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Admissions

COLLEGE CREDIT

Credit courses are designed to apply toward a degree. Students who are seeking a degree must complete an application for admissions, request official high school, GED, and/or previous college transcripts(s) and take the placement test if applicable. ACT and SAT scores may also be used for placement purposes provided the scores are two years old or less. Students are required to have their official test scores sent to the Testing Office on the main campus. First time students are required to meet with an academic adviser located in the E.A. Gardner Advising Center to register for courses.

First Time College Student

Students who meet one of the following requirements may enroll in Associate in Arts degree, Associate in Science degree, Associate in Applied Science degree, or certificate programs.

1. Students who graduated with a Standard High School Diploma, an equivalency diploma (GED), a certificate of completion—CPT eligible, or previously demonstrated competency in college credit postsecondary course work.
2. Students who are home educated, with a signed affidavit submitted by the student’s parent or legal guardian attesting that the student has completed a home education program pursuant to the requirements of Florida Statute 1002.41.
3. Students are provisionally admitted on the basis of their application. Graduation status must be officially verified within the student's first term of enrollment.

NOTE: Special diplomas and certificates of attendance are not accepted for admission into degree or certificate programs.

NON-CREDIT

Non‐credit courses are designed to meet the needs of citizens in the community and students are not seeking an associate degree or a certificate. Enrollment in non‐credit Continuing Education courses is restricted to those 18 years of age and older. Students are required to complete a non‐credit registration form and register for courses. For more information, please contact Continuing Education Office at (850) 872‐3823.

GENERAL ADMISSIONS POLICIES

(Degree seeking and Transfer Student)
Admission to the AA, AS, AAS, or Certificate Programs.

Students applying for admission for the first time must complete the following steps:

1. Submit an application for admissions to the Enrollment Services Office. Applications are available on‐line at www.gulfcoast.edu, or at any Admissions Office. There is a $20 non‐refundable application fee.
2. Submit an official high school and/or college transcript(s) to the Enrollment Services Office.
   • High school seniors must request their transcript with the official graduation date posted.
   • GED recipients must request a copy of their GED test scores.
   • Transfer students must request official transcripts from all colleges and or/universities attended.
3. Take the appropriate placement tests, if applicable. These tests are used for placement purposes only and are not to be used as instruments for selective admission. Transfer students who have satisfied English and Math requirements may not need the placement testing. Students who meet the following criteria are exempt from placement testing:
   • Non‐degree seeking students. Note: The College Placement Test or unofficial transcripts may be required for students taking English or Math courses for the first time.
   • Transfer students who present transcripts showing a grade of “C” or better in college‐level English and/or Mathematics.
   • Students with ACT or SAT scores at or above the state minimum that are less than two years old. Listed below are the minimum scores for College‐Level Placement based on the ACT and SAT scores.

     Enhanced ACT	SAT I
     Reading = 18	Verbal/Critical
     English = 17	Reading = 440
     Mathematics = 19	Mathematics = 440

4. Submit a complete Residency Affidavit as part of the College application.

Incomplete information may cause a delay in admission to the College. Any student who fails to complete the admission process may not be permitted to register until all procedures are fully met. A student who has not been officially accepted in the College is not eligible for financial aid. No student is officially accepted into the College until all transcripts are on file. Official high school transcript, official GED scores, or college transcript from each institution attended must be submitted to the Office of Admissions and Records. An official transcript is mailed from a high school or college directly to Gulf Coast Community College. Hand carried transcripts are not official. All transcripts become part of the student’s permanent record and may not be returned.

Readmission

Students who have not been enrolled at GCCC within the last 24 months must submit an application for admission to the Enrollment Services office. Please have any official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended since the last term of enrollment sent to GCCC. The student will complete requirements for graduation under the catalog in force at the time of re‐entry.

Admission of Non-High School Graduates

Individuals under the age of 18 without a standard high school diploma, GED, certificate of completion—CPT eligible or home school affidavit will not be able to enroll in advanced and professional, postsecondary, vocational, and/or postsecondary adult vocational courses. The exception is for students enrolled in one of the dual enrollment categories.

Individuals 18 years of age or older can enroll in advanced and professional, postsecondary vocational, and/or postsecondary adult vocational courses as non‐degree seeking students (special students). Students cannot enroll in programs until they receive a high school diploma or GED. Students are encouraged to obtain a high school diploma or GED.

All non‐high school graduates 18 years or older may enroll in certain PSAV programs with permission of the PSAV program manager. Non‐high school graduates may also enroll in designated non‐credit courses and GED preparation courses. The non‐graduate must earn the diploma by the end of the first term of enrollment

Special Student Admission

The Special Student admissions classification is designed for those students enrolling in credit classes without the high school diploma or its equivalent. The Special Student must be at least 18 years of age and not currently enrolled in a high school program. The Special Student is permitted to accumulate 15 credit hours in this status. The non‐graduated Special Student will be encouraged to earn the GED diploma during the first term of enrollment in credit courses. After earning the GED diploma, the Special Student may request to change to degree‐seeking status or continue as a non‐degree seeking student.

