can contact Blackboard System Administrators at 336-256-1258 or bbsupprt@ncat.edu. The hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
If you have problems with your NCAT email account, please contact the University Help Desk by phone (336-334-7195) or by email (helpdesk@ncat.edu). The hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
If you have questions about your Blackboard course content, contact your professor (from inside your Blackboard course, click on COMMUNICATION and choose SEND E-MAIL). The Blackboard Student Manual is available online. To view it from inside your Blackboard course, click on STUDENT TOOLS, and then click on STUDENT MANUAL.
If you have other questions about using Blackboard, go to the NCAT Blackboard Student Training home page, http://fac.ncat.edu/dist/bbstudents/index.html and refer to the FAQs.

Q: How do I know if I’m enrolled in an online course?

A: Students who have been admitted to the University and have submitted the Distance Learning Student Agreement Form or registered through Aggie Access Online will be able to access online courses in Blackboard after their bills have been paid and validated. A confirmation email that includes login information will be sent by the Center for Distance Learning to students who register using the Student Agreement Form. Students who have not received login information at the start of classes should contact the Center for Distance Learning, IMMEDIATELY.

Q: Will I need an email account?

A: Yes, students must use the email account assigned by N.C. A&T State University in order to access Blackboard for online courses. If you DO NOT have an NC A&T email account, please visit:

http://www.ncat.edu/~accounts/request.php.

The following information must be supplied in order to acquire a new account:
· Banner ID Number or Social Security Number/Student Identification Number
· Six-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN #) (that you received from your advisor (Note: New accounts will only be provided to Validated Students.)
Account creation requests are completed within 48-72 hours. However, most accounts will be available in less than 24 hours. Specific availability information will be provided during account acquisition.

Q: Are freshmen allowed to enroll in distance learning courses?

A: Freshmen who wish to enroll in distance learning courses must have permission from the Department Chairperson.

Q: Can I enroll in distance learning courses via the Internet?

A: Admitted students can register via the Internet using Web for Students also known as Aggie Access Online. Students must have their Banner ID Number and six-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN #) that you received from your advisor.

Q: Can I participate in both distance learning and on-campus courses?

A: Students can enroll in both distance learning and on-campus courses during the course of a semester.

**Please Note: New Tuition Rates for Students Enrolled in Distance Learning Plus On-Campus Courses

Effective, Fall 2007, all Distance Learning (DL) sections will be charged by the hourly rate. This means there is no limit to the tuition and fees a student will pay for DL or DL plus on-campus sections. For all on-campus sections, there are no extra tuition or fees for taking more than 12 hours (Undergraduate; 9 or more for Graduate). This not true for schedules containing DL sections. All DL sections will be charged to the student; therefore, any student taking 12 or more hours of on-campus sections (Undergraduate; 9 or more for Graduate) will pay full tuition and fees for the on-campus sections and will pay for each DL section.**

Q: Can I pay for tuition in installments?

A: Tuition arrangements can be made through the Treasurer's Office.

Q: Can I buy books for my online course from the University bookstore?

A: Distance learning students can access textbook information by visiting the University Bookstore website. Online courses are listed each semester. Distance learning students can also purchase school supplies, University paraphernalia, University-related car accessories, and other miscellaneous items.

Q: What support services are available for distance learning students?

A: The following Support Services are available to Distance Learning Students:

CDL will provide:

Registration assistance, if needed
Assistance with logging into Blackboard
Online Blackboard Tutorial (CDL Blackboard Student Support Website, http://fac.ncat.edu/dist/bbstudents/)
Drop and Withdrawal requests for DL students who do not live in close proximity of the University, if needed (As long as the request is received before the deadline)

eLearning Systems and the Help Desk will provide:

Blackboard Training (eLearning Systems)
Assistance with logging into Blackboard (eLearning Systems)
Email Assistance (Help Desk)

Other Student Support Services for Distance Learning Students

Online Admissions (Undergraduate Admissions & Graduate School)
Online Tuition and Fee Payment (Treasurer's Office)
Online Textbook purchasing (Bookstore)
Financial Aid (Financial Aid Office)
Academic Advising (Colleges & Schools)
Counseling Services Online Screening (Counseling Services)
Career Counseling (Career Services)
Online Library Services (Ferdinand Bluford Library)
Transcripts (Registrar's Office)

Q: What are your policies relating to copyright?

A: The Center for Distance Learning's policies relating to intellectual property and copyright are commensurate with the University's policies as outlined by Institutional Research.