Policy 5220A

ADMISSION OF STUDENTS

References:  Veterans Readjustment Benefits Act of 1966, the War Orphans Educational Assistance Act of 1956, and the Disabled Veterans Act;  Wyoming Statutes: §21-18-307; 21-20-201(a); Wyoming Community College Commission Adult Education Standards.

It is the Board’s policy that Western Wyoming Community College (the College), as an open enrollment institution, and will grant admission to individuals who are degree-seeking or non-degree seeking. This admission pertains to the four types of students:

  • Degree or Certificate Seeking Students
  • Non-degree Seeking Students - those taking credit courses but not working toward a degree or certificate
  • High School Dual and Concurrent Students - high school students (16 years or older) in the College's service area taking credit courses concurrently or through dual credit agreements
  • Non-Credit Students
  •  
  • The College shall have an admission/enrollment procedure for each of these groups, which includes placement testing for advising purposes. 

Minimum Age
It is the policy of the Board to admit students who have reached the legal age or are emancipated and have reached 17 years of age or older. The College President may grant a waiver of the minimum age based on extenuating circumstances unique to the College’s role and mission. 

Concurrently enrolled students must be sixteen years of age or older unless recommended by their high school principal, Western’s Senior Outreach Coordinator, and BOCES/BOCHES if applicable.

International Students
The College welcomes international students who, in addition to meeting the general requirements for admission, have demonstrated the necessary English language skills, have proved they are financially able to meet the costs of attendance, and have submitted a health statement signed by a physician.

Veteran Students
The College welcomes veterans and assists them in planning their academic programs and in securing financial aid under the provisions of the Veterans Readjustment Benefits Act of 1966, the War Orphans Educational Assistance Act of 1956, and the Disabled Veterans Act.

Denial of Admission, Continued Enrollment or Re-Enrollment
The College President or their designee may deny the admission, continued enrollment, or re-enrollment of:

  • any individual whose personal history and background indicates that their presence at the College would endanger the health, safety, welfare, or property of the College community or interfere with the orderly and effective performance of the College’s functions; and/or
  • any individual who has misrepresented their credentials or background.

Persons who seek enrollment must be given timely notification of a denial of admission.

Acceptance to the College does not guarantee admission to all majors as specific programs may have prerequisites designed to facilitate successful completion. The College President may identify programs in which the College receives more applications than available laboratory space can accommodate, or as deemed impractical for instruction. These will be identified as high demand programs and enrollment may be based on special screening tools and/or "first-come, first-serve" registration. The right is reserved to deny admission to any applicant to certain programs, as per the established and published procedures. The College shall define and publish procedures of appeal for persons who are denied admission.

Policy included in catalog
Adopted: April 26, 1984
Revised: May 26, 1988
Revised: December 14, 1989
Revised: March 9, 2006
Reformatted: April 28, 2011
Revised: October 16, 2014
Revised: April 11, 2022

 

Procedure 5220A

ADMISSION OF STUDENTS

General Admission Requirements for All Students
As per Board policy, the College is an equal opportunity institution. The College prohibits discrimination in its practices, programs, and activities. All students wishing to enroll in degree seeking or non-degree seeking coursework who meet the minimum age limit and other admission requirements, listed below, shall be considered for acceptance to the College regardless of age, race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability. The College is committed to maintaining an environment free from discrimination, sexual or other harassment and retaliation.

