Admission
Students are eligible for admission to Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC) if they are high school graduates or the equivalent, or if they are 18 years of age or older and are able to benefit academically from study at Virginia Peninsula Community College. There is no application fee for admission.
Individuals may be admitted to the College as curricular or non-curricular students. The College reserves the right to evaluate and document exceptional cases and to refuse or revoke admission if it determines that the applicant or student poses a threat, is a potential danger, is significantly disruptive to the college community, or if such refusal or revocation is in the best interest of the College. The College also reserves the right to refuse admission to applicants who have been expelled or suspended from, or determined to be a threat, a potential danger or significantly disruptive by another college. Students whose admission is revoked after enrollment will be given due process.
Students who have not been enrolled within the last three years (nine semesters) must complete a new application for admission.
The College does not discriminate based on of race, color, religion, national origin, political affiliation, gender, age, or handicap in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or based on other non-merit factors, and complies with the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The College does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, (except when age is a bonafide occupational qualification), religion, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or other non-merit factors, or disability in its education programs, recruitment efforts. employment opportunities, programs, or activities. The Virginia Community College System is subject to Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistant Act of 1974, the Federal Executive Order 11246, the Governor’s Executive Order Number 1, and all other applicable laws and policies.
Non- U.S. Citizen, Non-Immigrant, and International Students
Virginia Peninsula Community College admits qualified, eligible non-citizens, including those who have an undocumented or DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status.
VPCC is not an SEVP-certified school and cannot accept students who have or require F or M visas. In addition, the College cannot accept visas which do not permit study in the US, including B visas. All students who hold a non-citizen visa will be required to provide documentation to VPCC’s Admissions staff prior to registration in order to determine eligibility to study and/or in-state tuition rates.
Admission Priorities
When enrollment must be limited for any curriculum, priority shall be given to all qualified applicants who are residents of the political subdivisions supporting the College and to Virginia residents not having access to a given program at their local community college, provided such students apply for admission to the program prior to registration or by a deadline established by the college. In addition, residents of localities with which the college has clinical-site or other agreements may receive equal consideration for admission.
Curricular Students
An applicant who intends to complete a certificate or degree program at Virginia Peninsula may be admitted as a curricular student and assigned an academic advisor. The following items are required for official admission:
- A completed official application for admission.
- Official transcripts from all high schools, colleges and universities attended, if required by a specific program of study or for transfer evaluation purposes. A transcript is considered official when signed by the acting school official and submitted to the College in an approved sealed envelope or submitted electronically via a transcript delivery service.
- Additional information may be required by the College for admission to a specific program or curriculum.
- Graduates who complete secondary school in a homeschool setting must provide a graduation date and may be required to provide documentation of coursework.
After applying to the College, applicants may meet with a College Navigator for onboarding assistance prior to meeting with an Academic Advisor. The Navigator will review and advise students regarding:
- The student’s educational interests.
- Academic placement and course prerequisites. Placement measures are subject to change per Virginia Community College System (VCCS) policy.
- A pre-screening checklist outlining a student’s next steps to enroll in Virginia Peninsula.
- The student’s domicile for tuition rate.
- A review of high school or college transcripts, if applicable for English and math waivers
- The student’s entry into a specific curriculum or program at the College.
Non-degree Seeking Students
Non-degree seeking students will be admitted as non-curricular students. Prerequisites, as outlined in the College Catalog, must be met for all courses either at VPCC or by showing completion of equivalent courses at another college or university. Prerequisites may be waived by the Academic Division. Continuing education students may be required to submit unofficial college transcripts or be assessed for preparedness using other measures.
Converting from Non-Curricular to Curricular Status
A non-curricular student who has completed a total of 16 semester hours at Virginia Peninsula Community College, excluding credits in developmental studies, should identify a major or curriculum. The student must submit all official transcripts of any previous college coursework to Admissions and complete the Transcript Evaluation Request eform, available via myVPCC. Additionally, students must submit the Declaration of Program/Plan ( also available on our website) to update their intended program of study.
Transfer Admission
A student transferring from another college is eligible for admission to Virginia Peninsula Community College if the student is eligible for re-entrance at the last college they attended. The student must submit all official transcripts of any previous college coursework to Admissions and complete a Transcript Evaluation Request eform, available via myVPCC. If a transfer student is ineligible to return to the last institution of education attended, they may be ineligible to attend the College.
Students who were placed on Suspension at their previous institutions and are seeking to attend Virginia Peninsula Community College must follow the Suspension/Dismissal policies outlined in this catalog.
Dual Enrollment Admissions
Dual enrollment is restricted to high school juniors and seniors and homeschool students studying at the high school junior or senior level. Homeschool students must also provide a copy of a homeschool agreement approved by the school district or, a letter from the local school board, or a copy of the letter filed by the parent or legal guardian declaring homeschool for religious exemption. Documentation of parental permission is required for all dual enrollment students.
