Community Colleges are always focused on forward momentum – building a better future, and making goals and aspirations a reality – but you may not know the story behind the North Carolina Community College System’s Open Door philosophy. In 1964, W. Dallas Herring – often called the father of the NC community college system, stated that the only valid philosophy for North Carolina was to provide a comprehensive education based on the belief that “We must take people where they are and carry them as far as they can go.” That is why the doors of North Carolina community colleges are open to everyone who can benefit from the services they offer.
When students apply to WCC, they often assume they have to wait to be accepted, just like with four-year institutions. At WCC, all eligible applicants are accepted to the College. There are necessary steps that have to be completed for a student to be admitted, but there are no application fees or special requirements. Certain academic programs have specific eligibility criteria and acceptance to them is not guaranteed, but students always have a starting point at Wilson Community College.
Students who want to enroll in a degree, diploma, or certificate program have to complete NC Residency Determination and submit an application for admission, along with official transcripts. We also encourage all students to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for federal financial aid and state grants. These steps can be confusing and even overwhelming, especially for first-time college students, but WCC admissions and financial aid staff are here to help.
So whether you are a new, first-time student, you’re coming from a university, or returning to learn new skills, we are here to help you navigate the admissions and registration process. In fact, we encourage students to start admissions and enrollment with plenty of time to avoid the stress and anxiety that can come with late registration – particularly when it comes to applying for federal financial aid. The College can’t award financial aid until the Department of Education processes the FAFSA using WCC’s school code. Because it could be several days before the WCC Financial Aid Office receives that information, it sometimes isn’t possible for aid to be awarded in time for the start of the term, which understandably causes frustration.
If you don’t know where to start or just have questions about the admissions process, you can call or text us at (252) 285-4515 between 8 AM and 5 PM, Monday-Thursday. Please note, this is not for checking your admission’s status or to see if your information has been received. This is for general questions only. Or visit the Apply Now page for a step-by-step guide on admissions.
You can also learn about Wilson Community College by seeing what we have to offer. Visit our website at www.wilsoncc.edu to schedule a campus tour and meet with an admissions counselor to talk about programs and services that may be of interest to you. Our door is always open for you to visit campus and discover why WCC is a college with something for everyone!
Summer Registration is May 17-19 and Late Registration/Schedule adjustment for summer classes is May 23-24. Early Registration for the fall semester begins on June 13. So if you’re ready to learn new skills, earn a degree, or do something new, it’s never too late, but it’s also never too early! #WilsonCC We make Wilson work.
What’s Happening
- NOW – Registration
- May 17 – First Day of Summer Classes
- May 20 – Graduation