Admissions Policies

Central Lakes College has an open admissions policy. The College serves students from a variety of educational backgrounds in keeping with its goals of providing quality, affordable education. Once admitted to CLC, students may enroll in any course or program as long as individual course prerequisites are met and space for effective instruction is available. The college may guide a student’s enrollment based on academic skills assessments, interviews, previous achievement and other criteria as explained in this section.

Students applying for the programs with selective admissions criteria may be required to take additional tests for admissions purposes. Students who do not meet the standards for admissions into a certain program may enroll in developmental courses designed to help them qualify. Before registering for credit courses, a student must be admitted to the college. Application for admission can occur anytime during the year. Admissions policies and procedures are explained below.

Admission to CLC
It is the policy of Central Lakes College to admit students who are able to benefit from the educational offerings of our institution. Admission to CLC does not guarantee admission to a specific program. Fiscal and facilities considerations may limit admission to a particular program.

Admission Requirements
Early application is recommended for best selection of classes at registration.

1. A high school diploma or a GED certificate
2. A person who does not have a high school diploma or GED certificate must meet the federal and CLC "Ability to Benefit" criteria. (See Ability to Benefit section for details)
3. Completed paper version of CLC or MNSCU application for enrollment or completed on-line version of application at www.clcmn.edu
4. $20.00 non-refundable application fee
5. High school students may be admitted as a PSEO student on the basis of college readiness as decided by the college or recommendation by the high school principal or designee.

Review our PSEO Admission's Page

Admission of Transfer Students
Central Lakes College has access to MNSCU college transcripts for students who have attended another MNSCU college.  Students transferring to Central Lakes College from non-MNSCU colleges should request official transcripts of all previous college work be forwarded to Records & Registration.

International Students
International students who are not permanent residents of the United States will be considered for admission after submitting to the CLC Admissions Office the following:

* A completed Application for Admission form for International Students.
* An application fee of $20 (non-refundable) in United States dollars.
* A certified English translation of all secondary academic records. Certification can be done by a notary public, an official of the institution in which the student was enrolled, or by a U.S. consular official.
* Proof of English proficiency. This should be provided by furnishing the college with TOEFL examination scores. (Test Of English as a Foreign Language). A suggested composite score of 500 is recommended. For test write: Test of English as a Foreign Language, PO Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6151 USA.
* A completed Confidential Financial Statement. This is to ensure the college that there are sufficient funds available to cover all expenses while attending CLC.
* U.S. Form 1-134 Affidavit of Support. This form is required if someone else will be providing some or all of a student's support while attending Central Lakes College. A notarized signature is required.
* Verification of English and math proficiency beyond high school. Contact the Cultural Affairs Officer at the American embassy in your country for assistance. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) may be appropriate to determine your English ability.

Determination of Residence
1. Students who seek to qualify for in-state tuition must first meet the following threshold requirements:
* Students must have resided in Minnesota for at least one calendar year immediately prior to applying for in-state tuition; and
* Residence in Minnesota must not be merely for the purpose of attending a college or university.
2. Each of the following additional facts and circumstances will be considered when responding to a petition for in-state tuition. No one of these factors is either necessary or sufficient to support a claim for in-state tuition:
* Continuous presence in Minnesota during period when not enrolled as a student; * Sources for financial support are generated within Minnesota; * Domicile in Minnesota of family, guardian, or other relatives or persons legally responsible for student; * Ownership of a home in Minnesota; and * Permanent residence in Minnesota.
3. The following circumstances, standing alone, shall not constitute sufficient evidence of domicile to affect eligibility for in-state tuition under these regulations but may be considered as part of the demonstration of the facts and circumstances listed above:
* Voting or registration for voting;
* The lease of living quarters;
* A statement of intention to acquire a domicile in Minnesota;
* Domicile of student's spouse in Minnesota.
* Automobile registration; and
* Other public records, e.g., birth and marriage records.

