General Catalog 2008-2009

Admission/Registration/Enrollment

Admission Classifications

A. Admission of Regular Students

Admission to the community college in Arizona may be granted to any person who meets at least one of the following criteria:

1. Is a graduate of a high school, which is accredited by a regional accrediting association as defined by the United States Office of Education or approved by a State Department of Education or other appropriate state educational agency.

2. Has a high school certificate of equivalency.

3. Is at least 18 years of age and demonstrates evidence of potential success in the community college.

4. Is a transfer student in good standing from another college or university.

B. Admission of Students Under 18 Years of Age

1. Admission to the community colleges in Arizona shall be granted to any student who is under age 18 and who completes any one of the following requirements:

a. a composite score of 93 or more on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT).
b. a composite score of 930 or more on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
c.  a composite score of twenty-two or more on the American College Test (ACT).
d.  a passing score on the relevant portions of the Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards test (AIMS).
e.  the completion of a college placement test designated by the community college district that indicates the student is at the appropriate college level for the course.
f.  is a graduate of a private or public high school or has a high school certificate of equivalency.

2. A community college may limit the number of semester hours in which the student may enroll to not more than six (6) credit hours

3. Home schooled students are exempt from this sub-section.

4. A student shall not be denied admission because of age, lack of a high school diploma or high school certificate of equivalency, grade in school, lack of permission of school officials or lack of concurrent enrollment in a public or private school, if the student has achieved at least a specified score on a college entrance examination.

5. A community college may limit the number of credit hours in which the student may enroll to no fewer than six (6) credit hours.

The colleges reserve the right to enroll students in courses. The final decision for admission to any class for students admitted under section B will be determined by the designated college administrator in consultation with the department chairperson and/or faculty.

C. Vocational Courses

Students who enroll in Vocational Courses may be admitted on an individual basis with the approval of college officials if the student meets the established requirements of the courses for which the student enrolls and the college officials determine that the student’s admission is in the best interest of the student.

D. Western Undergraduate Exchange Program

The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program is a student exchange program coordinated by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), and administered by the Arizona Board of Regents. Through WUE, students who reside in western states (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming) and meet the eligibility requirements, pay 150 percent of the regular resident tuition plus fees. Students must mark prominently on the Student Information Form that they seek admission as WUE students. Students may not apply as out-of-state students and expect to receive the WUE tuition rate after admitted. Once admitted as WUE students, students may not petition for in-state residency. Further information may be obtained from the Office of Admissions and Records.

E. Admission of F-1 Nonimmigrant Students

Prospective students should contact the Office of Admissions and Records or designated office for the necessary student information form(s). When completed, the form(s) should be returned to the Office of Admissions and Records or designated office with all requested supporting documents. After the file has been reviewed, a notice will be sent indicating either acceptance or denial of admission.

To be guaranteed consideration for admission, all application materials must be received by July 1 for the fall semester and November 1 for the spring semester.

Prospective students seeking admission based on F-1 nonimmigrant status must provide proof of secondary school with documentation comparable to a United States high school diploma or higher degree. It is recommended that F-1 nonimmigrant students have graduated in the upper 50% of their secondary school (high school or equivalent) in order to ensure success in academic classes at this college. Applicants for admission to the college must have high school and college (if applicable) transcripts sent directly from the high school or college to the Office of Admissions and Records or designated office. In addition, it is the applicant's responsibility to have all transcripts translated into English and evaluated by a foreign credential evaluation service if necessary.

1. Admission to Academic Programs

Applicants who wish to enroll in an academic program at the college must present evidence of English language proficiency. If the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is used to satisfy this requirement, the applicant must attain a score of at least 500 (on the traditional TOEFL) or 173 (on the computer-based test) or 61 (on the internet-based TOEFL, known as the iBT). If the International Language Testing System (IELTS) is used to satisfy this requirement, an IELTS overall Band Score of 5.5 or better is required, and a minimum IELTS individual Band Score of 5.0 on each module is recommended. The dean or director of admission and records of the college may accept other proof of English language proficiency for admission purposes, such as the ASSET test, COMPASS or CELSA tests.

Questions about the TOEFL should be directed to the Educational Testing Services at the following address:
TOEFL Services P.O. Box 6151 Princeton, NJ 08543-6151

2. Admission to the Intensive English Program

An applicant for admission to the Intensive English Program must provide evidence of at least intermediate command of English by way of one or more of the following criteria:

a) At least six years of English language instruction as shown by the applicant's school transcript(s);

b) A minimum TOEFL score of 400 (on the traditional TOEFL) or 97 (on the computer-based test) or 23 (on the internet-based test, known as the iBT);

c) An original letter of recommendation from a teacher, school principal or headmaster/ headmistress, or the director of an English language institute attesting to the applicant's proficiency at the intermediate level;

d) Other credentials, test scores, interview results, or evidence accepted by the coordinator of the intensive English program or the college's responsible designee.

Students admitted to the Intensive English Program will not be allowed to enroll in courses outside those officially designated as part of the program unless and until they have met all of the prerequisites or other course requirements.

e) Foreign students under certain types of visas may need special permission to enroll and should contact the appropriate college official.

3. Financial Support

Evidence of financial support will be required prior to issuance of the I-20 form. The colleges have no scholarship or financial aid provisions for foreign students; therefore, students must be fully prepared to meet the necessary financial obligations for the full time they will be in the United States.

The colleges estimate the student's average costs for 10 months to be:

Tuition and fees: $ 6,800 1
Living Expenses: 8,700 2
Books: 1,000 3
Health Insurance: 800 4
Total: $ 17,300 5

4. Dependent Financial Guarantee

Evidence of financial support for dependents of F-1 students (spouse and dependent children) is also required: $5,000 for the first dependent and $2,500 for each additional dependent.

5. Health Insurance

All F-1 students who have an I-20 issued by one of the Maricopa Community Colleges are required to purchase the Maricopa Community College's international student health insurance plan. Health insurance coverage for dependents of F-1 students is highly recommended. The Maricopa Community Colleges contracts with an insurance provider annually to offer a health insurance plan for F-1 students. For more information contact the college office of Admissions and Records or designated international student office.

 

Footnotes:
(1) Based 2007-2008 tuition and fee schedule.
(2) Based on estimated living expenses for 2 semesters (10 months).
(3) Based on average new and used textbook prices. Assumes books are sold at the end of the semester.
(4) Based on 2007-2008 insurance premiums for the mandatory Maricopa Community Colleges' International Student Health Plan.
(5) Applicants must provide evidence of this minimum amount of financial support before an I-20 is issued.

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