Admissions Procedures

Eligibility

Admission to Palo Verde College is open to anyone who is a high school graduate, who possesses a GED certificate, or who holds a High School Equivalency Certificate. Those who are not high school graduates or do not have one of the equivalencies but are eighteen (18) years of age and show evidence of being able to benefit from instruction may also attend the college.

Special Admission for High School Students

High school students in the 9th and 12th grades, who would benefit from advanced scholastic or vocational work, may attend with the recommendation of their high school principal. Those students below 9th grade may attend if they have parent consent and approval from their high school counselor or principal and the college governing board. Enrollment in some courses will be limited (some examples: classes are full, availability of equipment, safety regulations and enrollment in physical education courses not allowed).

In addition to completing the online application, the college admissions process requires that all High School students complete a special admissions request application along with a paper Student Program Card (High School students cannot enroll online through Student Planning/ Registration). Students below 9th grade are required to file a petition, stating the reasons why they should be enrolled in a college course.

The Superintendent/President shall establish procedures regarding evaluation of requests for special full time or part time enrollment by a pupil who is identified as highly gifted Students below 9th grade will only be admitted to credit courses under special circumstances.

Once the application and the petition have been filed, The Vice President of Instruction and Student Services will review the petition and forward a recommendation to the college Superintendent/President (or their designee). The Superintendent/ President will then forward a recommendation to the governing board at the next scheduled board meeting asking for approval or disapproval of the student’s request to enroll in college course(s). The student will be notified in writing of the board’s decision within ten (10) working days following the board meeting. This process should be initiated at least two (2) weeks prior to the start of a semester to allow for processing time.

NOTE: All courses are taught at college level and special admit students are expected to meet the same requirements and to be held to the same standards as all other college students in the class.

Registration Priority

Registration priorities are assigned in the following order (Title 5, Section 58108):

The highest and equal priority is given to students eligible for registration priority pursuant to subdivision (c) who are:

1. a member of the armed forces or a veteran pursuant to Education Code section 66025.8,
2. a foster youth or former foster youth pursuant to Education Code section 66025.9,
3. determined to be eligible for Disabled Student Program and Services as set forth in Education Code section 66025.91,
4. receiving services through the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services as set forth in Education Code section 66025.91,
5. or receiving aid from the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids Program as set forth in Education Code section 66025.92.

The second and equal priority is given to; Continuing, and new students who have completed orientation, placement, and an education plan; continuing students must also be in good academic standing, and have not earned more than 100 units. Continuing student should be aware that if they are on academic or progress probation or close to the 100 unit limit, they are at risk of losing their registration priority and should see a college counselor or advisor to help develop a plan that will help ensure they stay on track to reach their educational goals.

Students have an opportunity to appeal the loss of registration priority based on extenuating circumstances such as a significant illness or the loss of employment that may have contributed to doing poorly in their classes. Students who are within 12 units of completing their degree, certificate, and /or transferring may also go through the appeal process by submitting a appeals petition.

The California Community Colleges are committed to ensuring that all Californians have access to a higher education and are able to successfully achieve their educational goals. These new policies were designed to do just that. While it is the intent that Palo Verde College provides students access to matriculation services, other extended and support services, and course offerings, due to legal constraints, it is possible that some student populations (high school students, inmate students, correspondence education students, etc.) may have limited access to typical services and course offerings.

Residency

Residency Requirements:
As a California Community College, Palo Verde College is bound by certain legal requirements related to residency. New and returning students to Palo Verde College are classified for the purpose of determining California resident or nonresident status. The classifications are as follows:

California Resident:
Regulations state that in order to be considered a California resident for tuition purposes, students must have legal residence in the state for a period of one year immediately preceding the day before the start of the term the applicant expects to attend (Residence Determination Date) [EC 68017]. Students may be required to present evidence of physical presence in California for at least one year and proof of intent to make California their permanent home. Persons over 18 years of age who have legal residence in California for a period of one year immediately prior to the Residence Determination Date may attend as residents.

Nonresident:
A nonresident is a student who has not established residence in the state for one year as of the residence determination date (the day before the first day of instruction). Students who provide information on the admission application that is inconsistent with California residency requirements indicated above must complete a Residency Questionnaire. Once the questionnaire has been reviewed, additional documentation may be required in order to make a final determination.

Reclassification:
Students who have previously attended Palo Verde College as a nonresident and wish to change their status must complete the Residency Questionnaire. Additional documentation will be required to prove physical presence and intent as indicated above, plus documentation to prove financial independence.

Open Enrollment

Unless specifically exempted by statute, every course offered and maintained by Palo Verde College is open to any person who has been formally admitted to the College and who meets the course prerequisites as may be established under Title V of the California Administrative Code.

Limitations on Enrollment

Prerequisite means a condition of enrollment that a student is required to meet in order to demonstrate current readiness for enrollment in a course or educational program. NOTE: Students must pass the prerequisite course with a grade of “C” or better.

Corequisite means a condition of enrollment consisting of a course that a student is required to take simultaneously in order to enroll in another course.

Please refer to the course descriptions listed in this catalog to determine specific enrollment requirements. Students who do not satisfy the requirements will not be permitted to enroll in the course, unless they are approved through the challenge process. (See “Waiver Process” in this catalog for further information or contact a counselor.)

