Underage and Special Admissions

Special Admissions for Students Under Age 18

Applicants between 16 and 18 may be admitted to a college if they are deemed able to benefit from the college's curricular offerings. Enrollment is limited to college-level courses numbered 100 or above. (This limitation does not apply to high school graduates or GED certificate holders.) In order to determine a student's readiness for college-level courses, the student will be required to take a placement test which is administered at the colleges. Generally, a student must place at the college level in both reading and writing in order to be eligible for courses other than mathematics. To take mathematics courses, the student must place at the college level in mathematics. Admission may be to individual courses or to a program as determined by admissions officials.

This policy is intended to expand opportunities for younger, qualified students who may not be enrolled in Running Start or other local student enrollment option programs. For currently enrolled high school applicants, a release form for attendance at Spokane Community College (SCC) or Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC) that identifies approved credit classes as in signed by the student's high school principal must be submitted quarterly. The intent of this policy is not to replace or duplicate the functions of local public schools. Underage high school students who are seeking enrollment on a long term basis should explore admissions through our Running Start Program.

Procedures

Running Start students applying to SCC are required to submit high school transcripts. For other underage students, official transcripts from other colleges are not required for admission, but may prove beneficial for purposes of general advising, verifying successful completion of intermediate-level algebra and English composition, and verifying courses that may fulfill prerequisites for other courses and/or programs at the college to which a student applies. Official transcripts can be submitted if the student wishes a review and evaluation for transferable credit toward degree completion and graduation purposes. Students are strongly encouraged to submit official transcripts from all colleges with their applications.

To qualify for an exception to CCS’s general admission requirements as an underage student, the following steps must be completed:

1. Submit the following to the Registrar’s office of the college you will be attending for initial screening by the Underage Admissions Committee:

   1. Application for Admission - Russian - Spanish - Vietnamese

   2. Student/Parent (or legal guardian) Release for Underage Student Form

   3. School District Enrollment Release Form *annual resubmission required

   4. Quarterly Academic Plan Form *quarterly resubmission required

   5. Most current grades from secondary school

   6. Self-written letter stating CCS enrollment goals

   7. Letter of recommendation from an educator or tutor (other than a family member or guardian) addressing academic readiness and behavioral preparedness for an adult learning environment

   8. *Once submitted for review, the committee will contact you within 7-10 business days regarding your next step.

2. The Underage Admissions Committee will determine if the student should continue the process with placement testing. Students must demonstrate academic preparedness for college-level work by placing into college-level math and English.

3. Schedule an appointment with the Underage Admissions Committee by calling SCC at 509-533-7067.

Approved underage students will be allowed to enroll in one 5 credit class during their first quarter. The class must be approved by the Underage Admissions Committee and the instructor will be consulted. The presence of an underage student cannot disrupt regular class materials or topics.

Approved enrollment for one quarter does not guarantee enrollment approval or class availability for subsequent quarters. After the initial quarter of enrollment the student’s capability to be successful will be assessed with the possibility to enroll in additional credits.

Students will be expected to adhere to the Community Colleges of Spokane’s Academic Standards in addition to the CCS Student Code of Conduct.

Spokane Community College and Spokane Falls Community College reserve the right to request additional information and/or deny any underage enrollment.