Admission of U. S. Citizens

If students are U. S. Citizens seeking admission to GSCC, whether they are residents or non-residents of Alabama, they must apply at the Office of Admissions (125 Allen Hall, Wallace Drive Campus). For information, students may write to this office at P. O. Box 227, Gadsden, AL 35902-0227, or telephone for information (1-256-549-8210 or toll-free at 1-800-226-5563). Students may e-mail for GSCC admission information at info@gadsdenstate.edu

If students are Resident Aliens, they must provide proof of their resident alien cards at the time of admission.

If this documentation is not provided, students should contact the International Student Affairs Office for admission to the College (203 Inzer Student Center, Wallace Drive Campus).

All applicants will be placed into one of the following categories:

First-time freshmen have completed high school or the equivalent but have never attended any college.

First-time students must request and ensure that their high schools mail directly to the GSCC Records Office.

Official transcripts of their high school scholastic record or the students must request that official copies of the GED scores be mailed to the Records Office. In addition, students must comply with all admission requirements.

Transfer Students have attended one or more regionally accredited colleges or universities other than GSCC but wish to continue their education at GSCC. Transfer-students must request each regionally accredited college and/or university previously attended, mail directly to the GSCC Records Office an official transcript of their academic record. If, however, students are transferring from one or more colleges or universities that were not accredited by a regional agency, students must request each such institution mail to the GSCC Records Office an official transcript. Furthermore, students must request that an official high school transcript or an official GED transcript be mailed to the GSCC Records Office. If students have completed a baccalaureate degree, however, GSCC only needs a transcript from the institution granting the degree.

Transient Students desire to enroll at GSCC for only one semester, fully intending to return to their previous college or university to complete their studies. Transient students must request and ensure that the Registrar of their regular (permanent) college or university mails directly to the GSCC Records Office a letter of transience (or good standing) indicating that the course(s) to be taken at GSCC will be acceptable at that institution. This status is not available for consecutive terms, except during the summer. Students seeking admission for consecutive terms, other than summer, must meet standards as applied to "transfer students."

Re-Activated Students are those students who were first admitted to GSCC prior to 1985 and who have not attended since 1985. Re-activated students may be required to complete a new application; and if their original file needs updating, students may be required to submit additional documentation. If students have attended one or more colleges and/or universities since their original admission to GSCC, they must arrange for an official transcript from each institution to be mailed to the GSCC Records Office. This documentation must be received by the end of the re-enrolled term.

Re-Admit Students are those former GSCC students who have not attended GSCC within the past full academic year. Re-admit students must complete a re-admission application and a residency status form if the student hasnot enrolled within a year. If students have attended one or more colleges and/or universities since their original admission to GSCC, they must arrange for an official transcript from each institution to be mailed to the GSCC Records Office. This documentation must be received by the end of the re-enrolled term.

Accelerated Students are high school students who have completed the 10th grade and who have been approved to enroll for college credit in GSCC courses while they are still attending high school. Accelerated students must see that all documents specified in the section for “Accelerated Students” are submitted to the GSCC Records Office

Dual Enrollment Students are high school students who have completed the 9th grade and who have been approved to enroll for dual credit (college and high school) in GSCC courses while they are still attending high school. Dual Enrollment students must see that all documents specified or alluded to in the section for “Dual Enrollment Students” are submitted to the GSCC Records Office.

Special Students are students who desire to take courses, but who do not intend to fulfill the requirements for a degree. Special students must complete the same documents required of the first-time freshmen and/or the transfer students.

Senior Adult Students are students who qualify for tuition assistance scholarships because they are sixty (60) years of age or older. Senior adult students must complete the same documents required of the first-time freshman and/or the transfer students.

Admission Requirements to Associate Degree Courses

To be eligible for admission to a course creditable toward an associate degree, first-time college students must meet one of the following criteria:

A student holds The Alabama High School Diploma, a high school diploma of another state equivalent to the Alabama High School Diploma, or an equivalent diploma issued by a non public regionally and/or stateaccredited high school; or

A student holds a high school diploma equivalent to The Alabama High School Diploma issued by a non-public high school and has passed either the Alabama Public High School Graduation Examination or has achieved a minimum ACT score of 16 or a score of 790 on the SAT; or

A student holds an Alternative Adult High School Diploma or an equivalent diploma issued by a regionally and/or state accredited high school; or

A student holds the Alabama Occupational Diploma, the high school diploma of another state equivalent to the Alabama Occupational Diploma, or an equivalent diploma issued by a non-public high school, and has achieved a minimum of ACT score of 16 or a score of 790 on the SAT; or

A student holds a GED certificate issued by the appropriate state education agency.

