The University of New Haven recently announced that students can “take charge at no charge” with one, free winter intersession course offered to all undergraduate and graduate students for the 2020-2021 school year. Classes will be fully online; students must be registered for the spring semester and not have an outstanding bill on their account to partake.

Gregory Eichhorn, vice president for enrollment and success, said this decision came from members of the One-Stop office, faculty advisors, academic deans and others in an effort to help students during the COVID-19 pandemic who may have financial difficulties or need a class for other reasons caused related to the pandemic.

Class spaces are limited and are on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are classes across multiple areas of study, such as criminal justice, economics, English, music, some engineering courses, among others. For a full listing, visit the university’s intersession course schedule website.

Any course listed will be free. If a student decides to take more than one course, the regular tuition cost will apply. Undergraduate courses come at a rate of $670 per credit while graduate courses are $965. The total cost for a three-credit undergraduate course would be $2010 and a graduate course would be $2895.

“The intent is that it will help students stay on track or get ahead towards meeting their respective graduation requirements,” Eichhorn said. “We also [hope] it keeps students academically engaged during the winter break.”

Grace-Oriana Andre, sophomore business management major, plans on taking a course called “Leadership during COVID.” She said, “I am very glad that the university is allowing students to take a free course because, as a fast-track student, it is important that I make sure I gain all my credits at a certain time and this is giving me and countless others the opportunity to do that without worrying about paying for the course.”

Andre said that this will positively affect her time at the university. Rather than being focused on how she will pay for the course, she can concentrate on doing well.

Eichhorn said that the university “hope[s] that all remain healthy and get quality time with their families and friends over the break.”

Registration for winter intersession courses is now available. For more information, visit the university’s website.