Web Help Information & FAQs

CSU X-Press General Information

• User ID
• Personal Access Code
• Log In Error Messages
• Browser Information
• System Availability

Web Services and Student Information

• Course Schedule Bulletin
• CSU Catalog Online
• Financial Aid Information
• Student Information
• Holds
• Student Contact
• Grades
• Transcripts 
• Account Summary

Web Registration Information and Instructions

• Registration Advising PIN (RAP)
• Registration Instructions
• Registration Error Message

Frequently Asked Questions

• What do I do if I forget my Personal Access Code (PAC)?
• What do I do if I forget my Registration Advising PIN (RAP)?
• Who has access to web services through CSU X-Press?
• Who has access to Web Registration?
• How do I access web services for students?
• How do I add, drop or withdraw from a class?
• I forgot to drop my class, won't the instructor do that for me?
• My class was canceled after I registered, what happened?
• How do I pay for classes when I register through CSU X-Press?

CSU X-Press via Cougar Connect General Information

•  Secure Access Login: Your CSU email username and password.

Personal Access Code (PAC)

• The Personal Access Code allows access to personal information such as financial aid status, registration holds and schedules, grades, tuition charges and more. This 6-digit code (letters and/or numbers) is your birth date (ddmmyy) and MUST be changed at your first login. For example, if you were born on March 4^th 1980, your logon pin number would be 040380. Your PAC will not change unless you change it for security reasons. You are strongly encouraged to change your PAC to protect your personal information. The System will prompt you to enter a Security Question. This question is intended to assist you in remembering your PAC so please keep this in mind as you compose it.
• Contact Technical Support if you experience problems with your PAC. Technical support is available during normal business hours, Monday -Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 773/995-2038.

Log In Error Messages

• Authorization failure: Your account has been disabled. If you attempt to log in 5 times and are unsuccessful, your PAC will be automatically deactivated by the system. This is a security feature to prevent unauthorized access to your personal information. Please contact Technical Support at 773/995-2038 and request your PAC to be reset.

Browser Information

• The recommended browsers for CSU X-Press are Internet Explorer 6.0 or Netscape 6.2.
• If your PC or MAC is using a prior release of these browsers, you may download an upgrade from www.??????.com.
• Do not use your browser's Back button once you are in the Secure Area of CSU X-Press. Please use the navigational links provided on each page. Using the Back button may force you to log in again.

System Availability

• Cougar Connect provides information contained in the University's Banner Student module. This information must be backed up and maintained on a daily basis. Effective November 1, 2014, ITD will conduct regular scheduled network/systems maintenance on the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month from 10:00 pm and 6:00 am. The system will not be available for access during that time.

  General Information Document (Course Schedule Bulletin)

• The full text of the General Information Document (Course Schedule Bulletin) is available from the Course Scheduling's page http://www.csu.edu/coursebulletin/ 
• Course schedule information is also available for query as part of the Registration process. To access a list of courses for a particular subject select "Class Search" and enter the Subject and any other qualifying information (desired meeting times/days).

CSU Catalog On Line

• Electronic versions of CSU's Catalogs are available online at www.csu.edu/catalogs.

Financial Aid Information

• General Financial Aid information is available through links available from the CSU X- Press via Cougar Connect. The links provide access to other primary financial aid web sites to apply for federal aid (FAFSA), complete the CSS PROFILE registration/application, estimate financial aid eligibility, search for available scholarships (other than those offered by Chicago State University), and to access federal financial aid information.
• CSU Financial Aid information is available by selecting the appropriate menu item following entry to Cougar Connect.