Students who meet one of the above criteria shall be classified as "degree-eligible."

Admission Requirements to Non-degree (Certificate) Courses

An applicant to a course not creditable toward an associate degree and programs comprised exclusively of courses not creditable to an associate degree may be admitted provided the applicant meets the above standards or provided the applicant is at least 16 years of age and has not been enrolled in secondary education for at least one calendar year (or upon the recommendation of the local superintendent) and has specifically documented ability-to-benefit. In addition, a student may be allowed to enroll in such "institutional credit only" courses as developmental English, mathematics, and reading. Please inquire at the Office of Admissions for details.

A student shall be classified as non-degree-eligible and shall not be allowed to enroll in a course creditable toward an associate degree unless appropriate conditions are met. For admission to a course not creditable toward an associate degree, applicants with less than a high school diploma or GED must also have on file documented ability-to-benefit. The College may establish higher or additional admission requirements for a specific program or service when student enrollment must be limited or to assure ability-to-benefit.

Unconditional Admission of First-Time College Students

For unconditional admission, applicants must have on file at the college a completed application for admission and at least one of the following:

An official transcript showing graduation with The Alabama High School Diploma, a high school diploma of another state equivalent to the Alabama High School Diploma or an equivalent diploma or a diploma issued by a non-public regionally and/or state accredited high school; or

An official transcript showing graduation from high school with a high school diploma equivalent to The Alabama High School Diploma issued by a non-public high school and proof of passage of the Alabama High School Graduation Examination; or

An official transcript showing graduation from high school with a high school diploma equivalent to The Alabama High School Diploma issued by a non-public high school and evidence of a minimum ACT score of 16 or a score of 790 on the SAT; or

An official transcript showing graduation with an Alternative Adult High School Diploma or an equivalent diploma issued by a regionally and/or state accredited high school; or

An official transcript showing graduation from high school with a high school diploma equivalent to the Alabama Occupational Diploma, the high school diploma equivalent of another state equivalent to the Alabama Occupational Diploma, or an equivalent diploma issued by a non-public high school, and has achieved a minimum ACT score of 16 or a score of 790 on the SAT; or

An official GED Certificate.

All male students between the ages of 18 and 26 must show proof of registration with the U.S. Selective Service System in accordance with 36-26-15.1 of the Code of Alabama of 1974 (as amended).

Conditional Admission of First-Time College Students

Conditional admission may be granted to an applicant who does not have on file at the College at least one of the documents as described in Unconditional Admission of First-Time College Students. Conditional admissionis a strictly temporary circumstance in which the student will be permitted to enroll and attend classes until such time as the necessary documents are received by the College. All admission documentation must be received prior to the completion of the first semester of enrollment.

If all required admissions records have not been received by the college prior to issuance of the first semester grades, the grades will be reported on the transcript but the transcript will note CONTINUED ENROLLMENT DENIED PENDING RECEIPT OF ADMISSION RECORDS. This notation will be removed from the transcript only upon receipt of all required admission records.

Transfer Student Admission

An applicant who has previously attended another regionally accredited postsecondary institution will be considered a transfer student and will be required to furnish official transcripts of all work attempted at all said institutions. The college may also require the transfer of student documents required of first time college students.

At GSCC, if a student transfers from one or more colleges or universities that were not accredited by a recognized regional agency, students must submit the following documents: (1) official transcripts from all such institutions and (2) official high school transcripts (noted in Admissions Requirements) or official GED scores.

NOTE: An applicant who graduated from a non-accredited high school must also submit ACT or SAT minimum requirements, and that applicant’s Carnegie Units must meet admission criteria, or that applicant must submit documentation of his or her passing the Alabama Public High School Graduation Examination.

A transfer student who meets requirements for admission to a course creditable toward an associate degree shall be classified as a degree-eligible student. A transfer student who does not meet these requirements shall be classified as a non-degree-eligible student.

Unconditional Admission of Transfer Student

A transfer student must have submitted to the College an application for admission and official transcripts from all regionally accredited postsecondary institutions attended and, as designated by the College, any other documentsrequired for first-time students.

A transfer student who attended another postsecondary institution and who seeks credit for transfer to that parent institution may be admitted to the College as a transient student. The student must submit an application for admission and an official letter from the institution, which certifies that the credit earned at the college, will be accepted as a part of their academic program. Such a student is not required to file transcripts of previously earned credits at otherpostsecondary istitutions.

