Admissions

General Admission to CVCC

CVCC follows “open door” admissions policies as established by the North Carolina Community College System. Admission is open to all applicants who are legal residents of the United States and who are either high school graduates or are at least 18 years of age. Minors are admitted under provisions and rules established by the State Board of Community Colleges.

View (PDF) document -1D SBCCC 400.2 (a) Admissions to Colleges at  » State Board of Community College (SBCCC)  

A person is classified as a student when admission requirements are met and registration for class has occurred that cause

1. tuition and fees to be paid (or encumbered by waiver, financial aid, third party payment, etc.) and
2. the person enters and attends the class(es).

A person continues to be a student by attending class and making progress toward completion of the course objectives.

A person is no longer a student in a particular class when the person is no longer attending the class in accordance with the attendance expectations of the class and/or is graded with a WP or a WF. Should this occur in all classes during a particular semester, the person is no longer a student for that semester at the point in time when the last transaction has occurred.

A person is a visitor when not a student. Students are entitled to due process. Visitors are not afforded due process.

A student is considered to be in good standing if the student has cumulative CVCC grade point average (GPA) of 2.000 or higher, the student is eligible to re-enroll at CVCC (no disciplinary action or missing transcripts), and the student has met all financial obligations to CVCC. 

The specific processes for general admission to CVCC include

1. Plan a career path using Focus 2 or Career Coach..
2. Select a Program of Study.
3. Complete and submit the NC Residency Interview.
4. Complete and submit the CVCC Application.
5. Complete and submit the FAFSA and CVCC Scholarship Forms.
6. Submit ALL official transcripts to CVCC Records. 
7. To activate the Application by Distance: Send an email to admissions@cvcc.edu which includes a cell phone photo of applicant’s valid government issued photo ID and a request to activate the Application by distance. To activate the Application by visit when normal operations have resumed on campus that allow students to visit the service areas, visit Student Services to activate the Application.  Bring a valid government-issued photo ID to the visit. 

Additional information on general admission to CVCC may be found at » Apply Now

Questions about this process are to be directed to the Chief Student Services Officer or designee.

International Students

CVCC is authorized by the U.S. Department of Naturalization and Immigration to admit international students with a valid F-1 Visa or valid Permanent Resident Card. International students must complete additional admission procedures by published deadlines.

The specific processes for International Students to be admitted to CVCC include

1. Select a Program of Study. To ensure SEVIS compliance, International Students must choose one of the following Programs of Study: Associate in Arts, Associate in Engineering, or Associate in Science. 
2. Complete and submit the NC Residency Interview.
3. Complete and submit the CVCC Application.
4. Complete all financial statements as outlined on the CVCC website at http://www.cvcc.edu/Admissions/Admission_Type/International-Students/Admission-Packet.cfm. 
5. Request translation and evaluation of high school/adult secondary credential transcripts into English language by any agency associated with National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) be sent to CVCC Records.
6. Submit a photograph.
7. Submit Verification of Home Country Address Form.
8. Submit an official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) test score less than five (5) years old.
9. Visit Student Services upon arrival to campus and bring a valid government-issued photo ID to the visit. 

International Students may transfer to CVCC from another United States institution of higher learning or from a public/private high school provided the students submits a VISA CLEARANCE FORM and satisfactorily completes the CVCC admissions process for International Students.

Additional information on general admission to CVCC may be found at http://www.cvcc.edu/Admissions/Admission_Type/International-Students/index.cfm.

To fulfill the college’s general admission requirements, students who have attended foreign schools at the secondary level (high school) and/or post-secondary level (college/university) must submit transcripts according to the following process:

Foreign secondary or post-secondary transcripts must be written in the English language or translated literally (word for word) into the English language and evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Foreign secondary level transcripts must indicate US high school equivalency. Foreign post-secondary transcripts must indicate potential transfer credit for courses at CVCC.

The student must request official documents be sent to the NACES evaluating agency from their educational institutions. Once the report has been completed, the NACES evaluating agency must send an official report directly to CVCC Student Records that includes a copy of the official document(s) submitted to the agency and the official evaluation and/or translation report performed by the agency. The report must include the student’s name as issued on the original document(s) and date of birth. The report must be signed by the evaluator and include the evaluator’s credentials.

Student copies of the report are not accepted.

If the student name is not consistent on all documents, students may be required to submit legal documentation with proof of their name change. Legal documents accepted for proof of name changes are legible certified copies that have a raised seal and certification by a US government official. These documents include Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree, Certificate of US Naturalization, or US Court Order approving the name change. 

Questions about this process are to be directed to the Dean of Enrollment Management or designee.

