Admissions Philosophy
East Central College welcomes students to enroll in credit and non-credit classes without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status. Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to a specific program, as some programs have additional admission requirements, such as prerequisites, cumulative grade point averages, and/or test scores. (Board Policy 3.1)
Limited Admissions Programs
East Central College is an open admissions institution. Within the college’s programs of study, several programs have limited and competitive admissions processes.
For Academic Year 2016-2017, those programs with selective admissions requirements and distinct processes are:
Culinary Arts
Nursing
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Radiologic Technology (Partner Program - ECC-Rolla, Rolla Technical Center)
Student enrollment in each of these programs is subject to the terms and conditions of the admissions package, as established by the programs. Students seeking to enroll in these programs may also be required to present appropriate test scores and grade point averages, and/or undergo a criminal background check, drug testing or other screening as determined by the faculty and staff within these programs. Students are required to pay for any program admission fees and the cost of any required screening.
Admission to, or continuation in, selective programs is contingent upon the screening results required by the specific program admission policy. Admissions processes are clearly described by the departments and are subject to specific timelines and deadlines. Students may receive additional information regarding program admission, application process or required screenings by contacting faculty or staff in the program area. (Board Policy 3.2)
Admissions Classifications
Degree or Certificate-Seeking Student: A postsecondary student enrolled for credit coursework with the intention of completing a college or university degree or certificate. Students who apply for financial aid must have degree or certificate-seeking status.
Non-Degree or Certificate-Seeking Student: A student enrolled for credit coursework who does not plan to receive a college or university degree or certificate. A non-degree/certificate seeking student may earn a maximum of 15 semester hours in that status. A non-degree/certificate seeking student is not eligible for financial aid and must meet course prerequisites. Students with a bachelor’s degree or higher are exempt from the 15-hour maximum, with verification of the degree.
Visiting Student: A degree-seeking student from another college who attends ECC for one semester or summer sessions only. An Application for Admission is required, but transcripts or grade reports are only requested as a means to verify prerequisite coursework. A visiting student may also be asked to take an assessment test, depending upon course enrollment. Visiting students are not eligible to receive financial aid while attending ECC, and it is their responsibility to obtain permission from their home campus to apply their ECC courses toward their academic program.
Dual Enrollment Student: A secondary student who has not completed a high school diploma, GED/HSE certificate or a home school certificate who is enrolled in credit classes. College classes taken prior to high school graduation will not meet a secondary diploma requirement. Secondary students are not eligible for financial aid and may be asked to provide permission to enroll from their high school.
Dual Credit Student: A secondary student receiving both high school and college credit or a regional career center with a current articulation agreement for the same course taught at their high school campus. The dual credit program is open only to high school juniors and seniors with appropriate test scores and/or coursework. Courses are taught at the high school by high school faculty who meet the standard educational requirements for college faculty. Students pay tuition for each course and are entitled to all college privileges and services except financial aid. Credit earned will be maintained by the ECC Registrar.
Note: For more information on dual credit courses, secondary students should contact their high school counselors.
Students Under Age 17: Students younger than 17 years of age who are not dual credit students, have not completed a high school diploma, an HSE/GED certificate, or a home school certificate may enroll in ECC credit courses only with special permission. In addition to regular admissions procedures, students must complete a Special Admission Form with the approval signature of a parent or guardian. Students are subject to the assessment testing required for their coursework and are not eligible to apply for financial aid until they can provide an official high school diploma or official HSE/GED or a notarized homeschool certificate with the graduation date.
Senior Citizens: In accordance with Section 173.091 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, the college allows a Missouri resident who is 65 years or older on or before August 1 of a school year to enroll in College credit courses tuition free, on a space available basis, after the regular students’ fees are due as a non-degree seeking student. Senior citizens are required to pay the associated general fees and special fees. Proof of eligibility will be required when registering. Courses must be taken on an audit basis, and all course prerequisites must be met prior to registration. The Senior Citizens Waiver does not apply to courses offered only on a non-credit basis or programs offered through educational partners.
Audit Students: A student auditing courses must complete the same admission requirements as a regular student and must enroll and pay regular tuition and fees. The student may or may not be required to take exams as determined by the instructor, but an audit student is subject to the same attendance requirements as regular students. An audit grade does not count toward credit hours for financial aid eligibility. Failure to meet requirements for an audit grade will result in a W grade being recorded on the student’s transcript.
New Student Procedures
Students with a High School Diploma, Home School Diploma or HSE/GED
Graduates of high schools with regional accreditation, graduates of home schools and those who hold a High School Equivalency/General Educational Development Certificate (HSE/GED) are eligible to enroll at East Central College. Graduates of high schools not accredited by a regional accrediting agency or appropriate state agency must follow the procedures for Students without a High School Diploma, Home School Diploma or HSE/GED. Questions regarding the acceptability of high school credentials should be directed to the Associate Registrar.
