Trial Period

UC Scout reserves the right to approve or deny a refund request. Refunds are granted if you withdraw from your On Demand course within the latter of the listed time frames, which constitute a “trial period”:

• Five (5) business days* from the official course start date as listed on the UC Scout website OR
• Five (5) business days* from the date the student enrolled in the course. This option exists only for students who enroll in a course after the official course start date.

Refunds

A $40 administration processing fee will be deducted for all approved refunds. To submit a refund request, please complete the Refund Request Form. Refunds are only granted if the requirements above have been met.

If the trial period and refund deadline for a course have passed, a petition for policy exception may be submitted through the Refund Request Form. 

The petition must be supported by special circumstances such as a serious personal illness, injury, or hospitalization. Official documentation of special circumstances is required. Refunds will not be considered for short-term personal illnesses such as colds, flu, or non-hospitalized COVID-19. 

UC Scout reserves the right to approve or deny any submitted refund request.

* a “business day” is defined as a weekday, not including staff holidays

Grades

Completing a UC Scout On Demand course will result in a final grade and high school credit (not college or dual credit). 

You will submit several graded items (including but not limited to assignments, discussions, quizzes, projects, Midterm Exam, and Final Exam) throughout the duration of your course, which will result in a weighted, cumulative final grade assigned by your UC Scout instructor.

UC Scout instructors will use tools like TurnItIn and a virtual proctoring service to ensure authenticity of written assignments, identity of the student, and testing integrity.

If you ever need to view grades for courses you completed in the past, simply log into your UC Scout account, hover over Academics, and then click on Completed Sections.
 

English Language Proctoring Requirement

All UC Scout courses, including lessons, assignments, and assessments, are conducted in English. Students are expected to read, write, and demonstrate understanding of course content in English. The only exception is our Spanish, German, and French language courses.

Proctored midterm and final exams are administered using Honorlock, a browser-based proctoring tool that restricts access to external applications, extensions, and translation tools during the exam. This includes tools such as Google Translate and other browser-based translation extensions.

Students who use translation tools to support their learning during coursework should be aware that these tools will not be accessible during proctored exams. We encourage all students to carefully consider this requirement before enrolling. If you have questions about whether UC Scout is the right fit, please contact us at ucscout@ucsc.edu.
 

Proctored Exams

In order to maintain high standards and levels of academic integrity, UC Scout requires all Midterm and Final Exams to be proctored live through our online proctoring service, Honorlock.

What Materials Will Students Need?

• Laptop or PC (with Chrome* browser installed)
• 2 web cameras (two provide two angles of the student's face, hands, and screen during the exam session)
• Microphone
• Student photo ID (such as a state-issued, passport, or school ID)

A list of technical requirements can be found here.

* please be advised that Honorlock is not compatible with other browsers such as Safari

How Does Honorlock Work?
Students will install the Honorlock extension for the Chrome browser and then will be asked to review Honorlock's Terms of Service and Exam Taker Privacy Notice policy. 

Then the student will review the System Compatibility and Exam Guidelines. The proctoring process will start by selecting the Begin Authentication button, which includes a room and face scan and verification of your photo ID. 

After completing the exam session, you may remove the Honorlock extension.

All On Demand students must complete the midterm exam for the course by the published deadline. This policy encourages students to pace themselves appropriately and avoid the temptation to procrastinate in an asynchronous course. 

Students who miss the deadline are blocked from progressing in the course past the midterm. After the deadline, the first half of the course is locked for submissions but remains viewable. AP courses will remain open for content review through the AP exam in May.

A student in this situation may choose to drop the course or transfer to a future term for a fee (see Dropping a Course and/or Term Transfers policies below).  

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are part of everyday work and learning, and our students arrive with very different rules around them. Some are encouraged to use AI at school, some are prohibited from using it at school or at home, and some simply choose not to use it. All of those are fine here.

Using AI is never required in a UC Scout course. This policy sets limits that apply if you do use it. If you do not use AI at all, you are already following this policy in full.

AI can support your learning, but it cannot replace the thinking and effort that assignments are designed to build. This policy explains when AI is permitted in our courses, what requires your own independent work, and why that distinction matters for your growth and your future.

AI Use is Optional

Using AI is a choice, not a course requirement.

• No UC Scout assignment, quiz, or exam requires you to use an AI tool, and no part of your grade depends on using one.

