Enrollment Information
	Academic Advising, Career and Transfer Services
	Application Procedure
	Current Mailing Address
	Designated Statewide/Health Workforce Shortage Programs
	Emergency Notifications
	Enrollment Status
	Full-Time Students
	High School Students
	Nursing Students
	Owlnet Accounts
	Part-Time Students
	Personal Injury
	Readmission Requirement
	Registration and Class Schedules
	Residency and Tuition Policy
	Special Admission Procedures for International Students
	Student Email Accounts
	Transcript Requirements
	Transfer Students
	Vaccinations
	Visa Types and Tuition Rates

Enrollment Information

Harford Community College practices an open door policy of enrollment. Students are enrolled at the College without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. Some restrictions exist for applicants who are currently enrolled in high school, under 16 years of age, not U.S. citizens, or deemed incapable of exhibiting and practicing professional student behavior. The College prohibits the enrollment of individuals listed on the National or Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Sex Offender Registry or with the Harford County Child Advocacy Unit.

PERSONAL INJURY

At enrollment, students agree to assume the risks and liabilities entailed in any course requirement. The student releases and holds harmless Harford Community College, its trustees, faculties, and administration from any injury sustained through his/her actions or the actions of other students enrolled in the course.

READMISSION REQUIREMENT

A student whose work at Harford Community College has been interrupted for two or more years must file an application for re-enrollment with the Registration and Records Office. An application for re-enrollment may be subject to evaluation under certain circumstances. Readmitted students are required to follow the program requirements in effect for the academic year for which they are readmitted.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

All students applying to the College should submit an application and transcripts, if required, to:

Registration and Records Office
Harford Community College
401 Thomas Run Road
Bel Air, Maryland 21015-1698

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ENROLLMENT STATUS

Students are enrolled in the College based on their academic goal: 1) taking courses, 2) degree seeking, or 3) certificate seeking. In order to be eligible for financial aid consideration, students must declare that they are seeking a degree or certificate and must hold a high school diploma or GED.

TRANSCRIPT REQUIREMENTS

1. Send official high school or GED transcripts to the Registration and Records Office if:
   • Applying for financial aid.
   • Still enrolled in high school or have graduated within the last three years and the academic goal is an Associate degree or Certificate.
2. Send official college transcripts to the Registration and Records Office if:
   • Applying for veterans’ benefits, in which case Veterans Administration regulations require that student is an Associate degree or Certificate candidate.
   • Desire to have previous college credits evaluated for transfer to Harford Community College. Transcripts will only be evaluated if the student has declared a program of study.
   • Did not graduate and want to determine if exempt from College’s mathematics and English assessment requirement.
3. If the student is enrolled at another college or university and is taking Harford Community College courses to transfer back to that institution, transcripts are not required. Proof of current enrollment at the home institution is required at the time of registration (valid college ID, copy of grades or letter from school official).

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

High school juniors and seniors have four options by which they may attend Harford Community College while still attending high school. Before selecting any of these options, students should consult with their parent(s)/guardian(s) and the high school guidance counselor. Students will be enrolled at Harford Community College as undeclared students who are only taking courses.

1. Waiver of Senior Year — Students may waive all of their senior year and still graduate with their high school class. Students must contact the high school guidance office to complete the Harford Public Schools Application for Waiver of Senior Year, which requires a student letter explaining reasons for applying for this waiver and a parent letter supporting the application. Students may be required to take HCC courses that match high school requirements that have not been met at the time the application for the waiver is submitted. Upon completion of the first year at HCC when the student has earned 24 college-level credits, the student will receive a high school diploma.
2. Dual Enrollment — Students may enroll in college credit courses and use these courses for high school graduation credit as well as college credit. Students must contact the high school guidance office to complete the Harford County Public Schools Application for Dual Enrollment at Harford Community College and to receive enrollment guidelines. Generally, students will be limited to earning two high school credits through HCC courses.
3. Part-Time Attendance — Students may enroll in college courses that meet during the regular school day and spend only a part of each day at the high school. When choosing this option, the HCC courses would not be used for high school transfer credit. Students must contact the high school guidance office to complete the Harford County Public Schools Application for Part-Time Attendance.
4. Concurrent Enrollment — Students may enroll in college courses that meet beyond the regular school day but choose not to use these courses for high school transfer credit. No Harford County Public Schools application is required.