Students enrolling in dual enrollment courses must meet all admission requirements and course prerequisites as outlined in the Educational Services section of this catalog.
Placement
To ensure that all students are as successful as possible in their academic courses, Virginia Peninsula Community College uses multiple measures and informed self-placement to determine student readiness for college-level English and math courses. Placement measures are subject to change per VCCS policy.
Direct questions regarding the placement process to Enrollment Management, located in Kecoughtan Hall or admissions@vpcc.edu. Assessment services are also provided in the Office of Student Services, at the Historic Triangle campus in Williamsburg, telephone 757-253-4755.
US High School Graduates: six or more years since graduation
Students who graduated from a US high school or completed the GED or equivalent homeschool six or more years before enrolling at a VCCS college will use informed self-placement. Students should consult the VCCS Self-Informed Placement website for more information and should discuss options with their academic advisor. https://sites.google.com/email.vccs.edu/vccs-placement-guidance/home
US High School Graduates: less than six years since graduation
Students who graduated from a US high school or the equivalent less than six years before enrolling at a VCCS college shall be placed into college-level English and math courses using the following means and measures:
International/ESL Students
The College may require students who graduated from a foreign high school or whose first language is not English to take the Virginia Placement Test (VPT) for placement purposes.
Dual Enrollment Students
Dual Enrollment students should consult the Educational Services section of the catalog for placement information.
Admission in Specific Programs
Before being admitted into specific college curricula, students must show evidence of having the requisite high school courses (or their equivalent) and must have undergone the assessment process required at the time of general admission to the College. For students who do not present high school or other appropriate transcripts, decisions regarding admission into curricula and course placement will be based on the assessment process. At the time they are admitted to a given curriculum, students with deficiencies will be placed by an Academic Advisor into the appropriate courses, which they will be required to complete to meet course prerequisites. If a student later changes his or her curriculum, the student is required to meet with an Academic Advisor who will review the results of the assessment process and the student’s academic record to determine whether any changes in placement are appropriate.
Below are the requirements in English, mathematics, and other specialized subject areas.
All curricula (certificates and degrees) require students to have completed appropriate prerequisite course(s) or have placed into specific English courses as noted in the course description section of this catalog.
Various curricula of the College require that students have completed the number and type of high school units of mathematics needed for the specific program of study.
Curricula requiring one unit of high school mathematics: Accounting, Criminal Justice, Administrative Support Technology, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Automotive Technology, Early Childhood Development, Graphic and Media Design, Management, Nursing, Technical Studies, and Visual Arts.
Curricula requiring three units of college preparatory mathematics: Business Administration, Computer-Aided Drafting and Design Technology, Electronics Technology, Fine Arts, Information Systems Technology, Liberal Arts, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Science, and Social Science.
Curricula requiring four units of college preparatory mathematics: Computer Science and Engineering.
Note: Students may be required to complete the appropriate developmental English or mathematics courses, based upon their placement, prior to enrolling in specific credited English or mathematics course(s).
Certain curricula require high school credit in subject areas besides English and mathematics. Students missing such criteria, will be required to take the appropriate support courses as a condition for entering the curriculum of their choice: (e.g., a grade of “C” for one year of high school Algebra and Chemistry is required by the Board of Nursing.)
For any additional admission guidelines to specific programs, students should consult the detailed description of their programs contained in this catalog.
Senior Citizens
Under the Senior Citizens Higher Education Act, senior citizens who have been domiciled in Virginia for one year are eligible to take up to three classes at no charge under certain circumstances.
Credit Courses: Virginia residents who meet the following criteria may be eligible to take courses offered for academic credit, without paying tuition:
Audit: Virginia residents who meet the following criteria may AUDIT credit classes free of charge regardless of income:
Documentation of eligibility must be provided to Enrollment Management along with a completed Senior Citizens Tuition Waiver Form. For courses in programs with restricted admission, the senior citizen must apply and be admitted to the program.
Prerequisites, as outlined in the College Catalog, must be met for all courses. Prerequisites may be waived by the Academic Division. Senior citizens may be required to submit unofficial transcripts or be assessed for preparedness using other measures.
Registration begins no earlier than the day before the start of a class. Exception: senior citizens pursuing a degree who have completed 75% of the requirements for a degree may register at the same time as tuition-paying students.
Domicile and Tuition Information
Eligibility for In-State Tuition
The Registrar and Dean of Enrollment Management or their designee is responsible for making determinations of eligibility for in-state tuition rates based on information provided by the student domicile section of the College application. Eligibility is determined in accordance with Section 23-7.4 of the Code of Virginia.
