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Admission Requirements
Admission Policy and Procedures
Henry Ford Community College welcomes applicants with high school diplomas, General Education Development (GED) certificates, and college credits and/or degrees. Applicants may enroll in one course, a series of courses, or a program leading to a certificate or degree. Whatever the motivation, it is important that the applicant have a successful experience. The following information should be helpful in completing the appropriate application procedure.
Regular admission is permissible as follows:
High School Graduates
U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents, and individuals who are present in (or who will be admitted to) the United States in a status which allows them to enroll at the College, can be granted regular admission if the applicant has either graduated from a regionally accredited or state-approved U.S. high school or holds a General Education Development (GED) certificate, or has graduated from a non-U.S. high school and demonstrates sufficient proficiency in the English language through passing the ESL COMPASS Test that the College is satisfied that he or she can function successfully at the College and benefit from the academic program.
Non-High School Graduates:
Non-High School Graduates can be granted regular admission provided the applicant has received a score on a basic skills test that the College determines is sufficiently high to place him or her in college-level English composition, and provided his or her high-school cohort class has graduated.
Home-School Applicants:
An individual who was home schooled can be granted regular admission if he or she meets both of the following conditions:
1. A parent or guardian certifies that the student has completed his or her high school education; and
2. A qualified, independent third-party evaluator, either representing the school district in which the student resides or another entity approved by the College, verifies that the student’s home school education has met acceptable academic standards.
Other General Requirements:
In order to be granted admission, all students must meet the prerequisites and co-requisites required for course enrollment. Additionally, with regard to any applicant, the College must be satisfied that the student is sufficiently mature and responsible that he or she can function successfully at the College and benefit from the academic program. This generally means that the student is at or beyond 12th grade age.
The President and his or her designees are authorized to inspect and verify all admission applications, transcripts, records, documents, and other credentials that may be submitted by student applicants in order to ascertain their accuracy, completeness, and authenticity. The College can reject or dismiss any individual whose application contains any misrepresentation, omission or incorrect statement of fact, or who the College believes poses a risk to the health or safety of themselves, other students, faculty or staff.
Application Procedures
1. All degree- or certificate-seeking students attending Henry Ford Community College for the first time must obtain and complete an application for admission and pay the application fee, which is non- refundable. Applications are available in area high schools, by calling the College’s Welcome Center at 1-800-585-HFCC or visit www.hfcc.edu/apply.
2. Applicants who are high school graduates or recipients of the General Education Development (GED) certificate must submit their educational records. Those records will be used to assist in the advising process. An individual whose high school class has graduated may apply for admission without a high school diploma or GED if the College determines that his or her score on a basic skills test is high enough to exempt him or her from developmental work in reading and writing. Applicants with sufficiently high scores will be allowed to enroll in any classes offered by the College, provided they satisfy the course prerequisites.
3. Current high school seniors need to submit transcripts, which will be used to assist in the advising process.
4. Students who have attended other colleges or universities should have official copies of their transcripts sent to the Office of Admissions, Records and Registration, Henry Ford Community College, 5101 Evergreen, Dearborn, MI 48128. The official transcripts will be evaluated for transferable college credit.
5. Applicants who have graduated from a non-U.S. high school must submit officially translated documents demonstrating to the College’s satisfaction that the applicant has earned at least the equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma. Such applicants must also present documents or transcripts which demonstrate to the College’s satisfaction average or above-average grades. Students from countries where English is not the primary language will need to demonstrate proficiency in the English language that the College is satisfied that they can function successfully at the College and benefit from the academic program. Translated documents and transcripts should be sent to the Office for International Students, Henry Ford Community College, 5101 Evergreen, Dearborn, MI 48128-1495.
Special and Provisional Admission
Non-Degree-Seeking Students
Students may be admitted to the College by Special Admission for Non-Degree-Seeking Students in order to take a course for enrichment or personal development but not to pursue a degree or certificate. Students eligible for Special Admission include those who are high school graduates, hold GED certificates, or have attended another college. Students admitted under this category must satisfy all prerequisites for courses they take, and they are not eligible for financial aid. If, after completing fifteen (15) semester hours of credit, the non-degree student wishes to seek a degree from Henry Ford Community College, he or she may be required to submit educational documents for review and evaluation to verify academic status. Courses taken under a non-degree status may or may not be acceptable for meeting program or degree requirements.
