Admissions Information

Student residency is determined at the time of application according to Department of Higher Education rules. The tuition structure of the College differentiates between in-state, out-of-state and international students. Under tuition reciprocity agreements currently in force, the following geographic definitions apply:

• In-State Status: Residents of Ohio (88 counties) or residents of Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, or Wetzel Counties of West Virginia receive Belmont in-state tuition rates.
• Out-of-State Status: Residents of any other county in West Virginia, or residents of any other U.S. state, The District of Columbia, or any U.S. territory receive out-of-state tuition rates. Out-of-state students who feel that they have achieved in-state residency status requirements may apply for a change of residency status with the Registrar. All applications for change of residency status will be reviewed by the Registrar.

Upon moving to Ohio, veterans with one year of honorable service (and their dependents) are immediately considered in-state residents (with appropriate documentation) for the purposes of tuition, state educational subsidies and financial aid. Active duty, guard, reserve service members, and their families are also eligible for this educational benefit.

On June 26, 2012, Governor John R. Kasich signed into law House Bill 490, a bill that includes provisions which expands the in-state tuition benefit to the spouse or dependents of a deceased veteran regardless of the location of the death or the veteran’s residence at the time of death.

Prospective students and other interested persons may schedule a tour of the campus by calling an Enrollment Services Advisor at 740.695.8516. A virtual campus tour is also available on our website.

1. Submit the Belmont College Application for Admission
   To apply online, visit www.belmontcollege.edu/apply or call our Academic Technical Center for a copy of the free Belmont Application for Admission. The application must be complete for admission consideration.
2. Visit or Contact Our Campus
   Schedule an initial interview with an Enrollment Services Advisor who will provide you with program information and guidance on admission procedures and address any questions you may have.
3. Request Official and Final Transcripts
   All students must submit transcripts from high school/GED and any previously attended institutions of higher learning. They must be sent directly to the Belmont College Records Office.
4. Placement Test
   Belmont recommends that all students take an ACT or SAT test; however, the College provides Accuplacer testing for students as an alternative. Placement test scores are used as a guide to help match students’ academic ability with their beginning coursework. In lieu of placement tests, the College will place students into the lowest level coursework. Please see the Placement Testing information in this section for details.
5. Apply for Financial Aid and Scholarships
   Students interested in applying for financial aid must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at https://fafsa.ed.gov. The Belmont College code is 009941. Also, please check our financial aid link at www.belmontcollege.edu for scholarship applications and information. Reference the Financial Aid section of this catalog for more scholarship details.After completing the FAFSA and other necessary paperwork, applicants will receive a financial aid award letter which will detail grant, scholarship, student loan, and work-study aid eligibility.
6. Schedule Classes
   After completion of the previous admissions steps, students meet with an academic advisor to discuss academic goals, degree completion goals, career opportunities and create a course schedule.
7. First Year Experience Course
   FYE1110, Student Learning and Success, is an introductory course providing new students with the knowledge to succeed at Belmont College. Topics include, but not limited to, course planning, financial literacy, career development, study skills, time management, and critical thinking. Students are exposed to proven strategies for creating greater academic professional, and personal achievement. This course is required for all first-time freshman at Belmont College and transfer students who have accumulated less than 12 credit hours. New students also include former College Credit Plus (CCP) students who are now exclusively Belmont College students.
8. Attend ‘First Year Experience’ (FYE) Orientation
   Our FYE program has been developed to provide a seamless transition into college. Orientations are scheduled before the start of each semester. Please contact the College for dates and times. The purpose of the FYE Orientation is to familiarize the new student with the College and connect with key campus resources to succeed as a first-year student. There is no charge for attending this admissions event.
9. Books
   Students can conveniently order their books through eCampus on the college website. If students are utilizing financial aid, their eligible amount will be accessible upon logging into eCampus with their Belmont College credentials. Students can choose to have your books shipped to their home address or opt for pickup at the Campus Shop. NOTE: Students using financial aid to purchase books must present their book voucher and a photo ID when purchasing books from the Belmont Campus Shop.

Admission to the College does not guarantee admission to a particular program.