Student Information

• View Holds is a Student Records menu item that displays the Holds that have been placed on your record which will affect your ability to Register. If no holds exist, then a "no holds message" is displayed. Common Registration Holds include:

Type of Hold: Go To (or Call 773-995 + ext):

• (A1) Athletic JCC 1502 (x5301 or X3639)
• (BG) BOG JDC 201 (x2457)
• (B3/BU) Business ADM 212 (x2470)
• (E Holds) Examinations ADM 128 (x2481)
• (12) Immunization ADM 131 (x2010)
• (P2) Parking O&M 208 (x2141)
• (R1/R3) Registrar ADM 128 (x2517)
• (S1/S2) Student Affairs/ SUB 247 (x2150)

Student Conduct

• (UC) Academic Support SUB 158 (x4510)
• (U4) Admissions ADM 200 (x2513)
• (VA) Veterans ADM 207 (x3549)

Grades

• Midterm and Final grades are available from the Student Records menu within the Secure Area of CSU X-Press. Final grades are posted to each student's record three (3) days following the end of the term. Midterm grades are available three (3) business days after the Registrar's submission deadline. (See the Term Calendar or the Course Schedule Bulletin for specific dates.)

Transcripts

• Unofficial transcripts may be viewed online from CSU X-Press via Cougar Connect by selecting Academic Transcript item from the Student Records menu.
• Students may request the release of their official academic record (transcripts) online only.
• Online requests are made through the National Student Clearinghouse.  A credit card is required for payment and the charge for transcripts ordered online are as follows:
• Transcripts requested online are $10.00 per copy, plus a $2.25 processing fee per order.
• Transcripts requested online for immediate receipt are $15.00 per copy, plus a $2.25 processing fee per order.

To order through the National Student Clearinghouse via web click on the link below: 

http://www.studentclearinghouse.org/secure_area/Transcript/to_bridge.asp 

Account Summary

• Each student may view his/her account information by selecting the Account Summary item from the Student Records menu. This form displays information by term, by charge type, payments, and the net balance of all transactions. Anticipated financial aid is not displayed. The total Account Balance is displayed at the top and bottom of the summary. For further information concerning your account, please contact the Bursar's office located in the Cook Administration Building Room 212 or call 773-995-2470. 

Registration Advising PIN (RAP)

• The Registration Advising PIN (RAP) is required for using CSU X-Press to register online. New RAPs are assigned each term and expire at the end of the regular registration period. Your academic advisor will give you a new RAP each term during your advisement appointment.

Registration Instructions

• CLICK on Cougar Connect from the CSU home page www.csu.edu.
• CLICK on the Home Tab
• CLICK CSU X-Press Menu
• CLICK on Student Menu
• CLICK on Student Services and Financial Aid
• CLICK Add/Drop Classes
• Select the Term
• ENTER your Registration Advising PIN (RAP) and CLICK Submit RAP

Note: If you forget your RAP, return to your academic advisor, or see another academic advisor or department chair.

Note: To remove courses, Choose the Drop Web option available from the pull down menu on your class schedule. CLICK Submit Classes to make the change.

• When you have finished entering you classes:
• CLICK on Complete your Registration and follow the on screen instructions.
• Return to the Menu.

For online payment go to Complete your Registration

• CLICK on Payment Plan for a direct link to the Tuition Management System web site (http://www.afford.com).

Students must still make their initial payments to CSU

• Select Detail Schedule from the menu and print your schedule using the print function of your browser.

Do not leave personal information on the screen.

Registration Error Messages

• In the course of using CSU X-Press for web registration, you may see a red button marked "Stop" with Registration Errors indicated below. This indicates to you that the registration for a given class was not completed and an error message will show. Examples of these error messages and what they mean follow:
• Closed Section - This class has reached the maximum limit of enrolled students.
• Closed Section - x - This class is closed. The x indicates that the class is sharing a room with another class and the maximum limit for the combined class has been reached.
• CRN does not exist - You have entered an incorrect CRN. Check the Course Schedule Bulletin (printed or on line at www.csu.edu/Registrar ) or use the Class Search button to locate the correct CRN.
• Preq & test score error - Many credit classes require prerequisites. These are conditions that must be met in order to gain access to a particular class. These are usually successful completion of examinations in Math, Reading and English or previous completion of other courses or departmental approval. Course prerequisites are listed as part of the course description in the CSU X-Press Course Catalog and are noted in the published CSU Catalog. If you believe that you meet the prerequisite and you are not being allowed to enroll, contact your academic advisor.
• Time conflict XXXXX - You have selected a class where a portion or all of the time the class meets is at the same time as another class.
• Dupl Crse with SEC-XXXXX - You have selected two or more classes with the same subject and course number. This is not allowed, you must drop or remove one of them.
• Repeat Count 0 - You have attempted to register for a course that is not repeatable, and already exists on your record. This is a warning message. Student should contact their academic advisor to select another course. 
• CORQ-XXXXXREQ - This class required a co-requisite class to be registered with the class you have selected. Contact the department for the specific information.
• Maximum hours exceeded - You have attempted to register for more hours than you are qualified to take based on your level (Graduate or Undergraduate) and your academic standing. The maximum load for Graduate and Certification students is 12 hours and for Undergraduates, the maximum is from 12 - 16 hours.