Guest Students
A guest student is one who currently attends another college or university and wishes to take one or more courses at Henry Ford Community College. The guest student must submit an authorized guest application from his or her home institution.
Dual Enrollment Students
Henry Ford Community College is a participant in the Dual Enrollment Program, in which students attend both high school and college courses. Students must submit a special Dual Enrollment Application for each semester in which they plan to enroll in both Henry Ford Community College courses and courses in high school. The application, which is available at the high school, must be signed by his or her high school counselor or principal. The signature of a parent is not required from an applicant who can demonstrate emancipated legal status. Dual Enrollment students desiring placement in mathematics, chemistry or English courses, are required to take appropriate placement tests. There is no application fee. Tuition and fees are paid by the school district in which the Dual Enrollment student resides.
Advancement Plus Students
Henry Ford Community College offers the Advancement Plus Program for academically qualified high school students. This program provides a parallel route for high school students to enhance their present curriculum, enrich their academic experience, and earn college credit while attending high school. The Advancement Plus Program is intended for enrollment in college-level courses numbered 100 and above.
The Advancement Plus Program is available to all students who are identified by their high school counselors or principals as having above-average academic status. The counselors or principals, in cooperation with the students, develop the students’ program of study. To qualify for the Advancement Plus Program, a student needs to complete an Advancement Plus application, available at the high school, and obtain the required signatures.
Tuition and fees are paid by the student’s parent/guardian.
Home-schooled students need the approval of the HFCC Counseling Director. Interested students may contact the Director at 313-845-9612.
Students desiring placement in mathematics, chemistry or English courses, are required to take appropriate placement tests.
International Students
The College is authorized by the Department of Homeland Security to issue the Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant (F-1) Students, also known as the I-20 Form. The College’s admission of international students will be governed by all applicable state and federal regulations. International students must complete their financial arrangements before coming to the United States.
Department of Homeland Security regulations limit employment of students holding an F-1 visa. The College will issue an I-20 Form only to students who can demonstrate the financial ability to meet college and living expenses. International students who obtain the F-1 visa and have sufficient finances may be granted regular admission to the College.
The following information must be provided:
1. Completed Henry Ford Community College application.
2. Completed Henry Ford Community College Supplementary Student Information Form.
3. Official translated transcript(s) from all previous colleges or universities attended.
4. A notarized copy and translation (if not in English) of secondary school records, examinations, and certificates. (Above average scores are necessary).
5. A score of 550 on the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), 80 on the MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery), or a satisfactory score on the Henry Ford Community College ESL (English as a Second Language) Placement Test. (Applicants educated in Canada, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand need not submit the above test scores). However, upon arrival at Henry Ford Community College, all degree-seeking students are required to take the appropriate assessment tests.
6. Proof of financial responsibility by submitting one of the following documents:
a. Notarized Affidavit of Support (I-134) and bank statement
The above information should be directed to the International Office.
b. Government sponsor
The above information should be directed to the International Office.
Non-U.S. High School Graduates
Applicants who have graduated from non-U.S. high schools are required to demonstrate sufficient proficiency in the English language that the College is satisfied that they can function successfully at the College and benefit from the academic program. Such proficiency can be demonstrated by taking and achieving a score deemed sufficient by the College on the English as a Second Language (ESL) Placement Test. After submitting translated documents showing acceptable grades and the equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma, the applicant may receive an authorization to take the ESL Placement Test by calling the Assessment Office at 313-845-6399. Graduates of non-U. S. high schools where English is the primary language such as Canada, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, may be required to take the ASSET or COMPASS Basic Skills Placement Test in lieu of the ESL Test.
Dearborn Senior Citizen Students
Dearborn Public School District residents who meet course prerequisites and who are age 60 and older are eligible to take credit courses at the College tuition-free provided they pay uniform fees and specified course fees. Interested individuals should visit the Admissions, Registration and Records Office or call 313-845-9614 to express their interest in the program. Admissions, Registration and Records Office personnel will assist with the application and registration process.