Onboarding & Registration

This section continues the information from the 21 Days to Holistic Student Support designed by the I-HOPE Welty Gran Team (see the first page in this section for more details). 

 

FAQ: "What are the logistics of the onboarding process and New Student Orientation (NSO) for a student?"

The process differs depending on whether the student is a credit-seeking student or in ABE:

Credit onboarding:

When the student's online application is processed the student will receive a “Welcome Letter” email which includes (among other materials):

  • ctcLink ID number
  • information on the FAFSA
  • link to sign into NSO

When a new degree-seeking student submits their application, a hold is placed on their account until specific actions are completed:

  • High School Graduation/GED Verification 
  • Depending on the program, math and/or english placement may be required
  • Online NSO – more info below

ABE onboarding:

  •  Students may enroll via one of the following methods:
    • Reach out for information regarding ABE programs via the ABEInquiry@scc.spokane.edu or by calling 509-533-7221
    •  Physically come to SCC (Buildings 15 or 1) to meet with a Curriculum Advisor or Counselor
    •  Fill out an online application for admission
  • The student will then submit high school transcripts to SCC for evaluation and meet with a counselor to determine appropriate classes/academic plan.

 

New Student Orientation (NSO):

NSO includes five small quizzes students must complete. If GUID 102 is required for their program, they will receive information on the course and a reminder that it is required their first quarter. 

NSO covers academic advising information about faculty counseling, curriculum advisors, registration, and rural center contact information along with recommended first term classes as determined by programs and counselors. Additionally, students are provided information about placing into the best English and Math courses for their skill level

Other topics include: 

  • How to add and drop classes
  • How to pay for college (including information on the payment plan; Federal, State, and Institutional Financial Aid; and scholarship information, Workforce Funding, VA, and other outside funding sources)
  • Textbooks
  • Student ID cards and bus passes
  • SCC Library resources 
  • Financial Wellness
  • Office 365
  • Parking
  • Other resources

If you would like to know more about SCC student onboarding, review the Student “Welcome Letter” Links to an external site. new students receive after their online application is processed.

Some programs offer Program Orientations. These are required for some specific professional technical programs in addition to online NSO. For these, Curriculum Advisors in Registration email students the orientation days/times. Students are encouraged to attend, particularly for highly popular programs. First quarter enrollment into these programs is done first come, first served at program orientations. At program orientations, students have an opportunity to meet with program faculty and learn more about the program. Liaison counselors and curriculum advisors are also present. If students decide they’d like to enter the program, the orientation concludes with a registration session in a computer lab. 

For the Math Placement Process, the Testing Center pulls a list of all new students each week who need to complete math placement for their program of study. The Testing Center evaluates student high school transcripts for math placement based on criteria set by the Math Department. If they are unable to determine math placement using the high school transcript, the student is then referred to math faculty to determine their placement. Once the student receives a placement, whether by Testing Center staff or math faculty assessment, the Testing Center staff codes the placement in ctcLink and notifies the student of their placement so they may proceed with registering for their first math class.

Admissions and Registration sends email and text reminders of important dates, such as last day to add, last day for 100% refund, last day for 50% refund, last day to withdraw, etc., throughout the quarter to current students.

 

FAQ: "How do students register for programs or classes?"

Self-enrollment through ctcLink is the most common way that students enroll into their classes. When students work with a counselor for course planning, students then register online through ctcLink. Counselors do not have access to registration to enroll students into courses. Students can also register in-person in building 15 by paper (without assistance). 

Program Orientation/Program Advising Days: These are specific days where students meet with instructors and/or counselors for class advising/planning. Students then enroll through ctcLink.

“Batch” Registration is for currently-enrolled students who register with Curriculum Advisors in a computer lab on campus. Batch Registration is now currently done primarily through Program Orientation or Advising Days combined with student self-enrollment. Our Registration staff do not typically process Registration Add/Drop forms for students in specific cohort-based programs. Rather, students who attend a Program Orientation or Program Advising Day work with Registration staff to then self-enroll into their required classes for the quarter in a computer lab or through a virtual format.

For competitive entry programs, students either work with a Curriculum Advisor or program assistant and register via paper or register online at a group/program orientation (does not apply to ABE). 

Registration staff manually enroll a student: This is far more rare that Registration staff members will enter a student’s enrollment on the Registration side using a physical Registration Add/Drop form. There are some specific circumstances where this is necessary (e.g., if there is a time conflict for a FLEX class, a student is on Academic Probation or Suspension, etc.).

Students enrolling in non-credit courses can register in-person in Building 15 by paper (without assistance) or use the Corporate & Continuing Ed self-enrollment online, and Act2 and ParentEd students can register over the phone with non-credit registration staff. Corporate & Continuing Ed students should contact CCE staff for assistance.

Apprenticeship & Parent-CoOp students are registered by paper provided by the individual site-coordinators/program staff.