Academic Advising

The Office of Veterans Affairs assists students who are receiving VA benefits or Hazelwood Exemptions. Your assigned advisor will assist you with processing your benefits, developing a degree plan, registering for courses, completing a financial aid appeal, exploring careers, and researching transfer opportunities.

Location: Palomino Center, 116
Phone: 210-486-3111

Drop-in/Walk-in Hours

September 2 - November 26

Mondays: 2 p.m.-5 p.m.
Tuesdays: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
*Saturdays: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (In person only)
(*Every first Saturday of the month)

(check-in cutoff times are 30 minutes to an hour of closing time, depending on traffic and advisor
availability).

Drop-ins average 15-20 minutes, and students will be served in the order they were checked in. Wait times may vary depending on student traffic and advisor availability.

Zoom Link

In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Palo Alto College is committed to ensuring all programs, services, and facilities are accessible to and provide equal opportunities for education to all students. The Student Accessibility Services office coordinates accommodations for students with impairments that substantially limits one or more major life activities (walking, standing, seeing, speaking, hearing, etc.) as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.

Visit the Student Accessibility Services Website

Email: pac-sas@alamo.edu
Location: Rio Grande 133A
Phone: 210-486-3020

An advisor will be assigned at the start of your first semester after completing registration.  Advisors are assigned to students based on Institute, so which advisor is assigned to you is dependent on your degree plan or program of study. If a student changes their major once assigned, they may be re-assigned to a new advisor at the end of that semester.  Your current advisor will support you through the transition.

• Log in to ACES
• Locate the ‘My Advisor’ card
• Advisor information should appear
  • Note: Students are assigned advisors after registration and during the first 2 weeks of each semester/part of term.
  • If you do NOT see an advisor assigned – please contact Advising at 210-486-3200.

All current/active students can schedule an appointment with their assigned advisor (during approved times) via the ACES portal. Appointments must be scheduled 24-48 hours in advance, and same-day appointments are not available.

Log into ACES → Enrollment Tab → Locate ‘Advising Services’ card → Click on ‘Schedule an Appointment’

If you cannot keep your appointment, please contact your advisor via phone or email to reschedule as soon as possible or the front desk at 210-486-3300.

• Advisors will not register you for your classes, but will assist in identifying classes.
• Advisors will not choose your career path, but will provide guidance and resources to help you identify a career path.
• Advisors do not provide mental health counseling but will make referrals when necessary.

Your assigned academic advisor is available to answer questions that are submitted from your ACES student email. Please include the following information: Name, Banner ID, and phone number in case we need to reach you.

Your assigned academic advisor can answer questions submitted from your ACES student email. The advisor will reply to your message as soon as possible during business hours. You may contact the Advising office at 210-486-3300 if a question requires an immediate response. Some questions may not be able to be answered through phone, and you may be referred to connect with your assigned advisor.

To have a productive meeting with your advisor, please consider the following:

• Create a reminder with your appointment date and time on your phone or in your planner.
  
  
• Prepare for your meeting by creating a list of topics you want to discuss, such as classes to take, transfer planning, graduation planning, goal setting, and any additional concerns regarding your educational and career goals.
  
  
• Meet with your assigned academic advisor every semester to ensure you stay on track. Meet with them early to avoid any issues with registering for future classes once registration begins.
  
  
• Create an advising folder to keep yourself organized with advising-related materials [For example, degree plans, schedule plans, and notes from advising meetings] and keep it updated.
  
  
• Check your ACES student email regularly, as this is how your assigned academic advisor will communicate with you. Remember that any emails sent from your email may get caught in our SPAM folder, and we will be unable to see them.
  
  
• Personal accountability – You must review your grades and GPS degree plan in ACES at the end of each term.

Students on academic probation who earn a semester grade point average below 2.0 will be placed on academic dismissal. As per the Alamo Colleges District policy, students placed on Academic Dismissal must remain out a period of time as dictated by level of academic dismissal. Upon completing the sit-out period, students must complete the petition process by the set deadlines listed below.

• Students on their 1st or 2nd Academic Dismissal must sit out one full 16-week semester prior to petitioning.
  Only students on 1st Academic Dismissal have the option to complete the petition process without sitting out at least one full 16-week fall or spring semester. 
• Students on third (3rd) or Permanent Academic Dismissal must sit out one (1) full academic year (spring, summer and fall) prior to initiating the petition process. 
• Transfer Students must include a copy of their transcript(s) from the last college/university attended with their petition packet at time of petitioning and adhere to sit out periods indicated above.
• Transient Students referred to take courses by their home institution advisor will need to provide signed documentation including recommended courses and eligibility to return to that home institution in the subsequent semester.

Petitions must be received by the date listed below according to the term of enrollment. Submission by the Priority deadline is recommended due to limited interview sessions and course availability.

Dismissal Petitions for the summer semesters are not accepted.

Academic Dismissal Petition Packet

Yes, you can register for a Full Academic Year (Fall, Spring, and Summer simultaneously). Registering for a Full Academic Year secures your classes, reduces stress, and helps you stay on track to achieve your educational goals. Learn more about Full Academic Year registration.

CPOS (Course Program of Study) is a requirement that states only courses that are part of your degree plan or certificate can count towards your total enrolled hours for receiving financial aid.