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Frequenty Asked Questions:
1) How can I find out more about HECUA and its Twin Cities programs?
2) How can I apply for the MUST, City Arts, or the ES semester?
3) When are the application deadlines?
4) What are the application requirements, and what do I include in the application?
5) What’s so special about a semester doing a HECUA program?
6) What other programs does HECUA offer?
7) How does a semester in HECUA fit in with the rest of my studies? Can I get major or minor credit?
8) What will my HECUA credits look like on my transcript?
9) I haven't declared a major yet, can I still apply?
10) This sounds great! But how much is tuition?
11) I love the program, but I’m not sure I can pay. Does my financial aid apply? What scholarships are available?
12) Will I still get to use U of M student services as a HECUA student?
13) What about health insurance?
14) Can I work while on a HECUA program?
15) Can I take other classes while on a HECUA program?
16) How do I register for HECUA? What if I am already registered for other classes?
17) What about the residency requirement?
18) How do internships work? How do I choose one? Will I get paid?
19) Where are classes held? When are class times?
20) How big are the classes?
21) I've turned in my application, now what do I do?
22) I need to withdraw! What do I do?
23) I still have questions! Who can I talk to?
1) How can I find out more about HECUA and its Twin Cities programs?
Contact a HECUA advisor! Find contact information for each program on the HECUA Advisors page. You can also stop by the Career and Community Learning Center in 345 Fraser Hall and a HECUA advisor should be available to speak with you. You
can also check out HECUA’s Web site.
2) How can I apply for a HECUA program (City Arts, ES, MUST, or Writing for Social Change)?
Get in touch with one of the program advisors to discuss the application process. They will help you through the application process and answer any questions you have. Applications can
also be found online on the HECUA site, but they must ultimately be submitted through David Holliday (612-624-6385 or dholliday@class.cla.umn.edu) in the Career and Community Learning Center's 345 Fraser Hall office.
3) When are the application deadlines?
Early applications are encouraged as the programs may fill before the deadline. Applications are due December 1st for Spring programs and April 15th for Fall
programs. Late applications may be accepted with a $400 deposit.
4) What are the application requirements? What must be included in the application?
Students are must have completed their first year of college and have a minimum GPA of 2.0. You must hand in your application to a HECUA campus representative. The
application needs to an official transcript, an academic reference, a check for $50 made out to HECUA, and your answers to the application’s essay questions. You
also need the signatures of your academic advisor and the signature of the HECUA representative.
5) What’s so special about a semester doing a HECUA program?
YOU are at the center of HECUA programs. HECUA strives to empower students by equipping them with knowledge, practical skills, commitment, courage and hope! Many
students complete our programs with the leadership, confidence and determination it takes to engage society and make a better world.
Plus, HECUA programs offer the unique opportunity to do a community-based internship while having that internship fully integrated into the rest of your coursework.
And you get to take an active part in your learning while in a small class with students from different universities and colleges.
6) What other programs does HECUA offer?
HECUA offers several study abroad and short-term programs, including programs in Norway, Northern Ireland, Ecuador, and Bangladesh. Check out www.hecua.org to learn
more about these and other programs.
7) How does a semester in HECUA fit in with the rest of my studies? Can I get major or minor
credit?
Our goal is for your HECUA credits to be applied in the way most helpful for you. As part of the application process you meet with you advisor to figure out how
your credits can be applied toward your major or minor. We are happy to get in touch your advisor to make sure the credits are applied how you want them. And if you
change your mind about how you want the credits, well that’s no problem. The credits are in the Interdisciplinary department and can be retroactively applied
however you and your advisor work it out.
8) What will my HECUA credits look like on my transcript?
Depending on which course you take you will be registered for 3 or 4 courses. Your official transcript and APAS report will reflect the course title, semester, and
grades in the same way that your U of M courses appear. The only difference is that your internship site will be printed on your transcript under "Internship
Seminar".
9) I haven't declared a major yet, can I still apply?
Yes! The only requirement for application is that you have completed your freshman year of college, and that you have an interest in the program and a desire to
learn! If you change your mind about how you want the credits applied, it’s no problem. The credits can be changed retroactively.
10) This sounds great! But how much is tuition?
This year the total cost of the application and tuition is $7,650. A check of $50 made out to HECUA is due when you turn in your application. Upon acceptance to the program, you must submit a deposit of $400 to HECUA. You will also be charged a $200 U of M administrative fee (on your student account). That fee is due at the end of the next billing cycle. Tuition itself is $7,000 and will be billed to your U of M student account.
11) I love the program, but I’m not sure I can pay. Does my financial aid apply? What scholarships are
available?
While we cannot guarantee that any of your financial aid or scholarships will transfer to the program, it is very likely that they will be applicable. If you have
student aid you should get in touch with Cathy Saari in the One Stop Office:
Cathy Saari
Student Finance Counselor
Off-Campus Studies Liaison
Office of Student Finance
210 Fraser Hall
ph: 612-624-8555 Office
fx: 612-624-9584
There are also a few scholarships that are available. HECUA offers several $500 scholarships for students and a new $1500 Scholarship for Social Justice for
underrepresented students. The CLA also offers $1200 grants for internships that many HECUA students have received. You can also visit your academic advisor early
in the application process and talk about scholarship availability through your college, major, or program. Researching these options takes time, but is worth the
effort as many options for scholarships are available to students.
12) Will I still get to use U of M student services as a HECUA student?
Because you are a HECUA student in an "off-campus" program, you will have to request to pay the student services fees. The fee entitles you to use of the campus
recreation centers, student cultural centers, free movies and events on campus, and use of free services at Boynton Health Services. The fee costs about $300. To
learn more about what the student services fee covers, check out the Tuition Information site.