Students without a High School Diploma, Home School Diploma or HSE/GED
Applicants for admission who did not graduate from high school, home school or earn an HSE/GED certificate will be provisionally admitted but must successfully complete the HSE/GED and provide evidence of completion to Student Services within their first 15 credit hours of coursework. Enrollment in coursework beyond 15 credit hours will not be permitted without a completed HSE/GED. Students without a high school diploma, home school diploma, or HSE/GED are not eligible for financial aid.
Students with a Criminal Background
While it is the mission of the College to welcome students without discrimination, state and federal laws, school district policies, and off-campus site regulations prevent a student with a felony background from entering certain programs and attending classes at certain locations. Required internship or practicum courses conducted with outside organizations at external sites may also require drug or criminal background screening.
Applicants with felony backgrounds are required to provide, at their own expense, a certified criminal background check from the appropriate state or federal agency before their admission to the college can be finalized. Students who are arrested for any reason after they have been admitted are required to report the offense to the Vice President of Student Development within 72 hours.
Note: For more information, contact the Office of Student Development.
New Student Checklist
Below is a step by step guide that will assist students with the admissions and enrollment process.
1. Apply and Connect
- Submit an Application for Admission, available online
- Submit your transcripts (HSE/GED, high school and college if applicable)
- Your login information will arrive with your acceptance letter, activate your eCentral account
2. Financial Aid
- Complete the FAFSA online and enter the ECC School Code 008862
- Provide all required documentation
- Complete the Scholarship Application using your eCentral login
- Set up a payment plan through your eCentral account
3. Testing
- Submit previous Compass/Accuplacer/ACT scores (if applicable and completed within the last two years)
- Review the online testing resources
- Complete the Accuplacer Test if:
- You are a first time college student with no previous credit
- You did not score an 18 English, 18 Reading and 22 Math on the ACT in the past two years
- You have not completed the Compass Test within the last two years
4. Complete additional documentation (if applicable)
5. Register and Attend
- Meet with an academic advisor to discuss your goals and register for classes
- Obtain your ECC Student ID Card
- Purchase your books
- Attend class
Returning Student, Non-Continuous Enrollment Procedures
Former East Central College students in good standing who have not attended ECC for one semester or more (excluding summers) must submit a new Application for Admission and declare an academic program. Students who are not continuously enrolled will be subject to the degree or certificate requirements in place when they return. Returning students who have attended other postsecondary institutions should submit official transcripts from all institutions attended.
International Student Admission Procedures
East Central College is approved by the United States Department of Justice (Permit STL-214F-220, 3 April 1973) as an institution of higher learning for non-immigrant international students. Residents of foreign countries entering college for the first time must apply for admission directly from their homeland. A student from a foreign country is admitted by transfer from another college or university in the United States only if he or she has attained a grade point average of 2.0 or higher and is entitled to an honorable dismissal.
Educational institutions in the United States are required by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly the INS) to have documentary proof of adequate financial support before admitting an international student. Failure to fully and properly follow the instructions on this list could result in non-issuance of the U.S. Government form (Form I-20) which is required to (1) obtain a visa and enter the U.S. or (2) transfer from another U.S. school to East Central College.
In addition to meeting all admission requirements listed in this catalog, the following items are required for all non-immigrant international students seeking I-20 admission (An international student checklist may be obtained in the International Admissions Student Packet:
- Be eligible for an F-1 visa
- Submit Affidavit of Support
- Submit acceptable results of the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) to establish the fact of proficiency in the English language*.
- Proof of insurance
International students who wish to transfer to East Central College from other institutions of higher education must be students in good standing from transfer institution. All international students will be charged International tuition.
All documents must be received by the following dates:
- May 1 for summer semester
- July 15 for fall semester
- December 15 for spring semester
Pursuant to Missouri State Statute 174.130, East Central College will not knowingly admit any aliens unlawfully present in the United States. Proof of legal residency may be required at the time of application.
Residency
Student residency status will be determined at the time of enrollment at East Central College. Student residency guidelines followed by the College will be those adopted by the Coordinating Board for Higher Education. In the case of international students or resident aliens, residency will be determined based upon both federal determination of status and state guidelines. A copy of such guidelines may be found in the Office of the Registrar. (Board Policy 3.4)
The East Central College District is comprised of the following school districts: Washington, Union R-11, St. Clair R-13, Sullivan C-2, New Haven, Crawford County R-I (Bourbon), Franklin County R-2, Lonedell R-14, Strain-Japan R-16, and Spring Bluff R-15. Only residents of the district are eligible for the in-district rate of tuition.
A resident of the ECC district is:
- a dependent student whose parents or legal guardians have established residence within the district; or
- an independent student (adult student or emancipated minor) who has established residence within the district prior to enrollment in the college.
A student may be required to submit proof of his or her legal residence. In order to change to in- district resident status, a student must contact the Registrar’s Office and provide additional documentation prior to the beginning of the semester. See “Residency Change Process” in Student Handbook.
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