Degree Seeking

First-Time Student
Transfer Student
Readmitted Student
Non-Immigrant Status
Permanent Resident and Refugees
Technical Certificates

First-Time Student

A “First-Time Student” at NSCC is an applicant who has never attended any college before.
These applicants must:

1. Submit a completed Application for Admission and a $20.00 non-refundable application fee. All information must be completed on the application. Failure to submit a complete and accurate application delays processing your application.
2. Graduate from a state approved high school, home school, or receive a GED high school equivalency diploma and submit to the Office of Admissions an “Official” high school transcript or an “Official” copy of GED scores. An “Official” transcript is one that is mailed directly to the Office of Admissions by the high school guidance counselor or one that is submitted in an envelope sealed and stamped or initialed by the guidance counselor. An official GED is one mailed directly to the Office of Admissions by the testing agency or one that is submitted in an envelope sealed and stamped or initialed by the testing agency. Evidence on the “Official” high school transcript indicating a passing Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) score is required for graduates of Tennessee public schools. NOTE: The transcript of a home-schooled student should be an official copy from an affiliated organization as defined by state law (T.C.A. 49-50-801). Transcripts from independent home-schooled students must be accompanied by certification of registration with the superintendent of the local education agency that the student would have otherwise attended. Applicants unable to provide a satisfactory secondary school credential may substitute acceptable GED scores. The minimum acceptable score for the GED is 450 with no sub-score less than 350.
3. Show proof of Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccination if they are full-time entering students born prior to January 1, 1957. By state law (Tenn. Code Annotated § 49-6-5001) immunization is not required if:
   a. It conflicts with the parent’s or guardian’s or individual’s religious tenets and practices,
   b. A qualified physician certifies that administration of such immunization would be in any manner harmful to the individual involved due to pregnancy, allergy to the vaccine, or other valid medical reasons, or
   c. Applicant is a Tennessee graduate from 1999 to present.

   Certificate of Immunization forms may be obtained from the Office of Admissions. Official copies of State Health Department or military immunization forms will be accepted in lieu of the certificate.

4. Complete the Hepatitis B Immunization Health History Form.
5. Male applicants between the ages of 18 and 26 must show proof of Selective Service registration. Applicants must meet this requirement prior to registration. Selective Service registration forms may be obtained from the Office of Admissions or online at www.sss.gov.

6. Applicants under the age of 21 should submit ACT or SAT scores. ACT or SAT scores are used to determine in which areas the applicant may be required to complete college prep course work. Enhanced ACT or SAT scores must be less than three years old. Information regarding the ACT or SAT may be obtained from your high school guidance counselor, or by writing to:

   American College Testing, Inc.
   P.O. Box 168
   Iowa City, Iowa 52242

   NSCC ACT code number is 3983. Please use this number to request scores be sent to NSCC.

   Applicants under 21 years of age possessing a GED with acceptable scores as described above are not required to submit ACT or SAT scores. However, they are required to undergo placement assessment.

   All applicants 21 years of age or older must take the placement assessment. These applicants may choose to take the Enhanced ACT and be assessed according to the above guidelines.

Transfer Student

A degree-seeking applicant who has attended another college or university will be considered a transfer student. For “Transfer” applicants the following will apply:

