Admission to TCC

Admission Requirements for New Applicants
Determination of Residency
Appeal of Residency Determination
Reclassification of Residency Status
Bacterial Meningitis
Continuing Students
International Admissions
Right to an Academic Fresh Start
Selective Admission Programs
Transcript Requirements

Students are encouraged to apply for admission using the online application through the TCC website. Applications may also be completed in person at any campus Admissions and Registrar Office.

Admission to Tarrant County College (TCC) does not guarantee acceptance into specific Selective Admission Programs. Students should consult the catalog, website, program brochure, program coordinator, campus Admissions and Registrar Office, or the Advising and Counseling Center for additional information concerning specialized program requirements.

Through its program of courses in developmental English and English as a Second Language, TCC seeks to ensure that a deficiency in English language skills will not be an obstacle to enrollment in any educational program.

Tarrant County College reserves the right to refuse enrollment to any applicant/student who does not comply with College policy or procedures, or whose enrollment would be incompatible with the aims and objectives of the College, or whose presence on campus, in the judgment of the College, would not be in the best interest of the student or the College.

Admission Requirements for New Applicants

First-Time-in-College (FTIC) students will be required to submit the admissions application at least 14 calendar days prior to the start of the desired session to be considered for admission for that session.

High School Graduate. Graduates of accredited high schools who have not attended any regionally accredited college or university after graduation from high school will be admitted upon completion of an Admissions Application. TCC defines an accredited high school as a Texas high school authorized through the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, or if located in a state other than Texas, that state’s comparable agencies and/or regional accrediting association.
- Applicants under the age of 22 must comply with state law concerning meningitis vaccination before registration will be allowed.
- An official high school transcript or copy of a high school diploma should be submitted at the time of admission or within the first term of enrollment.
Home School Graduate. Graduates of home school will be admitted upon completion of an Admissions Application. TCC defines a home school as a school where the parent or guardian has been directly involved in the instructional process.
- Applicants under the age of 22 must comply with state law concerning meningitis vaccination before registration will be allowed.
- A transcript of high school work may be submitted at the time of admission or within the first term of enrollment.
High School Equivalency. An individual who has passed the General Education Development (GED) test, HiSET exam, or TASC test will be admitted upon completion of an Admissions Application.
- Applicants under the age of 22 must comply with state law concerning meningitis vaccination before registration will be allowed.
College Transfer. Transfer students who have attended another college or university prior to applying to TCC will be admitted upon completion of an Admissions Application.
- Applicants under the age of 22 must comply with state law concerning meningitis vaccination before registration will be allowed.
- These applicants are encouraged to provide official copies of all regionally-accredited transcripts before enrolling. Students who have attended a non-regionally accredited institution are encouraged to talk to an advisor about possible transfer credit.
- Students receiving any type of financial assistance may be required to submit prior transcripts.
Readmission. Students who previously enrolled for undergraduate credit at TCC but have been away for 12 or more months do NOT need to reapply for admission - they should use the “Student Reactivation” link in the current student portal.

Special Admissions Processing:

Dual Credit or Early College High School – High school students who meet academic requirements may enroll in college courses prior to completion of their high school work. These students should start by completing the Admissions Application.
- Dual Credit: Dual credit programs are college courses offered by TCC, but taught in the high school classroom or on a TCC campus. Credits may satisfy both high school and college requirements. Students interested in taking these courses should seek assistance from their high school counselor.
- Early College High School: These students are selected by participating school districts, and should follow instructions provided by their school district about admission and registration.

More information about admission is available on the TCC website and at each campus Admissions and Registrar Office. Need-based scholarships may be available for dual credit students who meet specific criteria. Information about scholarships is available at each campus Student Financial Aid Services Office.

High School Graduation from a Non-Accredited High School – Graduates from a non-accredited high school (schools not accredited as defined in item 1 or 2 above) may be admitted upon completion of an Admission Application.
Individual Approval – Students 18 years of age or older who are no longer in high school may be admitted by Individual Approval. Testing in basic skills and an advisor visit may be required. More information is available at each campus Admissions and Registrar Office.
Specialized Admission Programs – Students seeking admission to any specialized admission program must first be admitted to the College but may be required to submit additional specific documentation prior to consideration for admission by that program.

Determination of Residency

The state of Texas requires each student to be classified as a resident or nonresident at the time of initial enrollment and after any break of enrollment for more than 12 months.