Reciprocity
Residents of South Dakota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Manitoba, Canada are eligible to attend Minnesota Public Institutions under the reciprocity agreements with the State of Minnesota. Application forms are available by downloading from this website www.mheso.state.mn.us

Midwest Student Exchange
Residents of Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, and Nebraska are eligible to attend Minnesota Public Institutions under the Midwest Student Exchange Program. Residents of these states may attend Central Lakes College at a tuition rate equal to 150% of resident tuition. Further information may be obtained from the CLC Admissions Department.

Returning Students
A CLC student who has not attended the college for one or more terms (summer excluded) will be classified as a returning student and must complete an EZ Enrollment Form.  Students who may be on a probationary status, have outstanding financial obligations or possess other encumbrances will be required to clear their status prior to re-enrollment.  A returning student must comply with the program major requirements and policies in effect when returning to college.

Senior Citizens Admission
Senior citizens who are 66 years of age or older are eligible to enroll for classes on a space available basis. A tuition fee of $10 per credit plus associated fees is required if a course is taken for college credit. There is no charge for a course taken for audit (visitor).

Veteran Students
Central Lakes College is approved by the Minnesota State Approving Agency for veterans to attend college and receive educational benefits.  Information about applying for veterans benefits is available in the Veterans Resource Center located at CLC.  Veterans my call 218-855-8279 for further information.

Registration
Registration is the final step in the admission process.  Notification of EZ registration dates will be sent to accepted students prior to the start date for classes.  Students in technical programs must attend scheduled registration dates or risk forfeiting their spot.  Students unable to attend the scheduled registration date must contact the Admissions Department in advance of the registration date.  Students register in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the college.  Printed schedules of classes are published and available here

Ability to Benefit
An Ability to Benefit student is a student without a High School Diploma or a GED Certificate. The Federal Government mandates that this type of student must prove an Ability to Benefit to receive Financial Aid assistance. It is the policy of Central Lakes College that a student without a High School Diploma or GED Certificate must also prove an Ability to Benefit whether or not he/she is receiving Financial Aid.

To prove an Ability to Benefit, a student must receive a score of 55 or above in Reading, 34 or above in Math, and 60 or above in Writing in the CLC Assessment. An Ability to Benefit student planning on receiving financial aid cannot attend CLC without verification of the appropriate assessment scores. An Ability to Benefit student paying his/her own tuition and not having scores high enough to prove Ability to Benefit may not attend regular college classes but may attend up to 5 developmental credits at his/her own expense.

The Assessment Department will notify students of their ability to benefit results.  If an ability to benefit student does not complete the assessment test with appropriate scores, the ACE Department will include the following options in the letter:
 
1. Re-take the test
2. Enroll in up to 5 credits of Developmental Classes to build skills and pay for the courses. 
3. Work with the Area Education Center to begin working on a high school diploma or GED certificate

Program Major Changes
Students may transfer internally from one program to another by completing a Program Change Form, available in the Admissions office. Students are required to fill out this form prior to registering for any further classes. It is recommended that the student visit with a counselor before changing their program. Students who register for classes not in their declared program and have not filled out the Program Change Form may be placed on an alternate/waiting list to enter that program. Students are accepted into a program on a first come - first serve basis, by date of application or Program Change Form.

Immunization
It is strongly recommended that all students be immunized for measles, mumps and rubella before they register for classes.  The diphtheria-tetanus must be current within the past ten years.

Health Issues
Acquired Immune Deficiency (AIDS): any student who is infected with the AIDS virus may continue his/her education assignments unless the student’s health status deteriorates significantly to interfere with performance. Determinations for special precautions and needs will be made on a one-to-one basis as prescribed by school board policy. A complete policy statement is printed in the Student Handbook.

Attendance
Attendance is one of the major factors in student success. All class periods should be attended to benefit from the learning opportunities provided. For some classes, attendance is an integral part of the assessment and evaluation process. Consult the course syllabi to see if attendance is part of the grading criteria.

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