Admission and Registration

Admission

RVCC is an open-admission institution. The College, however, reserves the right to require appropriate documentation in support of a student’s admission application and/or to restrict a student’s enrollment to specific courses or to a specific number of credit hours in any enrollment term. Admission to the College does not imply admission to a specific program that has additional admission requirements. (Students should consult the specific programs’ description for further information on these additional admission requirements.)

Students are admitted to the College without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic information, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, military service, veteran status, or any other category protected by law.

Students enrolling at the College for the first time must complete an Application for Admission. Students who have not enrolled at the College for more than three years must apply for readmission. Graduates of RVCC who want to enroll within less than three years of commencement must complete the information update form in Admissions.

Procedures for Admission

Applications for admission can be submitted online at www.raritanval.edu.  A non-refundable application fee of $25 is required ($225 for International Students with an F-1 or M-1 visa).

Admission to RVCC activates the student’s access to the online portal, Lion’s Den.  The Lion’s Den e-mail is the official communication system of the College and is the method by which students receive all important announcements, including bills and grade reports. All students must become familiar with their RVCC Student ID number, initial password and password maintenance, and procedures for accessing Lion’s Den and Lion’s Den e-mail.                                
                                                                                                   

 First-Time College Student This category is for students who are attending the College for the first time or have attended another college and have NOT yet earned 12 or more college-level (non-developmental) credits. Students admitted as First-Time College Students must:

• Submit exemptions and/or complete placement testing, if required (see Placement Testing section).
• Submit official final high school transcript or High School Equivalency (HSE) score report and diploma.
• Full-time and Part-time Students:
  • Submit proof of immunization (See Immunization requirements section).
  • Complete the online orientation.
  • Attend First Year Registration Session/Advising Session to register for classes

Transfer Student This category is for students who have a college degree or have at least 12 college-level (non-developmental) credits earned at another college or university. Students admitted as Transfer Students must:

• Refer to our website for more information regarding transfer of credits.
• Submit exemptions and/or complete placement testing, if required (see Placement Testing section).
• Contact Advising and Counseling Services for assistance with course selection. Please provide an unofficial copy of your transcript(s). Unofficial transcripts will only be accepted to assist in the process of course selection. Students can also either register for classes online (an official evaluation of transfer credits is usually required before this is an available option) or at the Student Enrollment Center (please bring at least an unofficial copy of your transcript(s) for this process as well).
• Submit official final high school transcript or High School Equivalency (HSE) score report and diploma.
• Submit official transcript(s) from all previous college(s). Students who attended a foreign institution are required to submit an official evaluation from a service recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (www.naces.org) if they seek a transfer of credits.
• If students have earned less than 12 college credits, they should consider themselves a First-Time Student.
• All full-time and part-time students must submit proof of immunization (See Immunization Requirements section).

Returning Student

3+ years - This category is for students who have graduated from RVCC (or Somerset County College) or have not attended in more than three years. Students admitted as Returning Students must:

• Submit exemptions and/or complete placement testing, if required (see Placement Testing section).
• Submit official final high school transcript or High School Equivalency (HSE) score report, if not previously submitted.
• Submit official transcript(s) from all previous college(s), if applicable. Students who attended a foreign institution are required to submit an official evaluation from an evaluation service recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services if they seek a transfer of credit.
• Contact Advising and Counseling Services for assistance with course selection, or simply register for classes online or at the Office of Enrollment Services.

Students will not need to submit new documentation if the above requirements have been met from their previous attendance here or unless otherwise requested.

Less than 3 Years - This category is for students who have graduated from RVCC or have not attended in less than three years.  Students must:

• Submit an Information Update Form-Final or contact admissions@raritanval.edu.
• Submit official final high school transcript or High School Equivalency (HSE) score report, if not previously submitted.
• Submit official transcript(s) from all previous college(s), if applicable. Students who attended a foreign institution are required to submit an official evaluation from an evaluation service recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services if they seek a transfer of credit.
• Contact Advising and Counseling Services for assistance with course selection, or simply register for classes online or at the Office of Enrollment Services.

Students will not need to submit new documentation if the above requirements have been met from their previous attendance here or unless otherwise requested.

Visiting Student This category is for students who are attending another college or university and intend to transfer any credits earned at RVCC back to that institution. Students admitted as Visiting Students must:

• Complete an Academic Registration Form
• Students are encouraged to receive prior approval from their primary college before registering for classes to ensure that the credits earned at RVCC will transfer.