Non-Degree Students

Applicants who do not wish to earn a degree or certificate from Gulf Coast Community College and wish to take college or career and technical or vocational credit courses may not need to provide evidence of prior educational coursework. However, students seeking enrollment in courses with prerequisites or other admissions requirements, or students seeking financial assistance may be required to provide evidence of all prior educational course work. Many students attend college to upgrade employment skills, for transfer credit, or for personal interest and enjoyment. Non‐degree applicants only need to provide a completed Application for Admissions. Students will not be permitted to enroll in any college credit English, humanities, or mathematics course – or any course having an English, mathematics or reading prerequisite – without meeting the State of Florida mandated minimum scores on an approved placement test or by producing evidence that they have met the prerequisite. Upon changing to degree‐seeking status at Gulf Coast Community College, high school/college transcripts, as appropriate, will be required.

Dual Enrollment Admission (High School)

Dual enrollment is authorized under Florida Statute 1007.271 as an articulated accelerated mechanism. It is intended to shorten the time necessary for students to complete the requirements associated with the conference of a degree, broaden the scope of curricular options available to students, and increase the depth of study available for a particular subject.

Dual enrollment provides the opportunity for qualified high school students to enroll in college‐level work at Gulf Coast Community College while concurrently enrolled in high school. Students receive both high school and college credit for these courses. This program is open to students from public high schools, accredited private schools, or approved home education programs. Students must have an unweighted GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate readiness for college coursework through scores on the Common Placement Test to participate in college credit dual enrollment. Participation in vocational dual enrollment requires a 2.0 unweighted GPA.

A student may take dual enrollment courses during school hours, after school hours, and during the summer term. Students in dual enrollment classes do not pay registration, matriculation, or lab fees. For additional information, please call (850) 747‐3207. Dual enrolled students wishing to continue their education at GCCC must apply as a new student, register, and pay fees as a regular student.

Early‐Out Student Admission

Students designated as early‐out graduates (meet all high school graduation requirements early) can register at GCCC as a non‐degree seeking student. Early‐out students are required to meet all GCCC admissions requirements and upon admissions must provide a letter from their high school counselor stating the student has met all graduation requirements and giving permission to register early. Early‐out students are required to pay their own fees. The official high school transcript is required when the standard high school diploma is posted.

Limited‐Access Program Admission

In order to meet certification and professional accreditation standards, certain GCCC programs carry additional admission and graduation requirements. Please see specific limited access program in the catalog for additional admission requirements or you can contact the appropriate department for details.

Transfer Student Admission

A student who has attended another college or university is considered a transfer student. Transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended for students enrolled in Associate in Arts degrees, Associates in Science degrees, Associates in Applied Science degrees, and certificate programs are required. Official transcripts from all previously attended schools are to be sent directly to the Office of Enrollment Services. Hand carried transcripts or transcripts marked “issued to student” will not be accepted. Freshman and sophomore credits will be accepted if earned at colleges or universities fully accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associations (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, for example) provided the courses meet academic standards and are relevant to the college’s instructional program. Transfer courses from regionally accredited institutions will be evaluated and placed on the student’s GCCC transcript.

Students enrolled in postsecondary adult vocational (PSAV) certificate programs are not required to request transcripts from institutions of higher education. Students enrolled in PSAV certificate programs who request a transfer course be accepted are required to submit official transcripts from all previously attended schools. Credit from vocational and occupational institutions will be awarded provided the credits meet academic standards and are relevant to the college’s instructional program.

Credit is allowed for associate in science degrees or certificate programs by means of occupational‐technical articulation agreements as outlined in the Florida Department of Education Statewide Articulation Agreements. Students are required to submit official transcripts of occupational‐technical course work for consideration. Upon receipt of official copies of occupational‐technical course work, an evaluation package is prepared for the Chairperson of the discipline for final approval. Occupational‐technical coursework is reviewed by the relevant department chairperson for equivalency and must meet the admissions requirements as well as satisfy the required validation mechanisms as outlined in the specific program’s articulation agreement as stated by the Florida Department of Education. Appropriate documentation supporting evidence of credit must be submitted to Enrollment Services for processing. Specific credit is awarded to students meeting all of the above stated requirements as recommended by the Florida Department of Education.

Credits with “P” or “S” grades from Florida public institutions are considered transferable. No credit is awarded for “P” grades, “S” grades, or remedial courses taken outside the state of Florida.

To maintain degree‐seeking status, students are required to have transcripts evaluated no later than the end of the first academic term of enrollment. A student will be placed on registration restriction if transcripts are not received within thirty days from the beginning of the term. A transcript evaluation will be performed for degree‐seeking students once all transcripts have been received by the Office of Enrollment Services. The evaluation process is normally completed within six weeks of transcript receipt. Students can view their evaluated transcript at www.gulfcoast.edu.

All transfer students are required to satisfy the Gulf Coast residency graduation requirement by completing 25 percent of the degree program at GCCC.