• If your school, district, parent, or guardian has told you not to use AI, follow that. Their rules take precedence over anything in this policy, and you do not need to tell us or provide documentation.

• You will never be graded down for completing your coursework without the use of AI.

• If an assignment ever appears to require an AI tool, contact your instructor and we will provide another way to complete it.
   

Default Expectation

This section applies only if you choose to use AI.

Unless an assignment or test explicitly states otherwise, you should assume that AI tools may only be used for limited support purposes. Limited support means helping you think, organize, or review your work, but not creating the entire assignment submission or answering quiz questions for you. 

For longer written assignments, students must use tools that preserve revision history. The revision history requirement applies to all students and is not an AI tool. See Technical Requirements on this page, including the alternative available to students who cannot use a Google account.

When in doubt, ask your instructor.
 

Permitted and Prohibited Uses

The table below summarizes what you may and may not use AI to do. These uses include, but are not limited to, the examples provided. All permitted uses require disclosure (being upfront and honest when you use AI). Permitted means allowed, not expected. Nothing in the left column is something you have to do.

See the Disclosing Use of AI section below for guidance.

Assignment-Specific Instructions

Additional guidance may be provided for individual assignments specifying when and how AI use is permitted or restricted. You are responsible for following both this policy and any assignment-specific instructions in your course.
 

Disclosing Use of AI

Transparency is required. If you use AI in your assignment, you must disclose that use at the end of your work. Your disclosure should include:

• The name of the tool you used (e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini)
• How you used it
• What parts of your assignment were influenced or altered by AI

Example disclosure:

"I used ChatGPT to help brainstorm ideas and organize my outline. All writing is my own."

If you did not use AI at all, no disclosure is needed. 

Data & Privacy

Do not enter personal information into AI tools (yours or anyone else's). This includes your full name, student ID, school name, or any other details that could identify you or your classmates.

UC Scout is committed to protecting student data privacy in accordance with FERPA, COPPA, and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

If you would rather not share your data with an AI company at all, choosing not to use these tools is always a valid option.
 

Academic Integrity

Violations of this policy are handled under our Academic Integrity Policy.

Maintaining academic integrity is fundamental to the educational environment at UC Scout and across the University of California community. Students are expected and required to submit work that reflects their own knowledge, skills, and effort.

What Counts as a Violation

An offense is any submitted assignment or assessment that meets one or more of the following criteria. This is not an exhaustive list.

1. Unauthorized Assistance – submitting another person's work, or work produced with unauthorized assistance, as your own.
   Examples: copying from or sharing work with a classmate, using unauthorized notes during a quiz or exam, purchasing completed assignments
2. Plagiarism – using published or external material without proper attribution.
   Examples: copying text from a website without citation, paraphrasing a source without acknowledgement, submitting translated content as original writing
3. Unauthorized AI Use – using AI tools in ways not permitted by UC Scout's Student Use of AI Policy, your course syllabus, or assignment instructions, including failing to disclose permitted AI use when required.
   Examples: using AI to draft or complete an essay or assignment response, submitting AI-generated content as your own work, using AI on a proctored exam, failing to cite AI use, using AI to complete all or most of a course's assignments
4. Brokering, Outsourcing, & Third-Party Assistance – supplying your coursework to others for their use, or obtaining coursework or course completion from any external source not permitted by this policy. This includes both sides of the transaction: sharing your work outwardly and paying, or arranging for others, to do your work for you.
   Examples: posting assignments to social media or assignment-sharing sites, sharing Google Doc links to completed work with other students, sending files or screenshots of coursework to others, hiring a person or service to complete assignments or take the course on your behalf, using AI tools or services to complete an entire course or the majority of its work

Consequences and Escalation

Our goal is not to "catch" students. It is to ensure every student actually learns and that the submitted work reflects their own abilities. When a violation occurs, our first response is to teach and support, not punish.

Escalating tiered consequences apply when a student continues to violate the policy or commits a serious violation. Determinations at every tier are made on the written record using a "more likely than not" standard.

* One resubmission per student, not per assignment. A student who has already used their resubmission opportunity and commits a subsequent violation will be referred directly to the Academic Integrity Specialist. If a Tier 1 determination is overturned at Stage 2 or Stage 3, the resubmission opportunity is restored.

** Concerns about how a determination was reached. Whether a violation occurred is decided under this policy, and a SARC determination is final on that question. If you believe UC Scout did not follow this policy as written, or applied it inconsistently, see the Grievance policy on this page.

