FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. How can I be assured of getting in the course I want?

A. Since many courses fill up quickly, members are urged to register as early as possible. For immediate confirmation, you may select courses on-line once registration begins, or you may send in a paper registration form once the catalog is available. Paper forms received before the first day of registration will be processed randomly once registration begins. Thereafter, courses are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Q. How do I make a suggestion for a course?

A. The Academic Programs Committee plans the courses. Send suggestions to the Academic Programs Committee at Encore Learning, 2110 Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22204 or email Info@EncoreLearning.net.

Q. How can I get an item in Encore Learning's Newsletter?

A. Send articles or information to Donna Banks, Encore Learning Administrator, at Encore Learning, 2110 Washington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22204 or email Info@EncoreLearning.net.

Q. Is Encore Learning open only to Arlington residents?

A. No. Encore Learning membership is open to anyone in the Washington, DC, area who is age 50 or over.

Q. When can I speak to someone at the Encore Learning office? Who works there?

A. Encore Learning maintains an office at the Syphax Education Center (SEC), located in the Sequoia Plaza #2 at 2110 Washington Boulevard.  In addition, our Executive Director, Marjorie Varner, has an office at George Mason University’s Arlington Campus. Donna Banks, our Administrator, works at our SEC office.  Both can be reached by email at Info@EncoreLearning.net or by calling 703-228-2144. During most of the year, the SEC office is staffed from 10am to 2pm, Monday through Thursday.   Office Management Support volunteers assist at the SEC office.  

Q. Parking around the SEC and GMU can be difficult. Do you have any suggestions?

A. There are parking meters located around the perimeter of the SEC, as well as a parking garage adjacent to the building.  Encore Learning members using the parking garage at the SEC MUST park in spaces marked ‘Visitor’.  Street parking at meters and limited-time zoned parking on adjacent streets are available at GMU.  In addition to metered street parking, the Founders Hall garage on GMU's Arlington campus is open to the public.  The entrance to the Founders Hall garage is on N. Kirkwood Road between Washington Boulevard and Fairfax Drive.  The parking rate is $3 per hour. 

A free color-coded brochure titled “Parking in the Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor” is available by calling 703-228-RIDE or logging on to http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/EnvironmentalServices/dot/traffic/parking/RB/RBParking.aspx. Copies can also be found at the Arlington County Public Library.  

Another useful map can be found at http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/EnvironmentalServices/dot/traffic/parking/RB/images/ARLPARK_CORRIDOR_SEC1.pdf

Q. How do I join Encore Learning on-line?

A. Choose the option On-Line Transactions in the left-hand menu and click on Join Encore Learning.

Q. How do I renew my Encore Learning membership on-line?

A. Choose the option On-Line Transactions and click on Register/Renew. Your User Name is the name you first registered with (if you included a middle initial, please enter your middle initial). TIP: The mailing label on your catalog or newsletter includes your User Name and your membership expiration date.

Q. What do I do if I forget my password?

A.  From the On-Line Transactions menu option, click on Get New Password.  From the Please Log In page, select “Click here if you don’t have a password or forgot it”.  Both of these options will take you to a page titled Get New Password.  You’ll need to enter your name as you submitted it when you first registered with Encore Learning (that is, if you initially used a middle initial, please include it) and your email address.  You will then be emailed a new numeric password.  Please click on the “Submit” button only once and wait patiently for the email; delivery may not be instantaneous.  If you click on the “Submit” button more than once, you will receive a new password for each click, and only the last one you receive is valid.  You may personalize the numeric password to one you’ll more easily remember by using the Change Password option.

Q. Why do I receive a name tag?

A. Your name tag identifies you as an Encore Learning member. Please do not throw it away, and wear it to your courses and Encore Learning events.  We are guests in the buildings where our courses and events are held, and the name tags help building staff (as well as your instructors) know you belong.  If you need a replacement badge, please let your class aide know, or contact the Encore Learning office at 703-228-2144 or Info@EncoreLearning.net.

Q. What happens if the course I want to take is full?

A. Encore Learning does not maintain waitlists for its courses. If you sent a paper registration, we will contact you about your options. If registering on-line, check the Courses/Availability page on our website for alternatives.

Q. What happens if my course is cancelled?

A. If your course is cancelled, Encore Learning will contact you within the week before its start date.  You will have the option of switching into another course or receiving a refund for the course. You cannot do this transaction on-line, however.  Please contact the Encore Learning office at 703-228-2144 or Info@EncoreLearning.net to let us know of your choice.