P&HCC Website

Admissions Information

Admission Information

Individuals are eligible for admission to the community college if they are high school graduates or the equivalent, or if they are eighteen years of age or older and able to benefit academically from study at the community college, as demonstrated by assessment scores in reading, writing, and mathematics. Minimum scores are noted in the chart below:

Exceptions to this policy may be made by the college president only for documented reasons.

The college reserves the right to evaluate and document special cases and to refuse or revoke admission if it is determined that the applicant or student poses a threat, is a potential danger, is significantly disruptive to the college community, or if such refusal or revocation is considered to be in the best interest of the college. The college also reserves the right to refuse admission for students who have been dismissed, expelled or suspended from, or determined to be a threat, potentially dangerous or significantly disruptive by another college. P&HCC will not accept students dismissed from another college within the Virginia Community College System.
Students dismissed from another college within the VCCS for misconduct, exhibiting threatening behavior, or who have been determined to be a potential threat will be denied admission to P&HCC. Students whose admission is revoked after enrollment must be given due process.
When enrollments must be limited for any curriculum or course, priority must be given to qualified students who apply for admission to the program within a reasonable length of time before registration. Admission priorities are: (1) Virginia residents-legal domiciliaries, (2) out­ of-state, and (3) foreign students.

Admission to Specific Curricula or Courses

In addition to general admission requirements, other specific requirements may be prescribed for any curriculum. Among the criteria generally considered in determining student eligibility for admission to a curriculum are the student's educational and occupational experiences and other reasonable standards to insure that the student has the potential to meet program requirements. Specific requirements for each curriculum are listed in the Curricula of Study section of this catalog. People who do not initially meet the requirements for a specific course or curriculum may be eligible for entrance after developmental prerequisites have been completed.
 

Admission of Students on the Sexual Offender Registry

Section 23 - 2.2:1of the Code of Virginia requires that the VCCS send enrollment information to the Virginia State Police concerning students to institutions of higher education. This information is transmitted electronically and compared against the Virginia Criminal Information Network Crime Information Center Convicted Sexual Offender Registry. Language on the web application informs students that their information is being transmitted to the State Police. In the event that the State Police determine that an applicant to Patrick & Henry Community College is listed on the Sex Offender Registry, the State Police will notify P&HCC. When the college receives such a notification, the following procedures apply:
a. The applicant will be denied initial admission to P&HCC and must appeal to Dean of Student Success & Enrollment Services. The College reserves the right to evaluate special cases and to refuse admission to students when considered advisable in the best interest of the college.
b. If the applicant registers for classes and becomes a student before the college receives notification from the State Police, the student will be notified immediately that an appeal must be made to the Dean of Student Success & Enrollment Services within 7 calendar days.
c. If no appeal occurs within 7 days, he/she will be dropped from classes immediately and will receive a refund.

Appeal Process for Denial of Admission or Withdrawal for Convicted Sex Offender

When a convicted sex offender is denied initial admission to or is administratively dropped from classes at Patrick & Henry Community College, he/she may invoke the following appeal process:
1. The applicant or withdrawn student will receive a letter from the Dean of Student Success & Enrollment Services stating his/her denial of admission or potential administrative drop from classes.
2. The applicant/student may write a letter of appeal to the Dean of Student Success & Enrollment Services in which he/she provides the following information:
a. disclosure of the nature of the offense for which he/ she has been convicted;
b. justification for consideration of admission/ reinstatement;
c. statement acknowledging his/her understanding that his/her identity and status as a convicted sex offender will be publicized on the college campus in accordance with federal and state law if he/she is admitted or reinstated.
NOTE: If a student is appealing a denial of admission or an administrative drop, he/she must submit the letter of appeal to the Dean of Student Success and Enrollment Services within seven (7) calendar days of the administrative drop.
a. The Dean of Student Success and Enrollment Services will review the information submitted and make a decision within fourteen (14) calendar days of receiving the letter of appeal.
b. The Dean of Student Success and Enrollment Services will inform the applicant/dropped student by letter of the decision of the appeal. The decision of the Dean shall be final.

