Frequently Asked Questions
Registration
Scheduling courses means going to the web https://myBama.ua.edu .
Course offerings are current to the minute. You will receive immediate
feedback when scheduling, knowing that either you successfully registered
for the section/course or it is unavailable. Consequently, it is very
important to register early in your assigned window to maximize your
chances of getting the courses you want, and to have alternatives ready at
the time you schedule, just in case your first choice(s) are filled.
General:
How do I get access to myBama?
All students have access to myBama upon admission to UA.
When should I expect my registration materials?
Registration windows (the date and time you can begin registration) for the next term will be
posted on the web the Friday of the 5th week of the semester [spring semester for summer/fall
and fall semester for spring]. The Schedule of Classes is available on the web the Monday of the
4th week of the semester. This early notice will allow you more time to plan your schedule,
meet with your advisor, and obtain any required permission(s) prior to making your registration
contact.
When do I register?
Registration normally starts Monday of the 7 th week of the semester [spring semester for
summer/fall and fall semester for spring]. Your registration time assignments are located on
https://myBama.ua.edu Student tab, under Banner Self Services channel, Student Services,
Registration, and Registration Status or under Registrar, Registration Time & Location.
Why is it important to meet with my advisor?
It is very important -- your advisor can help you by:
 checking to make sure you have courses in the proper sequence so you don't miss
any prerequisites or co-requisites to either your intended program or a course.
 making you are aware of any acceptable alternatives should your first choices be
filled
 discussing with you some courses that may be of interest to you that you may not
have thought about – in other words – EXPLORE!
 making sure you are not missing any required courses as you work through your
program.
When should I meet with my advisor?
You should be able to see your advisor anytime, but especially before registering for the next
semester.
Why do I have to take a Math Placement Test?
You may not. A new student who presents a math ACT of 29 or higher [SAT of 650 or higher]
and has taken a high school calculus course may enroll in calculus WITHOUT taking the Math
Placement Exam. If you have questions, please contact the Department of Mathematics.
The course I am registering for requires permission. What should I do?
You will need to contact the instructor or the department prior to going online. The
department, or your advisor, will need to post a permit to myBama prior to visiting the web. If
you do not have the permit posted prior to your contact, you will not be allowed to register for
the course. Waiting until after your window opens to have permits posted causes a delay that
could result in the class being filled or you being placed lower on the wait-list.
What is a permit?
Issuance of a permit allows you to register for course sections that are restricted and/or
closed. A permit may be issued for a specific section. A permit may also be issued for a
course, allowing the student to register for any section of the course in the term for which the
permit is issued.
OK, I now have a permit but what do I do with it?
Go to myBama. Under your Student tab, go to Banner Self Services channel, then Student
Services, then Registration, and then Registration Status (will display list of any permits
granted). Finally, click on Add/Drop Classes (add the CRN of the permitted class section). You
are now in the class.
Registration Windows:
What if I am busy when my window opens?
Schedule as soon as it is convenient after your window opens.
What if I miss my window opening?
If you miss the opening time of your window you should schedule as soon as possible. Once your
window opens, it remains open until the last day to add. Further delay may reduce your
opportunity to get your first choices. Others will be scheduling during the time you have
delayed and classes will gradually fill up.
Priority System:
What is the "priority system" and how does it work?
The priority system orders students by student category and earned hours. Window assignments
are based on a student's priority grouping, thus it is very important for students to register
during their window in order to retain their priority.
I'm an honors student. Will I get all my first choices?
There are no guarantees that students will get all their first choices, however, honors students
with special registration status will have the earliest windows, and thus, the best chance of
getting their first choices.
Does the priority system ever improve for me so I have a better chance of getting my first
choice of classes?
Yes. As your earned hours increase you will have a higher priority and an earlier registration
window.
Closed Section/Course:
What does the message Alternate PIN mean?
This means that your advisor has not cleared you for registration. Advising is mandatory for all
undergraduate students. After meeting with your advisor your hold will be removed.
What is a prerequisite?
A prerequisite is a course or test score that must be taken prior to another course in order to
be prepared for it. MyBama will block a student from registering for a course if the
prerequisite has not been completed. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the
department offering the course.