An applicant who has completed the baccalaureate degree will be required to submit only the transcript from the institution granting the baccalaureate degree.

Conditional Admission of Transfer Students

A transfer student who does not have on file official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended and anyadditional documents required by the College may be granted conditional admission. No transfer student shall be allowed to enroll for a second semester unless all required admissions records have been received by the College prior to registration for the second semester. Under no circumstance will credit be granted until the student is admittedunconditionally.

If all required admissions records have not been received by the College prior to issuance of first semester grades, the grades will be reported on the transcript, but the transcript will note CONTINUED ENROLLMENT DENIED PENDING RECEIPT OF ADMISSIONS RECORDS. This notation will be removed from the transcript only upon receipt of all required admissions records.

Initial Academic Status of Transfer Students

A transfer student whose cumulative grade point average at the transfer institution(s) is 2.0 or above on a 4.0 scale will be admitted on CLEAR academic status.

A transfer student whose cumulative grade point average at the transfer institution(s) is less that 2.0 on a 4.0 scale will be admitted only on academic probation. The transcript will read ADMITTED ON ACADEMIC PROBATION.

An applicant who has been academically suspended from another regionally accredited postsecondary institution may be admitted as a transfer student only after following the appeal process established at the College for "native" students who have been academically suspended. If the transfer student is admitted upon appeal, the student will enter the institution on Academic Probation. The transcript will read ADMITTED UPON APPEAL-ACADEMIC PROBATION.

Admission of Transient Students

Any student from another college may attend GSCC as a transient student during any semester. A transient student is a student attending GSCC utilizing a Letter of Transience. The letter should contain the courses approved by the student's parent institution for transfer. A Letter of Transience is valid for one semester only.

Students who do not have a Letter of Transience on file at the time of registration must obtain one and present it to the Admissions Office by the halfway point of any course in which the student is enrolled. Also, students who do not have a Letter of Transience on file at the time of registration and are enrollment for a math or English course must present a transcript, grade report, or student copy of the Letter of Transience to satisfy prerequisite requirements for these courses. Students who wish to enroll for an additional semester become Transfer Students and must meet the criteria for Transfer Students as stated in this catalog.

Transfer of Credit

Whether a U.S. citizen or an international student, the following principles relating to transfer of credit earned at one institution to another institution apply.

1. Coursework transferred or accepted for credit toward an undergraduate program must represent collegiatecoursework relevant to the formal award, with course content and level of instruction resulting in student competencies at least equivalent to those of students enrolled in the institution's own undergraduate formal award programs. In assessing and documenting equivalent learning and qualified faculty, an institution may use recognized guides that aid in the evaluation for credit. Such guides include those published by the American Council on Education, the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, and the

National Association of Foreign Student Affairs.

***Note: Students will be notified by letter mailed to the address of record after credit is awarded.***

2. A course completed at other regionally accredited postsecondary institutions with a passing grade will be accepted for transfer as potentially creditable toward graduation requirements.

3. A transfer grade of "D" will be accepted only when the transfer student's cumulative GPA is 2.0 or above. If the student has a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above, the "D" grade will be accepted the same as it would be for "native" D; students. The exception to this rule is a grade of "D"; in English Composition I, English Composition II, and/or a grade of "D" in math courses one hundred (100) level and above, neither of which will be transferred.

4. Non-Traditional credit may be extended based on a comprehensive evaluation of demonstrated and documented competencies and previous formal training. Evaluations are made by qualified faculty and approved by the Dean of Instructional Services.

5. A transfer student from a collegiate institution not accredited by the appropriate regional association or Council on Occupational Education may request an evaluation of transfer credits after completing 15 semester hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above.

Early Admission for Accelerated High School Students

1. A Student is eligible for early admission if they meet all of the following criteria:

a. The student has successfully completed the 10th grade;

b. The student provides a certification from the local principal and/or designee certifying that the student has a minimum cumulative "B" average and recommending that the student be admitted under this policy;

c. The student may enroll only in postsecondary courses for which high school prerequisites have been completed (for example: a student may not take English Composition until all required high school English courses have been completed).

2. Exceptions may be granted by the Chancellor for a student documented as gifted and talented according to the standards included in the State Plan of Exceptional Children and Youth. Exceptions apply only to requirements "a" and "c" above.

3. All credit for coursework completed under these provisions is held in escrow until the student provides proof of high school graduation (final high school transcript). Transcripts issued prior to a student's high school graduation will be labeled "Conditional credit". Upon proof of high school graduation, this notation will be removedfrom the transcript. A student from a non-public, non-accredited high school must also provide documentation of anappropriate ACT or SAT score upon enrollment, or the student must provide documentation that he or she passed the Alabama Public High School Graduation Examination.