Early College Student This category is for current high school students intending to register for RVCC courses while in high school. Students can be admitted under one of two Early College categories:

• High School Early College Program for high school students in 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grade who enroll in an RVCC course.
• Concurrent Enrollment Program for high school junior or senior students enrolled in RVCC courses taught through a partnership arrangement at the high school.

International Student  This category of admission is for students who are in the United States on an F-1 visa.
International Students must:

• Obtain an I-20 form from the College prior to applying for an F1 student visa.
• Submit a hard copy application for admission along with all supporting documentation.  There is a nonrefundable application fee of $225.
• Be aware that applications for F1 student status have separate deadlines for admission.
• Submit a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score, with a minimum score of: TOEFL Internet - 60; IELTS - 5.0.
• Submit all necessary application documentation prior to international student application deadlines.

Information on necessary documentation and procedures can be found on the International Students section of the College’s website.

*Applicants who are not pursuing a degree or certificate at RVCC are not required to submit proof of immunization, official high school or college transcripts, or complete placement testing, unless required as proof of meeting course prerequisite(s). Non-degree students are limited to nine credits per semester and are not eligible for Financial Aid. 

Provisional Admission

Students who are unable to provide all required admission documentation at the time of first enrollment may be granted provisional admission. A student may remain in provisional-admission status for only one enrollment term. Students who are provisionally admitted may not be eligible for financial aid.

Immunization Requirements

All applicants for admission to the College who are seeking a degree or certificate from RVCC and are intending to enroll as full-time (12 credit hours or more per semester) and part-time (11 credits or less) students must provide the following documentation of immunization prior to initial enrollment. In addition, non-degree-seeking students (full-time & part-time) must submit the Meningococcal requirements listed below.

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) [This requirement applies only to individuals born on or after January 1, 1957.]
•    New, full-time & part-time, degree-seeking students
•    Exemption if age 31 and older
•    Documentation of one vaccination dose administered after 1968 on or after the applicant’s first birthday, and documentation of a second vaccination dose administered no less than one month after the first dose, or
•    Documentation of laboratory blood tests confirming immunity to MMR

Hepatitis B
•    New, full-time (12 credits or more) degree-seeking students
•    Exemption if age 31 and older
•    Documentation of three vaccination doses, or
•    Documentation of laboratory blood tests confirming immunity to Hepatitis B

Meningococcal (Meningitis) ACWY (MenACWY)
•    New, full-time & part-time, degree-seeking & non-degree-seeking students
•    A minimum of one dose is required between 16-18 years of age. First dose is usually given at 11-12 years of age.  Age 19 and older if high risk
•    Exemption if age 31 and older
•    Documentation of two vaccination doses of MenACWY or
•    Documentation of laboratory blood tests confirming immunity to MenACWY

Meningococcal (Meningitis) B (MenB)
•    New, full-time & part-time, degree-seeking & non-degree-seeking students
•    16-23 years of age
•    Exemption if age 31 and older
•    Not Required by NJ State - Recommendation only/not mandatory
•    Documentation of one dose of MenB or
•    Documentation of laboratory blood tests confirming immunity to MenB

Exemptions: An applicant is exempt from these immunization requirements if they provide signed documentation indicating that the administration of immunizing agents conflicts with the student’s religious beliefs, or signed documentation from a physician indicating that immunization is contraindicated for a valid medical reason.

If an outbreak of any of these diseases occurs, any student not having provided proof of proper immunization, including students who are exempt, may be barred from class attendance until the outbreak is over.

Placement Testing and Course Placement

All first-time college students at RVCC must complete a placement test to assess their readiness to succeed in college-level coursework, specifically English and/or mathematics. The placement test measures reading, language, and math literacy. Students may be exempt from the placement test if their SAT, ACT or PARCC, NJSLA or AP scores are high enough or they have taken college courses that can be used to place them in English and math.  For the latest information on placement testing requirements, go to www.raritanval.edu/placement.

Alternative Academic Credit

In addition to earning credit through the successful completion of RVCC courses, a student may be awarded credit toward an RVCC degree or certificate through any of the following alternative means. Visiting and non-degree seeking students will not be awarded alternative academic credit. 

Credit from Other Colleges and/or Universities

• Students seeking a degree or certificate from RVCC who have earned academic credit from colleges or universities eligible to be accredited by one of the six Regional Accrediting Associations may be awarded transfer credit by the College. Raritan Valley Community College will also evaluate and review official transcripts from non-regionally accredited institutions.
• For the evaluation of transfer credit, students must submit an official transcript from each college and/or university previously attended. A transcript is considered official only when it bears the signature of the registrar and the seal of the issuing institution, and is either sent directly from the registrar’s office of the college or university where the credit was earned, or delivered in an envelope officially sealed by the sending institution.
• Only courses in which the student earned a grade of C- or higher will be considered in the evaluation of transfer credit.
• The equivalency of courses taken at other colleges or universities to courses offered by RVCC is determined by the academic department responsible for the particular academic discipline. Official records of course equivalencies are maintained by the Registrar’s Office.
• Students who have earned credit from colleges or universities outside of the United States must also submit an official course-by-course evaluation completed by an academic credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.