Admission Procedures
Curricular Admission

Application. Before final action may be taken on an application, a student seeking admission to any curriculum of the college must submit:
1. A completed “Application for Admission” with social security number requested;
2. Official high school transcripts or GED certificate if you plan to enter the program in either Nursing, EMT- Intermediate, Paramedic, or Licensed Practical Nursing. There are no exceptions.
a. Applicants who have graduated high school or completed their GED within the past 5 years should submit a copy of their high school transcript or GED scores to determine their placement in lieu of completing the Virginia Placement Test (VPT).
b. Applicants for financial aid should be aware that some financial aid programs may require that the high school transcript/GED certificate be submitted without exception before an award may be made.
c. If you will not have finished high school or GED before enrolling, specific testing may be required for admission evaluation. Contact the Admissions Office for details.
d. Students must be admitted into an eligible curriculum prior to the semester.
e. Graduates who complete secondary school in a home school setting must provide a graduation date and may be required to provide documentation of coursework.
3. Official College Transcripts for all previous institutions if:
a. you plan to enter the degree program in either Nursing or EMT-Paramedic or the certificate in Licensed Practical Nursing;
b. you wish to receive transfer credit. The VCCS Student Information System academic records will be sufficient for colleges within the Virginia Community College System. Please fill out the VCCS Transfer Form in the Counseling and Admissions Office.
NOTE: If you can transfer at least 20 semester hours to P&HCC from a 4-year college or university, you may be exempt from completing SDV 108, College Survival Skills.
4. Other material when applicable.
a. Nursing (RN and LPN) and EMT-Paramedic applicants need to consult specifics in the Nursing, LPN, or EMT- Paramedic section of the college catalog.
b. Additional information as stated by the college for admission to specific programs or curricula.
5. International students. Patrick & Henry Community College is a two-year, non- residential, commuter college. We welcome applications from qualified international students who meet our academic, financial, and language requirements. Before we are able to process a request for admission to the college and issue a form I-20 for the F-1 Visa, the following documents must be submitted by July 1 for fall semester attendance and November 1 for spring semester attendance:
a. a completed P&HCC application,
b. proof of the equivalent of an American high school diploma
c. official Internet-based (IBT) TOEFL scores of at least 61 (or equivalent scores of 500 PBT or 173 CBT), International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP) scores of at least 3.7, or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores of at least 6.0.
d. verification of financial support sufficient to enroll as a full-time student without the need to work off campus,
e. proof of health insurance coverage, and
f. a photocopy of your passport.

After the student’s I-20 is issued, the student must complete the college assessment test (VPT), enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours in a transfer program, and file a copy of the student’s passport and I-94 card with the admissions office. Students are allowed to attend Patrick Henry for two years. International students are not able to sustain employment at the school or in the community. International students are not allowed to receive federal financial aid.

Foreign Credentials Evaluation Services
Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53202-0970
Phone: (414) 289-3400
Web: www.fis-web.com

Foundation for International Services, Inc. 21540 30th Drive SE, Suite 320
Bothell, WA 98201
Phone: (425) 487-2245 FAX: (425) 487-1989
Web: fis-web.com EMAIL: info@fis-web.com

Global Credential Evaluators, Inc.
P.O. Box 36, 28 Westhampton Way
Richmond, VA 23173
Phone: (804) 639-3660 FAX: (512) 528-9293
Web: www.gcevaluators.com

World Education Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 5087
Bowling Green Station
New York, NY 10274-5087
Phone (212) 966-6311 FAX: (212) 739-6100
Web: www.wes.org E-MAIL: info@wes.org


6. After application materials have been submitted, you should speak with a staff member in the Admissions Office about additional procedures (if any) for applying to a specific degree or certificate program. All students who enroll in a curriculum should expect to take the placement test so they can be placed in the appropriate level courses. Transfer students with previous appropriate college success may not need to take the placement test and should ask a counselor to evaluate that need. If you haven’t enrolled in a credit class at P&HCC for at least three years, you will need to reapply for admission.
7. Possessing, brandishing, or using a weapon while on any college or VCCS office property, within any college or VCCS office facilities, or while attending any college or VCCS educational or athletic activities by students is prohibited, except where possession is a result of participation in an organized and scheduled instructional exercise for a course, or where the student is a law enforcement professional. By proceeding with the application process, you acknowledge and agree to abide by this policy if accepted to P&HCC.
8. Apply for financial aid early!
 

Non-Curricular Application

Applicants for non-curricular admission must submit a completed “Application for Admission”. Other information (such as an unofficial transcript or placement test) may be needed to establish a student’s eligibility for courses.

