Admission Procedures

These procedures apply to students enrolling in college credit programs.

1. Complete, sign, and return an admission application , which is available from the Admissions Office at any TSTC college or extension center or Online Admissions Application. Once the application has been submitted, report promptly any changes to the information in it (for example, name, address, starting term, major, etc.).
2. Note that proof of residency may be required to obtain resident tuition rates.
3. Depending on the category under which the applicant qualifies for admission, submit the following additional documents.
   1. High school graduate: an official copy of high school transcript
   2. College or university transfer: official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended previously
   3. GED: a copy of GED certificate or official score report
   4. Individual approval students: individual approval form
   5. Exceptional admission students:
      • Age 16 or older and currently enrolled in high school without a diploma or GED: exceptional admission form signed by parent or guardian and high school representative; qualifying scores in writing and/or reading and/or mathematics on approved assessment instruments.
      • Age 16 or older and a graduate of a home high school or unaccredited high school: exceptional admission form (signed by parent or guardian if age 16).
      • Age 16 and no longer attending high school, or age 15 or younger: exceptional admission form signed by parent of guardian and high school representative; qualifying scores in writing, reading, and mathematics (Note: An information session with a TSTC official is also required. Contact the Admissions Office for more information.)
   6. International students: see "International Students" in this section for details
4. Submit scores from an approved TSI test, take a TSTC-administered placement test, or provide appropriate documentation of TSI exemption or waiver. If needed, make arrangements to take an assessment test by contacting Admissions Office.

All documents submitted by applicants who do not register for the term indicated on the admission application will be retained for one year in the Admissions Office. At the end of one year, all records are discarded unless the applicant has notified the Admissions Office of continued interest in attending TSTC. All documents become the property of TSTC and are not returned to the students.

Former TSTC Students

College credit students who were previously enrolled at TSTC but have not attended TSTC for more than one year must reapply by completing the admission enrollment procedures and providing the appropriate required documents.

International Students

College credit applicants who do not hold United States citizenship or permanent resident status should request a packet for international admissions. These applicants should also consult with the Registrar to identify their student status and to determine the specific documents they may need to provide. The following documentation may be required.

1. Application for admission and student health services form
2. College entrance testing, depending on major field of study
3. Immunization records
4. English translations of all secondary and/or postsecondary transcripts
5. Official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score report showing a minimum score of 550 on a paper exam, or 213 on a computer-based exam (applies to applicants from countries where English is not the primary language)
6. Current affidavit of financial support to indicate ability to pay fees and reside in the United States while attending school
7. Valid visa, passport, and I-20 (applies to applicants already in the United States)

Due to delays in international communications, international applicants are encouraged to complete all admission requirements at least 90 days prior to the expected entry date. When TSTC receives all the required documents, the applicant will be issued an acceptance letter and an I-20MN.

International students must adhere strictly to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services laws. Therefore, they must:

1. be enrolled as full-time students and maintain satisfactory progress in their coursework;
2. maintain an I-94 on file in the Admissions Office;
3. carry medical and hospitalization insurance;
4. not obtain federal financial aid (except students holding I-551 visas); and
5. comply with all TSTC regulations, laws of the State of Texas, and laws of the United States.

Failure to comply with any of the above regulations may result in termination from TSTC and deportation.

Early Admission/Concurrent High School/Dual Credit

TSTC has agreements with many high school districts that permit eligible high school students to earn college credit while concurrently satisfying high school graduation requirements. Upon approval by the high school principal or designee and acceptance to TSTC through the exceptional admission program, a student may enroll in college courses taught either at the high school or at TSTC. Some fees may be waived in selected courses.

Students must earn passing grades in all college courses that they have attempted in order to maintain satisfactory academic progress. Enrollment in developmental courses is not permitted for a student enrolling under the exceptional admission program (concurrent high school or dual credit),

College credits earned through the exceptional admission program will be accepted by most institutions on the same basis as other college credit. There is a possibility, however, that a specific college may add additional requirements for transfer purposes.

Student E-Mail

TSTC requires all students to have an e mail account. E mail is used by school administration and instructors as the primary means of communication. If you do not already have access to an e mail account there are a number of free e mail services you can open an account with. These include HotMail, GMail, Yahoo Mail and AOL. These are suggestions only, please feel free to use another provider if you prefer. It is the students responsibility to check their account on a regular basis, failure to due so is not an excuse for missing an assignment or not receiving administrative correspondence.