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

Tarrant County College (TCC) is an open-admission institution. This means any person can be admitted, regardless of their educational background. We do not require standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT, and there is no application fee.

However, foreign nationals who wish to study at TCC under the F-1 visa program have additional requirements which must be met before TCC can issue the federal document they need to apply for this visa. Learn about applying to TCC as an F-1 visa student.

TCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational (including vocational) programs and activities, facilities, or employment policies, procedures and processes.

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 Student Success 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 success 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 7 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 or any other approved High School Equivalency credential 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 dual enrollment 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 of Texas (for tuition purposes) 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.highered.texas.gov.

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 individuals may be eligible to pay in-state tuition per the Texas Higher Educational Coordinating Board.

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

Complete the International Student Application (start with the online ApplyTCC application, then contact the International Student Admissions and Compliance Office).
Provide transcripts: First-time college applicants must submit proof of completion of a United States (U.S.) high school diploma or equivalent if this education was completed outside of the United States. Transfer students must submit official transcripts from any U.S. institution they previously attended. For any type of non-U.S. high school credential, TCC accepts evaluations completed by an accepted agency. A list of acceptable evaluation services is available on request from the International Student Admissions and Compliance 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.
Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency, either through completed US college coursework or by testing. Two tests are accepted:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - A score of 71 or better is required.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - An overall band score of 5.5 or better is required.
Provide an original financial statement documenting adequate funds to cover expenses plus a bank endorsement of the availability of such funds. Amounts, instructions, and a form are provided by International Student Admissions and Compliance. Financial information must be current. All financial documents must be no more than six months old.
Provide a copy of current passport.

An F-1 visa student must maintain full-time status each fall and spring term. A student enrolled for 12 or more hours of 16-week courses during the fall or spring term is considered a full-time student. F1 students can utilize only one online class toward full-time status. F1 students who start in a summer term must maintain full-time status for the starting term as well as each fall and spring term thereafter.

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.

Documented Immigrants - Permanent Residents and others with legal status to live, work and/or study in the U.S. must provide their card or proof of final approval for their status.
Undocumented Immigrants - 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 is entitled to have all TCC 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 Declaration Form with the campus Admissions and Registrar Office or the District Admissions and District Admissions and Records Office prior to registration, confirming the decision to enroll under the Academic Fresh Start statute.

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 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 after submission of all transcripts.

Students who have attended an international college or university are not required to have their coursework evaluated. Credit for foreign coursework is very limited. Students are encouraged to discuss their goals with an advisor before paying for a foreign coursework evaluation.

Students concurrently attending TCC and any other college or university should submit an updated transcript from that institution at the end of each term of concurrent enrollment. 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-accredited institution or through other educational experiences should review options available through Prior Learning Assessment.