.png)
FastPass
Interested in teaching online? Interested in helping students budget their higher education experience? Look no further!
What Is FastPass?
Eastern University's FastPass program allows residential students to complete more courses more affordably.
Each year, students can take 2 courses in the summer completely tuition-free!
​
For more detailed information on FastPass, watch this video!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If a student only attends Eastern University in the spring (because, for instance, they transferred in), will they be eligible for FastPass?
​
A: A traditional undergraduate student who lives on campus for a full semester in either the fall or the spring earns three free credits of online summer coursework through FastPass. If they live on campus for both the fall and spring semesters, they earn six free credits of online summer coursework through FastPass.
Q: Does a student have to apply for FastPass?
​
A: No. If all requirements have been met, applicable discounts automatically go into effect when a student registers for their summer courses.
Q: Can a student take a course that is less than or more than three credits in the summer and still have it be eligible for FastPass? Can a student take two three-credit FastPass courses in the same summer semester?
​
A: Yes to both questions. Students can earn up to six free credits of online summer coursework. They can take all six credits in one summer semester or take four credits in one summer semester and two credits in the next. Only when their total summer online credit hours exceed six will they be charged additional tuition.
Q: What about summer courses at Eastern that are held on-ground or hybrid? Are they eligible for FastPass?
​
A: No. Only fully online undergraduate courses in Summer I and Summer II are eligible for FastPass.
Q: Is there an extra fee for a four-credit course like BIOL 105?
​
A: No. Since our faculty advisor training sessions, we’ve been able to work out the policy so that students can take up to six credits online in either of the summer semesters. Therefore, if a student takes a four-credit course in Summer I, they can also take a two-credit course in Summer II (if one exists) and still have all six credits paid for. However, if a student takes a four-credit course in Summer I and also wants to take a three-credit course in Summer II, they will need to pay for one of those credits, since the total credit number will be seven.
Q: If a student graduates in May but meets all other requirements for FastPass, can they still take up to six free undergraduate online credits the summer after they graduate, particularly if they need to finish a certification?
​
A: Yes, this is possible for a certification. However, if a student officially graduates, his or her record is closed and nothing can be added to it. The student can come back and take additional courses through FastPass, but those would not apply to a minor or additional major. If a student needs to finish a minor or a major, it would be better for them to delay their graduation date until after the summer semester is complete. In most cases, though, they would still be able to walk in May. (Contact the Office of the Registrar if more clarification is needed on this point.)
Q: What if a student is dismissed from the university? Are they still eligible for FastPass?
​
A: If a student is dismissed for academic reasons, they are eligible for FastPass the summer immediately after their dismissal. If a student is dismissed for non-academic reasons, they are not eligible for FastPass.
Q: If a student registers for 12 credits in the fall or spring but drops a class (i.e. before the add/drop deadline) and ends up with only 9 credits that semester, are they still eligible for FastPass in the summer?
​
A: No. They need to have at least 12 attempted credits each semester to be considered full-time. Dropping a course before the add/drop deadline means that they have only attempted 9 credits.
Q: If a student registers for 12 credits in the fall or spring but withdraws from one of their courses (i.e. after the add/drop period) or fails one of their courses and ends up with only 9 earned credits that semester, are they eligible for FastPass in the summer?
​
A: Yes. They may participate in FastPass because withdrawing from a course (after the add/drop period) or failing a class means that they have attempted 12 credits.
Q: Will BIOL 105 through FastPass count as a lab science to fulfill the natural sciences graduation requirement? And will students be able to complete the labs at home?
​
A: The answer to both questions is yes. BIOL 105 is a 4-credit lab science class that will be offered in a fully online format with no need for students to come to campus.
Q: Are directed studies and individualized instruction eligible for FastPass if they are held online?
​
A: No.
Q: Are internships eligible for FastPass?
​
A: No. They are not online courses and thus do not qualify.
Q: Are there any additional fees that students need to pay for FastPass courses?
​
A: Yes. There is a Student Service Fee. You can view the list of course fees on the Tuition and Fees portion of the Eastern website.
Q: What about commuters?
​
A: Traditional undergraduate commuter students who attended Eastern University full-time in fall or spring pay only $195 per credit for a summer online course and pay this rate for a maximum of two summer online courses. This is a discount of almost 50%.
Q: If a student studies abroad for a semester, does that make them ineligible for FastPass?
​
A: A study abroad student does not meet the eligibility criteria for FastPass during the semester in which they study abroad. However, they can earn three credits of FastPass for the semester that they do not study abroad.
Want more information on FastPass?
Check out Eastern's official FastPass webpage!
OR
Ask our team a question at brightspace@eastern.edu!