Dual Enrollment for High School Students

Eligible high school students may enroll in college classes concurrently with high school classes, either on the college campus or at the high school, and receive both high school and college credit. There must be on file at Gadsden State Community College a formal written agreement between the student's local school board and Gadsden State Community College before approval for Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment admission is granted.

To be eligible the student must meet the following requirements:

The student must be in grade 10, 11, or 12 or have an exception granted by the participating postsecondary institution upon the recommendation of the student's principal and superintendent and in accordance with Alabama Administrative code 290-8-9.17 regarding gifted and talented students.

The student must have a "B" average, as defined by local board of education policy, in completed high school courses.

The student must have written approval of the appropriate principal and the local superintendent of education. Student success in Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment is dependent upon both academic readiness and social maturity. Approval from the principal and superintendent indicates that the student has demonstrated both.

The student must meet the entrance requirements established by the College.

Students who are enrolled in grades 10, 11, or 12 may be deemed eligible to participate in Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment in occupational/technical courses pending demonstrated ability-to-benefit as documented by successful completion of "CPAt", which is approved by the Department of Postsecondary Education.

Students enrolled under the ability-to-benefit provision must have a "B" (3.0 grade point average) in high school courses directly related to the occupational/technical studies (if applicable), which the student intends to pursue at the postsecondary level and an overall 2.5 grade point average in high school course work.

Exceptions may be made on an individual student basis after assessment and with the mutual consent of both the local School Board and the College.

All credit for coursework completed under these provisions is held in escrow until the student provides proof of high school graduation (final high school transcripts). Transcripts issued prior to a student's high school graduation will be labeled "Conditional credit" Upon proof of high school graduation, this notation will be removed from the transcript. A student from a non-public, non-accredited high school must also provide an appropriate ACT or SAT scores upon enrollment, or the student must provide documentation that he or she passed the Alabama Public High School Graduation Examination.

International Students

An international student (a first-time freshman, a transfer student, a transient student, or a re-admission student) must apply for admission to the College before the student may enroll in a course. To begin the admission procedure, the student needs to apply at the

***NOTICE: International student applicants are not eligible for conditional admission status.***

Admission Requirements for International Students:

To be admitted to Gadsden State Community College, an international student must submit to the International Student Affairs Office each of the following:

Official transcript of high school record, showing that the average grade was at least C. Certified English translation must accompany any transcript which is not in English.

Competence in the English language as evidenced by a score of at least 500 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (but see the exceptions below);

Medical Record Form completed and signed by a physician attesting to the student's good health; and

Affidavit of Support in the form of a certified statement from a person who assumes full responsibility for the student';s financial support.

TOEFL Exceptions #1: (1) A student from a country where English is the native language or from a country exempt from the TOEFL; or (2) a student who has graduated from an accredited high school in the United States or from an accredited American high school overseas; or (3) a student who is applying for admission to the Alabama Language Institute (ALI), the student is exempt from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)requirement. For more information on the ALI program, read the section on "ALI" in this catalog.

TOEFL Exceptions #2: A transfer student who has completed successfully English Composition 101 or higher with a grade of C or above from a regionally accredited institution is exempt from the TOEFL.

Notice # 1: A transfer student (that is, a student who has attended one or more U. S. colleges and/or universities other than GSCC, and who wishes to pursue an education at GSCC, must also ensure that an official academic record transcript is sent directly to GSCC by the Registrar of each college and/or university that the student attended.

In addition, the student must submit to the International Student Affairs Office a completed Transfer Clearance Form.

Notice #2: Academic credits earned at a foreign university must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES), P.O. Box 745, Old Chelsea Station, New York, NY 10113-0745. WES should send the evaluation directly to

Gadsden State Community College, Registrar, P.O. BOX 227, Gadsden, AL 35902-0227.

Notice #3: All students holding a student (F-1) visa must have adequate health insurance coverage during all periods of enrollment and summer vacation. Repatriation and medical evacuation benefits need to be included under the health insurance policy. Health insurance policies other than the policy recommended by GSCC, must have comparable benefits to be accepted. Students who do not comply with this requirement will be withdrawn from classes.

Notice #4: A student from a country whose students have experienced difficulty in obtaining funds, GSCC may require that the required educational funds be deposited with the College when the student applies for admission. These funds, which will be held in trust for the student, will be controlled by the College and will be expended inaccordance with the student's needs.

International Students' Procedure for Making Application

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