Credit from Non-academic Institutions
The College may award credit for courses offered through professional associations, businesses and industries, and/or government/military agencies that have been evaluated and certified by the American Council on Education.

Credit from Local High Schools
The College has some agreements in place with high schools in the area. For additional information, please contact the Registrar at registrar@raritanval.edu.

Credit from Professional Licensure
The College may award credit for the achievement of certain professional licenses. For your certification to be reviewed for possible advanced standing credit, please email the Registrar at registrar@raritanval.edu. Some include:

EMT Certifications
Lifeguard Certificates
NJ State and County Corrections Basic Training
Police Academy Training

Credit by Examination (AP, CLEP, Dantes, Department Exam, NYU Foreign Language)

• The College awards credit on the basis of a student having achieved a specified minimum score on certain nationally recognized standard examinations, or on examinations created by the College.
• Specific examinations, the credit awarded, and the minimum scores required for the awarding of credit are determined by the faculty in the academic department responsible for the academic discipline or special program in which credit is to be awarded.
• A student who has previously earned credit in a course may not receive credit by examination in a lower-level course in the same academic discipline.
• A student may not attempt credit by examination in any course already part of the student’s permanent academic record.
• Credit by examination is not awarded until the student has been admitted into a specific degree or certificate program.

Other Regulations Regarding Alternative Academic Credit

• The College does not guarantee that Alternative Academic Credits awarded by RVCC will be honored by another college or university to which an individual student might transfer.
• Alternative Academic Credit is evaluated and awarded for individual students and for individual degree and certificate programs offered by RVCC.
• The College accepts up to 45 semester credit hours in Alternative Academic Credit toward an associate degree, or 75 percent of the semester credit hours required for the completion of a certificate program.
• Alternative Academic Credit does not count as enrollment credit in any academic term.
• Grades are not assigned for Alternative Academic Credit.
• Alternative Academic Credit is not used in computing a student’s grade point average.

An official transcript must be sent to the Office of Enrollment Services from each college previously attended. Applicants who attended schools outside the United States are required to submit an official course-by-course evaluation completed by a foreign credential service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. RVCC will accept up to 45 transfer and/or advanced standing credits toward an associate degree or 75 percent of the required credits for a certificate program. The course requirements of some selective programs may limit the applicability of transfer credits to fulfill degree requirements. After all official transcripts have been received and the transcript evaluation has occurred, the Office of Enrollment Services will send a notification to the student’s RVCC e-mail account. Students can then access their transcript evaluation by clicking the Unofficial Academic Transcript tile or Degree Audit tile in their Lion’s Den account. (*Please note: Transcript evaluations will not be conducted for non-degree seeking and visiting students.)

Registration

Registration/Enrollment

Registration/Enrollment is the process of selecting specific sections of credit courses in a particular academic term and paying the tuition and fees associated with those course sections. Students enrolled for 12 or more semester credit hours in a semester are considered full-time students. Students enrolled for fewer than 12 semester credit hours in a semester are considered part-time students.

Course Prerequisites

A course prerequisite is either a condition that a student must satisfy, or a course for which a student must have earned prior credit, to be eligible to enroll in certain specific courses offered by the College. Prerequisites may be based on prior knowledge in the same academic discipline or on a required minimum level of academic skills.

New Student Registration

All first-time and part-time, degree-seeking college students must complete the online orientation.  After their English and math placement has been determined, students will need their RVCC student ID/G# and RVCC password to attend a first-year registration session or meet with an academic advisor in order to register for classes.

Registration Restrictions (Holds) and Limitations

Students may be prohibited from enrollment on the basis of their admission status, academic standing, developmental studies status, required documents, outstanding financial/materials obligations to the College, or other unsatisfied enrollment requirements. For further information about restrictions that may affect registration, check for messages in Lion’s Den e-mail or on the Lion’s Den Student Services tab.

Students may enroll for a maximum of 19 credit hours in a Fall or Spring Semester or for a maximum of 12 credit hours in the entire Summer term. A student wishing to enroll in additional credit hours must have specific, individual authorization from the Director of Advising and Counseling or the appropriate Division Dean.