1. Submit a completed Application for Admissions and a $20.00 non-refundable application fee. All appropriate spaces must be completed on the application. Failure to submit a complete and accurate application will result in a delay in processing your application.
2. Submit transcripts from all previously attended institutions. Transcripts should be mailed directly to the Office of Admissions from the sending institution. For the convenience of the applicant, the college will accept “official” transcripts hand carried by the applicant, when it is in an envelope sealed by the Records Office of the previous college attended. If the seal has been tampered with in any way, the “official” designation of the transcript will be voided and the applicant will be required to submit another “official” transcript. An initial evaluation of the transcript will be completed. If the applicant has fewer than 60 cumulative semester hours of college level work and is seeking an Associate of Science or Associate of Arts degree under the university parallel program, an “official” high school transcript or GED scores must be submitted.
3. Applicants under the age of 21 should submit ACT or SAT scores. If fewer than 60 semester hours have been attempted, the ACT or SAT scores are used to determine in which areas the applicant may be required to complete college prep course work. Grades received in transfer courses will be considered for proper placement. Enrollment in those courses indicated by the results of the assessment is mandatory.
4. Have their transcripts evaluated for proof of competency in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics, if they are 21 years of age and older and have fewer than 60 semester hours of completed work. Applicants lacking college level work in these areas will be required to undergo assessment. Enrollment in college prep courses indicated by the results of the assessment is mandatory.
5. College prep course work taken at other TBR institutions will be posted to the applicant’s NSCC record and be considered in the number of attempted hours, but are not counted as hours earned toward the program of study.&& All transfer applicants with 60 or more semester hours of credit, which must include college-level English and math transfer credit with a grade of “C” or better, will be exempt from placement assessment.
6. Transfer applicants who do not meet the Admissions standards of NSCC or whose last term of enrollment resulted in academic suspension will be admitted on academic probation and may be required to undergo placement assessment. Enrollment in those courses indicated by the results of the assessment is mandatory.
7. Transfer applicants whose last term of attendance at NSCC resulted in academic suspension and who are currently serving a suspension at another institution must meet with the Dean of Students to begin the academic review process (See Academic Action Appeals). If admission is recommended by the Academic Review Committee, the applicant may be required to undergo placement assessment as noted in section 3 or 4 above.

Readmitted Student

Any former NSCC student who has not been enrolled for over one year and who wishes to return to the college is considered a readmit student. Students seeking a readmission status must:

1. Submit an application for admission.
2. Submit an official transcript from each college or university attended since leaving NSCC. If it has been more than five (5) years since attending NSCC, all transcripts must be resubmitted. (High School, GED, College, etc.)
3. Be eligible for readmission under the college’s admissions policy.
4. Take the placement assessment if they do not meet one of the following conditions:
   a. Meet ACT requirements as outlined under “Degree Seeking Students.”
   b. Have previously earned college credit for first-term math or English.

Degree-Seeking Non-Immigrant Status other than F-1

Students whose first language is NOT English are protected under Title IV of the Civil Rights Act and are guaranteed language assistance once a language deficiency is documented. These students must:

1. Submit an application for admission and a non-refundable $20.00 application fee.
2. Provide all documentation proving U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service status.
3. Meet all regular admission requirements as a degree-seeking student except as described below: Take the Michigan Plus Language Proficiency Test and accept placement in the appropriate course work. Call the ESL testing specialist for details at 615-353-3380.
4. Take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 500 is required on the paper version, or a minimum score of 173 on the computer-based version, or a 61 on the Internet-based version.
5. Take the math portion of the COMPASS examination.

Permanent Resident and Refugees

Applicants in this category must meet all applicable requirements for regular admissions to the college. Other requirements are as follows:

1. Submit an application for admission and a non-refundable $20.00 application fee.
2. Submit Permanent Resident or I-94 card.
3. A permanent resident whose native language is NOT English must take the Michigan Plus Language Proficiency Test and accept placement in the appropriate course work in lieu of regular placement assessment.
4. Call the ESL testing specialist for details at 615-353-3380
.

Technical Certificates

Students enrolled in technical certificate programs are considered non-degree students. Placement assessment is not required for acceptance into these programs, with the exception of the Surgical Technology, and Computer-Aided Drafting. Please contact the Office of Admissions for details.

For admissions into a technical certificate program, applicants must:

1. Submit an application for admission with a $20.00 non-refundable application fee.
2. Submit an official copy of high school transcript showing graduation with a regular or honors diploma, GED scores, or a college transcript.

These programs of study are eligible for Title IV assistance.