Admissions/Enrollment

Policy

Southwestern Community College operates under the Open-Door Policy of the North Carolina Community College System. Students are admitted without regard to race, religion, sex, color, creed, national origin, age or disability.

Admission to the College

Any person who is at least 18 years of age or a high school graduate or its equivalent may be admitted by the College. Verification of high school graduation or equivalency shall be in the form of an official high school transcript or documentation of GED scores. Upon admission to a curriculum program, an applicant must attain the designated scores on the SAT, ACT or the College placement test. Students failing to attain the designated scores will be required to successfully complete appropriate developmental course work. Admission to the College does not imply immediate admission to the curriculum desired by the applicant, and admission to certain Health Science programs may have additional specific entrance requirements. A high school diploma or the equivalent is not required for admission to the following Certificate programs:

• Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrig. Technology
• Automotive Systems Technology
• Culinary Arts
• Trade-Welding

North Carolina High school students who are in their junior or senior year may be admitted into certain certificate programs and courses based upon the requirements established in the Career and College Promise program adopted by the State of North Carolina and the College. For more information about the Career and College Promise program, contact our High School Partnership Coordinator at ccp@southwesterncc.edu or 828.339.4465.

Non-Resident Student Restriction on Enrollment & State Authorization

For students of a state other than North Carolina, SCC must be authorized to offer classes and/or programs by the state in which the student resides. SCC has joined the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). As of 2018, all US states are included in this reciprocity agreement with the exception of California. If you are a resident of California as of 2018, you are not authorized to study with us.

Admission Refusal

The college reserves the right to refuse admission to any applicant during any period of time that the student is suspended or expelled from another college or educational entity for non-academic disciplinary reasons. The college reserves the right to refuse admission to any applicant if it is necessary to protect the safety of the applicant or other individuals. The Dean of Students administers the admissions process and the appeals procedure.

False Information

Applicants are expected to demonstrate honesty in the completion of all necessary forms. False information will be grounds for rejection or dismissal.

Readmission

A student who has NOT been enrolled at the college for the previous two semesters must complete an Application for Admission and update residency classification prior to registration. Students applying for readmission, will be required to meet the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of readmission, unless waived by the Executive Vice President for Instruction and Student Services. The college reserves the right to refuse readmission to a former student who has unpaid financial obligations at the college or who has not complied with previous disciplinary requirements.

Use of Social Security Numbers

The college collects social security numbers from all applicants for admission to ensure accurate records for required federal and state reporting. The college protects and restricts access to this information and assigns an ID# to each applicant.

Admission to a Program of Study

Admission to a degree, diploma or selected certificate program requires a high school diploma or the equivalent. An official transcript from a valid high school is required. Students who interrupt their course of study must reapply. The Dean of Students coordinates and administers all admission requirements, policies and procedures.

If you have a …	You may be eligible to enroll in…
A High School Diploma	All programs **
A GED	All programs **
No high school diploma or GED	Specific courses as Special Credit
	High School Equivalency Program
	Adult High School Diploma Program
	The following course: Nursing Assistant I (see program description)
	The following Certificate programs: Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrig. Tech. Automotive Systems Technology Culinary Arts Trades – Welding
	Other certificate programs may be available – contact Admissions at 828.339.4352.

** See selective admission health science programs on the following pages.

How to Contact the Admissions Office
Location: Jackson Campus, Balsam Center, 1st Floor
Telephone: 800.447.4091 • 828.339.4352 or 339.4253
Address: 447 College Drive, Sylva, NC 28779
E-mail Address: admissions@southwesterncc.edu

STEPS TO ENROLL

*Currently enrolled high school students looking to do dual enrollment have a separate application process and must contact the High School Partnership Coordinator at 828.339.4465.

