6.1.0 Application for Admission page top

A common application for admission is used by each community college in the VCCS. This application includes the basic data elements and information needed to admit a student to VHCC and to comply with state and federal reporting requirements. It also includes the age, gender, and race disclosure statement, the official VCCS non-discrimination statement and the required data elements for students to apply to qualify for in-state tuition charges.

A supplemental application may also be used by VHCC for the admission of students.

 6.1.1 General Admission to VHCC page top

Individuals are eligible for admission if they are high school graduates or the equivalent, or if they are 18 years of age or older and are able to benefit from study at the College.

Dual enrollment students will be admitted according to the provisions in the current Virginia Plan for Dual Enrollment or with the high school principal’s permission.

Home schooled students who are at least 16 years old and who are not attending public or private school are eligible for admission. Applicants must demonstrate appropriate basic skills compatible with VHCC’s academic expectations and provide a current copy of a signed Home School Agreement.

Other individuals not meeting these admissions criteria may apply for special consideration for admittance. VHCC reserves the right to evaluate and document special cases and to refuse admission to applicants if VHCC determines that the applicant is a threat or a potential danger to the college community or if such refusal is considered to be in the best interest of the College.

Financial aid is not awarded to college students who are simultaneously enrolled in public or private secondary educational programs or in home school.

Individuals may be admitted to VHCC as curricular or non-curricular students.

For all curricular students, the following items are required:

•  A completed official application for admission with social security number requested.
• Official transcripts from all high schools, colleges and universities attended. Note: The requirement for high school transcripts is optional if the record is more than 10 years old or is determined by the College to be of no value. Applicants to the nursing and radiography programs must provide all transcripts no matter when academic work was completed.  The VCCS Student Information System academic records will be sufficient for colleges within the Virginia Community College System.

When students have been admitted to the College as curricular students, they are encouraged to meet with one of the College division counselors to: (1) discuss their educational interests; (2) determine curricular needs; and (3) plan admission to a specific program or curriculum.

For all non-curricular students, a completed official application for admission is required with social security number requested.

Additional information may be required for admission to a specific program or curriculum (see Section 6.1.2). Students may be denied admission to VHCC if there is sufficient reason to believe that they present a danger to themselves or to other members of the college community.

It is the policy of VHCC to maintain and promote equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, sex or age (except where sex or age is a bona fide occupational qualification), religion, handicap, national origin, or other non-merit factors.

6.1.2 Admission to Specific Curricula page top

In addition to the general admission requirements listed in Section 6.1.1, specific requirements for admission to curricula are outlined in the College Catalog. Students who do not initially meet published admission requirements for a specific curriculum may qualify for admission to a different curriculum or may be classified as non-curricular until they meet the appropriate admission requirements.

VHCC admits students to curricula, as space permits. The appropriate college officer officially notifies students of admission to the curriculum.

Students applying to enter one of the associate degree curricula (Associate of Science, Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts and Sciences, Associate of Applied Science) must be a high school graduate or the equivalent, or otherwise be considered eligible by the College.

6.1.2.0 Admission to Specific Courses

Students are admitted to specific courses when the prerequisite requirements are met. Prerequisite requirements are listed in the  College Catalog.

6.1.3 Special Admission Requirements for International Students page top

In addition to the general admission requirements of VHCC, all international applicants who wish to enroll as curricular students must demonstrate proficiency in both written and oral English through the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applicants must achieve minimum scores, as indicated in the current College Catalog, on the TOEFL with test results no more than two years old. International applicants must comply with established college admissions policies specifically related to those requiring issuance of an I-20 Form of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.

6.1.4 Students with Documented Disabilities  page top

Consistent with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the VCCS guarantees that no qualified individual shall by reason of disability be denied access to, participation in, or the benefits of college.  Each qualified person shall receive appropriate, reasonable accommodations upon request to insure full and equal access to educational opportunities, programs, and activities.

6.1.4.0 Required Documentation

In order to provide appropriate, reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities who seek them, colleges shall require documentation from a qualified professional that includes a full clinical description, current functional limitations, and a prognosis to include any expected future decline in functional ability. This documentation must also include information about the methodology used to make a diagnosis, specific results of the assessments used, summary data, and specific assessment scores based on adult norms.