High School Students

Session Law 2011-145, the Appropriations Act of 2011, authorized the State Board of Education and the State Board of Community Colleges to establish the Career and College Promise program, effective January 1, 2012. The purpose of Career and College Promise is to offer structured opportunities for qualified high school students to dually enroll in community college courses that provide pathways that lead to a certificate, diploma, degree, or State or industry-recognized credential as well as provide entry-level jobs skills.

Career and College Promise

Eligible North Carolina high school students may be admitted to CVCC through the Career and College Promise Program (CCP). The purpose of CCP is to offer structured opportunities for qualified high school students to dually enroll in community college courses that provide pathways that lead to a certificate, diploma, degree, or State- or industry-recognized credentials as well as provide entry-level job skills.

CCP offers North Carolina high school students a clear path to success in college or in a career. The program is tuition-free to all students who maintain a “B” average and meet other eligibility requirements. Through a partnership of the Department of Public Instruction, the North Carolina Community College System, the University of North Carolina system and many independent colleges and universities, North Carolina is helping eligible high school students to begin earning college credit at a community college campus at no tuition cost to them or their families.

The three pathways include:

1. College Transfer Pathways (CTP) which require the completion of at least 30 semester hours of transfer courses including English and mathematics.

2. Career and Technical Education Pathways (CTE):

a) a curriculum Career and Technical Education Pathway leading to a certificate or diploma aligned with a high school career cluster.

b) a Workforce Continuing Education Pathway (WCEP) leading to a state or industry recognized credential aligned with a high school career cluster.

3. Cooperative Innovative High School Programs (CIHSP) which are located on college campuses (unless a waiver was provided) and provide opportunities for students to complete an associate degree program or earn up to two years of college credit within five years. Examples include Early and Middle College High Schools.

Admission information is available at Career and College Promise.

Questions about this process are to be directed to the CCP Programming Administrator. 

Challenger Early College High School

Challenger ECHS is a non-traditional, selective enrollment, application only Cooperative Innovative High School serving the residents of Catawba County.  The School accepts freshmen only and enrollment is limited to 400 students in grades 9-12.  All high school courses are taught at Honors Level and College classes begin in the freshmen year. Applications are invited from students who may benefit from a non-traditional school setting; at least 80% of students must meet one or more of the following criteria:

            1. First generation college  (neither parent has earned a Bachelor’s degree)

            2. Documented financial hardship according to federal guidelines

            3. Single-parent household

            4. English is their second language

            5. No discipline or attendance issues

            6. Be academically qualified (middle 60% or better based on middle school grades, EOG, EOC or other standardized testing).

Challenger students earn a Future Ready Core High School Diploma and have access to earn either an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree in four years. The application process begins in January each year. Questions about the Challenger program may be directed to the Challenger office or CVCC Early College Programs Administrator.

Alexander Early College High School

Established in 2016, Alexander Early College is a non-traditional, selective enrollment, application only, Cooperative Innovative High School serving the residents of Alexander County. Entry is preferred for Freshman; however, certain unique situations do allow for Sophomores and even Juniors to be admitted to the school. All high school courses are taught at an honors level and college classes begin in the 9th grade. Students have the ability to earn a high school diploma and have access to earn credits for an Associate in Arts Degree or an Associate in Science Degree (or other transferrable credits) in just four years. Applications are accepted from all interested students who meet the criteria or desire a non-traditional high school setting. Application packets are available in January each year on the AEC website. Prospective students may click the Apply Now option on the homepage of the Alexander Early College website. A hard copy of the application can be obtained in the main office of the Alexander Center on the CVCC- Taylorsville campus. Questions about the Alexander Early College program may be directed to the CVCC Early College Program Administrator or Principal Jason Evans via email at jevans@alexander.k12.nc.us.

Undocumented Immigrants

CVCC may admit undocumented immigrants under the following conditions as specified in 1D SBCCC 400.2(b) Admission to Colleges at » State Board of Community College (SBCCC)  

For the purposes of this Section, “undocumented immigrant” means any immigrant who is not lawfully present in the United States. Community colleges shall admit undocumented immigrants under the following conditions:

1. Community colleges shall admit an undocumented immigrant only if the undocumented immigrant attended and graduated from a United States public high school, private high school, or home school that operates in compliance with State or local law;
2. When determining who is an undocumented immigrant, community colleges shall use federal immigration classifications;
3. Undocumented immigrants admitted under Subparagraph (b)(1) of this Rule must comply with all federal and state laws concerning financial aid;
4. An undocumented immigrant admitted under Subparagraph (b)(1) of this Rule shall not be considered a North Carolina resident for tuition purposes. All undocumented immigrants admitted under Subparagraph (b)(1) of this Rule must be charged out of state tuition whether or not they reside in North Carolina;
5. When considering whether to admit an undocumented immigrant into a specific program of study, community colleges shall take into account that federal law prohibits states from granting professional licenses to undocumented immigrants; and
6. Students lawfully present in the United States shall have priority over any undocumented immigrant in any class or program of study when capacity limitations exist.