Enrollment Changes

Students may change their course schedules, add courses, or withdraw from courses according to the enrollment calendar published by the Office of Enrollment Services.  In all cases, the individual student is responsible for withdrawing from a course.  Students are responsible for understanding the effect that enrollment changes may have on financial aid eligibility and other programs and/or services. Students must meet with an academic advisor to withdraw from Developmental Studies courses so the decision can be discussed.

Developmental Studies and English as a Second Language Studies

The College is committed to providing students with the skills necessary for success in college-level coursework.

Developmental Math

When placement testing indicates the need for developmental math courses to prepare students for the minimum math proficiency or the college-level math required for their intended degree or certificate program, these courses should be completed as early as possible.

• If placement testing indicates that developmental math is required for their intended degree or certificate program, students should enroll in the appropriate developmental math course during their first semester of attendance. Students must begin their developmental math sequence by the time they have completed 20 college level credits, and continue to enroll during each subsequent semester until eligible for college level math or until their degree program requirements for math have been met.
• To take a developmental math course for the third time, a student is required to meet with an academic advisor and may be restricted to certain courses or to a limited number of courses. After taking the same developmental math course for the third time without success, the student must meet with the divisional Dean to discuss academic and career options.

Developmental English

When placement testing indicates the need for developmental English (reading and writing) courses to improve these core skills, these courses must be completed as early as possible.

• Both full-time and part-time students must enroll in developmental English courses if placement testing indicates that they are not eligible for English Composition I.
• Students must continue to enroll in developmental English courses until they have demonstrated that they are eligible for English Composition I.
• To repeat any developmental English course, a student is required to meet with an academic advisor and may be restricted to certain courses or to a limited number of courses. After taking the same developmental English course for the third time without success, the student must meet with the divisional Dean to discuss academic and career options.

English as a Second Language Classes

When placement testing indicates the need for English as a Second Language (ESL) courses to improve English language skills, students will either be referred to RVCC’s Workforce Development Department or be advised to begin taking the academic ESL course sequence.
 

• Both full-time and part-time students must enroll in ESL courses if placement testing indicates that they need to further develop their proficiency in the English language to be prepared for college-level coursework.
• Students must continue to enroll in ESL courses until they have completed the ESL course sequence unless otherwise exempted.
• To take an ESL course for the third time, a student must have the approval of an academic or faculty advisor and may be restricted to certain courses or to a limited number of courses. After taking the same ESL course for the fourth time without success, the student must meet with the divisional Dean or designated official to discuss academic and career options.

Remedial Classes and The College Experience Course, STDV100

• Students who place into ENGL 050 – Introduction to College Reading and Composition I or ENGL 060 – Introduction to College Reading and Composition II, and who also place into MATH 020W – Elementary Algebra w/Workshop or MATH 020 – Elementary Algebra, are required to enroll in STDV100 – The College Experience in the same semester they enroll in ENGL 050 or ENGL 060.
• Note: Students who place into ENGL 111 – English Composition I with ENGL 070 – English Composition Workshop and Math 030R/030 – Intermediate Algebra will not be required to enroll in STDV100 – The College Experience course.

Foreign Language Placement Testing and Degree Requirements

Students who, prior to attending college, have studied two years or more in Spanish, French, German or Italian, within the last five years and wish to continue with the same language MUST take the respective placement test before registering.

Several degrees at RVCC have a foreign language requirement. For these degrees, a two-semester sequence or completion of Intermediate II (whichever comes first) is required. Students who fulfill the requirement in fewer than two semesters may substitute other humanities courses or continue with the language.

Transcripts

Transcripts may be ordered online.  To order a transcript, go to www.raritanval.edu/transcript.  Electronic transcripts cost $10.00, while mailed and pickup transcripts cost $12.50.

An electronic transcript is a certified PDF of an official transcript and can be sent to any valid email address.  The document displays a blue ribbon on the notification bar across the top of Adobe Reader, ensuring the recipient that the digital signature is authentic and the contents of the eTranscript have not been altered. 

Veterans’ Benefits

Students who plan to attend Raritan Valley Community College under one of several Veterans Administration programs should contact the VA Certifying Official located in the College Center Building. Any covered individual who is entitled to receive educational assistance under Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness or Employment or Chapter 33, Post 911 GI Benefits who plans to attend RVCC, must provide a Certificate of Eligibility or Statement of Benefits to the Office of Veteran Services.

