ADMISSIONS
Enrolling in CVCC
We are glad you have chosen to consider Catawba Valley Community College for your education! Preparing to attend college requires careful planning – what you want to study, how you balance current responsibilities with those of being a student, and how you plan to pay for college classes. These are all important issues to think about as you prepare to become a student.
The application and enrollment process at CVCC may take 1-3 weeks, depending on your needs. Many programs at CVCC require that you be a high school graduate or have a GED before you enroll. Some programs of study at CVCC are LIMITED ENROLLMENT; some have additional admissions requirements that must be completed earlier in the academic year(s). These programs include, but are not limited to:
Advertising and Graphic Design, Associate Degree Nursing, Dental Hygiene, Electroneurodiagnostic, Emergency Medical Science, Health Information Technology, Polysomnography, Radiography, Respiratory Therapy, Surgical Technology.
Certain "high demand" programs like cosmetology, automotive mechanics and welding tend to fill quickly, so apply early.
Below is the “step by step” process for enrolling at CVCC. Please be aware that on certain days, (Advising and Registration periods), new applications to the College are not processed due to service to current CVCC students:
1. Attend a Starting Point session to learn about admission and financial aid
2. Complete the Application to the College. If you apply using the online application, you MUST come to Student Services in person with a photo ID (driver's license) to activate the application. View "Starting Points" before completing your application. Click here to view the Starting Points Slideshow.
3. Decide on a program of study (a “major”). Use the free services of the CVCC Career Center located in the Student Center if you desire assistance in choosing a career.
4. Bring your completed application and a photo ID to the Student Services Office and meet with an Admissions Counselor. Again, if you applied for an online application, you will need to come to Student Services in person to activate your application. Bring a photo ID.
5. Prepare for and take any academic placement tests (if indicated by your Admissions Counselor) at the CVCC Testing Center. There is no fee for testing. The Admissions Counselor will arrange a testing appointment for you.
6. Call your high school and ask them to send in postal mail an official copy of your high school transcript. Contact the appropriate agency for official SAT, ACT or GED scores. If you attended college anywhere other than CVCC, contact their Registrar or College Records office at that school to request an official copy of your transcript be sent to CVCC (there may be fees to do this for some schools). Send transcripts to:
6. Prepare for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You will be completing the online version of the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov; there are semester deadlines for filing the FAFSA. The FAFSA code for CVCC is 005318. You cannot become eligible for Financial Aid until you successfully complete the FAFSA on-line. Financial Aid is not final until you have received an award letter from the CVCC Financial Aid Office. If you are going to use Veteran’s Administration benefits, please visit their website at http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_BILL_Info/education_forms.htm. If you are using TAA or WIA benefits, you need to complete the FAFSA; not all educational programs at CVCC are eligible for TAA/WIA benefit coverage.
During your visit with an Admissions Counselor (Step 4), you will be assigned a CVCC Email Account. It is critical that you open this email account and begin to use it daily as the College shares important information with you through this email account. In fact, your CVCC financial aid award information will be sent to your CVCC email account.
Your Admissions Counselor will also assign you an Advising Center Team Member or an ACADEMIC ADVISOR who is a member of the CVCC Faculty. Your Academic Advisor will assist in you in selecting courses. It is important that you visit your Academic Advisor’s office or the Advising Center Office to see when s/he is available to meet with you.
The College requires that students pay tuition and fees in the Business Office. Methods of payment include cash, payment plan, major credit cards and check. The College also offers a payment plan service. Credit card payments are not accepted by phone, but students may use the online payment option. Preparing for financial aid EARLY in the admissions process allows a student to have their payment arrangements made before school starts.
Students also need a parking hang tag and student ID card. There is no charge for these items, but they are necessary.
CVCC offers PreView a New Student Orientation event each semester. New students learn information about the campus and other important information regarding the school. All new students should make plans to attend PreView. Dates and times of these events are published on the College website.
The CVCC college store the Trove, located in the Student Center, is available for college text books and other supplies. Most students find that purchasing their books before the first class meeting is helpful.
