Students are encouraged to apply for admission using the online application through the TCC website at www.tccd.edu. Applications may also be submitted by mail to the Office of Admissions Services or in person to the campus Admissions and Registrar Office. All materials required for entrance to Tarrant County College should be on file in the Admissions Services Office prior to registration.
Admission to TCC does not guarantee admission to a specific vocational-technical program or to the Cornerstone honors program. Students should consult the program brochure, program coordinator, campus Admissions and Registrar Office or 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
Students who have not previously enrolled at TCC must apply for admission to the College. First-Time-in-College (FTIC) students will be required to submit the admission 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 will be admitted upon completion of an Application for Admission and presentation of an official transcript. 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. Graduates under the age of 17 when classes begin may be asked to meet additional criteria.
Students must submit the following:
- Application for admission
- Official high school transcript
- Verification of meningitis vaccination if under the age of 22
- Home School Graduate. Graduates of home school will be admitted upon completion of an Application for Admission and presentation of a notarized list of completed coursework. TCC defines a home school as a school where the parent or guardian has been directly involved in the instructional process.
Students must submit the following:
- Application for admission
- Proof of graduation, including a transcript of work completed
- Verification of meningitis vaccination if under the age of 22
- High School Equivalency. An individual who has passed the General Education Development Test (GED), HiSET Exam, or TASC Test will be admitted upon completion of an Application of Admission and presentation of acceptable scores, as certified by the State of Texas.
Students must submit the following:
- Application for admission
- Official GED, HiSET, or TASC scores
- Verification of meningitis vaccination if under the age of 22
- College Transfer. Transfer students who have attended another regionally accredited college of university must submit the following:
- Application for admission
- Official transcript from each previously attended regionally accredited college or university
- Verification of meningitis vaccination if under the age of 22
NOTE: (1) If a student’s previous college or university was not regionally accredited, a transcript is not required; instead, a student may be asked to submit a high school transcript or diploma. (2) Students who hold a baccalaureate (or higher) degree will not have to present a transcript for admissions purposes, but will be asked to submit proof of degree. (Official transcripts may be required to establish prerequisites or for course-by-course evaluation.) (3) Students who are currently enrolled at another college or university may be granted conditional admission until the term ends and the official transcript is available. (See Transcript Requirements and Transcript Evaluation ) Transcript evaluation will be provided for each student planning to complete any College degree or certificates if requested. Students must request transcript evaluation through the student portal, Web Advisor.
- Special Processing:
- Early High School Enrollment/Dual Credit – High school students who meet academic requirements may enroll in college courses prior to completion of their high school work with the approval and recommendation of their high school.
- Dual Credit: Dual credit programs are college courses offered by TCC, but taught in the high school classroom or on a TCC campus. Students interested in taking these courses should discuss this with their high school counselor.
- Early High School (Concurrent Enrollment): Concurrent Enrollment is for high school students interested in taking coursework for college credit independent of their high school curriculum.
More information about admission is available at the campus Admissions and Registrar Office. Need-based scholarships are available for dual-credit students who meet specific criteria. Information about scholarships is available at the campus Financial Aid 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 by Individual Approval upon completion of an Application for Admission and presentation of an official transcript. Testing in basic skills is required. More information is available at campus Admissions and Registrar Office.
- 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 is required. More information is available at the campus Admissions and Registrar Office.
- Specialized Admission Programs – Students seeking admission to any specialized admission program may be admitted to the College but may be required to submit additional specific documentation prior to consideration for admission by that program.
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 WebAdvisor, 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
- TCC students incarcerated in a Texas prison
More information is available on the TCC website at www.tccd.edu.
Conditional Admission
Conditional admission allows registration prior to receipt of required documentation. Students without required documentation may not be able to qualify for Financial Aid, Veterans’ Educational Benefits, transcript evaluation/degree planning or many other College benefits and services until all required documentation has been submitted.
In addition, required documentation may be the basis for TSI scores/status, residency determination and course prerequisites. Students must submit transcripts when applying for admission. All required documentation should be submitted no later than the end of the first term of TCC enrollment.
Conditional admission is not available to those students requiring Special Processing. (See Special Processing, under the New Applicants section)
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 are required to have a 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 WebAdvisor prior to registration for classes and should contact the campus Admissions and Registrar Office or District Admissions Services 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 a Visa
All non-citizen applicants holding any temporary visa category issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) must meet international admission requirements. Admission as an international student requires compliance with all requirements and procedures established for the visa category by the USCIS. Students applying for transient status or for admission while concurrently enrolled in an area college or university must contact International Admissions for specific procedures and requirements. The following must be submitted to International Admissions by the designated deadlines.
- International Student Application.
- Official transcript in English showing completion of high school or secondary school, or official transcript(s) in English of all previously completed college coursework. NOTE: All foreign credentials submitted must be the original. If transfer credit is desired, the student must arrange for credential evaluation and pay all costs of such translation/evaluation. A list of acceptable professional evaluation services is available on request from International Admissions. 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. Many transfer students may also have to meet TSI requirements. 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. Enrollment without TSI Assessment can result in administrative withdrawal from the College and/or notification to USCIS. A student on an F1 visa must pass both the reading and writing portions of the test.
- Original financial statement documenting adequate funds to cover expenses plus a bank endorsement of the availability of such funds (expenses are outlined in the Tuition and Fees section of this Catalog). 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.
- Evidence of health insurance valid through the academic year.
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.
A 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-citizen students seeking TCC admission who do not hold a temporary 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 or International Admissions.
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 Office of Admissions Services 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 questions about Academic Fresh Start and financial aid please contact your campus Student Financial Aid Services Office.
The Right to an Academic Fresh Start can be rescinded by the student through a request made to the campus Admissions and Registrar Office or the Office of Admissions Services.
Special Admissions 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.
Applicants should obtain special admissions materials early in the calendar year. Those who are accepted for fall are usually notified by early summer. Those who are not accepted may resubmit in subsequent terms.
Technical Programs
Trinity River Campus
Northeast Campus
Northwest Campus
Southeast Campus
Transfer Program
Transcript Requirements
Each transfer applicant must arrange for an official transcript to be sent to TCC from each regionally accredited institution previously attended for credit coursework. Transcripts are considered official when they are signed by the Registrar, bear the seal of the institution, and/or are received through approved electronic transmission. 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.
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 are required 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.
Students who have gained proficiency through completion of coursework at a non-regionally accredited institution or through other educational experiences should consult the academic department or the campus Testing Center regarding credit by examination/credit by experience.
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