3.4 Admissions

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this policy is to articulate college admission standards beyond just the college website. The policy will note admission standards and exceptions to admission.

APPLICABILITY:

Riverland Community College is committed to open admissions for students meeting one of the following requirements:

1. A high school diploma or GED (General Equivalency Diploma) or
2. Current high school students who meet requirements for Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program or
3. Applicants without a high school diploma or GED, who take the ACCUPLACER test and meet the “Ability to Benefit” standards.

Please note:

1. Students who do not have a high school diploma or GED are not eligible for federal financial aid funds. Students must pass an independently administered test approved by the U.S. Secretary of Education to be eligible for state financial aid funds.
2. Admission to a college does not guarantee that a student is allowed to enroll in college-level courses as provided for in System Procedure 3.3.1 Assessment for Course Placement.

Exceptions:

1. Students who have been suspended or expelled for disciplinary reasons from another postsecondary institution may be denied admission to Riverland Community College. Students can appeal with the Dean of Student Affairs.
2. Students who have been suspended or expelled for academic reasons from any postsecondary institution will not be accepted to Riverland Community College until an appeal can be considered by the college. The Appeals committee will consider if the student demonstrates potential for being successful in the program to which they apply. Students granted admittance are placed on academic probation. Students whose appeal is denied will be denied admission to Riverland Community College.
3. Students who have a hold on their record from another Minnesota State college or university may be accepted to Riverland Community College but may not be allowed to register until the hold has been resolved at their previous institution.

Appeals: Students denied admissions have the right to appeal that decision. Riverland Admission Appeal Policy.

SCOPE:

Students

DEFINITIONS:

N/A

DOES THIS POLICY HAVE A PROCEDURE?

Yes

LIST RELATED POLICIES, PROCEDURES OR FORMS:

• Minnesota State Board Policy 3.4 Undergraduate Admissions
• Minnesota State System Procedure 3.4.1
• Minnesota State Policy 3.3 Assessment for Course Placement
• Minnesota State Procedure 3.3.1 Assessment for Course Placement
• Riverland Admission Appeal Policy
• Riverland PSEO/Concurrent Enrollment Admission
• Riverland Incoming Student Assessment Policy
• Riverland Assessment for College Readiness & Course Placement

Date Issued:  3/12/2015

Responsible Division / Author:  Academic Affairs / Vice President of Strategic Enrollment & Equity / Dean of Students

Date Revised:  5/27/2022 waive HS transcript/GED before acceptance; new template; 05/2026 removed warning and replaced with probation; separated procedure from policy.