Classification of Students

Students are classified according to their educational goals, the time devoted to their education, and the number of credits completed.
Curricular student - A student who has been officially admitted to one of the college associate degree, certificate, or career studies certificate programs is classified as a curricular student.
Non-curricular student - A student, who is not enrolled in a curriculum, either by individual choice or in accordance with college policy, is classified as a non- curricular student. Non-curricular students are not eligible for financial aid, AND students must be admitted into an eligible curriculum prior to the beginning of the semester in order to receive financial aid.
Full-time student - Students are considered full-time students if they are enrolled in 12 or more credits of course work.
Part-time student - Students are considered part-time students if they are enrolled in fewer than 12 credits of course work.
Freshman - Students are classified as freshmen until they have completed 30 credits of study in a designated curriculum. Transferred credits are included if they apply toward meeting requirements of the curriculum.
Sophomore -Students are classified as sophomores when they have completed 30 or more credits of course work in a designated curriculum. Transferred credits are included if they apply toward meeting requirements of the curriculum.
Senior Citizen - Senior Citizens Higher Education Act of 1974, As Amended 1976, 1977, l982, 1988, 1999, 2003, and 2015 (SG)
Subject to SCHEV regulations and any legislative revisions, the Act gives senior citizens certain rights.
1. “Senior citizen" shall mean any person who, before the beginning of any semester in which such person claims entitlement to senior citizen benefits, (1) has reached sixty years of age, and (2) has had his legal domicile in Virginia for one year.
2. A senior citizen shall be entitled:
a. to register for and enroll in courses as a full-time or part-time student for academic credit if such senior citizen had a taxable individual income not exceeding $23,850 for Virginia income tax purposes for the year preceding the year in which enrollment is sought;
b. to register for and audit courses offered for academic credit regardless of income level; and
c. to register for and enroll in courses not offered for academic credit regardless of income level.

Such senior citizen shall pay no tuition or fees for courses offered for academic credit or for courses not offered for academic credit, except fees established for the purpose of paying for course materials, such as laboratory fees, subject to a determination by the institution of its ability to offer the course or courses for which the senior citizen registers.
The Council of Higher Education shall establish procedures to ensure that tuition-paying students are accommodated in courses before senior citizens participating in this program are enrolled. However, the state institutions of higher education may make individual exceptions to these procedures when the senior citizen has completed seventy-five percent of the requirements for a degree.
Interested senior citizens should contact the Office of the Registrar for information and required application materials.
Transfer Students
Usually, a student transferring from another college who is eligible for return to the last college will be eligible for admission to P&HCC. If a student is ineligible to return to a curriculum at a previously attended college, special conditions may be imposed for admission.

Students transferring from other colleges must submit official transcripts for ALL previous college or high school work as outlined above (Admissions Procedures). If possible, transfer credits will be evaluated to determine the student's standing before registration for classes, but not before ALL transcripts are received. See section entitled "transfer credit" for more information.

Transfer between Curricula - During the course of study, a student may desire to change to another curriculum. The student should discuss the intended change with the faculty advisor or a counselor, who will advise the student about the requirements and effects of the change.

The student’s academic history will be evaluated by the appropriate college official to determine what courses can be applied to the new curriculum. No change in curriculum is official until a “Student Information Change Form” has been submitted to, and approved by, appropriate Admissions Office personnel. Students may only submit a “Student Information Change Form” to change curriculum two times a semester, AND students must be admitted into an eligible curriculum prior to the semester beginning in order to receive financial aid.

High School Students

Students attending high school who wish to attend college concurrently to take credit classes outside of current dual enrollment controls must coordinate consideration with the school and the Coordinator of Dual Enrollment. Each case will be evaluated individually.
 

Dual Enrollment.

Although high school and home school students are normally not qualified for general admission, colleges may offer admission to t hose students who meet additional criteria. Dual enrollment is restricted to high school juniors and seniors and home school students studying at the high school junior or senior levels. Home school students must also provide a copy of a home school agreement approved by the school district or a letter from the local school board or a copy of the letter filed by the parent/legal guardian declaring home school for religious exemption. Documentation of parental permission is required for all dual enrollment students.

Because admitting freshmen and sophomores is considered exceptional, the college-ready status of each prospective freshman and sophomore student will be treated on a case-by-case basis. Formal approval by the college president is required for admitting freshmen or sophomores.

All students admitted under this section must demonstrate readiness for college by meeting the criteria in the chart shown. Students enrolling in a dual enrollment course must meet all course pre-requisites.

Admission Criteria for CTE Courses
	Virginia Placement Test (VPT)	COMPASS	ASSET	PSAT	SAT	SAT	SOL
English/Writing	ENF 1	32	35	50	500	21	N/A
Reading	ENF 1	62	35	50	500	21	N/A
Mathematics	MTT Module 1	25	33	52	520	22	Algebra I - Pass

Admission Criteria for Transfer Courses
	Virginia Placement Test (VPT)	COMPASS	ASSET	PSAT	SAT	ACT	SOL
English / Writing	ENG 111	76	43	50	500	21	N/A
Reading	ENG 111	81	42	50	500	21	N/A
Mathematics	MTT Module 1	25	33	52	520	22	Algebra I - Pass

Readmission after Suspension or Dismissal Students desiring readmission after suspension or dismissal should contact the admissions office for the appropriate admissions materials. Such applications should be submitted well in advance of the beginning of the college semester.