1. Submit an application for admission in accordance with the admission policy. This can be completed in writing or online. High school age students (traditional or home school) dually enrolling in high school and SCC classes will submit a one-page application through the Admissions office to the High School Partnership Coordinator.
2. Submit an official transcript from a valid high school or a copy of high school equivalency scores to the Registrar’s Office.
   • High school transcript MUST include the type of diploma awarded and the date awarded. Official transcripts MUST have the official seal of the school and arrive at SCC, unopened, from the issuing schools or agencies.
3. Submit official transcripts from ALL postsecondary institutions attended to the Registrar’s Office.
   • Institutions MUST be accredited by at least one of the “Regional Accrediting Agencies.” Official transcripts MUST have the official seal of the institution and arrive at SCC, unopened, from the issuing institutions.
   • All transcripts from other institutions become the property of Southwestern Community College and cannot be returned or reissued.
4. ALL transfer students, regardless of whether they are degree-seeking, must submit official transcripts to certify eligibility to take courses with prerequisites. All transcripts from other institutions become the property of Southwestern Community College and cannot be returned or reissued.
5. Meet course placement requirements by submitting appropriate SAT, ACT, high school GPA, or transferable English or math course(s).
6. Complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Student Aid) to determine funding eligibility to support your education.
7. Log into mySCC and assigned webmail address.
8. Register for and then attend New Student Orientation—Required of all new students.
9. Meet with an assigned advisor to register for classes.
10. Attend class on the first day.

Technology Expectations

SCC expects all students to have basic laptop or computer platforms, including webcams and microphones, adequate for accessing internet content:

• Identify areas to access internet service at home, work, or public places. You may also access the internet in SCC buildings and parking lots.
• Check for additional computer requirements in programs of study with specific computing demands.
• Consider purchasing a computer from the SCC bookstore using your financial aid award.
• Inquire about the laptop loan program at the SCC Library.

For those who are completely out of reach of the internet from cellular or wireline internet service, a new satellite service from SpaceX is accepting beta signups now.

https://www.starlink.com/

This new service will be available later this year everywhere in the United States. The performance and price are claimed to be “like cable modems”, but exact details have not been published. Unlike existing geostationary based satellite services, the latency will be much lower since the satellites are only at about 500 miles altitude. Low earth orbit based internet access will change the competitive landscape of internet providers over the next few years. While not everyone will be able to afford this service, its presence in the market will force rural ISPs that have refused to build out to either improve their service or face loss of customers.

While we can’t make any assurances for this service or that you’ll get in for the beta for the service, I encourage you to sign up if you are someone this would benefit. The more numbers they have signing up in rural areas the more likelihood there is of getting on their grid sooner than later.

NC Residency Determination Service (RDS)

In 2013, the North Carolina General Assembly (SB 402) instructed the educational entities in North Carolina to work collaboratively to create a centralized process for determining residency for the purpose of tuition and administration of state financial aid. These entities included the University of North Carolina General Administration (UNCGA), the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), the North Carolina Independent College and Universities (NCICU), and the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA). As a result of the legislative directive, College Foundation, (CFI) was selected to develop and administer the statewide Residency Determination Service. Southwestern Community College implemented the Residency Determination Service (RDS) on October 2, 2017. All individuals applying to Southwestern Community College will be required to complete the online residency determination as part of the admissions process. It is recommended that applicants complete the residency determination well in advance of the semester they wish to start. Upon completion of the residency determination, students will be issued a Residency Certification Number (RCN) which will be utilized at all colleges in NC. Southwestern Community College will continue to work with students who have business sponsorships, are using military benefits or other exceptions allowed by the state. All other residency determinations will be made by CFI and not Southwestern Community College.

APPLICATION TO SELECTIVE ADMISSIONS HEALTH SCIENCE PROGRAMS

Applicants to selective SCC Health Science programs are required to:

• Submit all documents described in the section “Application for Admission to Degree, Diploma, or Selected Certificate Programs.”
• Applicants MUST meet the Placement Test requirements as described in the Testing section and complete all required developmental courses.
• Applicants MUST meet all of the additional requirements outlined by the deadline indicated in the particular Health Science program description—see the appropriate program listing in this catalog.
• Additional transcripts are not necessary UNLESS the applicant has taken coursework since the last submission of transcripts.
• An Intent to Apply form must be completed prior to the application deadline to be considered for selective programs.

Deadlines for Selective Admission Applications: Please refer to the program webpage for dates and deadlines.