What is a link error?
Courses with a lecture and lab have to be submitted simultaneously. “LE” means the lecture is
missing and “LA” means that the lab is missing.
I just tried to schedule on the web and one or all my course selections were filled. What do
I do now?
Unfortunately, sometimes classes or sections of classes fill quickly. You have several options
(You may choose one or more of these):
 You may choose another section that fits into your schedule (being prepared with
an alternate section or two will save you some time searching while working online).
 You may select an alternate course (meeting with your advisor ahead of time will
provide a list of alternatives from which you can choose).
 You can wait-list yourself for the course.
My orientation session was near the end of the scheduling period. I had problems getting
the courses I wanted. Will it always be like this?
During summer term, the time when most new students go through orientation, the university
has formulated a plan to release seats in lower level courses on a gradual basis so students will
have more of an equal opportunity to get their desired schedule. Although there may not be
seats available for all classes or sections there should be a variety of courses available from
which to choose. University staff is available during orientation to assist students in course
selections/alternatives. The university does not want you to leave the campus without a fulltime schedule.
Wait-list:
I was on a wait-list last term. What happens now?
The wait-list is systematically worked until the end of May for Fall and November for Spring. It
is then suspended for the summer and activated again in the fall for spring registration.
Tuition Bill:
I am a student that receives financial aid. I was unable to register for a full time schedule
of classes during my session and my financial aid package requires me to be a full time
student. What should I do?
Continue to try to add classes. The financial aid and billing system will automatically reassess
fees and your financial aid eligibility for any student making a scheduling change resulting in a
difference in fee charges. If you need assistance finding a class that meets your needs, please
contact your academic advisor.
After I scheduled, my tuition bill showed I owe more money than I thought I should. My
financial aid is not appearing. Why?
Currently, the application of financial aid to student accounts occurs overnight. You will be
able to see what has been applied and your corrected total amount due the next day by
checking your statement of account on the Student Receiveables web site. We hope in the near
future to make this a real-time process so you will know right away what aid has been applied
and the total amount due.
Schedule Updates:
One of my friends just told me the class we have together has been moved. How did he
know that?
Your friend probably checked his/her schedule via the web. Or, he/she may have looked at the
online Schedule of Classes. Although we make every attempt not to make classroom changes,
sometimes it is necessary. Students are encouraged to check on their schedule prior to the
start of classes in order to be aware of any changes that may have occurred.
How do I add or drop a class?
 You may Add a class online through the 2nd Wednesday of the semester [fall & spring]. For
Interim, Summer I, & Summer II, it is the 1st Wednesday of the session.
 You may DROP a class online through the 11th Wednesday of the semester [fall & spring].
For Interim, Summer I, & Summer II, it is the 2nd Wednesday of the session.
 ALWAYS Refer to the ACADEMIC CALENDAR FOR THE LAST DAY TO ADD/DROP.
How many classes may I drop?
All but the last class. In order to drop the last class you must officially withdraw from the
university.
How do I withdraw from the university?
You may withdraw from UA by three methods.
1. You may withdraw from UA in person in the Office of Academic Records and University
Registrar, Room 206 Student Services.
2. You may mail a signed letter to the Office of Academic Records and University
Registrar, Box 870134, Tuscaloosa, AL, 34587.
3. You may fax a signed letter to the Office of Academic Records and University Registrar
at 205-348-8187.
For details regarding withdrawing from the university, if you are an undergraduates and need
more information, please click here { http://catalogs.ua.edu/undergraduate/10540.html]. For
graduate students, please click here { http://catalogs.ua.edu/graduate/12800.html}.
More Questions?
I'm still confused. Whom should I contact?
Questions about your specific schedule or your program of study should be referred to your
advisor in your college office.
For questions about:
 Registration, contact the Office of Academic Records & University Registrar at
(205) 348-4886 or e-mail Registrar@ua.edu.
 Student Financial Aid, contact Student Financial Aid at (205)348-6756 or e-mail
financialaid@ua.edu
 Fees/rates, contact Student Receivables at (205)348-5350 or by email at
Receivables@fa.ua.edu.