Admissions

South Piedmont Community College subscribes to the "open door" policy as set by the North Carolina Community College System. The College will admit all applicants who are high school graduates or equivalent (GED) or 18 years or older to an appropriate program. The College serves all students regardless of race, color, sex, creed, national origin, age or disability.

For enrollment in associate degree programs and all health programs, SPCC will accept transcripts only from secondary (public, private, home school) and post-secondary institutions that are regionally or nationally accredited by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education and/or recognized by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Students who graduate from non-accredited or non-recognized secondary institutions may enroll at SPCC, take the College Placement Test (CPT), and may be admitted into some diploma or certificate programs; however, those students may not qualify for financial aid. These students may opt to obtain a high school equivalency, i.e, GED, which will make them eligible for all SPCC programs.

New students are urged to complete the admissions process at least two weeks prior to registration and apply for financial aid at least eight weeks prior to registration. If you are applying to a SPCC Health Program, please refer here for the admissions requirements for that specific program.

Admissions Procedure

Students interested in pursuing a program of study/major MUST complete all admissions requirements prior to first-time enrollment. Once all admission requirements listed below are complete, the student will be moved to his/her program of study and may receive financial aid if eligible. Anyone wishing to register for classes prior to completing his/her admissions file may do so as a Special Credit student. Special Credit students are not eligible for financial aid. To ensure your financial aid is in place, make sure your admissions file is completed at least two weeks prior to registration. 

1. Complete the SPCC Application for Admission.
   * If you already have an account with CFNC, use your login information to fill out SPCC's application. If you do not have an account with CFNC, you may create one prior to filling out the application. If you do not have access to the Internet, you may use our library to complete this part of the process or visit your local public library. 
2. Apply for Federal Financial Aid Assistance (www.fafsa.ed.gov); apply for SPCC College Scholarships.
3. Submit official transcripts from high school or General Educational Development (GED) or Adult High School to the SPCC Admissions Office, P.O. Box 126, Polkton, NC 28135. Forms are here. Note that it is your responsibility to forward the request form and any applicable fees to the appropriate institution. Official transcripts should be mailed directly from the high school, state GED office, or adult high school to SPCC. Unofficial (student-issued/faxed/emailed) transcripts will not be accepted.
4. Submit official transcripts from all colleges listed on your application. Download a form here, or pick one up in Student Success. If you download it, keep a copy because the original has a carbon copy.
   * A Request for Transcript Evaluation Form must be completed and sent to the Registrar for evaluation of prior course transfer credit.
   * All foreign transcripts (secondary and post-secondary) must be evaluated by an authorized translation company at the student's expense. If you need a listing of evaluation agencies, contact the Admissions Office.
5. Prepare for and take the College Placement Test (CPT). Check www.spcc.edu or e-mail (llptestingcenter@spcc.edu, ochtestingcenter@spcc.edu) for testing availability, as times may vary. We strongly recommend preparing for the test using the study guide. The purpose of the College Placement Test (CPT) is to enhance your success as an SPCC student. It helps you, as a new student, determine your skills in reading, English, arithmetic, algebra, and computer competency. Skills identified through the test, along with advisor guidance, will help place you in the most appropriate course for your success. Placement test scores are valid for two years.
6. View the online orientation video or attend one of the seated orientation sessions. Both the online orientation link and the schedule of seated orientation sessions are available here. The online orientation is a short video which requires Flash player. At the end, you will be asked to answer a few questions and prompted to provide your information to track your completion. You must answer all questions correctly so make sure you are paying attention.
7. Register for classes. Check www.spcc.edu/calendar.php for dates and times.
8. Pay for your classes (see Business Office).
9. Have your Student ID made and purchase your textbooks.

New students are urged to complete admissions requirements two weeks prior to registration. Some programs may have additional admissions requirements; see Admissions for details.

Special Circumstances (High School, Home School, and Foreign students)

• Home-schooled students must provide documentation that the home school is listed with the Department of Non-Public Education for that state. 
• High school students who meet the appropriate criteria may be considered for tuition-free admission to some college level courses through Huskins, Concurrent Enrollment, and Learn and Earn programs. Prerequisites and course admission requirements for high school students are the same as adult college students. 
• Permanent residents and foreign nationals must complete the system data gathering form, and residency application, and provide a copy of a current permanent resident card or other acceptable documentation to complete their admissions file.
• Foreign students without documentation must have graduated from a United States high school prior to enrollment. Out-of-state tuition charges will apply. Undocumented foreign students are not eligible for Federal Financial Assistance.

Special Credit Student Status

A student may enroll as a special credit student without specifying a program of study. However, a special credit student who wants to graduate with a degree or diploma must meet all appropriate admission requirements before changing/declaring that program of study. A special credit student is not eligible for any type of financial assistance and must meet all course prerequisites prior to enrollment.

Readmission

Students that enroll at SPCC, but never take a class have a file for one year after the enrollment date. Students who have not enrolled for a period of five years or more must reapply through the Office of Admissions. Official copies of all academic transcripts (high school and college) may need to be resubmitted to the admissions office. Students may also be required to retake the placement test if their previous scores are more than two years old. Students who have ever attended another post-secondary institution must also submit an SPCC Transfer Student Questionnaire to the last institution attended. Applicants for readmission to limited admission programs must follow regular admissions procedures for those programs. Students who have been suspended for academic or disciplinary reasons may request readmission after the term of suspension has expired. These students will be required to consult with the Vice President of Student Success before re-enrollment.

Residency Classification for Tuition Purposes

To qualify as an in-state resident for tuition purposes, you must have established legal residence in North Carolina for a period of at least twelve (12) months prior to your enrollment at South Piedmont Community College. Proof of residency can be determined using (but not limited to) the following documentation:

• North Carolina driver's license
• North Carolina State Income Tax Return
• Proof of acquired property in NC
• Listed personal property for taxation purposes
• Completed Residence and Tuition Status Application

Once you provide satisfactory information to the SPCC Admissions Office, in-state tuition rates will be applied. Failure to provide the requested information will result in classification as an out-of-state resident, and you will be charged out-of-state tuition rates.

SPCC does not offer international student visas at this time. Students with international student visas from neighboring institutions may enroll at SPCC with official verification of full-time attendance at the original institution. SPCC does not have housing facilities, living accommodations, or associated support programs for individuals from other countries. Students are responsible for their own transportation.