Domicile is a technical legal term, which means more than simple residency in the Commonwealth of Virginia. A legal domiciliary must demonstrate their intention of remaining in Virginia indefinitely. Generally, to be eligible for in-state tuition rates, the student, or the person on whom the student is dependent must have been a legal domiciliary of Virginia for a period of at least one full year prior to the planned term of enrollment at the College. Demonstration of intent is usually accomplished through objective evidence such as a Virginia driver’s license, automobile registration, voter registration, payment of Virginia state income taxes, ownership of real property, etc. Other paths for qualifying for in-state tuition are listed on the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) website.
In accordance with the Code of Virginia, a student under the age of 24 is presumed to be a dependent of the parent(s) for domicile purposes unless the student provides clear and convincing evidence of independence or meets the qualifications for independence as stated in the statute. A student over the age of 24 may establish their own domicile independent of the parent(s). Additional information about eligibility can be obtained on the College’s In-State Eligibility web page. A copy of the domicile law and guidelines for its use are available for reference at the SCHEV website.
Upon submission of the College application, an immediate domicile determination is made and communicated to the student via the application submission confirmation screen and subsequent confirmation email.
Appeals
If the applicant disagrees with the determination, they may request an immediate Level I appeal, in writing. The appeal must be requested and determined on or before the first day of classes for the semester of eligibility. If the submitted documentation indicates the establishment of domicile but is submitted after the deadline, the student will become eligible for in-state tuition rates for the next semester of enrollment. Retroactive domicile status cannot be granted. The Registrar and Dean of Enrollment Management or their designee will respond to the appeal within 10 business days after receipt of the appeal. The applicant may be required to submit additional documentation supporting their appeal.
If the applicant disagrees with the Level I decision, they may request a Level II appeal. Additionally, the applicant can request a Level III appeal if they disagree with the Level II decision. This final request must be written and addressed to the Registrar and Dean of Enrollment Management. An independent domicile appeals committee will review the case. A written determination will be sent to the applicant within 10 business days of the hearing.
Should the applicant disagree with the final determination, they have 30 days to take this matter to the appropriate circuit court. In all cases, domicile determination appeals submitted after the first day of classes are applied to subsequent semesters.
Changing Domicile Status
If a student enters the College as an out-of-state student and believes that they have subsequently become a Virginia domiciliary, it is the student’s responsibility to complete and submit the Level I Appeal form available on our website under Student Forms. The forms and any required documentation must be submitted and reviewed on or before the first day of classes for the semester for which the student is requesting the change. If the submitted documentation indicates the establishment of domicile, but is submitted after the deadline, the student will become eligible for in-state tuition rates for the next semester of enrollment.
Active Duty Military, Veterans, and Dependents
Additional routes to in-state tuition are provided for students who meet these definitions. Students may qualify for domicile or be eligible for tuition rate exceptions depending on their status and use of educational assistance. These students should contact Enrollment Management for a review of circumstances and eligibility. More information is listed on the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) website.
Transfer of Credits
To request an official transfer credit evaluation, the student must submit a Transcript Evaluation Request form. The Transcript Evaluation Request form is located in SIS under the Student eForms heading. Priority will be given to currently enrolled students.
An official transcript must be on file from each institution previously attended; transcripts should be sent directly from each institution to our office. International credentials are accepted by the College for transfer credit; however, the College does not translate or evaluate foreign documents. Transcripts must be evaluated by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluators or is approved by the Virginia Department of Education and submitted to Enrollment Management. The fee for this evaluation and the time required for completion of the evaluation vary with each agency and is the responsibility of the student.
Virginia Peninsula accepts credits for courses completed with a grade of “C” or better at other institutions where the courses are equivalent to Virginia Peninsula courses as determined by the College. Courses meeting these criteria from institutions that are accredited by a regional accrediting body (such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges) are normally accepted. Courses from all other institutions are considered on a case-by-case basis. Transfer credit will not be awarded for courses completed with a grade of “D” or Pass/Fail. It must be emphasized that the appropriateness of transfer credits to a particular degree program is dependent upon approval and acceptance by the division dean or designee in the student’s program.
Transfer credit posted to your Virginia Peninsula transcript becomes part of your permanent academic record. As part of your permanent academic record, transfer credit will not be removed for any reason unless credit is erroneously posted.
Armed Services School
Academic credits may be awarded for formal military courses that are applicable to a Virginia Peninsula degree or certificate. Generally, the College may assign lower-level credit as recommended by the American Council of Education in those programs for which the College offers instruction. Students who wish to have any courses evaluated should submit a CCAF transcript, a JST transcript or DD214, listing the complete name of service schools, course numbers (if applicable), and dates.