To pay the fee in order to use the student services, go to the Onestop website and search for "forms online". Under the heading, "Managing Your Student Account"
click on the "Student Services Fee Assessment Waiver". Print, fill out and send in this form to be eligible to use student services.
13) What about health insurance?
Just like a regular U of M semester, you are required to have health insurance. HECUA will ask for verification that you have insurance. It is possible to use U of
M health insurance during the HECUA program. Go to the Onestop website, click on Hospitalization Insurance under the Quick Links sidebar, login and request the U of
M Student Health Benefits Plan.
14) Can I work while on a HECUA program?
While some students have found working possible, others have concluded it is too much of a time commitment. It is up to you once you get a feel for the semester
whether or not you can work. In order to fulfill your HECUA program requirements, you will need to complete 200 hours at your internship site. Along with this time
commitment you are also required to attend when your class meets.
15) Can I take other classes while on a HECUA program?
While it is possible, we do not recommend taking other classes. HECUA is meant to be a fully integrated experience, which means that your internship and all of your
coursework is combined into one giant class. Taking other courses can hurt this experience. Plus, all evidence has suggested that it is NOT practical to take any
other courses while participating in a HECUA semester. There will be an extra cost!
If you must take a course to fulfill a graduation requirement, you will be charged the extra fee per credit to take the course. As soon as you are accepted into
your HECUA semester, you must get a petition filled out to pay for your extra class.
First, visit your college/major advisor and explain your credit situation. Together you will have to fill out a form called the "Request for a Reduced Credit Load"
on the Onestop website. Go to the "forms online" link on the Onestop homepage. You should see a section titled "Registering for Classes". The form you are looking
for will be in this section. The cost per credit for a U of M class is $229.31 for MN residents and those with reciprocity. For WI students the cost is $204.40 per
credit. Anticipate this extra cost!
16) How do I register for HECUA? What if I am already registered for other classes?
After you apply, and before you're accepted, you should register for a regular semester of classes just like you normally would. That way if you're not accepted into the HECUA program, you can still take classes!
After acceptance, the HECUA advisors will register you for your HECUA semester. Depending on the program, you will be signed up for 3 courses (for MUST, City Arts, and Writing for Social Change) or 4 courses (Environmental Sustainability). Once you've been accepted into the program and have paid your deposit, you should drop all other courses. After we have enrolled
you, you will receive an e-mail confirming your registration. Check your U of M enrollment summary to ensure it reflects this change.
17) What about the residency requirement?
The U of M requires that students complete at least 15 of their last 30 credits before graduation on campus. HECUA’s domestic programs are considered to be
residency programs, so students are still considered U of M students thereby fulfilling the residency requirement!
18) How do internships work? How do I choose one? Will I get paid?
Your internship will be a major part of your participation in your HECUA program. 8 of the 16 credits earned by taking a HECUA course are based on your internship
and related work. HECUA partners with more than 80 community organizations to provide some of the best internships available. These internships are not just
making coffee and copies! You might help the organization provide direct service, you might conduct research for your organization, or you might even develop a
project for your organization. Example internships can be found on HECUA’s website: www.hecua.org or you can ask your HECUA campus representative about past
internships.
As part of the application process you will answer essay questions that will help us partner you with a community organization. After acceptance into your HECUA
program, you will meet with our internship coordinator, Emily Seru. She will help you decide on internships that interest you. From there it is your responsibility
to set up interviews and create cover letters and resumes for your potential internship supervisors. Once the interviews are complete, you will choose an internship
site, set up your work schedule (usually Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 9 and 5) and a learning agreement contract.
The total hours spent at your internship site must be at least 200 hours. Although some internship sites do provide stipends, these are few and far between so
please plan your semester accordingly as these most likely will not be paid hours.
19) Where are classes held? When are class times?
Each HECUA semester program meets in a different location in the Twin Cities area. All course locations are on the Metro Transit bus lines. You can also start a
carpool group with your classmates. Most class locations have housing located within walking or biking distance. For internship transportation, talk to your advisor
or your internship coordinator.
The days your classes meet is dependent on the program you take. Classes meet from 9:00 to 3:30 two days a week. Once you have been accepted to the program, you
will receive a packet of information and your class location and schedule will be indicated. You can also contact your HECUA campus representative to find out where
and when classes generally meet.
20) How big are the classes?
Enrollment is capped at 20 students, so you are guaranteed a learning environment where you get to know your fellow students and your instructors. Because of this
small class size, you are also expected to take a more active part in the classroom.
21) I've turned in my application, now what do I do?
Within a few weeks you should receive a letter back from HECUA telling you if you have been accepted. If you’ve applied well before the application deadline, don’t
worry if the letter doesn’t arrive right away. It WILL arrive. To confirm your participation in the program, you will send in a $400 deposit. Remember, this is
non-refundable, so if you have doubts or concerns about participation at this point, please check with us, or staff at HECUA to address your concerns. There is a
deposit deferment available, and this information will be given to you at the time of acceptance. Once HECUA receives your $400 deposit, they will send you
another letter confirming this. In a few more weeks you will receive a packet of information about your program, and the process to choose an internship site will
begin.
22) I need to withdraw! What do I do?
If you need to withdraw from a HECUA program, it is important that you meet with David Holliday (612-624-6385 or dholliday@class.cla.umn.edu) as soon as possible.
He is the Off-Campus Study Coordinator at the Career and Community Learning Center in 345 Fraser Hall.
23) I still have questions! Who can I talk to?
Get in touch with us! Stop by the Career and Community Learning Center in 345 Fraser Hall and a HECUA representative should be available to
speak with you. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8 to 4:30. See our HECUA advisors page for more contact info.
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