FAQ
Who can take classes?
Staff, board members or volunteers of nonprofit organizations, or anyone considering a career change to the nonprofit sector can take these classes.
What are the benefits of Nonprofit Learning Point classes?
Students receive the latest information on critical issues in the nonprofit sector from instructors who are experts in their field. In addition to the formal instruction, students benefit from the networking opportunities that abound in NLP classes. Each completed course earns 1 VCU academic credit and 10 CFRE hours.
Does Nonprofit Learning Point have a refund policy?
Nonprofit Learning Point no longer offers refunds unless a class is cancelled. If you are unable to attend a class, someone from your organization is welcome to take your seat if you notify the office at least 48 hours before the class starts. We do not offer credits in exchange for a refund.
Do I need to apply to VCU as a student to take these courses?
Nonprofit Learning Point classes are specifically for community members who are serving the nonprofit sector. The only application you need to fill out is our registration form.
Why do you need my Social Security number and home information?
Nonprofit Learning Point is an academic (for-credit) program at VCU. If this is your first time taking an NLP course, your Social Security number is preferred as your student ID number, and your home contact information is needed for your student record. However, if you have already taken courses with NLP, please email us to obtain your V#. You can use your V# instead of your SSN on our registration form and to log into VCU’s database to check your transcript. Additionally, having your home phone number provides another way for program staff to reach you if a class is cancelled or changed at the last minute. All student data is secured and not made available to other entities.
What is a V#?
Your V# is a unique student identifier that can be obtained by sending a request through email to nonprofit@vcu.edu.
How can I check my VCU transcript?
First obtain your V# from the NLP office.
Go to the VCU webpage (www.vcu.edu), the lower left corner of the screen you will see the login for your “My VCU” portal. As this is your first time logging in, please click on the “Login Help?” link.
Underneath the “Help Logging In” section on the page, click on “What is my eID?”
Once you have done so and the new page appears, enter your V# and Birthday then click “Find”. You will be asked to create a password and security questions.
Once you have completed that, go to the main VCU webpage (www.vcu.edu) and log into the “My VCU” portal to activate your account.
Once in your “My VCU” portal you will be able to access your transcript through eServices by selecting the blue eServices tab then clicking the blue eServices button.
If you have difficulty setting up your “My VCU” Portal, please contact the Help Desk at 804.828.2227.
How do I drop a class?
If you find that you cannot attend a class for which you have preregistered, please contact the program office by phone immediately (827-0246). Although we do not offer refunds, this allows the office to offer your space to another student interested in the course.
Do academic credits from Nonprofit Learning Point apply to other degree programs?
It is up to the school or department in which you are pursuing a degree to decide if they will count the credits toward your degree. Contact your adviser to see if the credits will transfer.
How can I receive a passing grade on my VCU transcript?
Please note our new grading system
Goals for NLP Grading System:
1. a system which allows students who are not academically oriented to participate without negative consequences (e.g. an “F” on their record)
2. maintain academic integrity of courses and the certificate
3. transferability of credits for those who wish
4. consistent policies and practices across instructors
5. meet needs of our stakeholders
Therefore we have a revised grade system based on attendance and participation (70%), as well as a homework assignment (30%). Students will be assigned a letter grade based on their performance in both of these categories. Scenarios would work like this:
· The student registers but does not attend the class – administratively dropped
· The student attends less than the full two days – administratively withdrawn
· The student attends both full days and participates, but does not complete an assignment – can earn a maximum of a C but the instructor can assign C, D, or F based on students participation. The majority of students who participate well and exhibit appropriate classroom behavior with likely receive a C.
· The student attends both full days and submits an assignment – the student is eligible for an A or B. They can earn a maximum of A but the professor can assign A, B, C, D, or F based on students’ participation and quality of assignment. The majority of students completing the assignment will likely receive an A or B.
· The only grades eligible towards the certificate is an A or B
Will class be held in the case of inclement weather?
If VCU is closed because of inclement weather, our classes will not meet. If VCU is operating on a delayed schedule, our classes will meet but will adhere to the delayed schedule. You can watch or listen to local news sources for information about cancellations and delays.
The VCU inclement weather number is (804) 828-6736, or you can check the Internet at www.vcu.edu/alert. We are unable to issue refunds if you decide not to attend a class because of inclement weather or illness.
How do I get my grades?
Grades will be communicated to you directly from your instructor. Grades are turned into the office at the end of an academic semester. Once received, the office processes them in VCU’s system. Transcripts will reflect the most updated information approximately one month after the end of the semester.
What if I turned in a hard copy assignment and I want it returned after being graded?
Assignments that aren’t returned by the instructor via e-mail will be made available at the office at the end of the semester if the instructor turns them in to the office. Please call the office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. to arrange a time to pick them up.
