Phoenix Fast Track

Starting Fall 2025, Piedmont Technical College is launching the Phoenix Fast Track—an exciting shift to 8-week courses designed to offer you greater flexibility, better engagement, and faster pathways to graduation.

Why the Change?

Research from other community and technical colleges shows that shorter courses provide major advantages for students:

  • Higher Success Rates: More students successfully complete their courses and continue to the next term.
  • Improved Retention and Graduation: Focusing on fewer classes at a time helps students stay engaged and move more quickly toward graduation.
  • Increased Flexibility: More frequent start dates let you quickly re-enroll if life gets in the way.

What This Means for You

The Phoenix Fast Track will be introduced gradually through a Hybrid Rollout. This means that some programs will fully adopt 8-week courses, while others will keep longer formats due to specific clinical or lab needs.

Key Details:

  • Flexible Course Options: Many programs will transition to 8-week terms, offering hybrid options to accommodate specific needs.
  • Program-Specific Communications: Expect updates from your division with details tailored to your program.

Exceptions:

  • BIO 210 & 211 (Anatomy & Physiology): BIO 210 & 211 (Anatomy & Physiology) will be offered as a traditional full-term course, as well as in both A and B terms.
  • Funeral Services & Welding (WLD): Will stay at 16 weeks because of high contact hours.
  • Dual Enrollment: Mostly continues with 16-week courses, using the S-term for special scheduling.

Have Questions?

Below you'll find answers to the most common questions about the Phoenix Fast Track. 

8-Week Course Model FAQ

For Students

Financial Aid

How will financial aid be affected by the switch to the A/B term model?

  • Because Financial Aid is awarded based on the number of credit hours per semester (Fall, Spring, or Summer) the total amount of financial aid a student is eligible for will not change, but how aid is disbursed may be different. Financial aid will be based on total enrollment across both terms rather than a single 15-week semester.

Will financial aid disbursement timing or amounts change?

  • Yes, financial aid will be disbursed according to enrollment in each term. Students enrolled in both A and B terms may see their aid split into multiple disbursements rather than receiving a lump sum at the start of the semester.
  • First disbursements will be scheduled for the session that includes first date of attendance.  Students who enroll in only the second eight weeks of a term will receive disbursements at the beginning of that session, not at the beginning of the semester.
  • Additionally, federal regulations require that you be ATTENDING at least half-time (6 credit hours) to be eligible for Federal Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.  If you are taking 3 credits in A term and another 3 credits in B term, your loans will not disburse until the published B term disbursement date.

Can students receive financial aid if they are only enrolled in one term (A or B)?

  •  Yes, students can receive financial aid if they are only enrolled in one term. However, specific award requirements concerning enrollment status (full time, half time) still apply.

Will the new model impact eligibility for federal and state financial aid?

  • Financial aid eligibility will still be determined by enrollment status, but students need to be aware that dropping courses in one term could affect their overall status. State aid programs may have specific requirements that students should verify with the financial aid office.

How does dropping or withdrawing from a course affect financial aid?

  • Dropping or withdrawing from courses may impact financial aid eligibility, including potential reductions in aid, return of funds, or Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standing. If a student withdraws from all courses in one or both terms, they may be subject to a Return of Title IV Funds calculation, which could require repayment of aid.  Please check with the financial aid office prior to withdrawing from a course or dropping future courses within a semester after you have begun attendance.

Will the A/B term model impact the summer financial aid process?

  • Summer aid will still be based on remaining financial aid eligibility from the academic year.  

Are there any new deadlines students need to be aware of?

  • Yes, students should pay attention to updated financial aid deadlines, including add/drop periods and disbursement dates. Specific deadlines will be published within the student portal and communicated through official channels.

How will scholarships and work-study programs be affected?

  • Scholarships may have different disbursement schedules depending on the specifics of the awards. Work-study earnings will continue as normal.

Will this change how or when Satisfactory Academic Progress is calculated?

  • No.  There have been no changes to the (SAP) Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. SAP is calculated at the end of each semester (Fall, Spring, and Summer). Renewal eligibility for State Scholarships is calculated at the end of Summer. 
Academic Standing and GPA

How will academic standing be calculated for 8-week courses?

  • Academic standing will continue to be reviewed on a semester basis, even if a student takes 8-week courses. Standings will be updated after the semester has concluded.
  • Academic standing policies remain the same and can be reviewed here: Academic Standing Policy
  • All PTC students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA to be considered in satisfactory academic standing and to continue enrollment with the college.

How does the 8-week model affect my GPA?

  • A student’s GPA updates whenever a final grade is added. It might change after each term's grades are submitted.
  • GPA calculations remain the same and the grading policy can be reviewed here: Grade Point Averages
Registration

Does this change the registration (Add/Drop) period?

  • The start date for registration will not change and is posted on the student academic calendar.
  • The final date to Drop from a course (not the same as withdrawing from a course) in the A or B term is 3 days from the start of classes, including the first day of class.
  • For example:
    • Fall 2025 A term starts on August 20 – the last day to drop A term classes is August 22
    • Fall 2025 B term starts on October 14 – the last day to drop B term classes is October 16

 

For Faculty and Staff

Financial Aid

See Student Financial Aid FAQs above

Attendance and Reporting

Will this change how faculty report grades?

  • Faculty will follow the same grading policies but will need to submit final grades at the end of each 8-week session.
  • All final grades are due 2.5 days after the last day of class.

How does this impact reporting withdrawals for attendance?

  • The withdrawal for attendance form will still be in effect during the A/B term courses. Instructors are advised to adhere to their division’s guidance on course attendance. All withdrawal for attendance forms submitted after the student initiated withdraw deadline will be send to the academic dean for approval.

How does this affect Midterm grades?

  • While midterm grades have traditionally only been required for T term, starting Fall 2025, midterm grades will be required for T, A, and B.
  • A and B midterms will be due at the 4-week mark of the shortened term.

How does this affect Incomplete grades?

  • Students have 30 instructional days after the end of the term (A, B, or T) to remove the incomplete grade; otherwise, the “I” is converted to an “F.”
  • Students have up to two consecutive semesters to dispute a final grade with their instructor.
  • All changes to final grades must be made through the Student Records Grade Change form. 
Academic Standing and GPA

How will academic standing be calculated for students in 8-week courses?

  • Academic standing will continue to be calculated based on the overall semester GPA, regardless of whether students are enrolled in 8-week or 15-week courses.
  • Standings will update on a students record after all final grades have been submitted for the semester (the end of B and T Term).
  • If a student only attends in the A term, their standing will not be calculated until the end of the semester.