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NURSING STUDENTS

After completing certain college requirements, students are considered for admission to the Nursing programs. The number of students who can be admitted to Nursing is limited by availability of clinical space at affiliating health care agencies. (For specific requirements, students should see the Nursing programs in this Catalog.)

SPECIAL ADMISSION PROCEDURES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Non-Immigrant (F-1) Student and Other Visas

The College is authorized under federal law to consider applications for enrollment of non-immigrant alien students in the F-1 visa status. Prospective students must satisfy academic, College admission requirements as well as requirements for the certificate of eligibility (I-20 Form) prior to applying for the F-1 Student Visa. The College reserves the right to determine the requirements for enrollment. Documentation required prior to admission and registration includes the following:

1. As there are no residence halls or dormitories on campus, each prospective international student must demonstrate the availability of residence with local family or friends. Such local sponsorship ensures assistance with housing, meals, transportation, social and religious practices, public services, medical care, shopping and adjustment to cultural change. Students without local addresses will not be considered for enrollment.
2. International Student Application, following deadlines:
   1. New (visa) credit students

      Fall admission	June 1
      Spring admission	November 1
      Summer admission	March 1

   2. Transfer (visa) credit students

      Fall admission	August 10
      Spring admission	December 15
      Summer admission	May 10

3. HCC paper application for enrollment. The online Application for Enrollment from non U.S. citizens will not be accepted or processed.
4. Verification of English language proficiency. In most cases, students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and achieve a minimum score of 500 (standard test) or 173 (computer-based test), or 61 (Internet-based test). All international students who are admitted to HCC will be required to take the College’s Academic Skills Assessment.
5. Declaration of financial resources to demonstrate ability to fund education, health insurance and living expenses. Students should not expect to find part-time employment on campus, as such jobs are scarce. International students must be enrolled full-time taking a minimum of 12 credits both fall and spring semesters.
6. Official transcripts approved by an authorized transcript evaluation service such as World Education Services ( www.wcs.org). Please allow adequate time for requesting, translating, and evaluating of academic credentials from a college or university outside of the United States. Transfer of credits will be considered on the basis of applicability to the student’s chosen program of study at Harford Community College. Transcripts will only be evaluated for students who have declared a program of study.
7. Demonstration of valid passport, I-94 card, current I-20ID form, if appropriate, and all other pertinent identification and documentation.

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VISA TYPES AND TUITION RATES

International students with other types of visas may also be eligible to attend the College. In addition to the standard application materials, students must present proof of immigration status and type.

Tuition rates for international students are based on visa type and not on local residency. Permanent residents, resident aliens, officially recognized refugees and asylees and those in possession of A, J, L, or H visa types are charged in-county fees if residing in Harford County. Students with all other visa types, including F-1 and M-1, are charged out-of-country fees.

Note: The College follows the same guidelines for determining the tuition rates for international students enrolling in noncredit courses as in credit courses.

DESIGNATED STATEWIDE/HEALTH WORKFORCE SHORTAGE PROGRAMS

The Maryland Higher Education Commission can approve a degree program as a Statewide or Health Workforce Shortage Program if the program is a specialized technical program that prepares students for immediate employment upon completion and if there is a broad-based demand for employees in the specialized field across the State. The Statewide designation allows students who do not reside in Harford County but are residents of Maryland to attend Harford Community College at in-county tuition rates. Students must declare the Statewide or the Health Workforce Shortage Program as their major by the start of the fall and spring semesters or the winter and summer sessions, and all enrolled courses must be applicable to the major. Contact the Financial Aid Office at 443-412-2257 for details.

