Admissions

When considering an applicant for admission NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) adheres to all federal and state civil rights laws banning discrimination in publicly funded institutions. NWACC does not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, military status, veteran status, familial status, or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law, ordinance or regulation, including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any complaint process. Sexual harassment, which includes acts of sexual violence, is a type of sex discrimination prohibited under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

The college follows an admission policy, which allows for any person who has graduated from an accredited high school or home school; is a concurrently enrolled high school student; has successfully passed a high school equivalent examination; or be beyond the age of compulsory attendance per Arkansas law to be eligible for admission. Certain academic programs are monitored and regulated by national accrediting organizations. These organizations publish and maintain a list of applicable technical standards that outline and identify the minimum job performance requirements with a particular job field. (Please see the “Exceptions” section of this policy for technical standards).

  1. Admission to College Credit Courses
    1. All students enrolling in credit courses at NWACC are required to complete an application for admission. As part of the application process, the submission of additional documents may be required depending on the admission status and/or student type.
    2. The Admissions office shall be responsible for maintaining procedures and documents regarding credit admission to the College.
    3. Students may be required to demonstrate language competencies.
    4. Students not completing Arkansas core curriculum requirements are eligible for conditional admissions to the College in accordance with Act 520 of 1999.

    Concurrent/Dual Enrollment Admissions: High School students in 9th to 12th grade may enroll in NWACC college courses following Arkansas Department of Higher Education guidelines on concurrent and dual enrollment. For the most current details, refer to NWACC Concurrent Enrollment Policy (3010).

    Justification

    This policy establishes admissions standards in accordance with the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board, State Board of Education, state, and federal laws.

    Definitions

    Admissions policies are established for the following student types or populations:

    Responsibilities

    Applicant Responsibility

    1. If the applicant is registered sex offender, has previous felony convictions and/or disciplinary dismissals from an institution of higher education (college, university, or other learning institution); the applicant is required to notify the Dean of Students Office and NWACC Department of Public Safety.
    2. Upon acceptance to NWACC, all students are required to obtain an NWACC issued student identification card to use campus services. Students participating in online course delivery will not be required to obtain an identification card as a condition of registration but may need an identification card to use certain on-campus services and resources.
    3. When applying to an Allied Health Professions program, the applicant will be required to sign a statement indicating they have read, understand, and can successfully meet the outlined technical standards in order to complete admission to the Applied Sciences Technical Standard programs.

    Dean of Students Responsibility

    1. The Dean of Students in conjunction with the Behavioral Review Team, will review applications and make decisions as to whether an applicant with a felony conviction, registered sex offender status, or disciplinary dismissal from an institution of higher education (college, university, or other learning institution) will be admitted. If admitted, the Behavioral Review Team will determine if restrictions will apply.
    2. The Dean of Students in conjunction with the Behavioral Review Team, will review suspected fraudulent applications and make decisions as to whether the application be denied, or registration terminated.

    Exceptions

    Applied Sciences Technical Standards: NWACC is committed to providing a quality educational experience that prepares students to enter the workforce or further their education. As such, students considering certain NWACC degrees should review the appropriate technical standards associated with their chosen course of study prior to beginning their coursework. Although these standards serve to delineate the necessary physical and mental abilities of all candidates, they are not intended to deter any candidate for whom reasonable accommodation will allow the fulfillment of the complete curriculum.

    Admission to NWACC’s Nursing, Emergency Medical Services, Physical Therapy Assistant, Respiratory Therapy and Fire Science programs is conditional on the candidate’s having the ability to satisfy these technical standards, with our without reasonable accommodation, and results from a process that examines and values all of the skills, attitudes, and attributes of each candidate on a case-by-case basis. Refer to NWACC Admissions Policy (4003) for additional details.

    Admissions Classifications

    First-Time College Student

    A student who has graduated from an accredited high school, home school, or has successfully completed a high school equivalent examination and has never attended a college or university since graduating.

