Admission, Advising
Registration and Records

GENERAL ADMISSION INFORMATION
Polk Community College may admit graduates from any high school accredited through a Regional Accrediting Body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Others who earn high school equivalency certificates from various states' Departments of Education, or through the General Education Development (GED) test administered by USAFI, also may be admitted provided their scores meet Florida standards. Students who attended non-accredited high schools may be admitted with GED certification. Adults 18 years of age or older who are not high school graduates may be admitted to special courses as non-program students.
Students whose native language is not English may be subject to additional testing beyond that required of native English speakers. In certain cases, mandatory placement in college preparatory courses may be required regardless of placement test scores.
Students are admitted to PCC under one of two classifications: program students or non-program students. Program students are seeking an A.A., an A.S., a PCC Credit Certificate, or a PCC Vocational Certificate. Generally, admission as a non-program student is restricted to those with limited educational objectives. Most non-program students are attending PCC as transient students from another college, or are taking classes for personal enrichment, recreation, teacher re-certification, or to improve or update job skills. Courses taken while in this classification may not apply toward degree requirements.
Students transferring to Polk Community College from other institutions enter the College with the equivalent academic status as if they were PCC students. Students on academic suspension from another institution are not admitted to PCC during the term immediately following the imposition of academic suspension status. Students who would incur suspension at PCC on the basis of their work at another institution are not admitted during the term immediately following their last attendance at the previous college.
ADMISSION PROCEDURES*

• Request, complete, and return an Application for Admission, along with the appropriate fee, to either the Lakeland or Winter Haven campus as instructed on the application form.
• High school graduates - contact your high school and request that an official, final high school transcript bearing your graduation date be mailed directly to PCC. (Note: PCC is able to electronically access high school transcripts of all students graduating from Polk County high schools since 1988)
• GED Certificate holders - contact the testing agency that administered your examination and request that an official GED score report be mailed directly to PCC.
• Students transferring to PCC from other colleges accredited through a Regional Accrediting Body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - contact each institution attended and request that an official transcript be mailed directly to PCC (with a few exceptions, transfer students who successfully completed 12 or more semester hours may be admitted without submitting an official high school transcript).
• Complete placement testing requirements. All first-time PCC program and non-program students are required to complete a battery of tests in communications and mathematics prior to enrollment. Based on test results, students are "placed" in appropriate level courses in English, reading, and math. In some cases, students with transferable credit in English and math are not required to complete placement testing.
• Complete Orientation and Academic Advising.

Students who do not receive an admission letter prior to final registration day should contact the Admissions Office for further information.
* Some A.S. degree programs have additional requirements. Interested students may consult an Academic Advisor or other Student Services staff for additional information.
INTERNATIONAL AND VISA STUDENTS

Polk Community College is authorized to enroll non-immigrant alien students. Non-immigrant alien students are classified as either International or Visa Students.
International students enter the United States on F-1 visas specifically for the purpose of obtaining an education. All International students are required to attend school on a full-time basis and pay out-of-state tuition and fees during their entire enrollment at PCC.
Visa students enter the United States for other than educational purposes, but are eligible to attend school while here. Like International students, Visa students are required to pay out-of-state tuition and fees during their entire enrollment at PCC.
In addition to the regular admission procedures, International and Visa students are required to complete additional admission requirements:

International Student Admission Requirements

• International Student Application

• Health Certification Form
• Demonstrated proficiency in English

o earn a score of three or higher on the CLEP International English Language exam, OR
o an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination score of 525, or higher, OR
o satisfactory completion of the highest level of an accredited Intensive English Language Program, OR
o evidence of successful study in an institution where English is the language of instruction OR
o students from countries where English is the native language are considered proficient in the English language.

• Official high school / upper-secondary and post-secondary transcripts from accredited colleges or universities (including, if necessary, a certified English translation)
• Transcripts from international institutions must be evaluated for both equivalency to U.S. high school graduation and for consideration of college transfer credit. Specific instructions for obtaining this evaluation are included with the International Student Application packet
• Proof of medical insurance
• Passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended length of study in the United States.