Certain programs with limited enrollment capacity, such as the EMT/Paramedic, Radiology, and Nursing Programs, accept students on a space-available basis.

Belmont is a learner-centered college which provides access to the many benefits of higher education for students from varied backgrounds and educational levels. In order to provide students with individualized guidance in reaching and exceeding their educational goals, it is important to help identify students’ academic ability. This is done through placement testing. Belmont encourages any student who is planning to attend college to take an ACT or SAT test or the Belmont College Accuplacer Placement Indicator.

Test results are used for placement purposes. A placement indicator is used to measure current academic ability in certain areas.

To help match a student’s current academic skill level with beginning course work at Belmont, the College measures all new students’ skill levels in math, reading, and writing to ensure placement into the appropriate courses. Students enrolled in courses for which they are not prepared would have a difficult time meeting their academic goals. Students who have already mastered certain skills or abilities may be able to begin coursework at a higher level.

Students are encouraged to use the Accuplacer Study Guide in preparation for the actual test. A sample test is available on the Belmont College website and from the Charles W. Kocher Student Success Center (SSC). Belmont has a firm placement policy for new students which means that the scores earned on placement tests will determine the courses where students will begin. Students may re-test (see ‘confirmation tests’ for details).

If students do not test at an academic level that will enable them to succeed in college level courses, their beginning course work may include developmental courses which are required yet do not count toward a degree or certificate. Developmental courses are designed to provide students with the training to handle college level course work.

Placement testing is just one of the many services that Belmont provides to help students meet and exceed their educational, career, and life goals.

Accuplacer placement testing is done on a scheduled basis and scored immediately. Call the Charles W. Kocher Student Success Center at 740.695.8519 to schedule a placement test.

Students exempt from a placement test are:

1. Those possessing an associate’s or higher degree from an accredited institution.
2. Those registering for courses with no placement testing prerequisites
3. Those transferring in college-level math credits with a “C” or better will be exempt from the math section of the placement indicator; those transferring in college-level English credits with a “C” or better will be exempt from the writing section of the placement indicator; those transferring in college-level reading-intensive courses (i.e. psychology, sociology, and biology) with a “C” or better will be exempt from the reading section of the placement indicator; those with verification of college level proficiency in English and math will be exempt from the placement test (i.e. CLEP and Advanced Placement)
4. Those age 60 or above (senior citizens) not enrolling in the nursing programs or enrolling in a class with a placement requirement
5. Those auditing classes
6. Those providing ACT or SAT scores (within 5 years) either on their high school transcript or an official ACT or SAT score report
7. Non-degree students not enrolling in courses with a placement requirement
8. Those who obtain a transfer waiver (Form 122) from an Academic Advisor
9. Students opting to take remedial courses

NOTE: Placement scores are required for all nursing programs.

An academic advisor may recommend the student retest to attempt testing out of the initial course(s) placement.

1. Students may retake each subject of the placement test one time, at no cost to them.
2. Students may retake one of more portions of the placement test for a second time at no cost to them, only if their test scores(s) fall within the confirmation range.
3. Students will be subject to a retesting fee of $20 per Accuplacer subject,
   payable to the Business Office, if:
   • Students are retesting for a second time, and their previous score(s) do no fall within confirmation range.
   • Students are retesting for three or more times.

A student who has completed 30 or more hours of credit will be considered a second-year student.

Options will be provided to high school students under the College Credit Plus program (see below). Please see your high school counselor or a Belmont College advisor for more information.

Ohio residents only. This program permits students to take courses at Belmont College while enrolled in grades 7-12. Students must complete the normal admissions application process at Belmont College and complete the College Credit Plus Supplemental Application Form 63. The Belmont College CCP Coordinator can assist with the application process. The home school principal or counselor, the career center principal or counselor, if applicable, the student’s parent, and the student must sign this form.

CCP Guidelines:

Cost

College Credit Plus courses are free to students in grades 7-12 and may earn the students credit at their current school and college credit. The eligible student does not pay for tuition, books or fees. Courses may be offered at the student’s school, online, video conference or at any Belmont College location.