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection(e) of the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018, Raritan Valley Community College will not impose a penalty on any student using veterans’ educational benefits under Chapter 31 (Veteran Readiness and Employment), or Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill^®) because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement of funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Raritan Valley Community College will not prevent the student from attending or participating in the course of education during periods in which there is a delayed disbursement; assess late payment fees if the financial obligation is fully funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); require the student to secure alternative or additional funding for delayed disbursements; or deny the student access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

Post-9/11 GI Bill^® veterans will have tuition and fee payments deferred provided that they submit a Certificate of Eligibility, and complete the request for benefits form and provides College requirements no later than the first day of the term. Students will be responsible for any account balance remaining after Veterans Administration payments have been received.
Veterans are required to submit required documents to the College’s Certifying Official each semester prior to being certified for benefits. More information about Veterans Services can be found on the RVCC website, or call (908) 526-1200, extension 8452.

Information on eligibility and education-related services may be obtained by contacting the Department of Veterans Affairs at (888) 442-4551.

GI Bill^® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

New Jersey National Guard Tuition Program

About the Program

New Jersey Guardsmen qualify for a state-specific tuition waiver under the New Jersey National Guard Tuition Program (NJNGTP). This program enables qualifying Guard members to submit a Commander’s Certificate of Eligibility in order to waive tuition for both associate and certificate programs-of-study.

Limitations and Exceptions

Because this is a waiver program, there are some limitations:

• Students must be enrolled within a program-of-study at Raritan Valley Community College
• Students must submit Commander’s Certificate and documentation prior to the semester’s start date
• The NJNGTP does not cover fees or cost of materials
• The College must first apply grants, scholarships or Post 911/GI Bill towards tuition. Students must complete a FAFSA application prior to registration for waiver to be applied
• Students must be in good standing within their program-of-study
• Tuition for the same course may not be waived twice
• A withdrawal from a course after it has begun will be subject to tuition and fees
• Students may waive up to 16 credits of tuition per term

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)

Raritan Valley Community College and Rutgers University have an agreement permitting RVCC students to cross-enroll in either the United States Air Force or United States Army Reserve Officer Training Program (ROTC) at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Qualified students may complete the first two years of the four-year program on a cross-enrollment basis, and the final two years by attending a college or university that offers the ROTC Program. Additionally, students taking the Army ROTC program may elect to take their commissions in the Active Army, Army Reserve, or New Jersey Army National Guard.

To be eligible, students must be U.S. citizens, physically qualified and full-time students of good moral character. ROTC enrollment involves no military commitment during the first two years. The advanced phase of the program is contractual and is scheduled during the junior and senior years.

The ROTC programs offer a wide variety of scholarship opportunities. For more information write to:

Army ROTC
Assistant Professor Military Service
Rutgers University
157 College Ave.
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901-1199
(732) 932-7313, extension 18

AFROTC
Detachment 485
9 Senior Street
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901-1199
(732) 932-7706

Confidential Information

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) protects the privacy of education records, establishes the right of students to inspect and review their education records, and provides guidelines for contesting information in these records that is believed to be inaccurate or misleading.

Students have the right to inspect and review all of their education records maintained by the College. The College is not required to provide copies of records unless it is not reasonably convenient for students to inspect their records.

Students have the right to request that the College correct records believed to be inaccurate or misleading. If the College decides, in response to such a request, not to amend a student’s record, the student has the right to a formal hearing before the Dean of Student Affairs or a designated official. After the hearing, if the College maintains its position that the student’s record should not be amended, the student has the right to enter a statement into the student’s records commenting on the contested information.

The College will not release any confidential information from a student’s record without the written consent of the student, except for releasing information to:

• College officials with a legitimate educational interest
• Other institutions at which a student intends to enroll
• Certain government officials for the purpose of carrying out their lawful functions
• Appropriate parties involved with the awarding of financial aid to a student
• Organizations conducting appropriate research for the College
• Accrediting agencies
• Individuals who have obtained appropriate court orders or subpoenas
• Persons who a have need for the information in cases of health and safety emergencies

The College may disclose Directory Information without the written consent of the student. Directory Information includes the following:

• Name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address
• Date and place of birth
• Dates of attendance
• Enrollment status
• Previous institutions attended
• Major field of study
• Awards and honors
• Degrees and/or certificates awarded including date of conferral
• Past and present participation in officially recognized College activities
• Height and weight of student athletes

Students may request the withholding of Directory Information. To ensure that such a request is properly processed, it must be submitted on the official “Request to Withhold Directory Information” form, which is available in the Office of Enrollment Services. The request to withhold information will remain in effect until the student submits a signed authorization for the release of Directory Information.

Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning an alleged failure by the College to comply with the requirements of FERPA. For further information regarding the filing of complaints, students should contact the Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202.