Note: An Adult Secondary Credential (also referred to as a General Education Diploma, General Equivalency Diploma, or Graduate Equivalency Degree) does not satisfy condition (1) above. 

Undocumented immigrants follow these specific processes for general admission to CVCC:

1. Plan a career path using Focus 2 or Career Coach.
2. Select a Program of Study.
3. Complete and submit the NC Residency Interview.
4. Complete and submit the CVCC Application.
5. Submit ALL official transcripts to CVCC Records.
6. To activate the Application by Distance: Send an email to admissions@cvcc.edu which includes a cell phone photo of applicant’s valid government issued photo ID and a request to activate the Application by distance. To activate the Application by visit when normal operations have resumed on campus that allow students to visit the service areas, visit Student Services to activate the Application.  

Under current state code, undocumented immigrants do not qualify for federal and state financial aid or for in state residency for tuition purposes.  Students lawfully present in the United States shall have priority over any undocumented immigrant in a class or program of study when capacity limitations exist.

Questions about this process are to be directed to the Dean of Enrollment Management or designee. More information is available at » Undocumented Immigrants

Safety Exceptions          

CVCC may refuse admission to any applicant in accordance with the following conditions as specified in State Board of Community Colleges Code 23SBCCC 02C.301(e) and (f) entitled “Admission to Colleges”

View (PDF) document - 1D SBCCC 400.2 (e) Admissions to Colleges at » State Board of Community College (SBCCC)  

CVCC may refuse admission to an applicant when there is an articulable, imminent, and significant safety threat to the applicant or other individuals. If CVCC refuses admission on the basis of a safety threat, the following shall be documented:

1. Detailed facts supporting the rationale for denying admission;
2. The time period within which the refusal to admit shall be applicable and the supporting rationale for the designated time period; and
3. The conditions upon which the applicant who is refused would be eligible to be admitted.

An applicant denied admission on the basis of a safety threat may appeal (within 15 working days) the denial to the Executive Board of the CVCC Safety and Security Committee (It will not be a full Safety and Security Committee) by submitting a written request for appeal to the Office of the President. The Committee shall promptly conduct a review/hearing of the appeal, providing results to the applicant within 15 working days. Such review/hearing will have the following procedural safeguards for the applicant and for CVCC:

• The opportunity to confront and cross-examine witnesses;
• The opportunity to present arguments and evidence orally, as well as in writing;
• The right to retain an attorney (the other party shall be informed of intent);
• The maintenance of a complete record of the hearing (although tape recordings may not occur without knowledge and consent of all parties); and
• A recommendation resting solely on the rules and evidence advanced at the hearing.

The Executive Board’s decision regarding an admissions appeal shall be determined by majority vote and is final.

Admission to Curriculum Programs of Study

Admission to CVCC does not guarantee admission to the curriculum program of study desired by the applicant. An applicant must satisfy the admissions requirements for the intended program of study. Applicants will be admitted to programs as admissions requirements are completed except for programs with limited enrollment (discussed further below). The Dean of Enrollment Management or designee will maintain appropriate documentation of the specific admissions requirements for each curriculum program and will provide appropriate communication of those admissions requirements.

Completion of high school or equivalent (Adult Secondary Credential Program) is required for admission to all associate degree and diploma programs and certain certificate programs. If completion of high school or equivalent is a requirement for the intended program, applicants must provide official transcripts (from high school or Adult Secondary Credential program) evidencing completion.

Limited Enrollment Programs

Enrollment in certain programs is limited, and admission is competitive. The admissions committee for each limited enrollment program will select the most academically qualified applicants.

Healthcare Programs

Applicants to healthcare programs must first complete general admissions requirements to CVCC as stated in Procedure 3.2 or on the CVCC website at » How to Enroll. Applicants will complete additional admission requirements and submit a Minimum Admission Requirement (MAR) Checklist for the healthcare program of interest. This information is posted on the CVCC website at » School of Health Education.

Please note that certain healthcare programs require completion of educational experiences in clinical/lab settings. These clinical/lab settings may require students to undergo criminal background checks and/or drug screenings at the student’s expense. Some facilities may also require additional vaccinations and/or health examinations. Acceptance in a specific healthcare program is contingent upon receipt of the appropriate medical/mental health forms which document an applicant’s satisfactory fitness for the program.

