Twin Falls, Idaho (KMVT-TV) Classes at the College of Southern Idaho begin on Monday. While many have already registered, the college's fall semester enrollment is tracking lower numbers than at this point last year. But there are still certain factors to consider before tallying the totals.

Chelsea O'Neal is a Canyon Ridge High School graduate and starting her freshman year at the College of Southern Idaho.

"I'm going to finish financial aid and hopefully get books," says O'Neal.

She is one of the many degree–seeking students looking to move on to four–year universities.

Doug Maughan, CSI Public Relations says, "students who are in degree–seeking mode, seem to be strong this year and a lot of those students are going to articulate to a four–year university, but they're going to save money right now working at home, living at home and getting classes that cost a lot less at CSI."

O'Neal adds, "my overall goals are to finish my generals and find a major because i'm not sure what I'm going to major in yet."

While O'neal has a goal in sight, some aren't as fortunate.

Maughan adds, "over those first few weeks, there's a certain amount of wash out if you will, where students are trying and are not making it work and they come back later. But it creates some churn in those first few weeks."

The new fall enrollment reporting date is October 15th. This allows for CSI to account for any late enrollees, late starting classes and dual–credit students coming from across the state.

Maughan adds, "the reporting date for Idaho's colleges and universities was moved to October 15th recently by the state board of education because they realized they're getting an accurate assessment on the 10th day of the semester was very difficult ."

CSI isn't just confined to Twin Falls. The school is reporting enrollment gains at all of the off–campus centers, in Burley, Hailey and Gooding.

Students services offices will be open until six in the evening for the rest of this week and the first week of school. The offices are closed on the weekends.