What is a Transient Student?
A transient student is a degree-seeking FGCU student who temporarily enrolls in a
course at another institution with the intention of transferring the credits back
to FGCU. This is most common during the summer term, when students may be away from
the Southwest Florida area and wish to take courses closer to home at another Florida
institution.
Before pursuing transient enrollment, students are strongly encouraged to meet with
their WCE academic advisor to discuss course options and ensure alignment with their
degree plan.
To enroll in a course at another institution, students must submit a Transient Student
Admission Application through FloridaShines. This application routes to: WCE Advising,
FGCU Office of Records and Registration, FGCU Financial Aid Office (if applicable),
and the host institution.
What Do I Need to Do?
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Meet with a WCE academic advisor
Discuss which transient courses are appropriate for your academic plan.
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Confirm course availability
Check that the selected courses are offered at the transient institution during your
desired term.
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Gather course details
Write down the course number, title, credit hours, and any prerequisites or co-requisites.
You’ll need this information to complete your Transient Student Admission Application.
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Submit your application through FloridaShines
Complete and submit the Transient Student Admission Application to begin the approval
process.
How Do I Complete the Transient Student Admission Application?
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Step 1: Confirm the course offering
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- Visit the website of the institution you plan to attend.
- Use their course schedule search to confirm the course is offered during your desired
term.
- Take note of the following details:
- Course number and title
- Credit hours
- Prerequisite or co-requisite requirements
You’ll need this information when completing your application.
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Step 2: Access the FloridaShines Transient Student Admission Application
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For courses offered in-person:
- Go to the FloridaShines website
- Navigate to the Succeed in College →Take a Course at Another School
- Read the instructions and click Apply or Check Application Status
- Select Florida Gulf Coast University and click Sign In
For courses offered online:
- Go to the FloridaShines website
- Navigate to Succeed in College → Learn Online
- Click Search Course Now to browse the online catalog
- After selecting your course, click Begin Application
- Choose Florida Gulf Coast University and click Continue
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Step 3: Complete the Application
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- Read the introduction and click Next
- From the drop-down, select College of Engineering
- Note: If you are advised by Exploratory Advising, select that instead. Choosing the
wrong advising office will result in your application being denied.
- Fill out the application with the required information
- Note: If you selected a course from the online catalog, course details should auto-fill.
- Click Send to submit your application. It will be routed to:
- WCE Advising
- FGCU Records & Registration
- FGCU Financial Aid (if applicable)
- The Host Institution
- Note: It may take up to 10 business days for your application to route through all
of these areas.
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Step 4: Track Your Application Status
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Log back into your FloridaShines application to check progress:
- Academic Advisor Authorization – read any comments
- Registrar Authorization – check for notes
- Financial Aid Authorization (if applicable)
- Host Institution Registrar Authorization
- Host Institution Admissions Authorization – complete any additional forms they request
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Step 5: Register for the Course
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Once approved by the Host Institution:
- Provide any additional documents they request (e.g., FGCU transcript)
- Register for the course at the host school
- Pay tuition to the host institution
- Note: If using financial aid, contact the FGCU Financial Aid Office for assistance
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Step 6: Transfer Credits Back to FGCU
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- Complete the course at the Host Institution
- Request that the Host Institution send an official transcript to FGCU
- Note: Most WCE programs require a grade of C or better
- Confirm with FGCU Admissions that your transcript has been received
- Review your Degree Works audit to ensure the course transferred correctly
- Contact WCE Advising if you have any questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I use a transient course for grade forgiveness if I previously failed the course
at FGCU?
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No. To be eligible for grade forgiveness, both the original and the repeated course
must be taken at FGCU. Courses taken at other institutions do not qualify for grade
forgiveness.
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How will the transient course affect my GPA?
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- Transient coursework is included in your Overall GPA, which may be used for financial
aid eligibility.
- It does not affect your FGCU GPA, which is used to determine:
- Academic standing
- President’s List or Dean’s List eligibility
- Latin honors
For questions about how this may impact your financial aid, please contact the FGCU Financial Aid Office.
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What if the prerequisites for the course are different at the transient institution?
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- Your transient request will only be approved if you meet FGCU’s prerequisites for
the course.
- If you do not meet FGCU’s prerequisites, you must complete them before taking the
course transiently.
- If the host institution requires additional prerequisites, it is up to that institution
to decide whether you can enroll.
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Why was my transient application denied even though the course has the same title
as the FGCU course?
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Course equivalency is not based on the course title. In most cases, equivalency is
determined by:
- The same course prefix and number (e.g., MAC 2311 at FGCU = MAC 2311 at another institution).
If equivalency cannot be determined, you may need to:
- Obtain a syllabus from the host institution.
- Submit it for review by the appropriate FGCU department chair.
- Be aware that this process takes additional time.
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I'm taking a prerequisite course transiently in the summer. How can I register for
the fall course at FGCU?
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- Contact your academic advisor to request a temporary prerequisite override.
- This will allow you to register for the fall course while completing the summer prerequisite.
- Important: You must send an official transcript from the host institution to FGCU
as soon as the course is complete.
- If FGCU does not receive verification before the fall term starts, you will be dropped from
the course.
