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 s/he 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.

The specific processes for general admission to CVCC include

1. Select a Program of Study. Career planning assistance is available in Career Services.
2. Complete the online CVCC Application for Admission.
3. Attend a Starting Points Information Session in person or view online.
4. Complete the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
5. Request an official high school/adult secondary credential transcript be sent to CVCC Records.  Applicants may choose to deliver official transcripts in sealed envelopes to the Records Department. 
6. Request all official college transcript(s) be sent to CVCC Records.  Applicants may choose to deliver official transcripts in sealed envelopes to the Records Department. 
7. Within a week of Application submission, visit the Admissions Office in the Student Services building on the main campus to complete the enrollment process. A photo ID is necessary to complete the enrollment process.

Additional information on general admission to CVCC may be found at » How to Enroll

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. Complete the online CVCC Application for Admission.
2. Complete all financial statements as outlined on the CVCC website at http://www.cvcc.edu/international-students. 
3. Request translation and evaluation of high school/adult secondary credential transcripts by any agency associated with NACES be sent to CVCC Records.  Applicants may choose to deliver official transcripts in sealed envelopes to the Records Department. See Academic Credit  .
4. Provide a photograph.
5. Submit verification of home country address.
6. Submit an official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) test score less than five (5) years old.
7. Submit a VISA clearance form if transferring from another United States institution of higher learning.

Additional information on general admission to CVCC may be found at http://www.cvcc.edu/international-students.

Questions about this process are to be directed to the Chief Student Services Officer 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. Qualified North Carolina high school students are admitted to CVCC through this Act.

Career and College Promise

Career and College Promise provides seamless dual enrollment educational opportunities for eligible North Carolina high school students in order to accelerate completion of college certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees that lead to college transfer or provide entry-level job skills. North Carolina community colleges may offer the following Career and College Promise pathways aligned with the K-12 curriculum and career and college ready standards adopted by the State Board of Education:

1. A College Transfer Pathway (CTP) leading to a minimum of 30 hours of college transfer credit:
2. A Career and Technical Education Pathway (CTE) leading to a certificate, diploma or degree;
3. A Cooperative Innovative High School Pathway approved under Part 9 of Article 16 of Chapter 115C of the General Statues.

Information on admission to Career and College Promise pathway opportunities may be found at http://www.cvcc.edu/ccp.

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

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. Application packets are available in January each year at http://www.catawbaschools.net/challenger and are due by mid-February. Notification of acceptance is in March. Questions about the Challenger program may be directed to the Challenger office or CVCC Director of Early College Programs.

Alexander Early College High School

Alexander Early College began in August 2016 and is a non-traditional, selective enrollment, application only Cooperative Innovative High Schools serving residents of Alexander County. Entry is for freshmen only. All high school courses are taught at an Honors level and College classes begin in 9^th grade. Students have the ability to earn a high school diploma and have access to earn credits for an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree (or other transferrable credits) in four or five years. Applications are accepted from students who meet one or more of the following criteria or desire a non-traditional high school setting:

            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).

Application packets are available in January each year at https://www.alexander.k12.nc.us/Domain/1208.  Questions about the Alexander Early College program may be directed to their office or CVCC Director of Early College Programs.

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 he or she 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. Select a Program of Study.  Career planning assistance is available in Career Services.
2. Complete the online CVCC Application for Admission.
3. Attend a Starting Points Information Session in person or view online.
4. Request an official high school transcript be sent to CVCC Records.  Applicants may choose to deliver official transcripts in sealed envelopes to the Records Department. 
5. Request all official college transcript(s) be sent to CVCC Records.  Applicants may choose to deliver official transcripts in sealed envelopes to the Records Department. 
6. Within a week of Application submission, visit the Admissions Office in the Student Services building on the main campus to complete the enrollment process. A photo ID is necessary to complete the enrollment process. DACA documents, if applicable, should also be submitted at the time of admission.

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 Chief Student Services Officer 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 that is refused would be eligible to be admitted.

An applicant denied admission on the basis of a safety threat may appeal (within 15 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 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. A student must satisfy the admissions requirements for his/her program of study. Applicants will be admitted to programs as admissions requirements are completed except for programs with limited enrollment (discussed further below). Applicants may be admitted to certain programs on a provisional basis until all admissions requirements are completed. The Chief Student Services Officer 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. Next applicants will complete additional admission requirements and submit a Minimum Admission Requirement (MAR) document for the healthcare program of interest. This information is posted on the CVCC website at » School of Public Services.

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 documents an applicant’s satisfactory fitness for the program.

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 first complete the online CVCC Application for Admission. Students may complete the enrollment process in person by visiting the Admissions Office in the Student Services building on the main campus. Special Credit students may also complete the admissions process from a distance. Specific details are available at Distance. A photo ID is necessary to complete the enrollment process.

Special Credit students must meet course prerequisites by either 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.

Admission to Distance Education Courses

The State Authorization Coordinator is charged with ensuring compliance with any state authorization requirements for CVCC through the following steps:

• Act as the clearinghouse to assist academic units that offer online/distance education courses or programs to students residing in other states to obtain authorization in those states as necessary.
• Monitor and maintain information related to other states’ post-secondary authorization requirements.
• Maintain point of contact information for each state’s authorization agency/agencies and correspond with points of contact as necessary.
• Track enrollment of students from other states in CVCC courses delivered by online/distance delivery and to notify Deans and the Chief Academic Officer of these enrollments.  (Note: Some states require authorization for faculty residing in the state.)
• If a student from an unauthorized state is discovered found enrolled in an online/distance course(s), that student will be promptly withdrawn from the course.
• Monitor new programs and courses in which students residing in other states might enroll to determine if the program/course meets an exemption status or if authorization must be obtained from a state or states when a need for authorization is determined.  If an out-of-state student from a state that is not exempted or not authorized to offer online courses is found currently enrolled in an online course, that student may be withdrawn from that course at any time and asked to register for a seated or hybrid section of the course at the student’s expense.
• Complete the authorization process for the required state or states.
• Establish and monitor renewal cycles for states from which authorization has been obtained.
• Provide website updates to the college webmaster on how to file a complaint with accrediting agencies and relevant state approval authorities that USDOE requires to be available to students on the CVCC website.
• Maintain CVCC presence in the SREB Electronic Campus as appropriate.
• Keep current concerning federal revisions of state authorization regulations and of progress of adoption of the national reciprocity agreement, SARA.
• The academic program/department from which the need for authorization arises will be responsible for implementing a teach out plan and complete substantive change notifications if necessary (such as if a decision is made to no longer offer an entire program distance, etc.)
• Processing payment (if necessary) of fees required for state authorization in any state from which the need for authorization arose.  

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: http://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.