It’s that time of the semester again when our inboxes light up with the notorious “Action Required/Eligibility” emails.
Before considering them the bane of your digital existence, let’s unravel the purpose behind those State Authorization emails and address your burning questions.
What is State Authorization, Anyway?
So, online classes—pretty awesome, right? But here’s the deal: when you’re globetrotting through the digital realm for classes, the university needs to keep things above board.
Think of it this way–when you take your in-person business course at the Voice of America Center, we know you are within the state of Ohio, so we know we must comply with Ohio regulations. However, when you take that same business class online, you might be logging in from Kentucky, Florida, or anywhere else across the country. To ensure the university complies with the regulations of that particular state, we need to know where you are.
As a heads up, state authorization is often confused with state residency–remember, these two things are different.
Your state residency is determined by many guidelines and rules surrounding what state you currently live or have lived in, as well as what financial ties you may have to other states or places. This determines whether you pay in-state or out-of-state tuition.
State authorization checks whether Miami is eligible to offer online courses in the state in which you’re located–it has no bearing on your tuition costs. Learn more about state residency at Miami.
Why Am I in the Email Loop? I’m not even enrolled in an online class!
Hold tight! The email barrage targets anyone enrolled in an online or hybrid course. Curious about which courses are sparking this buzz? Dive into the form—the courses that are causing you to get this email will be listed.
Decoding the State Authorization Form
Ready to tackle the form? Fear not; it’s a breeze. Log in, pick your primary physical location during the course (the state that serves as your main study hub), and there you have it! Most students can complete it in just a few minutes. And remember, you just need to include the state you will primarily be in during your course–no need to update for that brief escape to visit Aunt Betty in North Carolina. Simple, right?
Form FOMO: How Often Do I Need to Handle This?
Every time you embark on an online or hybrid course, this form craves a bit of attention. You will receive this email every semester that you are enrolled in an online or hybrid course.
Consequences of Ignoring the Form
Skipping the form is a no-go. Confirming your virtual whereabouts is key to Miami’s continued online course prowess across state borders. Just a heads-up: brushing it off might lead to you finding yourself locked out of Canvas and other Miami resources.
Does Form Completion Spark Fireworks?
Most likely, no fireworks. Most students breeze through without a hitch. If there is an issue (i.e., if Miami is not authorized to offer your online program in your primary study state), Miami will reach out to you.
So, there you have it–the lowdown on those State Authorization emails. Need more info or want to check if your program’s conquering the entire U.S.? Head over to the State Authorization Page.
Questions or just want to chat? Contact us at ecampus@MiamiOH.edu.
Miami University Regionals E-Campus thanks and acknowledges Erica Noll Crawford, Interim Regional E-Campus Director, for the content of this blog post.