Visa Admission Requirements

• Application for Admission to Polk Community College (including the application fee in U.S. dollars)
• Demonstrated proficiency in English
• earn a score of three or higher on the CLEP International English Language exam
• an official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination score of 525, or higher, OR
• satisfactory completion of the highest level of an accredited Intensive English Language Program, OR
• evidence of successful study in an institution where English is the language of instruction
• The College Placement Test's Level of English Proficiency exam exempting the student from required ESL training, OR
• students from countries where English is the native language are considered proficient in the English language.
• Official high school / upper-secondary and post-secondary transcripts from accredited colleges or universities (including, if necessary, a certified English translation)
• Transcripts from international institutions must be evaluated for both equivalency to U.S. high school graduation and for consideration of college transfer credit. Specific instructions for obtaining this evaluation are included with the International Student Application packet available from the Student Services office
• Passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended length of study in the United States.
  International and Visa students are required to submit all required documents and meet all conditions of admission at least three to six months in advance of their first term of enrollment. The following deadlines apply:
• Fall Semester / Term I (August) - May 15
• Spring Semester / Term II (January) - October 15
• Summer Semester / Terms III, IV ( May, June) - March 15
  International students interested in attending Polk Community College should request an International Student Packet from the Student Services Office.

TRANSFER OF CREDIT

College credit earned at other institutions recognized by a U.S. Department of Education approved Regional Accrediting Body (accredited institutions) may transfer to Polk Community College in accordance with specific guidelines:

Credits earned at Polk Community College are based on the semester hour; therefore, all transfer work is converted to equivalent semester hours. For example, since three quarter hours equals two semester hours, three quarter hours transfers to PCC as two semester hours of credit.

CREDIT FOR ARMED SERVICES TRAINING

In recognition of the advanced academic and technical content of many military education experiences, Polk Community College may grant appropriate credit for military education and experiences which are evaluated by the American Council of Education (ACE) as suitable for post-secondary credit. It is at the discretion of Polk Community College to award such credit; recommendations in the ACE Guide are advisory in nature, and not binding on PCC. After applying for admission, students can initiate the request for credit by providing appropriate supporting documents:

• Active duty military personnel - submit a certified copy of the Application for the Evaluation of Learning Experiences during Military Service, Form DD295, as well as certified copies of any course completion certificates. A notary public must certify that any copies you submit are true copies of the original documents.
• Army Veterans - submit a certified copy of your separation papers, Form DD214, as well as certified copies of any course completion certificates. A notary public must certify that any copies you submit are true copies of the original documents. Prior Army enlisted personnel who entered active duty on or after April 1, 1981, also may request that an Army / ACE Registry Transcript System (AARTS) transcript be mailed directly to PCC. Request an AARTS transcript by writing directly to: Manager, AARTS Operations Center, Ft. Leavenworth, KS 66027-5073. Each request must include your name, basic service date, Social Security number, and current mailing address.
• Air Force Veterans - submit a certified copy of your separation papers, Form DD214, as well as certified copies of any course completion certificates. A notary public must certify that any copies you submit are true copies of the original documents. You also may request that a Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcript be mailed directly to PCC. You can reach CCAF by writing CCAF, 130 W. Maxwell Blvd., Maxwell Air Force Base, AL 36112-6613; telephone (334) 953-7848
• Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Navy veterans - submit a certified copy of your separation papers, Form DD214, as well as certified copies of any course completion certificates. A notary public must certify that any copies you submit are true copies of the original documents.

VETERANS

Information and advising is available for those eligible for educational benefits under the various laws aiding veterans and their dependents. Veterans eligible under Chapters 30, 106, 32, and 35 of Title 38, U.S. Code are required to be degree-seeking, but may attend college on a part-time basis. It is important for veterans to meet with an Academic Advisor prior to registration each term. The Financial Aid completes the Veteran's Certification for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Benefits are paid on a sliding scale:

• full - 12 or more credit hours
• 3/4 - 9 to 11 credit hours
• 1/2 - 6 to 8 credit hours
• tuition only - 1 to 5 credit hours.

