Admissions Information

Overview

Flathead Valley Community College has an “open door” policy for those who are 16 years or older. FVCC does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, religion, creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation. The admissions process is based on self-selection. FVCC encourages individuals who feel their educational needs will be met by the programs and services offered by the college to seek admission.

Admission to degree/certificate programs, except for selective programs, shall be open to anyone who has earned a high school diploma from an accredited high school or received a high school equivalency diploma. (See “Selective Program Admission” below.) Exceptions may be made for students enrolled in Running Start/Dual Enrollment programs. Exceptions will be approved by the Registrar. (See “Degree-Seeking Student Exceptions” below.)

Application Priority Deadline: FVCC accepts applications on a rolling basis but recommends that prospective students submit applications 10 business days prior to the start of the semester.  

The admission file, complete with all records listed below, must be provided to the Admissions and Registration Office.

For non-degree students, a complete admission file consists of the following:

  • A completed Application for Admission form;
  • Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunization records for anyone taking six or more credits a semester who was born on or after January 1, 1957; and
  • Residency verification when requested.

For degree-seeking students, a complete admission file consists of the following:

  • A completed Application for Admission form;
  • Official high school transcript, unless the student has completed an AA/AS or bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited college;
  • Official copies of any and all college transcripts;
  • MMR immunization records for anyone born on or after January 1, 1957; and
  • Residency verification when requested.

Application records will be held for two years after submission, after which one must reapply.

Selective Program Admission: FVCC has additional admissions requirements for selective programs. To be considered for selective program admission, applications must be submitted to the Admissions and Registration Office by the appropriate deadlines. Currently, selective programs include the following:

  • Brewing Science and Brewery Operations;
  • Culinary Arts and Catering;
  • Firearms Technology;
  • Medical Assistant;
  • Medical Laboratory Technician;
  • Paramedicine;
  • Physical Therapist Assistant;
  • Practical Nursing;
  • Radiologic Technology;
  • Registered Nursing; and
  • Surgical Technology.

Application deadlines and requirements for admission into selective programs vary by program. Contact an FVCC Academic Advisor at 406.756.3880 for more information.

Degree-Seeking Student Exceptions to Admissions

Students who apply for degree-seeking status and are unable to provide verification of high school graduation or equivalent may be enrolled as a degree-seeking student if they meet all of the following conditions:

  1. Unable to provide high school graduation or equivalent due to extreme circumstances (e.g., left high school/home school without graduating, high school records are no longer available, etc.);
  2. Initially enrolls as a non-degree student and passes a minimum of 50% of the required credits within his/her intended program of study; 
  3. In good academic standing (2.0 or better cumulative grade point average);
  4. Applicant Status is recorded as “Provisional Admit (No HS)” status; and
  5. If planning to transfer, the student is responsible for contacting the transfer institution regarding their requirements for admission.

Financial Aid may not be available. Students should contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.

Students currently enrolled in FVCC’s Running Start program and/or enrolled in high school, home school, or a high school equivalency program do not qualify for this exception and must graduate from high school or the equivalent before applying as a degree-seeking student.  Students meeting the FVCC degree requirements prior to graduating from high school can apply for FVCC graduation if their high school graduation date falls within the semester and confirmation is received; otherwise, they will apply for FVCC graduation in a semester after their high school graduation date.

Admission for Home-Schooled Students and Students under the Age of 16.

Applicants under the age of 16 are required to

  1. Contact the Registrar by calling 406.756.3845 to petition the Admissions and Registration Office for an exception.
  2. Complete the following:
    1. Provide written permission from parents;
    2. Complete placement testing and meet with an advisor and have scores evaluated to determine college readiness;
    3. Submit a non-degree Application for Admission form and provide required immunization records; and
    4. Obtain instructors’ signatures before registering for classes.
  3. Acknowledge the following guidelines:
    1. A maximum of six credits can be taken the first term;
    2. Students will be enrolled as “non-degree” status until reaching 16 years of age and successfully completing the GED/HiSET or high school equivalency diploma. At that point, students can be enrolled as “degree” status;
    3. Because of federal regulations, financial aid is not available until students reach 16 years of age; and
    4. An instructor in any course can recommend withdrawal if students are not socially and/or emotionally mature enough to fully benefit or if their participation should in any way slow the normal progress of the class.

An applicant who is 16 years of age or older, or has graduated from a religious/private school not accredited by the state of Montana, is required to provide the following:

  1. Completed Application for Admission form and required immunization records;
  2. GED/HiSET certificate or high school equivalency diploma or proof of completion of FVCC placement tests. Call the Student Support Center at (406) 756-3880 to schedule an appointment for test score evaluation to determine college readiness; and
  3. Complete financial aid forms if applying for financial aid.
International Students
Running Start
Placement Tests