UC Scout is dedicated to cultivating a learning environment that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our courses are designed to reflect these core values. We are devoted to creating a sense of belonging for every participant. 

We acknowledge and celebrate the unique perspectives that each learner brings. By exploring the experiences of others, we not only achieve academic success but also foster empathy and compassion.

We consistently assess and enhance our courses to ensure accessibility and inclusivity for all learners, and we highly value your feedback as we strive to create an environment where everyone can thrive.

In keeping with the provisions and guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act, UC Scout makes every effort to make reasonable accommodations for students with existing 504s and Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs). 

If you require accommodations, please consult our Student Accommodations page.

Ordering a Transcript

On Demand students can request and deliver their transcript using the service Parchment. Here's what to expect after completing your course:

1. Grading: Allow up to 7 business days after completing your course for your final grade to be posted.
2. Request Your Transcript: Once your grade is posted, submit your transcript request through Parchment. Transcripts take up to 7 business days to process digitally and/or ship after payment.

Expect a total of up to 14 business days for your transcript to be processed.

The transcript fee is $12 per transcript, but Parchment’s total transcript fee varies depending on the intended recipient's state sales tax rate and the shipping cost to the recipient. Before completing your order, you will see a breakdown of all applicable charges including tax(es).

To submit your transcript request:

1. Log into your UC Scout student account to ensure final course grade(s) are entered:
   1. Log in to your UC Scout account
   2. Select Academics
   3. Select Completed Sections. This step is critical to avoid paying for a transcript that does not include your final grade(s).
2. After step 1 is completed, create a new or log into an existing Parchment account and follow the Parchment instructions:
   1. Log into the UC Scout Parchment storefront
   2. Place transcript order(s)
   3. Select Delivery Destination
3. Once the order is placed, the transcript will be processed within 7 business days.

Click here to view the Parchment Student FAQs web page. Contact Parchment by phone at 1-888-662-0874.
 

Academic History

For students applying for admission to college, applicants should report and enter the courses and grades from all schools they have attended while in high school, including UC Scout. Common transcript recipients include colleges, high schools, academic counselors, students, and parents.

Transcripts are cumulative, meaning that the transcript will contain final posted grades for all courses taken with UC Scout. However, a “drop” from a UC Scout course (see Dropping a Course Policy below) will not appear on your UC Scout transcript, so it does not need to be reported.

You can request a transcript to show proof of the credit(s) you earned through UC Scout and use these codes when filling out your college applications:

• Online Provider Code: 019
• School Code: 054149
• NCAA Code: 850331

Student Guide on Reporting UC Scout Courses

If a student is close to finishing the course but will not be able to submit all coursework and complete the final exam by the term end date due to unforeseen special circumstances (see below), the student may be able to get an extension to alter the course end date by 3-weeks. 

If approved, a student must submit any assignments labeled “Missing” in their online classroom during the 3-week extension period after the original course end date. All course material must be completed by the extended course end date if an extension is granted. 

Refunds are not provided for courses not completed by the last day of a granted extension.

A request for a course end date extension may be submitted, but the student must meet ALL of the following requirements:

• The extension request must be supported by special circumstances such as an unpredictable and serious long-term personal illness, injury, or hospitalization.* Proper documentation of special circumstances is required. Any official documents supporting a student petition for an extension (e.g., doctor's note), must be dated within the current UC Scout term. Documents that predate the current term will not be reviewed or accepted.

* extensions will not be considered for short-term personal illnesses such as colds, flu, or non-hospitalized COVID-19

• Students must have progressed through the course to the point of completing the midterm exam at least three weeks before the term end date so there will be adequate time for the student to complete the course during the extension period.

UC Scout reserves the right to approve or deny any extension request. You can expect to receive a response within one week of request submission.

To submit an extension request, complete the Extension Request Form before the term end date.

If a student qualifies for a course attempt transfer, they will take the same course during the following UC Scout term starting from the beginning. Any work completed during the initial term will not be transferred. 

Our transfer deadline changed starting with the Fall 2026 term:

• Fall 2026 term and beyond: After the midterm deadline (see term dates) you have 5 business days to submit the form. 

No transfers requests will be granted outside of the policy. The fee associated with an approved transfer request depends on the amount of progress made in the course prior to the request being submitted for consideration:

Progress Point #1

If a student has not completed any work in the course beyond the Introductory Module (Contact Information, Course Expectations, etc.), the student is eligible to transfer to the next term for a $40 transfer fee.

