Enrollment Policies and Services

U.S. Citizens

The Community College of Baltimore County adheres to the following policy on residence status for U.S. citizens in compliance with the Maryland Higher Education Commission and the Code of Maryland Regulations:

“A student must reside in Baltimore County to be eligible for county tuition rates or in the State of Maryland outside of Baltimore County, to be eligible for state tuition rates. A student is a Maryland or Baltimore County resident if he/she has maintained his/her domicile in Maryland or Baltimore County, respectively, for at least three months prior to the beginning of the semester. Domicile as used in this regulation is defined as a person’s permanent place of abode, where physical presence and possessions are maintained and where he/she intends to remain indefinitely. The domicile of a person who received more than one-half of his/her financial support from others in the most recently completed year is the domicile of the person contributing the greatest portion of support, without regard to whether the parties are related by blood or marriage. A student who is under 18 years of age must claim his/her residence as that of his/her parents or legal guardians.”

Proof of Residency

It is the responsibility of the student to:

• Provide all required documentation to the Enrollment Services Center or the Registrar’s office when providing a change of address. An employer, university or college, or post office box address cannot be used as a domicile address.
  • Residency is supported by the physical presence of a person and goods, and presentation of two or more of these documents dated three months before the start of the enrollment period when moving into Maryland or Baltimore County:
    • State ID or information card for ID
    • Utility bill (gas/electric, phone, cable)
    • Bank statement
    • IRS tax transcript
    • Lease or rental agreement
    • Voter’s registration card
  • Additional documentation, such as a signed (notarized) statement verifying the residency claim or relationship to the student, may be required.
  • Documents presented after the last day of the third week of classes, or after 20% equivalence of the semester or session, will be reviewed and considered for the next term.
• Verify his or her address, residency or billing rate during each registration period and prior to the start of the next semester.

Permanent Residents, Refugees and Asylees

A non-U.S. citizen who is a permanent resident, refugee or asylee must present immigration documents at the time of application to confirm residency status for tuition purposes. The same Residency Policy for U.S. citizens applies to these students.

Students with a Pending Application for Permanent Residency

CCBC recognizes that non-immigrant students may have pending applications with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for legal permanent residency (LPR). CCBC will approve in-state tuition rates for applicants who can provide evidence that their LPR application is in the final stages of approval. Such evidence would include the following documents:

1. A receipt for filing Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) and

2. A stamped Application Support Center (ASC) Biometrics Appointment Notice

Students must meet CCBC residency requirements as specified in the catalog and may also need to submit a CCBC Change of Student Information Form. Students’ immigration status will be monitored by the International Student Services Office every 12 months to determine the case status for pending permanent resident applications. If the approval for permanent resident status has been denied by USCIS, the student’s tuition rate will be re-adjusted to the international tuition rate.

Students must maintain all requirements of their current immigration status and visa until their permanent residency is approved by USCIS.

International Students with an F, M or J Visa Status

A student studying in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa is billed at the out-of-state (international) tuition rate because his or her permanent place of residence is outside the United States.

All other individuals, with admissions questions related to their visa status or with visa classifications not mentioned above, should contact the International Student Services office.

Graduation

Graduation Preparation 

To prepare for graduation, a student may use DegreeWorks, for programs of study in the catalog year Fall 2011 through the current year, to identify those courses which have been completed and the courses that are needed to meet program requirements for the degree or certificate. For programs of study started before Fall 2011, contact an academic advisor for assistance.

It is always recommended that a student meet with an academic advisor to determine readiness to apply for graduation. 