    1. Complete the Online Application. NWACC has an admission policy that allows an indiviudal to apply year-round however, it is recommended to apply early to get the best choices for classes. (www.nwacc.edu/apply)
    2. Activate YourMy NWACCStudent Account. Once you have been accepted to NWACC, you will receive an email with your NWACC username and required next steps. My NWACC provides access to your NWACC email account and Workday for class registration, financial aid, and much more.
    3. Complete Orientation. If you are attending college for the first time after completing high school or obtaining a GED, you must complete the online College Student Orientation Course. Access the Online Orientation Course and learn more at http://www.nwacc.edu/Orientation
      • Make sure you have submitted an admissions application, placement test scores (ACT, SAT, Accuplacer and/or GED College Ready) and you are able to log into your My NWACC.
      • If you are having trouble logging in, contact the IT Help Desk at 479-619-4376.
    4. Complete Onboarding Tasks. Onboarding tasks will include submitting admissions documents, providing your emergency contact, verifying your personal information, and completing other required tasks.
      • To access Workday, sign in to My NWACC. On the left side of the screen under Launchpad, click on Workday and then Workday Login
      • Once logged into Workday, you will find your required onboarding tasks in your My Tasks box (the inbox icon in the top right corner).​
    5. Explore and Finalize Your Plan for Payment (As Applicable)​
      • Apply for Financial Aid. Complete your FAFSA and include NWACC’s code 030633 to begin the process (www.nwacc.edu/enrollment/financialaid/receivingfinaid).
        • If needed, check with Enrollment Services for the status of your Financial Aid.​
      • Payment Plan Options. Once you have registered for classes, you may log in to your Workday account via My NWACC to set up a payment plan.
      • Apply for Scholarships. Apply for NWACC’s internal scholarships (www.nwacc.edu/scholarships) and outside scholarships.
    6. Submit Required Documentation
      • Placement Test Scores - ACT, SAT, Accuplacer Next Generation and/or GED College Ready scores of 165+.
        • If you need to take the Accuplacer exam, visit the NWACC Testing Center (www.nwacc.edu/testingcenter).
          • There may be a testing fee prior to taking the exam.
        • Students who have not yet completed a college level math course and have an ACT Math score of 17 (seventeen) or below, are encouraged to take the math portion of the Accuplacer test.
        • Students who have an ACT Reading and/or Writing score of 18 (eighteen) or below are encouraged to take the writing and reading portion of the Accuplacer test.
      • High School Completion Documentation - As a first-time college student at NWACC, you are required to provide acceptable proof of high school completion.
        • Arkansas high school graduates: We will attempt to retrieve your final transcript through an Arkansas statewide database after your graduation date has passed. If we are unable to retrieve your final transcript, you will need to submit your documentation after being accepted.
        • Out of state high school and High School Equivalent Graduates: You will need to submit your documentation after being accepted.
        • Non-U.S. high school graduates: You will be required to have your high school transcript evaluated by a serving member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) to determine U.S. equivalency and submit the completed evaluation documentation.
          • See Credential Translation Services for a list of companies who provide the service.
        • All high school completion documentation is required to reflect your graduation/pass date (cannot be future dated) and an official signature, stamp or seal for the issuer among other document requirements.
      • Proof of 2 Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Immunizations - All students are required to submit acceptable proof of two doses of MMR vaccine, an approved Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) immunization exemption, or birth prior to 1957.
        • We will attempt to retrieve immunization records from an Arkansas statewide database. If we are unable to retrieve your documentation, you will need to submit your documentation after being accepted.
        • If you received your immunizations outside of Arkansas, you will need to submit your documentation after being accepted.
          • Check with your doctor, previous high school or colleges attended and/or the immunization department for the state that your immunizations were administered in.
        • See the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) Vaccination Requirement section for additional details.

    To protect the privacy of your information and to comply with U.S. Department of Education regulations, we can no longer accept documents by email. You can submit your documents one of the ways below: