FAQ - Office of the Registrar

How do I order an official transcript?

How do I view an unofficial transcript?

How do I obtain an Enrollment/Degree Verification?

How do I locate course offerings by term?

I would like to register, but I have a hold on my account. Who should I contact?

Students who have hold alerts are asked to contact the office where the hold originated:

I am trying to register and it says "unable to register at this time."

  • SUNY Old Westbury has timed (hourly) registration periods throughout the day. Please review the academic calendar for relevant dates.
  • If you are trying to register prior to your academic class, you will not be able to do so as registration is determined by the number of credits earned to date, not a student's projected number of credits (what you are enrolled in this term).
  • Students are encouraged to review the academic transcript (See Unofficial Transcript instructions) on the Connect OW Portal.

I'm getting a "Chair's Approval," or "Instructor Approval," message. Who do I contact?

  • Please contact the sponsoring department chairperson and/or instructor for approval. For a list of department contacts, please see Schools and Departments.

I am unable to register. It says "Field of Study Restriction" error message. Who do I contact?

  • The course you selected is reserved for specialized majors. Please contact the department chair for review and approval. For a list of department contacts, please see Schools and Departments.

I received a "Pre-Requisite error" message, but I am completing the pre-requisite this semester. Who do I contact?

  • The system looks for completed coursework (with letter grades). Please contact the sponsoring department chairperson for review. If approved, they will contact our office to process the request on your behalf. For a list of department contacts, please see Schools and Departments.

I want to register for a science course and it won't let me add the class. What do I do?

  • Science courses often require a lecture and lab, or a "co-requisite" course. Please make certain to include both in you registration request.

How do I over tally into a closed course?

My account is "disabled" on Banner Self-Service. What do I do?

*Please note, some accounts require other technical assistance. If so, you will be directed to the Service Desk and asked to complete the following online form: Service Request

I am a former student and I would like to take classes at SUNY Old Westbury. What do I do?

  • Please review the Readmission process via the Admissions office.

I have been away from OW and would like to come back and resume classes. What is my next step? 

  • Please review the Readmission process via the Admissions office.

How do I locate my semester grades?

What is Academic Probation, Suspension and Dismissal?

  • Academic probation applies to students who fail for the first time to meet the minimum GPA requirements in a given semester. Students must maintain a minimum semester and cumulative grade point averages of at least 2.00 to remain in good academic standing 
  • Academic Suspension applies to student who have attempted a minimum of 32 credits and if already on Academic Probation and fail to meet the minimum semester and cumulative GPA requirements.
  • Academic Dismissal applies automatically to those student who were previously suspended, have returned, and again fail to meet the minimum semester and cumulative GPA requirements.

For further information on Academic Probation, Suspension and Dismissal, please refer to the Undergraduate Catalog and meet with your academic advisor.

How do I find my academic advisor?

*If you don’t find an advisor assigned to you in Navigate, please contact: advising@oldwestbury.edu.

*For academic advisement, please schedule an appointment with an advisor in your department of major: https://www.oldwestbury.edu/programs-courses/our-schools 

How do I locate my Degree Evaluation/Audit?

*Questions regarding Degree Works (DGW) may be directed to the Degree Audit Manager in the Office of the Registrar via E-mail: GRADAPP@OLDWESTBURY.EDU.

How do I locate my grades?

  • Log on to the Connect OW Portal
  • Under "Banner" Card > Click "Banner SSB" icon
  • Under "Student Records" heading, click on "View Grades" link

When and where will my final grade post?

  • Semester grades are available online only. Instructors are asked to submit grades on Connect OW Portal. All grades traditionally post seven to ten days after the semester ends. Login to Connect OW Portal to view grades, or the unofficial transcript.

How do I get my diploma?

  • Diplomas are mailed to graduates approximately three to four months after the final degree audit. This traditionally begins mid-August/September for Spring (May) graduates and mid-October/November for Summer (August) graduates. For Fall (December) and Winter (January) graduates, mailings begin at the end of March/April. For diploma mailing questions or concerns, please contact Mr. William Polaski, Degree Audit Manager at gradapp@oldwestbury.edu.

What is the academic class level?

The following designations specify a student's academic class level:

Academic Class Level
Upper Division:

Seniors: 88 or more credits

Juniors: 57-87 credits

Lower Division:

Sophomores: 32-56 credits

First-Year: 0-31 credits

Additional information can also be located on page 47, of the undergraduate catalog.

What is the Academic Course Level?

The academic course level coding at the University is as follows:

Academic Course Level
Upper Division: 3000, 4000, 5000
Lower Division: 1000, 2000

The term, "courses above the introductory and survey level," refers to 3000, 4000 and 5000-level courses.

Additional information can also be located on page 47, of the undergraduate  catalog.

What is the "Over Sixty" Program?

  • The Over Sixty Program (Senior Auditor) permits persons 60 years of age and over to observe (audit) courses on a space-available, instructor permission basis without the payment of tuition. Please note: Senior Auditors are responsible for lab fees. Participating observers will not receive academic credit for courses attended. Course observers/auditors with a campus ID card are permitted the use the Library and the Clark Center (gym).  

How does one enroll in the "Over Sixty" (OSP) Program?

  • Complete a “Senior Auditor” application with the Office of Enrollment Services (Admissions): enroll@oldwestbury.edu. When the application has been processed, it will be returned to you for instructor approval.
  • Browse courses by visiting Class Schedule and choose the relevant term from the pull-down menu.
  • On the first day of the semester, request permission of the instructor of the course you would like to audit. If the instructor approves, s/he may sign the application.
  • Submit the completed application to the Office of the Registrar: owregistrar@oldwestbury.edu , where the course to be audited will be added to your record with the registration status of "AU."
  • After the course to be audited is recorded, an auditor may request an ID card and complete required vehicle registration. *Auditors can complete vehicle registration on the OW portal. The cost is $16.00 for the first vehicle and $8.00 for each additional vehicle.  Failure to register vehicle/s will result in ticketing and possible towing at the owner’s expense. Veterans are asked to contact Ms. Randi Harris at harrisr@oldwestbury.edu

How do I apply for an Independent Study?

  • To apply for Independent Study, the student must complete a contract with a faculty mentor. The online form is available at the faculty home page at Connect OW Portal.  Upon submission by the faculty mentor, the form will be electronically forwarded for the approval of the department chair and appropriate Dean.  The contract must be approved and the student officially registered for the independent study before the end of the ADD/DROP period.

*Please note that under University policy, student must meet the following criteria to be eligible for Independent Study: have earned 30 or more credits; have satisfied master in reading and writing skills; be in good academic standing; and have a prior record that indicates capability to do independent work. Students are limited to enrolling in a maximum of two independent studies during any one semester and may apply no more than 16 independent study credits toward the 120-credit minimum required for graduation.

What are the requirements from an Independent Study?

Please note that under University policy, students must meet the following criteria to be eligible for Independent Study:

  • have earned 30 or more credits; have satisfied mastery in reading and writing skills
  • be in good academic standing; and have a prior record that indicates capability to do independent work. 
  • Students are limited to enrolling in a maximum of two independent studies during any one semester and may apply no more than 16 independent study credits toward the 120-credit minimum required for graduation. 

*For questions, please contact an academic advisor in your department of major for academic guidance. 

How do I locate General Schedule information?

  • For changes in class, times or rooms, access Connect OW Portal (student information). Course offerings are subject to change.  When it is not possible to offer additional sections of a course, the absolute limit will be determined by classroom size.  Note: A course may be dropped if fewer than twenty students enroll.  Students may then select an alternative. Students should contact the department of major for academic guidance. 

How do I select the Credit/No Credit Option?

  • If you wish to take a course on a credit/no credit basis, you must complete the “Request for Credit/No Credit” form, which may be found at Connect OW Portal. Under "Registrar Forms" Card, click on "Request for Credit/No Credit Form". The deadline for submission and approval by the seventh week of the semester.  If this procedure is not followed, a grade of credit or no credit will not be allowed at final grading.  If this application is submitted by the date specified, the course must be graded as credit/no credit.  A request for a letter grade (A-F) will not be accepted.  A grade of CR/NC has no effect on the grade point average. Once approved, the Cr/NC contract cannot be cancelled. Specific restrictions on the credit/no credit option vary by department major. Students should consult with an academic advisor in the department of major for academic guidance.