Degree or Certificate Seeking Students
Persons applying for a degree or certificate program must do the following:

  • Complete and submit an application for admission.
  • Submit official transcript from the last accredited high school showing diploma date OR submit official high school equivalency test score.
  • Submit transcript(s) from previous colleges attended only if seeking transfer credit.
    • All transcripts and test scores become the property of Western Wyoming Community College and will not be returned to the student, even if the student decides not to enroll. Students who have been out of high school longer than five years need only submit proof of high school graduation. Students who have not completed high school may enroll conditionally in a degree program and must complete high school equivalency by the time they are halfway through the degree program. Students who have been home schooled, or have attended non-accredited high schools, must provide a national equivalency certificate, transcript or take the high school equivalency exam.
  • Submit American College Test (ACT) scores.
    • Although not required for admission, the test is used for course placement. For students seeking certain scholarships, ACT scores are required. For those planning to transfer to a four-year college or university, it is strongly recommended. 
  • Applicants interested in the Nursing program must complete an additional Nursing application.
    • Acceptance into the College does not mean that a student is also accepted into the Nursing program. 
  • Veterans
    Applications for veterans’ educational assistance should be filed two months prior to enrollment to avoid any delay in payment. Students must provide the Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class.
  • International students must fulfill additional requirements.
    • English Ability
      The College requires international students to provide documentation of English ability if they are from a country where English is not the primary/official language.
    • Financial Responsibility
      International students must establish their financial responsibility by providing a financial statement and commitment equivalent to one full academic year's expenses. These expenses include tuition, fees, books, room, board and health insurance. Not included in this sum are the expenses for the student's personal needs or for transportation. The Admissions office will annually announce the amount required. International students must also pay the application fee as established by the Board of Trustees.
    • Health
      Students must submit a signed physical and statement of good health from a physician.
    • Medical Insurance
      • All international students are required to provide proof of health insurance while studying in the United States. Proof of US medical insurance coverage with effective date prior to arrival on campus, and each semester throughout their time at Western will be required. Health insurance through a plan offered by the College will be purchased for all international students who do not provide proof of US medical insurance coverage and the charges will be applied to their accounts each semester proof of insurance is not provided.
    • Acceptance
      After the Admissions office has received the information described above, it will notify students about its decision. Students that are accepted will receive an official letter of acceptance and a Certificate of Eligibility (form 1-20) for obtaining a visa.
  • When these requirements are fulfilled, the College will send the student a letter of acceptance. The College gives conditional acceptance to students who do not have high school or equivalency, or who cannot provide a college transcript because they are currently enrolled at another institution.
  • Exceptions to admission requirements will be considered by the Director of Admissions.

Non-degree Seeking Students
Non-degree students are those who take credit courses and are not working toward a degree or credit-bearing certificate. These students need not apply for admission. They will follow the process for registering for classes.

High School Students
High school students, age 16 or older, who are enrolled in Wyoming high schools may take college credit courses concurrently or as a part of dual enrollment program. These students must meet eligibility criteria as established by the College and the school district.

Non-Credit Students
These are students taking non-credit courses for workforce and industry training or personal enrichment.  These students fill out a non-credit registration form.

Student Classification
Students are classified by academic year and admission status according to the following definitions:

Academic Year:

  • Freshman: Successful completion of fewer than 30 college-level semester credit hours.
  • Sophomore: Successful completion of 30 to 59 college-level semester credit hours.
  • Junior: Successful completion of 60 to 89 college-level semester credit hours.
  • Senior: Successful completion of 90 or more college-level semester credit hours.
  • Unclassified: Awarded a degree at the associate level or above.

Admission Status:

  • New Student: Attending Western Wyoming Community College for the first time.
  • Continuing Student: Attended Western Wyoming Community College within the past 12 months.
  • Re-Enrolled Student: Not attended Western Wyoming Community College within the past 12 months and re-entering the College.
  • Transfer Student: Some prior college or university experience.
  • Concurrent Student/Dual Enrollment Student: High School student earning college credit.

Residency
Students are classified as either a resident of Wyoming (in state), WUE (Western Undergraduate Exchange), or non-resident of Wyoming (out of state, not WUE) for tuition purposes at the time of admission (See Policy 5230A). 

Policy Included in Catalog
Adopted: April 26, 1984
Revised: May 26, 1988
Revised: December 14, 1989
Revised: March 9, 2006
Reformatted: April 28,2011
Revised: October 16, 2014
Revised: April 11, 2022
Revised: March 2024