RESIDENCY AND TUITION POLICY

Students at Harford Community College are charged tuition according to their residency. A student’s residency is determined at the time of admission to the College. For the purposes of assessing tuition charges, Harford Community College adheres to guidelines established by the Maryland Higher Education Commission and the Code of Maryland Regulations. These guidelines state that a student’s residency, also referred to as “domicile,” is the permanent place of abode, where physical presence and possessions are maintained with the intention of remaining indefinitely.

The main factor in determining residency is a student’s independent/dependent financial status. If a student is a financially dependent (received more than one-half of his/her financial support from another in the most recently completed year), the student’s domicile is the domicile of the person contributing the greatest proportion of support, without regard to whether the parties are related by blood or marriage.

Students will be considered in-county residents if they or the person who contributes more than one-half of the student’s financial support maintain legal domicile in Harford County for a period of not less than three months prior to the start of the semester/term. Students will be considered in-state residents if they or the person who contributes more than one-half of the student’s financial support maintain legal domicile in Maryland, but outside Harford County, for a period of not less than three months prior to the start of the semester/term. Otherwise, a student shall be considered an out-of-state resident. Local addresses that pertain only for the purposes of attending college will NOT be considered for determination of tuition charges.

If information is received which would contradict or call into question the validity of the residency status that was determined at the time of admission, a student may be asked to provide proof of residency and his/her tuition rate may be affected.

To request a change in residency, students must submit a Change in Residency Form along with appropriate documentation to the Registration and Records Office. Forms are available in the Registration and Records Office. A request for a change in residency must be received prior to the start of the semester/term. Otherwise, any approved change in residency will apply to the next semester.

The College shall consider the following factors for substantiation of residency:

1. Ownership or rental of local quarters
2. Substantially uninterrupted physical presence, including the months when the student is not in attendance at the College
3. Maintenance in Maryland and in Harford County of all, or substantially all, of the student’s possessions
4. Payment of Maryland state and local piggy-back income taxes on all income earned, including income earned out of state
5. Registration to vote in Maryland and Harford County
6. Registration of a motor vehicle in Maryland, with a local address specified, if the student owns or uses such a vehicle
7. Possession of a valid Maryland driver’s license with a local address specified, if the student is licensed anywhere to drive a motor vehicle

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FULL-TIME STUDENTS

Any student enrolled in twelve or more credit hours per semester is considered a full-time student. Full-time students are urged to limit employment to fifteen to twenty hours per week.

PART-TIME STUDENTS

Any student enrolled in fewer than twelve credit hours per semester is considered a part-time student. Students employed full-time are urged to enroll in no more than six credit hours per semester.

ATTENDANCE

Students are expected to attend all instructional sessions unless absent because of mandatory obligations (such as religious practice, jury duty, and military service), participation in authorized College extracurricular activities, or excused by the the instructor.  The student is responsible for contacting the instructor about the absence and completing the missed course work.  Furthermore, it is the student's responsibility to withdraw officially from any course which he/she ceases to attend.  Failure to withdraw could result in a grade of F.

ACADEMIC ADVISING, CAREER AND TRANSFER SERVICES

Academic advisors and faculty advisors are available to help students attain their educational and career goals by planning academic programs, selecting courses, and preparing for transfer or employment. New students who are working toward an associate degree or certificate must have approval from an academic advisor prior to registration. All non-degree seeking students planning to register for eight or more credits are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor prior to each registration. Students with an intended major or plan of study may meet with an advisor to receive assistance in selecting appropriate classes and planning an academic program. Students who are uncertain about their major or plan of study may meet with a career counselor to receive assistance in developing educational and career goals.

Students are responsible for following their program and meeting graduation and transfer requirements. Students are encouraged to seek assistance from the advising staff if they have questions. However, meeting graduation and transfer requirements is ultimately the responsibility of the student.

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS

Students are requested to provide two types of emergency notification contacts: 1) an emergency contact person and phone number in case the student has a personal emergency, and 2) telephone and/or email contact information which will only be used in the event of a non-scheduled campus closing, or if there is a serious situation on campus. Students will be requested once a semester to provide or update this information.