What do I do if I forget my Personal Access Code (PAC)?

• If you forget your PAC after you have changed it, click on the button to display the Security Question to assist you in remembering. If you are still unsuccessful in logging into the Secure Area, contact Technical Support at 773-995-2038, Monday - Friday during normal business hours.

What do I do if I forget/lose my Registration Advising PIN (RAP)?

• If you forget your RAP, return to your academic advisor, or see another academic advisor in your major department or the department chair.

Who has access to web services through Cougar Connect?

• Any student who has taken a CSU class within the last two years may access web information with their CSU email username and password.

Who has access to Web Registration?

• All degree-seeking students who have enrolled in CSU classes within the last two years and have obtained a Registration Advising PIN (RAP) for the current term from their academic advisor.

How do I access web services for students?

• From any Internet accessible computer, open a web browser (Internet Explorer 6.0 or Netscape 6.2) and go to the CSU home page www.csu.edu. Click on the Cougar Connect. Log in using your CSU email username and password. Then click the "Home" tab. Click "CSU X-Press Menu."
• General Financial Aid information, the Course Schedule Bulletin and CSU catalog are available in the unsecured section of the site. To see personal information such as holds, grades, unofficial transcripts, and your account summary, log in Cougar Connect.

How do I register, add, drop or withdraw from a class?

• To register or add a class, enter the CRN (course reference number) in the 'Add Class' Section. Click submit. Your request will be processed. You will see an error or you will be registered in the class. (See registration errors for more information.)
• To drop or withdraw from a class, use the options under Action in your ' Current Schedule'.
• Read the instructions on this page carefully... and remember to click on 'Submit Classes' when adding or dropping a class.

I forgot to drop my class, won't the instructor do that for me?

• Students are responsible for dropping or withdrawing their classes even if they do not attend. When a student does not attend or stops attending without formally withdrawing, the student will receive the grade assigned by the instructor and will be held liable for all charges on the their account.

My class was canceled after I registered, what happened?

• The University reserves the right to limit the size of the classes and to cancel classes for which there is insufficient enrollment. If the class for which you are registered is canceled, you will automatically be dropped from the class. If you do not find an alternative class, a tuition refund will be processed to your account according to the refund policy. Financial Aid students may wish to consult with their financial aid counselor concerning any award implications.

How do I pay for classes when I register through CSU X-Press via Cougar Connect?

• No registration transaction is complete until the Business Office has processed the transaction and the student has been issued a printed receipt. If you web register, please confirm your registration by receiving a paid receipt at the cashier's office.
• Students who have outstanding debts at Chicago State University will not be permitted to register until such debts have been paid.
• Discover, MasterCard, Telecheck, VISA, cash, money orders, cashier's checks, certified checks, personal checks and traveler's checks will be accepted for payment of tuition and fee charges. In addition to accepting payment by personal check, ECAP provides electronic check approval that takes funds from your checking account within 48 hours of the time the check is written to CSU. Business checks will not be accepted.
• Students who have presented two NSF (not sufficient funds) checks to the University even though restitution has been made will be required to pay for their registration with cash, money orders, certified checks, traveler's checks, MasterCard or VISA or Discover.
• Specific payment due dates are printed in the Class Schedule Bulletin.