Admissions

Admission

Herkimer College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law in admissions, employment, or in any aspect regarding the conduct of College business.

The College is officially designated by the State University of New York as a “Full Opportunity College”, and operates with a policy of open admissions for all students.

Admissions Requirements

• Matriculated study for those seeking to receive federal or state financial aid is limited to those applicants who hold a local or Regents high school diploma, GED, TASC, or who have completed an equivalent program as approved by the NYS Education Department.
• Home schooled students who have not earned their GED or TASC must submit a letter of certification from the school district superintendent in which the student resides.
• Students who have been dismissed from another college for disciplinary reasons will not be admitted to study at Herkimer County Community College either on a part-time or full-time basis until a satisfactory review of the incident(s) has been completed by a committee comprised of the Dean of Students, Director of Campus Safety, and Director of Admissions.
• Students who expect to receive financial aid must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no later than 60 days prior to the start of classes. Late filers will be responsible for tuition, fees, books and other expenses until the FAFSA has been processed.
• Students must provide their legal name and legal sex when applying to the college, but may also choose to supply a preferred name, gender identity, and pronouns.

Previous College Dismissal/Suspension

Applicants who have previously been dismissed or suspended from another college for disciplinary reasons will have their admissions application and additional documentation reviewed by a committee designated to make the admission decision.

Enrollment of Students with Prior Felony Convictions

In accordance with the State University of New York’s policy regarding the admission of persons with prior felony convictions (Policy #3200), Herkimer County Community College is required to inquire if a student has a prior felony conviction if the student seeks participation in clinical, field experiences, or internships.

The policy and procedures related to post-acceptance enrollment of students with prior felony convictions is available at www.herkimer.edu/felony.

Out-of-State (Non-residents)

For tuition and financial aid purposes, a student is considered out-of-state (non-resident) if he/she has not been an official resident of New York State for a period of one full year immediately prior to the start of classes. Proof of residency must be submitted prior to registration. All international students attending the College on a student visa are also considered non-resident students.

Assessment Testing of Reading, Writing and Mathematical Skills

The College assesses reading, writing and mathematical skills of all incoming full-time students to determine appropriate course placement and support services.

Based on the results of the high school transcript, SAT, ACT, or placement testing, students may be enrolled in course(s) to remediate deficient skills.

Remedial courses are three credits each, but are not applicable to degree requirements. Students receiving financial aid may use these courses to qualify for full-time status.

Course Credit

Residency Requirements

Students earning a degree or certificate from Herkimer College must successfully complete a minimum of 25% of the total credit hours required for their program, including specific courses in their field of study, at Herkimer College.

No more than 75% of the credits required for a program may be earned through transfer credit and credit by evaluation combined.

Transfer Credit

Students desiring to transfer to Herkimer College from another college are requested to submit an official transcript of their work to the Registrar’s Office for evaluation and to follow the regular admissions procedure.

Award of Academic Credit by Evaluation (Prior Learning Assessment)

Herkimer County Community College is committed to the idea that individuals deserve credit for college-level learning, no matter how it was acquired. When this prior learning is at the college level, it can be identified in an evaluative process designed to determine whether it is worthy of college credit as Herkimer County Community College grants credit only for verifiable college-level learning acquired through life or work experience. As credit is granted for verifiable learning, not for the experience itself, the learning can be identified and assessed in a variety of ways to determine if college credit should be awarded. Credit earned in this manner, called credit by evaluation or prior learning assessment, is awarded when it fits appropriately into a student’s degree program. Therefore, this process is only available for students enrolled in a degree or certificate program at Herkimer County Community College. All requests for academic credit by evaluation should be made prior to the start of a student’s second semester.

Defining college-level learning involves many factors. We use the following standards to decide whether learning is college-level:

• The learning should be theoretical as well as practical. For example, if you seek credit for supervising several employees at work, you should be able to explain some understanding of the concepts of motivation, management styles, and job evaluation techniques, as well as the routine processes of day-to-day operations.
• The learning should be identified as college-level when evaluated by a subject-matter expert. This means you should be able to demonstrate by examination, license, portfolio, essay, etc. (at the discretion of the evaluator) that your knowledge or competence meets college-level standards.