Academic Renewal Policy

Students who return to the college after a separation of five (5) full years or more may petition for academic renewal. The request must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar by completion of the “Academic Renewal Petition Form.”
If a student is awarded academic renewal, "D" and "F" grades earned prior to re-enrollment will remain on the student’s official records and transcript s but be deleted from the cumulative and curriculum grade point average (GPA), subject to the following conditions:
1. prior to petitioning for academic renewal the student must demonstrate a renewed academic interest and effort by earning at least a 2.5 GPA in the first twelve (12) semester hours (graded A, B, C, D, F) completed after re­ enrollment;
2. alI grades received at the college will be a part of the student’s official transcript;
3. students will receive degree credit only for courses in which grades of C or better were earned prior to academic renewal, providing that such courses meet current curriculum requirements;
4. total hours for graduation will be based on all course work taken at the college after readmission, as well as former course work for which a grade of " C" or better was earned, credits transferred from other colleges or universities, or awarded at P&HCC by other approved methods;
5. the academic renewal policy may be used only once and cannot be revoked once approved;
6. an "Academic Renewal" notation will be made on the permanent record;
7. the granting of Academic Rene w al does not affect any previous academic, financial, or administrative determination made by the college;
8. other institutions/ agencies may not utilize this policy in evaluating the student's record.

A thorough explanation of the academic renewal policy and analysis of an individual student’s situation and eligibility may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar. If a student disagrees with the decision of the coordinator in administering the policy, an appeal may be filed by following the grievance procedure outlined in the student handbook.
 

Cancellation of Classes Due to Insufficient Enrollment

The college may cancel any class that is deemed to have insufficient enrollment (as determined by college policy) at the beginning of each semester.


 

Domicile Determination and Appeal Procedures

The Virginia Community College System is guided by the Code of Virginia and the regulations of the State Council for Higher Education on determining domicile. For the purposes of in-state tuition, a Virginia resident is defined by state law as one who has lived in Virginia, with the intent to remain a Virginian, for a period of at least one year prior to the first official day of class for the semester in which he or she is enrolling. The intent of domicile is evidenced through the filing of state income tax, voter registration, automobile registration, and driver’s license. All applicants to the college who are claiming entitlement to Virginia in-state tuition rates must complete the domicile items on the application for admission. The burden of proving eligibility for in-state tuition rests with the applicant.

The college makes an initial determination of an applicant’s eligibility for in-state tuitions rates (or domiciliary status) based on the information supplied by the applicant and/or the applicant’s parent, legal guardian, or spouse in the Domicile Information portion of the “Application for Admission.” This determination is made under provisions of Section 23.1-500 of the Code of Virginia. Additional information, clarification, or supporting evidence may be required.

If the student does not agree with the determination, an appeal may be filed with the Coordinator of Admissions and Accelerated Learning within thirty (30) days of the determination by completing and submitting the “Application for Re-Classification of Student’s Domicile Status” packet. This appeal must include copies of the applicant’s driver’s license, motor vehicle registration, income tax returns for the previous tax year, and any other relevant documents that may support the claim of eligibility for in-state tuition rates. The Coordinator may require more information, clarification, or supporting evidence in order to review the applicant’s case. Once all required information is received, the Coordinator will review the case and notify the student of the decision within ten (10) days.

If the student does not agree with the decision of the Coordinator, an appeal may be filed with the Domiciliary Status Appeal Committee within ten (10) days. This appeal must be submitted in writing. The committee may require more information, clarification or supporting evidence. Once all required information is received, the Committee will issue a decision, in writing, within twenty (20) days. The decision of the Domicile Appeals Committee represents the final administrative review. If the student is denied in-state tuition privileges by the final administrative decision of the Committee, the student may appeal the decision to the Circuit Court within thirty (30) days of receipt of the Committee’s decision.

Any student classified as out-of-state who believes they will be eligible for in-state tuition rates for a future term or enrollment must submit an updated “Domicile Application” form. The college is not responsible for monitoring possible eligibility changes.

The “Application for Re-Classification of Student’s Domicile Status” can be obtained in the Admissions Office in Walker Building, Room 240, by calling (276) 656-0301, or by email at meggleston@patrickhenry.edu.