All veterans and dependents, except those on vocational rehabilitation, are responsible for paying all college fees within the appropriate deadlines. Registration fees may be deferred, when necessary, up to sixty days or ten days less than the length of the term, whichever is earlier. Fees may be deferred only once per academic year.
Veterans wishing to apply for advance payment from the VA in order to have the initial allotment available by registration day should make application for benefits through the Financial Aid Office at least forty-five days prior to registration.
VA regulations require veterans to progress at a regular rate toward graduation. Details regarding current PCC policy for meeting this requirement are available in the Financial Aid Office on both campuses.
Recipients of veterans benefits are responsible for reporting information regarding attendance or changes in program or place of training directly to the VA:
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
P.O. Box 1437
St. Petersburg, FL 33731
Contact the Financial Aid Office for assistance with completing the appropriate paperwork

EARLY ADMISSION

Polk Community College provides acceleration opportunities to academically talented students from all Polk County public secondary schools and most area private high schools. Home schooled students are also eligible to participate. Home schooled students must complete the Home School Dual Enrollment Application Packet. Acceleration is available through three early admission programs:

• Full-time Early Admission
  Students seeking Full-time Early Admission must be a high school senior, have an unweighted grade point average of 3.2 or higher for all courses completed in grades nine through 11and must have earned a grade of "B" or better in either Algebra II or a higher level math course, to qualify for enrollment. Social maturity and academic motivation also contribute to success in college level courses.
  Full-time Early Admission candidates are required to complete and pass all sections of the Florida College Entry-Level Placement Test (CPT), register and successfully complete 12 or more credit hours per semester, and maintain a 2.0 or higher grade point average at PCC.
• Dual Enrollment
  Students interested in dual enrollment may be sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Requirements for Dual Enrollment are based on the number of credit hours in which students wish to enroll:
• One to seven credits - minimum 3.0 unweighted high school grade point average in all courses up through the end of the previous semester, plus a passing score on all sections of the CPT
• Eight to 11 credits - minimum 3.2 unweighted high school grade point average in all courses up through the end of the previous semester, a grade of "B" or better in either Algebra II, or a higher level math course, plus a passing score on all sections of the CPT

Dual enrollment courses may be taken at PCC, at the high school with a PCC-approved instructor, or at the high school via television. Courses may be taken as part of the students' regular high school curriculum or in addition to their high school load.
Students are required to maintain a 2.0 college GPA to remain eligible for Dual Enrollment.

• Executive Leadership Program
  To receive three college credits for this high school course in career exploration and leadership development, students must apply for admission as a dual enrollment student and secure the recommendations of their high school counselor and principal. The college placement test is not required to participate in this program.

ADVISING SERVICES

The advising staff provides assistance to enrolled and prospective students in making educational and career decisions.
Academic Advisors normally are available in Student Services at both campuses during regular operating hours:
Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Students pursuing A.A., A.S., and certain one-year certificate programs must attend Orientation and Academic Advising with an Academic Advisor prior to registering for classes.

SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Polk Community College adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. All services, degree programs, and classes are open to eligible disabled students and reasonable accommodations are provided based on individual needs. Students with documented disabilities may be eligible for extended testing time, early registration, special computer equipment, tutoring, recorded texts, note taker services, interpreters, or any other necessary reasonable accommodation to insure equal access.
The Special Needs Advisor on each campus works with any rehabilitation agency, such as Division of Vocational Rehabilitation or the Division of Blind Services, to coordinate student services. Disabled parking spaces are available on campus with state-approved permits; additional parking permits are not required.
We encourage you to contact one of the Special Needs Advisors in Student Services to request special accommodations or auxiliary aids. All information you provide is voluntary in nature and is kept strictly confidential.

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