People are learning constantly and much of what is learned, no matter how valuable, may be too simple and routine to qualify as college level. Credit for college-level learning may also be earned using recommendations from the American Council on Education (ACE), The National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS), and the Council for the Advancement of Experiential Learning (CAEL).

Advanced Placement Examination (AP)

The College recognizes credit for Advanced Placement Examinations of the College Entrance Examination Board for college level courses taken by students while still attending high school. Advanced Placement scores of 5, 4, and 3 will earn the student applicable college credit for the corresponding courses required for a degree or certificate at Herkimer College.

American College Testing-Proficiency Examination Program (ACT-PEP)

The College has determined that students successfully completing ACT-PEP: Regents College Examinations may be eligible for course credits consistent with the offerings of the College. Further information can be obtained from the Registrar’s Office.

Credit for Service School Training

The College will grant credit for formal courses listed in the American Council on Education’s Military Guide and for Contract Training Programs taught by civilian educational institutions under contract with various military services. The formal courses must be recommended for collegiate credit by A.C.E.’s Military Guide. Students should process requests through the Registrar.

Physical Education Credit for Military Service

Military veterans may have earned credit for Physical Education and should contact the Registrar.

Early College Program

High school students may wish to pursue college-level work for a variety of reasons. If you are interested in earning college credits before full-time entrance or wish to accelerate your future program of study, this program may serve your needs.

Minors who have not earned a high school diploma or its equivalent may enroll in courses at the college as non-matriculated students if they have fulfilled the following requirements:

• Must be in 11th or 12th grade
• Must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 (C) or higher at his or her high school
• Must demonstrate appropriate preparation and ability to benefit from enrolling in the course(s) sought

Students who wish to request to enroll through the Early College Program must submit:

• Official high school transcript
• Written recommendation from the principal of the high school he or she is attending (for home school students, the recommendation should be provided by the district’s superintendent)
• Written consent to enroll and release of liability for the college from the student’s parents or legal guardians

Letters must address the student’s psycho/social and cognitive skills as they relate to the student’s ability to be successful in the requested course. The Provost will review the documentation and a recommendation in support or denial of the student’s request will be issued to the Registrar and student. If the student is accepted, the following will apply:

• The parent or guardian cannot attend class with the student, but, they may audit the course at full cost.
• The student will pay full tuition.
• FERPA will apply to the student’s academic account as the student will be classified as non-matriculated (a waiver is available to be signed).
• The student will abide by all campus policies and protocols.

If you are interested in the Early College Program, please contact the Registrar’s office for further details.

High School and Vocational Center Articulation Agreements

Herkimer College has established articulation agreements with high schools and vocational centers. Students who have participated in one of the programs or courses may be eligible for college credit, and should consult with the high school guidance counselor or teacher for more information. A complete list of high school and vocational center articulation agreements is available at: https://www.herkimer.edu/academics/college-in-high-school/high-school-and-vocation-center-articulation-agreements/

International Student Admissions

Applicants with International Credentials

The basic requirement for admission is the successful completion of an approved secondary/high school program, or proof of the equivalent of secondary/high school completion. Applicants must submit the Herkimer College free application for admission along with a copy of their passport, complete school transcripts, proof of graduation and our Declaration of Finances with supporting bank statements in English, or an officially certified translation if the records are in a language other than English.

Students desiring International Student Application Forms should write to International Admissions at international@herkimer.edu.

Holders of Student Visas are required to carry an academic program of twelve (12) semester hours each semester. Failure to do so may result in termination of International Student Status at the College. This College is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students.

Twenty-Four Credit Hour Option Program

International students who do not hold a secondary or high school diploma or proof of equivalent credential may apply as a matriculated student in the 24 Credit Hour Option. After successfully completing 24 college credits in specific areas of study, the student may obtain a State High School Equivalency Diploma without having to take the equivalency examination. Current guidelines for granting the diploma on the basis of college credit can be obtained by writing to the NYS Department of Education, Office for Diversity, Ethics, and Access, Room 530 Education Building, Albany, NY 12234..