The student is responsible for registering under the proper residence classification. Any question concerning the right to classification as a resident of Texas or of Tarrant County should be clarified prior to enrollment at Tarrant County College.

Students needing additional information about residency determination should review the Residency webpage or contact the campus Admissions and Registrar Office. State requirements for residency may be found at www.collegeforalltexans.com or www.thecb.state.tx.us.

Appeal of Residency Determination

Students who have been classified as Out-of-County or Out-of-State may appeal that determination by first completing a new residency questionnaire and discussing their concerns with the campus Admissions and Registrar Office.

Reclassification of Residency Status

Students who have been classified as Out-of-County should request reclassification by the Admissions and Registrar Office if they establish residence in Tarrant County; proof of residence at a Tarrant County address - not a post office box - must be provided. Students who have been classified as Out-of-State should request reclassification by the campus Admissions and Registrar Office when their circumstances change in such a way as to meet state requirements. A Residency Questionnaire must be completed and submitted with the necessary documentation.

Bacterial Meningitis

The 82nd Texas Legislature approved Senate Bill 1107, which requires all new to TCC students under the age of 22 to submit evidence of being immunized against meningococcal meningitis. The meningitis vaccination (MCV4) requirement applies to:

All first-time freshmen
All new transfer students
All returning TCC students who have experienced a break in TCC enrollment of at least one fall or spring term
New and returning continuing education students enrolled in programs that require at least 360 contact hours for completion

A Meningitis Vaccination (MV) record administered within the five-year period immediately preceding and at least 10 days prior to the first semester enrolled or re-enrolled must be faxed, mailed, submitted through the current student portal, or submitted to the campus Admissions and Registrar Office. Acceptable documentation includes:

Certification from a physician or clinic that the student has been vaccinated during the specified period.
An immunization record from a state or local health authority or an official record received from school officials.
A completed, signed, and dated copy of TCC’s Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Verification Form.

The following students are not required to submit an MV:

Students who are 22 years of age or older
Students taking only Distance Learning courses
Continuing education students enrolled in a course or program that requires less than 360 contact hours for completion or in corporate training
Students enrolled in a dual credit course taught at a public or private K-12 facility not located on a TCC campus
Students with a signed affidavit or certificate from a physician that states the vaccination would be injurious to the health of the student
Students who sign an affidavit stating that the student declines the MV for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief (valid for two years)
TCC students incarcerated in a Texas prison

More information is available online at Texas Education Code Sec. 51.9192.

Continuing Students

Students who were enrolled at any TCC campus at any time during the last calendar year are eligible to register for the next future term UNLESS:

they have an outstanding debt to TCC; or
they have been placed on academic suspension/dismissal; or
they have not yet complied with the state’s law regarding meningitis vaccination; or
they have been notified by the College about additional requirements or conditions.

Students returning to TCC after an absence of more than one year will be prompted to update demographic and academic information via a Reactivation Link in the current student portal prior to registration for classes and should contact the campus Admissions and Registrar Office or District Admissions and Records Office if they have lived outside Texas and/or out of Tarrant County since last enrolled. Students whose residency status has changed are responsible for additional tuition charges.

International Admissions

Non-Citizens with (or Seeking) a Visa

Non-U.S. citizen applicants holding any temporary visa category issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) other than an F1 visa should file a regular application for admission. Some of these students may be eligible to pay in-state tuition per the Texas Higher Educational Coordinating Board.

Students interested in studying at TCC under the F-1 student visa program should complete the following steps:

International Student Application.
Transcripts: First-time college students must submit proof of completion of a United States (U.S.) high school diploma or equivalent if this was completed outside of the United States. Transfer students must submit official transcripts from any U.S. institution they previously attended or transcript evaluations of non-U.S. coursework. For any type of non-U.S. high school credential or college coursework, TCC accepts evaluations completed by an accepted agency. A list of acceptable evaluation services is available on request from the International Admissions Office. An overall grade point average of at least 2.0 is required for students transferring from a college or university within the United States.
Any student applying from outside the United States must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 525 on paper-based, 193 on computer-based, or 71 on Internet-based tests is required. Alternately, if the TOEFL is not available students may take the IELTS (Academic) test. A score of 5.5 is required.
The state of Texas requires each student complete Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements to ensure all new-to-college students are provided (1) assessment of their readiness for freshman-level academic coursework and (2) advisement and educational support necessary to assist students who are not ready to enroll in academic coursework. TSI is designed to measure competency in reading, writing, and mathematics and to indicate the need for remedial work to address deficiencies. Transfer students seeking an F1 visa must be TSI-met in all areas through testing or coursework. The state-approved test is available on each campus through the Testing Center. To be considered for admission to Tarrant County College, prospective students must arrive in the United States at least three weeks before enrollment to arrange for testing.
Original financial statement documenting adequate funds to cover expenses plus a bank endorsement of the availability of such funds. Amounts are provided by International Admissions. Financial information must be current. All financial documents must be no more than six months old. NOTE: A USCIS form I-134 is required if the student is sponsored by someone currently residing in the United States.
Copies of I-94 Arrival/Departure Record form 1-20 A-B, passport, and visa.