Classes where a student has failed or withdrawn with an “F” will receive an “F” on the high school and college transcripts and will be computed into the high school and college GPA. If a CCP student does not receive a passing grade, the district may in some instances seek reimbursement for the amount of the state funds paid to the College on the student’s behalf. The school district may withhold grades and credits received for high school courses taken until reimbursement has been made.

What course(s) may be taken

Students may choose any non-developmental course that applies toward a degree or workforce certification at a public (or participating private) college.

Enrollment Guidelines and Deadlines

Contact the high school guidance counselor or Belmont College advisor to obtain an enrollment form. Notify your guidance counselor of intent to participate by March 30th. After March 30th, a high school district administrator’s signature is necessary.

Transfer students will abide by the same student classification regulations as non-transfer students. Original transcripts from each previously attended college or university must be sent directly to the Belmont College Records Office in order to have courses evaluated for transfer to Belmont College.

A transient student is a student in good standing who enrolls at Belmont College for the purpose of transferring courses to their home college or university. Transient students may enroll via the telephone or online if they have completed a Belmont College application and have provided written approval of Belmont College courses from their home college. Transient students are not eligible for financial aid.

Full-time Belmont College and Ohio University Eastern Campus students may register for two (2) courses at the other institution at no additional tuition charge during their lifetime. (Use Form 54 Request for Cross-Registration Course and Waiver of Tuition and Fees.) Cross-registration is not permitted when the equivalent course is available to the student during the same semester at the home institution. This is limited to one free course in any given semester. No summer courses will be eligible under this agreement.

All other fees such as application fees, lab and course fees, equipment, books, or various other fees may be assessed by either institution and must be paid by the student.

The following will govern this process:

1. The institution where the student is full-time (home institution) will consider the student for all Title IV Aid.
2. The student will be considered part-time at the other institution.
3. Courses will be accepted towards meeting graduation requirements at the home institution as those courses fulfill programmatic requirements. These will need to be approved by the home institution.
4. All Title IV Aid will be the responsibility of the home institution. Any courses taken under this agreement away from the home institution will not be used to determine eligibility for Title IV Aid.
5. Calculating awards, disbursing aid, monitoring satisfactory progress records, maintenance, and distribution of Title IV refunds will be the responsibility of the home institution.

Belmont College in accordance with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018 will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a Chapter 31 or Chapter 33 recipient borrow additional funds to cover the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement of a payment by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. This policy is limited to tuition funds paid by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

Veterans of the US Armed Services, Active Service Members, Reservists, or National Guard members may be eligible to receive educational benefits through the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Children and spouses of deceased or totally disabled Veterans may be eligible to receive educational assistance. Any person who believes that he/she may be eligible for Veterans assistance should inquire at the Records Office.

All students receiving Veterans benefits are informed of the following guidelines:

1. Students receiving benefits through the VA may be certified only for those courses which apply to the program of study for which benefits are granted.
2. Failure to attend class on a regular basis or withdrawing from a class prior to the end of a semester may result in a condition of overpayment. The College will report all such situations to the VA in a timely manner. Students who are unable to attend class must inform the Records Office.
3. All eligible students must advise the VA Certifying Officer of their intent to receive benefits before the first day of each semester.

Students receiving VA benefits are considered self-pay. The VA may issue payment directly to the student; therefore, the student is responsible to make arrangements at the Business Office for payment to the College.

To the College

Except for students dismissed for violation of the Student Code of Conduct or under the Academic Probation Policy, any former student may return to the College and take classes after all readmission requirements have been completed. Readmission to the College does not necessarily mean readmission to a specific program.

To a Program

Readmission to a specific program may require approval by the provost. Those programs having limited enrollment or specific entrance requirements will provide for readmission on an individual basis as follows:

• Courses counted for technical requirements and technical electives must have been completed within the last seven years. In the Emergency Medical Technician program, the limit shall be three years.

• See ‘Program Policies and Procedures’ for specific re-entry policies for the Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing programs.

• The above notwithstanding, the provost shall have the authority to waive this requirement when clear and compelling evidence for such consideration is presented by the student.

Students readmitted to a program must complete all components of the program. Partial completion of courses cannot be accepted for credit, and the entire course must be repeated.