Obtaining a Student Visa

If you are currently outside the United States you should apply for an F-1 Student Visa at the United States Embassy or Consulate. U.S. Government regulations require you to attend the college which issues the I-20 which you use to enter the United States. Since you plan to attend Herkimer College, please use the I-20 that the College sends to you. If you are currently inside the United States on an F-1 Student Visa and plan to enroll at Herkimer College and do not plan to leave the United States before starting to study at our college, you will be sent an I-20 from Herkimer College that will allow you to attend our college.

As a student coming to the United States to study, you will need to apply for a visa at the United States Embassy or Consulate nearest your home. The following items will be required for your visa application:

1. An I-20 Form and an acceptance letter provided by Herkimer College.
2. A current, valid passport.
3. Financial documentation for the period of time indicated on your I-20 Form, Item No. 7.
4. Proof that your permanent residence is outside of the United States.
5. Two passport size photographs.
6. A non-immigrant visa application.
7. A copy of the SEVIS receipt.

Important:

The issuance of an I-20 is created and issued to you by Herkimer College through Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a web-accessible database used by the Department of Homeland Security to collect, track and monitor information regarding exchange visitors, international students and scholars who enter the United States on F, M or J visas. SEVIS is managed by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. More information can be reviewed at https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/

For initial admission, you must attend the school specified on your visa. If you have a Form I-20 A-B from more than one school, it is important to have the name of the school you intend to attend specified on your visa by presenting a Form I-20 A-B from that school to the visa issuing consular officer. Failure to attend the specified school will result in the loss of your student status and subject you to deportation.

Traveling to the United States

When you arrive at your United States port of entry (a port in the United States where customs officials are stationed to oversee the entry and exit of people), you will be directed to the Immigration Station/United States Customs. The immigration inspector will ask to see your passport and I-20. The inspector will stamp your I-20. You must keep this document in a safe place as it is your permission to be in the United States.

When you arrive in the United States, you will probably arrive in New York City, San Francisco, Houston, Chicago or Los Angeles. Once you have gone through immigration/customs you will need to connect with your next flight to Central New York. The closest airports to Herkimer College are Syracuse (SYR) and Albany (ALB), N.Y. If you plan to travel to Central New York by train or bus, Union Station (UCA) in nearby Utica, N.Y. is the most convenient. When you make your final travel arrangements, please send us a copy of your flight arrangements. If you need to be picked up at the airport or at the train station, please notify us at least one week prior to your arrival.

Predeparture Checklist Documents

1. Official transcripts from your secondary/high school and/or college.
2. The following mandatory medical records are required prior to registration of your courses:

• Proof of immunizations indicating vaccine dates of two Measles, one Mumps and one Rubella shot, plus a recent TB (tuberculosis) test. Either a meningitis immunization or signed waiver of such immunization is also required. If titers or blood tests such as the TB Mantoux were completed, the doctor should indicate positive or negative results.
• A physical exam form should also be completed. All documents should be completed in English.

3. Prescriptions for medications.
4. If married, a copy of your marriage certificate.
5. If you have children, a copy of their birth certificates.

*Please obtain English translations of all documents through the United States Embassy or Consulate.

Health Insurance (International Students)

All international students are required by SUNY to have health insurance for the duration of their stay in college. If an international student has coverage similar to the SUNY policy, they may seek a waiver. for additional details, refer to the International Student Handbook.

English as a Second Language

English as a Second Language (ESL) at Herkimer College serves both international students and U.S. residents for whom English is not a first language. The program includes courses in reading, grammar, writing, and speaking and listening in English, as well as courses in American Pronunciation and United States culture and student life. This intensive program is designed to prepare students for enrollment in programs leading to graduation from the College. Herkimer College does not require TOEFL for admission. All new international students must take the college placement tests, as well as the appropriate language development courses. Students may be advised to take a combination of ESL courses and college courses leading toward their degree or certificate goals. Special ESL tutors supplement the class work of students in language classes and provide language-focused assistance for students enrolling in degree and certificate programs.

Regularly scheduled individualized assessment makes it possible for students to be promoted into advanced ESL work and college academic programs in a flexible timeframe.

Readmission

Students who have previously attended Herkimer College and desire to return to full-time study should complete the Request to Return form at www.herkimer.edu/apply.