California Community Colleges: The Best Buy Ever!

The community college in California provides several kinds of programs:

  1. Occupational education programs (including upgrading courses for adults)
  2. General education courses
  3. Transfer programs to state universities and colleges and to the University of California
  4. Community education programs
  5. Preservice for business and industry to prepare students for jobs.

Some community college districts have separate colleges within their boundaries. Some colleges have separate centers in different locations.

Some colleges are on the semester system; others are on the quarter system. Semesters usually begin in September and February. Quarters usually begin in September, January and April.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to a California community college, one must complete the registration procedures established by that college and meet one of the following qualifications:

  1. Have a high school diploma or the equivalent
  2. Be 18 years of age or older and able to profit from instruction
  3. Be concurrently enrolled while in high school.

Costs

For California residents:

Enrollment fee per unit per semester

Student fees (very small)

For nonresidents:

Tuition per unit per semester and student fees

Foreign students are generally charged at the same rate as nonresidents.

Students pay for textbooks and materials. Additional fees may be charged for lab materials, parking, certain program changes and copies of transcripts. Some financial aid and scholarships are available. Every college has a financial aid office.

Contact the college of your choice for exact costs and more information.

How to Apply

  • It is important to apply at least a month before classes start.
  • Write to the college Office of Admissions and Records for an application for admission or visit the campus and ask for one.
  • Immediately after applying for admission, request in writing transcripts from all the high schools and colleges you have attended to be sent to the college to which you are applying.

Students will be advised of matriculation activities required. These include orientation, assessment and counseling.

California Community Colleges, continued

Special Student Services

All colleges provide many services for students. Most provide tutoring and counseling and will help in your transition to a four year college or university if that is your goal. Other services include:

  1. A list of housing available in the community.
  2. Information and assistance regarding grants, loans and scholarships.
  3. Educational and personal counseling.
  4. Assistance in obtaining employment both on and off campus.
  5. Special advice and assistance for veterans.

Community colleges that maintain dormitories are the following:

  1. Columbia College
  2. Feather River College
  3. Kings River College
  4. Lassen College
  5. College of the Redwoods
  6. Santa Rosa Junior College
  7. Shasta College
  8. Sierra College
  9. College of the Siskiyous
  10. Taft College
  11. West Hills College
  12. Yuba College

Foreign Students

Many colleges provide special services for foreign students and will help you through various processes.

A Certificate of Eligibility for Student Visa (Form I-20) is issued by the college admitting the student. The student must enroll in at least 12 semester units and maintain a 2.0 (a C) average.

Tuition for foreign students is generally the same as that for nonresidents.

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