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FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a new member?
What if I forgot my username and password? 
How do I register for a class/special event?
How do I find courses?
What if my address or email changes?
When can I sign up?
How will I know if I get into a class?
Can a class be cancelled because of low enrollment?
Can I receive a refund of my membership fee?
What if I want to add a course?
How do I drop a course?
When I try to register, the course search won't work
After I register, I do not receive an email listing my requested classes. How do I get this information?
What should I consider in setting priorities for my requested classes?



How do I become a new member?
Click "Home" on the lefhand toolbar on the Member Portal.  Click the box that says "Join OLLI/Sign In." You will see another box that prompts you to "Join OLLI."  Click the box and you will see your membership options.  Choose a full year membership option (renewal or the new promotional rate-one time only for Fall 2020), or an introductory membership for the current term (one time only).  Then fill out the 3 member profile pages and click "Submit" at the bottom of each page. Complete your payment information and “Check Out” to make payment. You are now a member and can register for classes!
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What if I forgot my username and password?
Log into the Member Portal and click "My Profile" on the lefthand toolbar. You will be able to view your username on this page.  You will need to edit your password as you cannot view it once it is set. Remember to click "submit" at the bottom of the page to save any changes. OR contact the OLLI registrar for assistance: ollireg@gmu.edu.  
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How do I register for a class/special event?
1) When you find and pull up a class/special event you are interested in, use the "Request Class" button. Continue doing this for all classes/special events you wish to take. When you request your last class, click on prioritize in the pop up box. It is very important that you prioritize your classes so that you have an equal chance of getting into them as other registrants.  Make sure to click on “Confirm Priorities” when done.  If you forget to prioritize, you can select PRIORITIZE-FINALIZE on the left hand menu. You will prioritize your classes and special events separately. 
 
2) Some special events, trips, and socials are designated as “Add to Cart.”  These are registered on a first come/first served basis, so during the priority registration period, you must register for these early if there is a special event that you really wish to be enrolled in.  Popular trips get filled fast!  Look for the cart icon in the catalog.  When you’ve finished selecting Add to Cart items, please remember to “Check Out” and make payment as needed. You will now be immediately enrolled in these selections and will receive an email confirmation.
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How do I find courses?
You can search for classes two ways: 1) click "All Classes" on the lefthand toolbar to view classes by campus and topic OR 2) search for a class you have already identified in the search box at the top right of the Member Portal.

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What if my address or email changes?
After signing in, click on "My Profile"on the left menu bar. You may then edit the fields. When you are finished, you must click "Submit" at the bottom of each page you have edited.  If you need assistance, contact the registrar at ollireg@gmu.edu.
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When can I sign up?
Priority registration begins at 9am on the date shown on the back of the catalog. Requesting classes during this period offers registrants the best chance to gain access to classes they most desire.  Once priority registration closes, members can sign up for classes on a space available basis.  You can register for a class up until the last day the class meets. 
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How will I know if I get into a class?
Once you have registered, you will receive an email listing your requested classes.  After the lottery is run, you will receive a "confirmation" email (or letter if you do not have email) notifying you of classes in which you were successfully enrolled or waitlisted.  To check your schedule anytime after the lottery is run, click "Current Enrollments" on the left hand menu bar. If you register by mail, you will receive an email confirmation after we process your registration. 
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Can a class be cancelled because of low enrollment?
If we have to cancel a class due to low enrollment, we will notify you by email as soon as possible before the class is scheduled to begin. 
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Can I receive a refund of my membership fee?
Members may obtain a full refund of their annual dues if they apply in writing to the executive director before the beginning of the third week of classes of the first term of the year of enrollment or re-enrollment
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What if I want to add a course?
a) Before the Lottery Runs:  Using your username and password, "Sign in" to the online registration system.  Search for the course.  Request classes or add an event to your cart.  If the priority registration period hasn't closed yet, please remember to prioritize your requested classes.  

b) After the Lottery Runs:  Using your username and password, "Sign in" to the online registration system. Search for the course. It will display with either “Add To Cart” or “Waiting List.”  If you click on “Add To Cart,” you will receive a confirmation email. If you click on “Waiting List,” you will be notified by email when a seat becomes available.
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How do I drop a course?
If you wish to drop any classes, please email the office at: ollireg@gmu.edu or call 703-503-3384.  By formally dropping a class through the office, another member may be admitted from the waiting list. In order to better serve our members, you are encouraged to notify the office of a change. Please consider carefully before signing up for courses and events with fees because, if you drop them, OLLI cannot guarantee a refund.  
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When I try to register, the course search won't work
If your membership is expiring, you must renew before you register. To renew, click "Membership Information" on the lefthand toolbar. Then click the "Purchase New Membership" button. Click the radial button to select the desired membership and then click "Submit." On the next screen review the information to make sure it is correct. 
Then click "Checkout:" 
                   

Then enter your payment information and click "Process Payment." You will get a message that your membership has been successfully purchased. You can now go to  "All Classes" on the left hand toolbar and search for classes. You can watch this video of the renewal process.

If you still cannot see the courses, your payment may be "queued", and your credit card payment may be pending.  Please contact the Finance Associate at knash2@gmu.edu for help with this issue.  


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After I register, I do not receive an email listing my requested classes. How do I get this information?
Usually the reason for this is that you only registered for one class or you have forgotten to prioritize your classes before you logged off.  The way to see your class listings is to sign into the member portal. On the left hand toolbar, you can either click “Prioritize/Finalize" or click “Current Enrollments” and then click the “Requested Class/ Special Event” link at the top of the page. Either way, you will see your requested classes and the priorities you assigned.
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What should I consider in setting priorities for my requesed classes?
Your chances of getting into a class are affected by the number of members requesting the class, the size of room and instructor limitations on class size.  Very popular classes, for example, will fill up with those who selected priority one or two for the class. Therefore in addition to your personal preference for classes, you should thnk about how likely the class is to fill up in deciding how to prioritize  your selections.
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