SLN FAQ's

Get fast answers to some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) about SLN online programs & services.

Technical Questions

What technology do I need?
Do I have to be an experienced Internet or computer user to take SLN courses?
Who will help me connect to the Internet or to the SLN?
What if I plan to use more than one computer to access my course?
What do I do if I can't access my course?
How do I clear web browser cache and cookies?
Do I need special software to take online classes?

Degree and Course Questions

Can I earn an SLN degree online?
Will I be able to transfer the course credits to my degree program?
Who is in charge of my SLN online course?
What courses are offered through the SUNY Learning Network?
How much time should I devote to my online course?
How often can I login and work in my online course?
Do I have to sign on at one particular time? Or place?
How much does an online course through SLN cost?
Can I get financial aid for courses offered through SLN?
How do I find out whether or not a specific course is still accepting students?
What if I want to add or drop an SLN course?
What if I delayed getting online and my login is not working?
How do I get my online course materials?

Questions about registering for an online course

How do I register for an online course?
Are there tasks I must complete before registering for an SLN online course?
I’m a matriculated student at a SUNY campus. How can I register for an SLN online course offered by another SUNY campus?

General and Technical Questions

What technology do I need?
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To take courses with an SLN partner campus, you should have access to a computer with a high speed, broadband or DSL internet connection. Dial-up connections are not recommended, due to the nature of downloading and viewing rich media. You should also be using an internet browser that is supported by the ANGEL Learning Management System or the LMS used by your campus.

Things to check before taking an online course at a SUNY Campus:

Firewalls and Internet Access

• If you will be using a computer connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) at your workplace, check with your employer's network administrator to determine whether there is a firewall on the Internet connection. A firewall may limit your ability to submit the type of forms the SLN web site uses. If you are using a computer lab on campus or at a library, the network may have a firewall or a block on users sending information to an external web site. Similar problems have been reported by students using a campus dial-up connection. Check with the campus technical support staff to make sure you have the appropriate Internet access and will be able to submit forms to an external web site.

ANGEL LMS Browser Compatability:

ANGEL is designed to support the widest variety of client-side operating systems and client-side browsers through its limited use of client-side technologies. While ANGEL products generally function well in many browsers, not all web browsers are formally supported by ANGEL.

To find out which browser version you should be using when working with ANGEL, please check the SLN Knowledge Base article on Browser Compatibility.

Due to current browser requirements, the use of mobile devices such as smartphones, e-readers, and tablets is not recommended.

Although you may be able to access the SLN web site and/or your courses using a computer system that does not meet the minimum requirements, you may encounter limitations to your participation in the SLN courses. For further assistance, please contact the SLN HelpDesk.

Do I have to be an experienced Internet or computer user to take SLN courses?
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Although you do not have to be an expert, you must have basic computer skills, such as word processing and some experience using the Internet. SLN recommends signing on with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) a few months before the semester begins in order to give you time to practice accessing the Internet. The SLN HelpDesk is available to answer your questions.

Who will help me connect to the Internet or to the SLN?
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If you are connecting with your own computer from your home, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) is responsible for helping you configure your computer system so that you can connect to the Internet. If you are using campus-based computers or internet connections, your campus should be able to assist you with connecting to the Internet. Libraries and public access computers have their own help service, and should be able to assist you with logging on and accessing your online course.

What if I plan to use more than one computer to access my course?
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Each computer you are planning to use needs to meet the minimum Technical Requirements.

What do I do if I can't access my course?
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If you experience any difficulties with getting access to your campus online course, sending assignments, or any other technical support issues, contact the SLN HelpDesk.

How do I clear web browser cache and cookies?
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To review details how to clear the temporary internet files or 'cache' and cookies from an SLN-supported web browser, please visit the SLN Services knowledgebase pag: How to Clear web browser cache and cookies.

Do I need special software to take online classes?
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The software that SLN campuses use for online learning varies from campus to campus. However, they all have one thing in common - online learning at SLN campuses is browser-based. This means that you access your course through your internet connection using a standard web browser. You may need to download the most compatible version of the browser for your campus system. The most important thing is that you have a good connection to the internet.

Some instructors require students to use special software related to their course. This information should be provided to you after you register.

Degree and Course Questions

for more details about online degrees at SUNY Campuses, please visit our online degree pages.

To find out more about courses, please visit the SLN online course catalog.

Can I earn an SLN degree online?
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The SUNY Learning Network is not a separate degree-granting institution. Students earn degrees from a SUNY campus, not SLN. There are a wide variety of degree programs at the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels. Students interested in pursuing a degree program should contact the SUNY campus offering that program. For a complete listing of degree programs offered by individual SUNY campuses through SLN, see the SLN Online Degrees section of our website. (Please note: The listing of online degree programs available at SUNY Campuses is subject to change).

Will I be able to transfer the course credits to my degree program?
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If you are currently enrolled in a degree program, please work with your home campus advisor to find out about any requirements regarding coursework for your degree. It is up to the student to make sure they understand the requirements of their degree program and the acceptability of online courses for the program. If a student wants to take an online course from a different campus, the student must work in advance with their home campus to make sure the credits are transferable.

Your home campus and/or the campus offering your online course is responsible for the following:

• Providing information on course content and how the course is managed by the professor.
• Advising you on registering for, adding, dropping, or withdrawing from courses.
• Advising you on the required courses for matriculation into a degree program.
• Determining the credit value of a course.
• Determining tuition and fees for courses.
• Determining the refund of charges if you withdraw from a course.
• Mailing course grades at the end of the semester.
• Issuing transcripts.
• Advising you on the transfer of course credit from one college to another.