Credit for Prior Learning/Advanced Placement (AP) Program
For selected courses determined by the academic divisions, the College grants credit to students who have taken approved Advanced Placement (AP) examinations and have met Virginia Peninsula Community College performance standards. Official test reports must be sent directly to Admissions. Consult the College Catalog listing for “Credit for Prior Learning/Advanced Standing Guide ” for more information.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
For selected courses determined by the academic divisions, Virginia Peninsula Community College grants credit to students who have taken approved exams through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). The program is designed for those individuals who have gained their education in academic areas in non-traditional ways outside the classroom. Official test reports must be sent directly to Admissions to be evaluated. Consult the College Catalog listing for “Credit for Prior Learning/Advanced Standing Guide “for more information.
Challenge Examination
Students who believe that their previous educational studies or occupational experiences entitle them to an adjustment in the course work required in a curriculum may apply for a challenge examination; it is the student’s responsibility to inquire at the appropriate academic division to see if an examination is available for the course(s) in question. Consult the College Catalog listing for “Credit for Prior Learning/Advanced Standing Guide ” for more information. It should be noted that credits awarded for challenge examinations are generally not accepted for transfer credit by four-year colleges and universities. Credits earned through college challenge examinations may comprise no more than 25% of a student’s curriculum per VCCS Policy.
Credit for Experiential Learning
Virginia Peninsula does not award credit for life experiences, non-credit training, or for training in a work setting other than for military schools as stated elsewhere.
Transferring to Other Institutions
Students planning to transfer to four-year colleges or universities are responsible for determining what is required by the departments of their intended major at the transfer institution. Those requirements should guide the students in choosing their courses of study and electives. Visit the website of the intended transfer institution for updated catalog and academic information. Academic advisors will assist students in identifying an institution and provide information on articulation agreements, also available on our website.
Change of Program/Plan of Study
Students who wish to change their program or plan of study at the College should discuss their intentions with their academic advisor. After program changes have been discussed, students must complete and submit the Declaration Program/Plan form to update their academic record. If the student does not have an advisor, the student will need to fill out the Declaration of Program/Plan form and send it to registration@vpcc.edu.
If a student selects a program that requires special admission, Enrollment Management will not be able to process the change and will require selection of a different program/plan.
Students using military or veteran’s benefits are required to receive approval from the Military and Veteran Services Office prior to initiating changes to their program or plan of study.
Transfer-Back/Reverse Transfer Program
Military and civilian students who are relocated may contact the College to arrange to complete their degrees while attending colleges throughout the United States. Students may request prior approval from the appropriate academic division to guarantee that courses completed at other colleges will transfer back to Virginia Peninsula Community College.
Notice of Change in Name, Address, or Other Data
Notification regarding change of name or social security number should be filed promptly via submission of the Student Data Change eForm available in SIS or by visiting Enrollment Management, Kecoughtan Hall, Hampton Campus, or Student Services, on the Historic Triangle Campus in Williamsburg. Legal documentation will be required to make these changes.
Students may change their address, email address, and telephone numbers on their SIS Student Center in their MyVPCC account.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Virginia Peninsula Community College complies with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides reasonable accommodations to its students, employees and those receiving services from the College who are entitled to such accommodations by law. It is the responsibility of the student or employee receiving ADA accommodations from the College to inform appropriate college personnel of their disabilities. Virginia Peninsula may request current documentation of a disability. Reasonable accommodations may include, but are not necessarily limited to:
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Making existing facilities used by students and employees accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities
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Acquiring or modifying equipment, desks, and devices
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Adjusting or modifying examinations, training, or academic materials and policies
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Modifying academic or work schedules
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Providing other reasonable assistance as required
Individuals seeking information or to voice complaints should contact the Coordinator of ADA Compliance by calling the Human Resources Office at 757-825-2728. Complaints must be in writing and clearly identify the non-compliance issue.
Equal Employment and Educational Opportunity
Employees seeking information or to voice complaints should contact the Coordinator of ADA Compliance by calling the Human Resources Office at: 757-825-2728.
Students seeking information or to voice complaints should contact the Student Conduct and Compliance Coordinator or may complete the Student Grievance and Complaint Form. Complaints must be in writing and clearly identify the non-compliance issue
It is the policy of Virginia Peninsula Community College to maintain and promote equal employment and educational opportunity without regard to race, color, sex, or age (except where sex or age is a bona fide occupational qualification), religion, disability, national origin, or other non-merit factors. Inquiries concerning this policy should be addressed to the Associate Vice President of Human Resources at Virginia Peninsula Community College, 99 Thomas Nelson Drive, Hampton, VA 23666 or by phone, 757-825-2899 or email hr@vpcc.edu.
Inquiries
Inquiries and requests for information pertaining to admission to the College should be addressed to:
Enrollment Management
Kecoughtan Hall, Room 208
Virginia Peninsula Community College
99 Thomas Nelson Drive
Hampton, VA 23666
or
Student Services
Historic Triangle Campus
Room 117
4601 Opportunity Way
Williamsburg, VA 23188
or
By telephone at 757-825-2700
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