Students may apply to only one (1) healthcare program at a time. Should acceptance to that program be denied, the student may apply to another healthcare program whose application deadline has not yet occurred. An “alternate” status is not a “denied” status. Students selected as Alternates who wish to apply to another program must forfeit their spot on the Alternate list.

Students lawfully present in the United States shall have priority over any undocumented immigrant in a class or program of study when capacity limitations exist.

Early Childhood Education Program

Applicants for the Early Childhood Education Program must first complete general admissions requirements to CVCC as stated in Procedure 3.2 or on the CVCC website at » How to Enroll. In addition to the general admissions requirements, applicants for the Early Childhood Education program must complete other procedures. CVCC’s Early Childhood Education program requires completion of educational experiences in childcare facilities and/or public school settings. These settings require students to undergo criminal background checks and/or health assessments. If a student is excluded from an educational setting as a result of one of these requirements, the student may be asked to withdraw from the program. Some settings may also require additional vaccinations and/or health examinations. Completion of CVCC’s Early Childhood Education program may be contingent upon receipt of a CVCC medical form documenting that the applicant possesses satisfactory physical and mental health. Facilities for providing health care services are not available on campus.

Basic Law Enforcement Training Program (BLET)

Applicants for the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) certificate must first complete general admissions requirements to CVCC as stated in Procedure 3.2 or on the CVCC website at » How to Enroll. In addition to the general admissions requirements, BLET applicants must complete additional requirements posted on the CVCC website at Basic Law Enforcement Training.

Special Credit Program

Applicants who wish to enroll without pursuing a degree, diploma or certificate are classified as Special Credit students. Applicants must complete the NC Residency Interview and the CVCC Application. To activate the Application by Distance: Send an email to admissions@cvcc.edu which includes a cell phone photo of applicant’s valid government-issued photo ID and a request to activate the Application by distance.

To activate the Application by visit when normal operations have resumed on campus that allow students to visit the service areas, visit Student Services to activate the Application. A valid government-issued photo ID is necessary to complete the enrollment process.

Special Credit students must meet course prerequisites by either satisfying RISE placement conditions, placement testing or by providing unofficial transcripts from a regionally-accredited college/university showing courses with a grade of “C-” or better.

Special credit students are not eligible for federal/state financial aid or Veterans’ benefits.

 Accelerated Associate in Arts or Associate in Science Plan 

The Accelerated Associate in Arts or Associate in Science Plans are designed to allow highly motivated students to complete a college transfer degree in 12-15 months. Enrollment is limited to high-achieving students who are college ready as determined by GPA or prior credits and plan to transfer to a university. These plans include courses taken during summer and winter intersession terms and a heavy course load of 18 credits or more in fall and spring semester. Classes include many of the general education classes that are commonly required for a bachelor’s degree from the UNC System universities delivered online or by other traditional methods. Students must indicate interest in this program when applying to CVCC or during the advising process. Former Career and College Promise students who wish to complete their degree may benefit from this program. For more information on these accelerated plans, please contact Debbie Austin, Center for Student Excellence and Leadership  daustin@cvcc.edu or calling 828-327-7000, ext.4715.

 Online Degree Completion Plan

The Online Degree Completion Plan is designed for students who have two consecutive semesters of non-enrollment and need less than 18 credits to finish their Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree. This plan allows students to finish the degree they once started, accomplish an educational goal and advance their career through online classes. For more information, please contact Debbie Austin, Center for Student Excellence and Leadership, daustin@cvcc.edu or by calling 828-327-7000, ext. 4715.

Admission to Distance Education Courses

Catawba Valley Community College is not authorized to provide distance education courses outside of North Carolina, unless state authorization has been granted from the state in which the applicant resides. State Authorization requires colleges to seek and secure authorization to offer instruction in that state. Compliance with individual state requirements is now part of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, Amended 2010.

Admission of applicants residing outside of North Carolina to an online degree, diploma, certificate program, or individual online courses offered by Catawba Valley Community College is dependent on the college’s ability to secure authorization from the applicant’s state of residence. A list of states in which Catawba Valley Community College is currently authorized to offer distance education courses is maintained on the institution’s website: www.cvcc.edu/Distance_Education/not-a-nc-resident.cfm.

The State Authorization Coordinator will be the single point of contact to coordinate, assist, and secure authorization from states that require educational institutions to be legally authorized in their state prior to offering online/distance education programs/courses to students residing in that state.

The Educational Technology department will maintain information needed to determine eligibility in states and to complete authorization requests as necessary. The Educational Technology department will maintain a database of out-of-state students enrolled in Catawba Valley Community College distance learning programs/courses and of instructors living out of state.

Please note that state authorization does not affect the cost of attending college at CVCC. Tuition requirements, including those for out-of-state students, still apply.