Who is in charge of my SLN online course(s)?
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SLN Courses are created and managed by the SUNY campus and instructors offering the course. To take an online course at a SUNY campus, you'll need to follow the campus procedures for online courses. They may be the same as registering for on-campus courses, or they may have different requirements. Please contact your campus or the campus offering the course for more information about what is required to register or enroll for a course or degree program. You can find information about contacting your campus on the SLN Campus Contacts pages.

What courses are offered through the SUNY Learning Network?
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SUNY campuses offer hundreds of online courses, online degree and certificate programs. To see what courses are currently being offered by SUNY campuses, visit the SLN Online Course Catalog.

For online degree and certificate information, please view SLN's Online Degree Pages.

Please note that new courses and degree programs are being added on a regular basis, so make sure to bookmark the catalog and check back, or sign up for the SLN elist for updates when new courses and degrees are added. Please see the sign up form at left.

How much time should I devote to my online course?
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Typically, students should plan on 3-4 hours of work per week per credit hour. For a 3-credit course, you should set aside 9-12 hours per week. While course requirements vary, you should also plan on interacting in your course several times during the week. For a better understanding of how online courses work, visit the Demo Course.

How often can I login and work in my online course?
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SLN courses that are offered online, or that have an online component, are usually available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year. SLN SUNY campuses may have specific times and dates that courses may not be available, or have restricted access. In addition, a particular course at a specific campus may require that you log on at certain periods for certain activities. Like traditional on-campus classes, SLN courses have start and end dates according to the college's calendar. Your instructor will provide a course schedule for you to follow along with dates and deadlines for assignments. Please contact the campus providing your course for more detail.

Do I have to sign on at one particular time? Or place?
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The SUNY Learning Network system is always available. However, the exact requirements for any SUNY online course are set by the campus offering that course. You can arrange your schedule based on your own availability and the course expectations set by the professors. Courses are semester-based, which means that they have start and end dates. These dates are shown within the course listings in the SLN Course Catalog.

How much does an online course through SLN cost?
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Tuition costs vary depending on campus, course level, and residency status. For detailed information on tuition costs for the campuses participating in SLN, visit the SLN Tuition/ Financial Aid pages.

Can I get financial aid for courses offered through SLN?
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Different types of financial aid are available to online students, but they depend upon many factors. You may be able to receive financial aid, apply for grants and scholarships, or take tax deductions for your tuition and school costs, depending upon your personal situation. Some factors that affect your financial aid status are whether you are a full-time or part-time student, and whether you are studying for credit or non-credit.

For general information about financial aid options, please visit the SLN Financial Aid pages. Financial aid offerings vary from campus-to-campus, and if you are interested in a particular course or program, you need to contact the Financial Aid Office at the campus offering the course or program you are interested in. Financial aid offices for specific campuses can be found on our Campus Financial Aid Offices page.

How do I find out whether or not a specific course is still accepting students?
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Online courses are popular and fill up quickly. If you are concerned that the course you are interested in may have already filled up, the most up-to-date information can be found at the Registrar’s Office of the campus offering the course. For a list of registration contacts at the individual campuses, visit the SLN Campus Contacts page.

What if I want to add or drop an SLN course?
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All adds or drops are arranged and processed by the SUNY campus offering the course. Contact the registrar at the campus where you registered, to add or drop a course. Visit SLN Campus Contacts to find contact information for your campus.

What if I delayed getting online and my login is not working?
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SLN courses have start and end dates determined by the SUNY college offering the course. If you are having problems accessing your course, please contact your campus - you may find contact numbers and website addresses on our Campus Login Support page. For additional help, please contact the SLN HelpDesk.

How do I get my online course materials?
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Information about course materials is provided by the campus to the student. Please contact your instructor or your campus to find out about any books, supplies or course requirements. Information may also be listed in the course description in the SLN Course Catalog.

For more information about courses and course descriptions, visit the SLN Course Catalog.

Questions about registering for an online course

How do I register for an online course?
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You must officially register or enroll at the specific institution or college offering the course. The campus will then provide you with login and password information. Please see the SLN Getting Started pages for more detail on how to find and register for the course you want.

Are there tasks I must complete before registering for an SLN online course?
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SLN recommends that you have a working computer with Internet access prior to registering. Also make sure you have fulfilled any campus requirements for the campus that is offering your course. You may have to provide transcripts, documentation on residency, and identity information prior to registering. You must work with the campus offering the course or program you are taking to make sure you fulfill any requirements necessary.

I’m a matriculated student at a SUNY campus. How can I register for an SLN online course offered by another SUNY campus?
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If you are matriculated at one SUNY campus and are interested in registering for an SLN course offered by another SUNY campus, please be aware that you are responsible for the following:

• Transfer/Credit approval You must adhere to your home campus policy regarding transfer credit approval. You must seek academic advising as to transferability and degree requirements applicability, prior to enrollment in an online course at another campus.
• Informing the Student Accounts Office (Bursar) and the Registrar's Office You must inform both the Bursar and the Registrar at your home campus about the credits taken at another institution as part of your semester workload.
• Acquiring academic approval should your online course from another campus cause academic overload.
• Requesting transcripts of grades from the other campus to be sent to your home campus.

Please work with your campus and the campus offering the course you want to take, to determine if the course is transferable and fulfills your degree or program requirements.

Still have questions?

Check the Knowledge Base or contact the SLN HelpDesk.

The SUNY Learning Network program is administered by the Office of the Provost.

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