6.1.5 Admission Priorities page top

When enrollment must be limited for any curriculum, priority is given to all qualified applicants who are residents of the political subdivisions supporting VHCC and to other Virginia residents not having access to a given program at their local community college provided such students apply for admission to the program prior to registration or by the established deadline. In addition, residents of localities with which VHCC has clinical sites or other agreements may receive equal consideration for admission.

The admissions priorities for VHCC are as follows:

A. Residents of the Virginia political subdivisions supporting the college (City of Bristol, Washington County, and the western portion of Smyth County) and Tennessee residents from counties in which a clinical site or other agreements exist (Johnson and Sullivan counties)

B. Other Virginia residents

C. Out-of-state and international applicants

The Virginia Highlands Community College Board has established the following schedule for considering applications for those curricula with limited enrollment:

A. Prior to April 1, applications will be considered for only those persons living within the political subdivisions supporting VHCC.

B. After April 1, all Virginia residents will be considered for admission.

C. After May 1, out-of-state and international students with student (F-1 and F-2) and diplomatic (A-1 and A-2) visas.

Except for these restrictions, applications are considered in the order they are received.

6.1.6 Students Transferring from Other Colleges page top

Normally, transfer students who are eligible for re-entrance at the last college of attendance are also eligible for admission to VHCC.

Transfer students who are ineligible to return to a particular curriculum at a previous college, generally are not allowed to enroll in the same curriculum at VHCC until one semester elapses or until an approved preparatory program is completed. The VHCC Admissions and Financial Aid Committee reviews each case and may impose special conditions for the admission of such students.

Students transferring from another college should provide an official transcript to the appropriate division counselor for an evaluation of credits to determine academic standing before enrollment. Generally, no credit will be given for courses with grades lower than "C." Transfer students may be advised to repeat courses if advantageous to their curriculum advancement. All transfer students must complete the Transcript Evaluation Request form to receive transfer credit at VHCC. Transcripts of students transferring from a proprietary school or college not accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges or another regional accrediting agency will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis by the appropriate division counselor.

Any VCCS course in which a student received a grade of “C” or better, excluding general usage courses (i.e., “Topics in…” or “Studies in…” courses), transfers as the same course at VHCC.

6.1.7 Transfer Between Curricula page top

Students who wish to change their curriculum should complete the Curriculum Change form available in the Counseling Center. Students are encouraged to make an appointment with the appropriate division counselor for assistance. The division counselor will review the request and notify the Admissions’ Office and the student of the result of the review. If the request is approved, the division counselor will provide the student with a Degree Progress Report for the new curriculum.

6.1.8 Health Information page top

Qualified applicants with physical or mental impairments are strongly encouraged to notify the Admissions’ Office of their intention to register and of special needs prior to registration.

Students wishing to discuss health and/or accommodations for physical conditions are referred to the Director of Project EXCEL for appropriate arrangements. These arrangements will comply with Federal and State laws/regulations, and the requirements of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Physical health records are maintained for students who are provided with accommodations. These records are available to persons able to demonstrate a legitimate need to access them. When symptoms indicate possible mental or emotional illness, a referral may be made to a proper source for assistance.

First aid services are available to students by qualified members of the college staff.

6.1.9 AIDS Policy page top

Current knowledge indicates that students or employees with AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), ARC (AIDS-Related Complex), or a positive HIV antibody test normally do not pose a health risk to other students or employees in an academic setting. Therefore, students or employees who have AIDS, ARC, or a positive HIV antibody test are allowed regular classroom attendance and use of all institutional facilities.

Mandatory screening or testing is ordinarily not appropriate for admissions of students or employment of faculty.

Dental Assisting and other laboratory programs providing clinical experiences are guided by Center for Disease Control and OSHA guidelines. Recommendations of the American College Health Association (ACHA) may also be consulted.

VHCC offers an AIDS-awareness program for students and employees using ACHA guidelines and educational materials.

6.1.10 Email Accounts page top

Electronic mail or “email” is an official method of communication at the VCCS. All official email communication is distributed to VCCS email accounts only.