Are you new to college and intend to earn a degree at GCC or transfer to a four-year institution? Use the Gaucho Guide to assist you on your path to success.
Life is and college is about choosing your own path. As you plan your educational future and set your goals, Glendale Community College is here to assist you through the process. This checklist guides you through the steps required to get signed up for classes. Visit My.maricopa.edu for a printable checklist and detailed instructions for each step.
Click each step to expand details.Step 1: View the Connect2College Video
The Connect2College video will be available in June 2013. It describes the ins and outs of attending college and the value of a college education. It will help you successfully complete classes at a MCCCD institution.
Step 2: Create Your Maricopa Student Account (MEID)
Go to My.maricopa.edu and click on “New Student? Click Here.” Follow instructions and the online tutorial to create your Maricopa self-service ID (MEID) and password. Find instructions under “Set up Online Student Center.” Sample screen shots will walk you through the process. You’ll use your MEID and password to sign into all of your Maricopa student accounts.
(A social security number is requested as a unique identifier. Students who do not wish to provide their social security number will not be able to complete this process online. You will need to come in person to the Enrollment Center at GCC main or North to submit an application and receive a confirmation number for online access.)
Step 3: Complete the Student Information Form (SIF)*
Go to My.maricopa.edu and select the "Student Center" icon under Student Tools. Use your MEID and password to sign into the student center. Select the Admissions link to complete a Student Information Form online. The online new student Check Sheet provides additional instructions. You may also complete a paper Student Information Form in the Enrollment Center at the GCC main or in Building C at the GCC North campus
*Students under age 18 who have not graduated from high school and do not have a GED will need special permission to enroll. For information visit www.gccaz.edu/FutureStudents/GettingStarted/Under18.html or call 623.845.3313.
Step 4: Activate Student Email
Your student email account is one of the main ways the college communicates important information about class cancellations, tuition due dates, or course specific items from your instructors. You must activate your email before you can receive these important messages.
Go to My.maricopa.edu and click on “New Student? Click Here”, then click on “Set up Online Student Center” and “Activate Student Email.” Once your email is set up you will be able to link to it from the "Maricopa Email" icon on the My.maricopa.edu home page.
Step 5: Prepare for and Take Course Placement Tests
A placement test is not an admissions test, but simply a tool we use to determine the best English, reading or math course for you to take. Visit my.maricopa.edu/checklist/new-student/prepare-placement-tests to help you prepare for placement tests.
Students are required to complete a course placement test under any one of the following conditions:
- The student is taking his or her first college credit English, reading or math course, or any college course for which English, reading or math is a prerequisite.
- The student is pursuing a degree or transfer pathway and does not have current valid district approved course placement scores on file or does not have previous college credit in English, reading and math.
- The student who is taking his or her first English as a Second Language class and who does not speak English as their primary language must take an English proficiency test.
Course placement tests are administered at GCC main, the North campus, and at the Communiversity in Surprise. Allow 2.5 hours for testing. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to testing and bring current photo identification.
Step 6: Plan Payment/Apply for Financial Aid & Scholarships
Before you register for classes, create a plan to pay your tuition and fees. You have several options to pay for your education:
- Apply for financial aid or scholarships
- Sign up for a monthly payment plan
- Pay in full
Students should apply for financial aid several months in advance of the start of a semester to allow adequate processing time. To apply for financial aid and scholarships, visit the Financial Aid web site at http://www.gccaz.edu/finaid.
Tuition must be paid (or you must be enrolled in a payment plan) on or before the tuition due dates (found in your Student Center).
Step 7: Prepare for Academic Advisement
An Academic Advisor is a valuable resource in planning your education. Students who will be attending college for the first time, and intend to earn a degree or to transfer to a college/university are required to meet with an academic advisor prior to the start of their first semester.
For additional help defining your goals or choosing a career pathway visit the Counseling Department or the Career Center before meeting an academic advisor.
Academic Advisors are available in the Enrollment Center on a walk-in basis at GCC main, or at GCC North by appointment or walk-in basis. Limited advisement is also available at the Communiversity in Surprise.
Step 8: Meet with an Academic Advisor
An academic advisor will help you plan your class schedule, i.e. the classes you will take in your first semester and beyond. Academic Advisors are available in the Enrollment Center on a walk-in basis at GCC main, or at GCC North by appointment or walk-in basis. Limited advisement is also available at the Communiversity in Surprise.
Step 9: Register for Classes and New Student Orientation
Once you have selected your major, met with an advisor and planned your schedule, and you are ready to register for classes, go to My.Maricopa.edu and click the “Student Center” icon under Student Tools. Students may also register in person or on the telephone.
New Student Orientation – Students who will be attending college for the first time, and intend to earn a degree or transfer to a college/university will be required to attend New Student Orientation prior to the start of their first semester. Look under NSO in the online class schedule to select your New Student Orientation session.
College Success Course – Students who will be attending college for the first time, and intend to earn an degree or transfer on to a college/university, and who test into one or more developmental education courses will be required to complete a college success course (CPD/AAA150 or CPD/AAA115) at a MCCCD college.
Below 100 Level Courses –Students who test into courses that are below college-level (i.e., below 100-level) will be advised and placed into the courses within the first two semesters enrolled.
Step 10: Buy/Rent Textbooks
Buying your books is easy and convenient at your college’s online bookstore. Simply log into your Student Center and, with a single click, you’ll see a list of every book you’ll need for all of the classes you’re taking. Choose the books you want to buy, add them to your shopping cart, and proceed to the checkout. The bookstore carries new and used books for purchase or rent. Pay with a credit card or your financial aid book advance. If you’d rather buy your books at a campus bookstore, bring a copy of your textbook summary with you. Textbook costs, ISBN number and publisher information is available in the online schedule of classes.
Step 11: Student Photo I.D. Card
Obtain your free Student I.D. card at the admissions counter in the Enrollment Center or in Building C at GCC North.
Step 12: Attend and Complete All Classes
Regular attendance is critical to your success. Students who fail to attend the first scheduled class meeting, or to contact the instructor regarding absences before the scheduled class meeting may, at the option of the instructor, be withdrawn. This could also have an impact on financial aid.