Progress Point #2

If a student has completed coursework in the course through the midterm exam, the student can transfer to the next term for a $250 fee.

Students who have completed coursework in the course beyond the midterm exam are not eligible for a transfer. 

To submit a transfer request, please complete the Transfer Request Form. A student will be transferred to restart the course before the start of the following term after the fee is received.

If you have completed work beyond the midterm exam, you are not eligible to drop the course and a grade will be reported on your transcript. 

If you have not submitted coursework beyond the midterm exam and would like to drop your course, please fill out the Drop Request Form by the following deadlines.

Our drop request deadline is changing for the Fall 2026 term starting on August 5: 

• Summer 2026 term: You must submit your drop request by the end of the term (see term dates). 

• Fall 2026 term and beyond (starting August 5): After the midterm deadline (see term dates) you have 5 business days to submit the form. 

If you have not completed any coursework beyond the midterm and you do not complete the course, you will automatically not receive a final grade and it will not be recorded on your transcript. In summary, there’s no record of you having taken the course. You will only receive a notification of having dropped the course if you proactively fill out the Drop Request Form.

A drop is not the same as a refund. Refunds are not issued for dropping a course outside of the trial period refund policy. For refunds, please review the Trial Period & Refund Policy found above.

At Scout from University of California (“UC Scout”), we adhere to the highest standards of academic integrity and student conduct. We expect all UC Scout students to demonstrate honesty and integrity in their academic pursuits.

As students of UC Scout, you are expected to uphold these values through respectful communication and conduct. We expect you to maintain an inclusive classroom climate to ensure the safety and well-being of all your classmates, teachers, and UC Scout staff.

Activities that disrupt teaching, learning, or administration, including but not limited to academic dishonesty (such as plagiarism and cheating), forgery, theft, disorderly conduct, verbal or physical abuse, or threats of violence, are strictly prohibited. Any action that jeopardizes the well-being of UC Scout students or staff, or the integrity of UC Scout property, will not be tolerated.

We believe in fostering an environment of trust and respect, where all community members can thrive academically and personally. By upholding these principles, we maintain the integrity of our institution and ensure a positive learning experience for everyone involved.

Teachers and students who use a UC Scout course are expected to have access to:

• A desktop or laptop computer (content can be accessed on a mobile device but it is not recommended for completing assignments or quizzes and cannot be used for the proctored midterm and final exams)
• Webcam with a minimum 640x480 pixel resolution
• A second camera to show your testing area from the side. The easiest option is a phone or tablet with the free Honorlock app (Apple App Store | Google Play). If you have an external webcam, you can use that instead
• Headphones or working speakers to enable audio
• Microphone connected to the computer (typically a webcam has a built-in microphone)
• Reliable high-speed Internet connection (minimum 768 Kbps download speed)

Students and guardians should ensure that all personal computers meet the necessary course technology requirements by reviewing the software and hardware standards below.

Our digital classroom platform, Canvas, must be accessed using the latest version of the Chrome browser. Chrome is free to download and use.

Canvas will run on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, or any other operating system equipped with a modern web browser; however, Chrome is the required browser for the On Demand course online proctoring tool, which is a Chrome extension.

Written assignments of 300 words or more require submission through both Canvas and a shared Google Doc with revision history enabled; students who are unable to use a free Google Docs account should contact their instructor before the assignment due date to arrange an alternative.

For more information, visit the Canvas web page: Browser and Computer Requirements

The California Relay Service provides communication assistance by relaying messages between a person using a TTY (teletypewriter) and a person who does not use a TTY (a TTY is a communication device used by people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or have severe speech impairment). If you need to use the California Relay Service, call 800-735-2922. 

For more information, see the accessibility statements for technologies used in UC Scout courses below.

Canvas Learning Management System

• Accessibility Statement & Accessibility Conformance Report (VPAT)
• Privacy Policy

Kaltura Video Player

• Accessibility
• Accessibility Conformance Report (VPAT)
• Privacy Policy

Screen Readers and Browsers

Course content and features are tested with the following screen readers and browsers: 

• JAWS (latest version for Chrome on Windows)
• NVDA (latest version for Chrome on Windows)
• VoiceOver (latest version for Chrome on Macintosh and iOS mobile)
• Talkback (latest version for Android mobile)