Students will be enrolled in the course pending the outcome of the process. If the challenge is denied, students will be administratively withdrawn from the course, all fees will be refunded, and no drop charges will be made.

No student shall receive more than 30 semester units of credit for remedial coursework. Students who need to exceed this limit shall be referred to appropriate adult noncredit education services. The following students are exempt from the limitation on remedial coursework: (1) Students enrolled in one or more courses of ESL and (2) Students identified by the district as having a learning disability as defined in Title V Section 56036.

Classification

Students are classified as follows:

• Freshmen have completed fewer than 30 units of college credit.
• Sophomores have completed 30 units or more of college credit.
• Part-time students carry fewer than 12 units of work.
• Full-time students carry 12 or more units of work.

Limited English Proficiency

By law, limited English proficiency should not be a barrier for admission to the College. However, access to some courses might be limited if English proficiency is judged necessary for successful completion of the course(s). During normal working hours, bilingual staff is available.

Application for Admission

Computers are available in Student Services for students to access the electronic admissions application. All students applying to Palo Verde College must:

• Complete the electronic admissions application at www.cccapply.org;
• Continuing students must complete a new electronic application (if there has been a lapse in enrollment of two (2) or more regular semesters);
• Arrange to have transcripts of high school and all college work sent to the Admissions & Records Office. (All transcripts become the property of Palo Verde College and cannot be returned to the student).

All applications will be issued a PVC Services account (password protected) in which to enroll in classes, pay enrollment fees, view online grades, request transcripts, etc.

International Students

The College welcomes applications from foreign students and may enroll up to ten percent (10%) of its student body from such applicants. The College has approval from the United States Department of Justice to enroll international students. Application information is available from a counselor.

Credit From Other Institutions

Students who transfer from other accredited colleges must submit official transcripts to the Admission & Records Office. It is especially important that students pursuing a degree or certificate, as well as those needing to clear prerequisites, submit all college transcripts. Veterans wishing to apply for Veteran benefits are required to submit all transcripts. Only lower division courses are accepted from institutions accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associations. A “Request for Transcript Evaluation” form must be completed in order to determine equivalencies before any credits will be considered for graduation purposes. The college will maintain a written record of the previous education and training, and the record will clearly indicate that credit has been granted, if appropriate.

Students must have international transcripts evaluated by an international evaluating agency accepted by Palo Verde College (i.e., International Education Research Foundation, Inc., The Foreign Educational Document Service or World Education Services, Inc.). The agency must submit an Official Evaluation Report to the Admissions & Records Office. A “Request for Transcript Evaluation” form must also be completed in order to determine equivalencies before any credits will be considered for graduation purposes. Grades of “P” (“pass”), “CR”, and “C” or better are acceptable.

Credit for Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations

Palo Verde College grants credit for scores of 3 or higher on examinations of the Advanced Placement program of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB). Official transcripts sent directly from the CEEB to the Admissions and Records Office is required. A “Request for Transcript Evaluation” form must be completed in order to determine equivalencies before any credits will be considered for graduation purposes. Credits may apply toward requirements for PVC degrees and for transfer programs to both the California State University and University of California systems. CSU and UC determine what courses and credits are awarded on their campus. AP Foreign Language credit may prevent you from earning credits in a lower-level foreign language course. Please see a counselor for additional information.

The California Community College AP Policy for General Education Credit

Colleges shall award General Education Area Credit as shown on the CCC AP GE list below. For General Education Requirements refer to Title 5§ 55063. If the college does not have a course similar in content to the AP Examination, then the college shall award credit for the indicated GE Area as shown on the CCC AP GE Areas List. If there is no GE Area that fits the AP Examination, the college may award elective credit. This policy does not address course-to-course awarding of AP credit as that is a local decision made by the appropriate discipline faculty.

High School Students who intend to participate in this program should make the necessary arrangements with their high school. Students should request that their test scores be sent to Palo Verde College at the time they take the Advanced Placement Examinations. To apply for credit for advanced placement, students should contact the Admissions & Records Office at (760) 921-5554.

1 The units may not all apply toward certification of the corresponding GE Breadth area. See Executive Orders 1033 and 1036 for details.

2 Areas of GE Breadth (A1 through E) are defined in Executive Order 1100. Areas of American Institutions (US-1 through US-3) are set forth in Sections IA and IB of EO 1061, and at assist.org.

3 Advanced Placement score of 3, 4, or 5 is required for general education certification.

4 If a student passes more than one AP exam in calculus or computer science, only one examination may be applied to the baccalaureate.

5 Students who pass AP Environmental Science earn 4 units of credit. Tests prior to Fall 2009 may apply to either B1+B3 or B2+ B3 of GE Breadth. Fall of 2009 or later, those credits may only apply to B1+B3.

6 If a student passes more than one AP exam in physics, only six units of credit may be applied to the baccalaureate, and only four units of credit may be applied to a certification in GE Breadth.

AP Government & Politics: United States does not satisfy CSU baccalaureate constitution requirement.

Note: Palo Verde College does not have comparable courses for all courses listed above.