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General Admissions Requirements (for Curriculum Programs) Gaston College subscribes to the open door admission policy. High school graduation or the equivalent is required of all applicants for degree Although restrictive standards for admission are not imposed, admission to the college does not guarantee immediate admission to the degree program desired by the applicant. Admission to certain programs may be affected by special program requirements. Note: Now Complete the 2009-2010 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by Phone! Gaston College students can now complete the 2009-2010 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by using the telephone.
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We welcome you to complete an official Application for Admission. An application can be picked up at the following locations:
You can also complete an application online and submit it via email or in person. Click here to begin.
For all programs, the following steps must be completed before students are admitted.
Applicants are encouraged to apply at least six weeks early to ensure completion of admission files prior to enrollment. Applicants may enroll on a provisional basis until all admission requirements are met, such as receipt of transcripts and test scores. However, all admission requirements must be met before a student can begin a second semester of enrollment. Applicants applying for financial aid are ineligible to receive financial aid while admissions files are incomplete
Transferring from Another College Applicants transferring to Gaston College must submit an Application for Admission and meet all requirements for general admission.
Admission to the general college does not guarantee admission to selective programs. Please follow the guidelines established by the program departments in addition to the general admission requirements. Applicants are accepted in a pending status, for certain selective programs, until accepted in the program.
Special Student Admission (Non-degree Applicants) Applicants planning to enroll in courses for special interest must submit an Application for Admission. Certain courses may require prerequisites and/or placement testing. A major must be declared upon completion of 15 semester hours. Non-degree students do not qualify for degree, diploma, or certificate status unless general admission requirements are met. Non-degree students must declare a major and meet admission requirements to be eligible for financial aid or veterans benefits.
Students who have not registered for a two-year period are required to re-apply and meet current admissions requirements.
Non-graduates from high school may apply for certain certificate and diploma programs in the Trade and Industrial Division. They must take the college's placement test. Non-graduates interested in other classes may register for only two classes as special non-degree seeking students. Certain classes may be restricted.
Students with disabilities must meet all admission requirements. In order to receive services under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the student is responsible for supplying documentation to the Counseling Center well in advance of class registration. Documentation may include but is not limited to a medical, psychological, or educational diagnosis. Students are encouraged to visit the Documentation Guidelines for further specific documentation needed. Students should also schedule a meeting with the Special Needs Counselor in the Counseling Center to discuss individual needs regarding reasonable accommodations. (704) 922-6224.
International students must meet all admission requirements listed under General Admission Requirements. All applicants must submit (along with an application) an official or certified copy of their high school transcript and an official/certified copy of any college work completed. If the original copies of these transcripts are in a language other than English, an official English translation is required. The translation should be by a certified translator. Students whose foreign transcripts cannot be evaluated by college personnel are responsible for providing a transcript evaluation from a recognized American transcript evaluation agency. Proof of English proficiency is required. This may be established by making a minimum total score of 76 (internet-based), 207 (computer-based), or 540 (paper-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The TOEFL is published and administered in most countries by the Educational Testing Service, P O Box 899, Princeton, New Jersey, 08541, USA. Applicants must present evidence of adequate financial resources for F-1 visa status. Form I-134 (Affidavit of Support) is used in most instances. However, Gaston College's Financial Certificate will be presented to each applicant for completion. All F-1 students must pay out-of-state tuition rates. There are no scholarships or other types of financial aid available for students from abroad. An F-1 student may accept off-campus employment only if the Immigration and Naturalization Service has granted prior approval. Gaston College is a commuter institution and does not have dormitories or housing for rent. Students must find their own housing in the neighboring towns. Transportation to the college must be arranged by the student. The International Student Advisor (ISA) assists international students with personal problems, adjustment to customs and procedures of American higher education, visas, government regulations, and academic advisement. The International Student Advisor is the student's chief contact. The student is responsible for reporting to the ISA as soon as he or she arrives and must report to this advisor for the duration of his or her stay. ALL APPLICANTS MUST HAVE COMPLETED THESE REQUIREMENTS AT LEAST SIX WEEKS PRIOR TO THE SEMESTER FOR WHICH THEY ARE SEEKING ADMISSION. Resident aliens, permanent residents, naturalized citizens, and applicants with other visa status must present these documents when applying. Undocumented immigrants may apply and enroll in classes at the out-of-state tuition rate.
Upon the approval of their high school principal, high school juniors and seniors may be admitted as special dual enrollment students to appropriate credit and/or non-credit courses. Dual enrollment students must be at least 16 years of age and have completed 10th-grade English. Applicants are admitted on a space available basis into regular classes at the college. Applicants must be enrolled at least half time at the high school and be making progress toward graduation. In the case of courses offered in the summer, the principal must certify that a student took at least two high school courses during the preceding semester and made appropriate progress toward graduation. Students must obtain a Dual Enrollment Form from their principal and complete a Gaston College Application for Admission. The Dual Enrollment Form must be completed and all appropriate high school signatures must be obtained before registration. Required Gaston College signatures can be obtained at the time of registration. Dual enrollment students must meet the same prerequisites and course admission requirements as adult college students; therefore, students may be required to take the college placement test.
Gaston College is supported by the taxpayers of North Carolina and Gaston and Lincoln counties. Students who are not state residents pay out-of-state tuition. A student's official residency status is determined at the time of registration according to the residency policy of the state of North Carolina, the North Carolina Community College System, and the Gaston College Board of Trustees. In order for a student to be considered a legal resident for tuition purposes, the applicant's residency must be established and maintained in North Carolina for at least twelve months preceding the date of first enrollment in an institution of higher education in this state. The legal residence of a person under 18 years of age is that of his or her parents, surviving parent, or legal guardian. In cases where parents are divorced or legally separated, the minor's domicile is deemed to be North Carolina for the time period that either parent, as a North Carolina legal resident, claims the minor as a tax dependent. A change of address does not automatically entitle a student to pay the same instructional fees as a North Carolina resident. A request to change one's residency status must be submitted to the Admissions Office prior to registration. More information on residency requirements may be obtained from the Admissions Office.
Change of address should be submitted in writing to the Registrar's Office to ensure receipt of grades and general information.
Terry Brasier, Director of Admissions and Enrollment Joyce Crumpton, Admissions Specialist Ungina Lewis, Admissions/Financial Aid Specialist, LC La'Shelle McClain, Admissions Specialist Brian Shook, Admissions Specialist
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programs. Applicants must be 18 years of age or possess a high school diploma or equivalent, unless they are dual enrollment, Huskins, or Learn and Earn Online students. 