REGISTRATION AND CLASS SCHEDULES

“Registration” refers to the process of enrolling in courses. Students who are not currently registered may register up to the start time of any course. All persons attending a course must be registered for that course. The registration procedures vary, depending upon whether a student is a new or continuing student with a goal of degree/certificate completion or a goal of taking courses. More specific information about registration is published in the Schedule of Classes, available as follows:

• Winter/Spring schedule available online in October and on campus in early November.
• Summer/Fall schedule available online in early March and on campus in late March.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

Students who are not currently registered for any given semester may register up to the start time of any course.

ADDING COURSES AFTER INITIAL REGISTRATION

Students who have completed their initial registration by the start time of their courses may add 15-week courses up to the start of the second instructional session. For non 15-week courses, no additional registrations are allowed after the start time of the first instructional session.

CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION

The College reserves the right to cancel any registration for which a student has not complied with appropriate procedures, rules and regulations, and the financial requirements of the College.

REQUESTS FOR CREDIT OVERLOADS

Students may submit appeals for credit overloads to an advising staff member through walk-in appointments with Advising, Career and Transfer Services.

ACADEMIC RENEWAL

Students may request to have up to 16 college-level credits of D or F grades designated as XD or XF, respectively, on their academic transcript.  These grades must have been received in courses taken five or more years prior to the date of the request for academic renewal.  Additionally, the student must complete a minimum of 12 college-level credits with a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA since the last semester for which the academic renewal is being requested.  These credits can be earned t any college/university.  Request for academic renewal can be made only one time.  Under no circumstance will grades earned by a student at HCC be deleted from the student's permanent record or be excluded from any transcripts sent by HCC; however, the XD or XF grades will no longer be calculated in the student's grade point average (GPA). 

It is recommended that students meet with an academic advisor to determine which courses are most appropriate for this request.  If the student disagrees with the determination of the Registration and Records Office, the student has the right to appeal the decision by filing an appeal form with the Registration and Records Office.  The student will be notified of the decision. 

Students should be aware that academic renewal granted by this institution may not be recognized by other institutions to which they may transfer.

INVOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COLLEGE

In cases where a student is unable or unwilling to request a voluntary withdrawal from the College, and the student poses a direct threat of harm to self or others or substantially impedes the continuance of normal College functions, the College reserves the right to involuntarily withdraw such student.

OWLNET ACCOUNTS

All students receive an OwlNet account. This web portal allows students to access their College email account; receive College announcements and news; and conduct College business, such as registering for classes, requesting transcripts, and making payments. As a result, students are responsible for accessing this account on a regular basis and protecting the confidentiality of their access code.

EMAIL ACCOUNTS (OwlMail)

The College uses on campus student email accounts, known as OwlMail, through OwlNet to officially communicate with students. As a result, students are responsible for accessing this email account on a regular basis.

CURRENT MAILING ADDRESS

Students are responsible for maintaining a current mailing address with the College. All address changes should be reported in the College’s online system OwlNet or to the Registration and Records Office. If a student owes a debt to the College and does not maintain a current mailing address, that debt may be sent to a collection agency without further notice to the student. In this event, the student will owe an additional collection fee.

VACCINATIONS

The College does not require proof of immunizations for admissions. However, students who are admitted into the nursing or allied health programs may be required to provide documentation of a recent physical examination and proof of current immunizations.

CREDIT FOR TRAINING RECEIVED THROUGH HARFORD COUNTY TRAINING PROGRAMS

Academic credit may be awarded for the completion of training programs recognized through an articulation agreement between the College and the training institution.  Programs in which the College has agreements are the Aberdeen Proving Ground Police Academy, the Harford County Electrical Contractors Association, the Harford County Sheriff's Office Correctional Academy, the Harford County Sheriff's Office Training Academy, and the Aberdeen Proving Ground Child and Youth Services.  For more information, contact the Registration and Records Office, 443-412-2222

CREDIT FOR TRAINING RECEIVED IN BUSINESS/INDUSTRY

Academic credit may be awarded for the completion of training programs which have been evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE).  Students should contact the Registration and Records Office to request an evaluation.

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