Graduation Information

A student who intends to earn a credit degree or certificate must apply for graduation whether or not he or she plans to participate in the graduation ceremony. To prepare for graduation a student needs to:

• Obtain a graduation application from the Enrollment Services Centers or on the website.
• Submit the application with payment to CCBC by the following deadline dates:
  • March 15 for spring semester completion
  • May 15 for summer semester completion
  • September 15 for fall semester completion
    (Submit the application on the Friday before the 15th if the date is on the weekend)
     
• Make your check or money order payable to CCBC. Graduation fees are non-refundable.
  • $75 for the associate degree; $50 for a certificate (If both a degree and certificate will be earned, the total is $125.00)
• Send the application and fee payment by mail to:

Registrar’s Office
CCBC Essex
7201 Rossville Blvd
SSRV 015
Baltimore, MD 21237

or

• Deliver the application and fee payment to the Enrollment Services Center. Payment may be made in the Bursar’s office.

Applications will be reviewed after the application and payment are received. A graduation specialist will send notification if all requirements will be successfully completed by the end of the semester.

Learn more about graduation requirements and commencement.

Late Registration for Open Sections

A student may be permitted to register late for an open class without the Dean’s or Dean’s Designee’s permission before the second class meeting. After the class has met twice, a student is required to obtain the Dean’s or Dean’s Designee’s permission (in consultation with the instructor). A student can drop, add or withdraw from a course during regular business hours or through SIMON by 11:30 p.m. the day before the semester or session begins.

Exceptions

Beginning the first day of the semester/session, permission from the Dean’s/Designee’s will be required:

• Courses that meet once a week only
• Science courses with labs
• Abbreviated sessions (ex. 5, 6, 7, or 10 week classes)
• Web courses

A $30.00 late registration fee will be charged for initial registrations made on or after the first day of the semester/session. 

Withdrawal and Refund policies are located in the Tuition and Fees  section of the catalog.

Statewide and Health Workforce Shortage Programs

The Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (House Bill 72) enacted changes to the discounted tuition rate for out-of-county students in Statewide and Health Manpower Grants. Beginning in FY 2012, State funding is limited to the amount provided in the annual State budget; colleges will be reimbursed on a pro-rata basis for qualifying out-of-county fees if annual appropriation is insufficient to cover the complete cost. The act establishes that a community college may charge the student the out-of-county rate and is then required to reimburse the student the amount the college is reimbursed by the State.

CCBC has chosen to provide out-of-county students in these programs a discount of 50% of the out-of-county differential at the time of registration, instead of requiring students to pay in full and receive a subsequent reimbursement. International students (F-1 student visa, etc.) are not eligible to receive the differential.

• A student must verify his or her address and program of study with the Enrollment Services Center or the Registrar’s office when registering for classes.
• Statewide differential will be applied within 24 hours after the student enrolls for the semester.
• When tuition is due at the time of registration, a student is required to inform the Bursar that he or she is enrolled in a Statewide or Health Workforce Shortage program.
• A student in a statewide program must be enrolled in all courses by the 50% period as referenced on the college academic calendars in order to receive the statewide differential for the current academic year.  Any registration after that date will be billed at the out-of-county rate and not the statewide differential. Students that are dropped for non-payment, may be subject to full charges, not the differential rate.
• For more details, view the Statewide and Health Workforce Shortage Programs listed below and under Programs of Study.

A student who drops classes during the 50 percent refund period is responsible for the out-of-county tuition charge. See the Withdrawal Policy for details.

Student ID Cards

You will need a student ID card for access to many CCBC services and facilities and to take advantage of student discount prices in the community:

• Bookstore
• Library
• Activities offered by the Student Life office
• Testing Centers
• Computer labs
• Physical Education Facilities

Visit an Enrollment Services Center to obtain a new card or validate an existing card during regular office hours 60 days before the start of the semester in which you are enrolled. You will need to present an official photo ID such as a driver’s license when you request a new or validated card. A $5.00 fee is charged to obtain a replacement. 

Student Electronic Communications

CCBC uses electronic technology to communicate with applicants and students about enrollment, financial aid, payment, non-attendance, grades and graduation information. Enrolled students are required to frequently check CCBC student email, SIMON, Blackboard, and MYCCBC for information and announcements.