Petition for Overload

Petition for Overload Requests

The maximum number of credit hours students may enroll in per semester is determined by institutional policy and based on best practices to ensure a student is successful each semester. These limits are set to ensure students can successfully manage their academic workload along with personal responsibilities. These recommendations consider the number of hours required both in and out of the classroom, and do not recommend enrolling in more hours than there are weeks per part of term.  The maximum number of hours a student is recommended to take per part of term is shown here:

• The maximum number of hours a student may enroll in each fall and spring semester is 18; It may be a combination of any of the parts of term listed above.
• The maximum number of hours a student can enroll in the summer semester is 17.

There may be times when you need to request permission to take additional hours (last semester before graduation, courses needed for transfer, pre-requisites for a program, etc.). When this happens, you will need to discuss your options with an academic advisor. If you and the advisor determine that enrolling in additional classes beyond the established maximum is what is needed, then they will assist you with submitting the Petition for Overload form (it is not available without communicating with an advisor).

An online form will then be submitted after discussing the overload request with the certified academic advisor. 

Students requesting to take more than the maximum credit hours during a semester must meet the following requirements: 

• Have a minimum overall institutional GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Have a prior semester GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours, including transfer credits
• Have completed at least one semester while enrolled in 15 or more credit hours with a semester GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Be requesting to complete the course at Northwest Vista College
• Must be in good Academic Standing (overall institutional GPA is above 2.0)
• Advisor recommendation

Special consideration may be granted to students who need an additional course for their graduating semester. 

First time in college students would not qualify to take more than 19 credit hours in their first semester. 

All requests should be submitted no later than two weeks before the first day of class to ensure they are reviewed in time.

Transfer Students:

Students who have transferred to NVC must have official transcripts on file showing that they meet the requirements listed above at their previous institution(s).

Flex/Maymester/Summer Requests:

Must have completed a mini-mester previously with a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher in addition to meeting the requirements above.

Deadlines for Submission:

A response is sent to a student’s ACES email within two weeks of the date of submission.