NOTE: Students applying for admission from outside the United States may submit items 4, 6, and 7 after acceptance into the College but prior to registration for classes.

An F-1 visa student must maintain full-time status. A student enrolled for 12 or more hours of 16-week courses during the fall or spring term is considered a full-time student.

Non-Citizens without a Visa

Non-U.S. citizens seeking TCC admission who do not hold a valid visa of any category are not required to meet international admission requirements.

Documentation of Status-A copy of USCIS form I-551/I-151 (green card/ permanent resident card) or I-485 to document permanent resident or immigrant status or a copy of form I-94 to document refugee or asylee status should accompany the application.
Undocumented Immigrant Status - Certain immigrants who do not have an I-551/I-151 or other USCIS approval may be eligible for enrollment on the same basis as documented students. More information is available at the campus Admissions and Registrar Office.

Right to an Academic Fresh Start

Under the provisions of the Texas Education Code, Section 51.931, a Texas resident applying for admission/reactivation to the College or to any specialized admission program is entitled to have all academic coursework that was earned 10 or more years prior to the requested enrollment date ignored for enrollment purposes and GPA computation. The applicant must complete the Right to an Academic Fresh Start Agreement with the campus Admissions and Registrar Office or the District Admissions and Records Office prior to registration, confirming the decision to enroll under the Academic Fresh Start statute.

An applicant who makes the decision to apply under this statute may not receive any course credit for courses taken at any college or university 10 or more years prior to the starting date of the term of enrollment.

Students who were awarded Academic Fresh Start through another Texas public college or university may request TCC recognize that agreement by completing a Right to an Academic Fresh Start Agreement and presenting an official transcript from the awarding institution showing the beginning Academic Fresh Start term.

An applicant who chooses to exercise the Right to an Academic Fresh Start must meet all TCC admission/reactivation requirements and must submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended where credit courses were completed. All enrollment regardless of an Academic Fresh Start decision will be used to determine Financial Aid eligibility. Financial Aid cannot ignore any enrollment even if an Academic Fresh Start is granted. For additional information about Academic Fresh Start and financial aid contact the campus Student Financial Aid Services Office.

Selective Admission Programs

Program costs and/or availability of facilities make it necessary for some programs to require specialized admission procedures in addition to those outlined above for general enrollment at the College. These procedures are designed to ensure fairness to each applicant in a limited enrollment program. Criteria for admission to these programs are listed with the respective program curricula.

Transcript Requirements

Each transfer applicant should arrange for an official transcript to be sent to TCC from each accredited institution previously attended for credit coursework. Transcripts should be submitted prior to initial enrollment or as soon as possible during the first TCC term.

Credit for courses in which a passing grade has been earned may be transferred to Tarrant County College from colleges and universities accredited through one of the comprehensive regional accrediting associations. Elective credit may be awarded if TCC does not have an equivalent course in content or credit hours. The transcripts of degree-seeking TCC students will be automatically evaluated, usually within 2-4 weeks of submission of all transcripts.

Students who have attended an international college or university should see the Evaluation of Foreign Credentials section or contact International Admissions for additional information about transcript requirements and transfer of international coursework.

Students concurrently attending TCC and any other regionally accredited college or university should submit an updated transcript from that institution at the end of each term of concurrent enrollment. Official transcripts may be used to determine an applicant’s academic prerequisites, residency status, and TSI status. In addition, all official transcripts must be on file before students may qualify for most financial aid programs, veterans’ educational benefits, and other College services such as transcript evaluation and degree planning. Transcripts and other academic credentials provided to TCC will not be returned to the student.

Students who have gained proficiency through completion of coursework at a non-regionally accredited institution or through other educational experiences should review options available through Prior Learning Assessment.