The Office of Enrollment Services has the institutional authority to administer the college’s transfer policy. Actions taken by the Office of Enrollment Services are subject to review by the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Transfer from a Non‐Regionally Accredited Institution

Students who attended non‐regionally accredited institutions will be notified by mail. Credit from non‐regionally accredited institutions may be awarded on an individual basis provided the credits meet academic standards and are relevant to the college’s instructional program. Students must submit course syllabi and faculty credentials for evaluation to division chairs for courses under consideration for transfer credit. Submission of documentation does not imply credit acceptance. The documentation provides GCCC with the information necessary to determine whether the courses taken will meet the criteria for acceptance. Students may be asked to provide further information in order to make an educated decision within the parameters established by our accrediting agency. Students who wish to pursue the acceptance of transfer credit from a non‐regionally accredited institution should consult with the Office of Enrollment Services with any questions regarding the procedures for seeking transferability of courses.

Transferring to GCCC with a Bachelor’s Degree

Students transferring to GCCC with a Bachelor’s degree or higher and who wish to pursue an Associate in Science degree, Associate in Applied Science degree, or certificate must verify previous degrees by providing official transcripts, obtain a certified evaluation package from the Office of Enrollment Services (mailed to the student), and take the evaluation package to the appropriate program manager for a program evaluation.

The program manager will determine if there is any prior credit applicable to the student’s current degree program. Only courses with a grade of “C” or better will be accepted. The notation “Bachelor’s Degree” will be placed on the transcript, along with specific courses posted as external credits, as in the following example: ENC1101 BACH Degree

The student’s cumulative grade point average for the degree will include only those courses completed at GCCC.

Transient Student Admission

Students pursuing degrees at other colleges or universities may be admitted as transient students to take courses back to their home institutions. A transient student form from the home institution or some other written authorization is required indicating the specific course(s) to be taken and the parent institution’s willingness to accept the credits earned. The transient form or written authorization is required prior to registration. Transient students are considered non‐degree seeking students; therefore, official transcripts are not required. Florida students may access an electronic transient student form by going to www.facts.org and select “College Student” link and then “Transient Student Form.” Transient students are required to submit an application for admission along with a $20 non‐refundable application fee.

International Student Admission

Students requiring the F‐1 Student Visa, including those who are transferring their F‐1 Student Visa from another U.S. institution, must meet the following admission requirements. You can find the required forms at www.gulfcoast.edu/international/default.htm.

**(This information is for International Students only. If you are a Permanent Resident Alien, please follow the standard application process.)

• International Student Admission Application: An admissions application, including a $20 non‐refundable application fee, and all required documents must be received before an I‐20 can be issued. Your permanent foreign address is required. Students must have completed secondary school (high school).
• TOEFL‐Test of English as a Foreign Language: Students from non‐English speaking countries are required to submit an official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score report with achieved minimum total scores as listed below. Visit www.ets.org for testing details.
  • 79 on the Internet‐based test
  • 213 on the Computer‐based test
  • 550 on the paper‐based test
• Financial Statement of Responsibility: Students must be able to bear the cost of study and living expenses. A Statement of Financial Responsibility must be completed and notarized. An official bank statement with funds available to you in excess of $15,000 (US currency) must be attached to the Statement of Financial Responsibility. Students should know that $15,000 is needed each year to cover living expenses, tuition and fees. The college assumes no responsibility for financial assistance.
• Foreign Transcripts: Transcripts from foreign institutions must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES). Visit www.wes.org for more details. It is the responsibility of the student to bear all associated costs and fees. Gulf Coast Community College (GCCC) will determine transferable credits. If the academic institution you attended does not issue documents in English, you must submit precise word for word translations of all your credentials. To have your documents translated, you may contact University Language Services at www.alsintl.com/university.htm.
  • High school graduates only: please submit your original high school transcript to WES for evaluation.
  • University students: Please submit university original transcripts to WES for evaluation. High school documents may be required. Acceptance of transfer courses is subject to approval by GCCC.

Housing: On campus housing is not available at GCCC; international students are responsible for making their own housing arrangements. For more info, please visit www.gulfcoast.edu/international/default.htm.

Health Insurance: Submit proof of health insurance coverage valid in the U.S. Insurance must be maintained while attending GCCC. Upon the student's completion of all admissions requirements, a Certificate of Eligibility (form I‐20) will be issued to the student. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be notified of the student's admission to GCCC.

International students must register as a full‐time student taking a minimum of 12 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters and remain a full‐time student in order to maintain status.

Please note: Off‐campus employment is not permitted unless first approved by USCIS. Please see the International Student Representative for approval and procedures for on‐campus employment.

For additional assistance, please call (850) 913‐3282 or (800) 311‐3685 ext. 3282, or visit our website at www.gulfcoast.edu/international/default.htm.

Audit Student

Students who plan to take a course as audit must meet GCCC admission and course placement requirements. Audit students must declare the audit status prior to the end of the schedule adjustment period by completing an “audit request” form at any Admissions Office. Audit students are assessed all applicable fees.

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