Helena College Welcome Center

The Welcome Center provides assistance to new and readmitting students. Prospective students in search of an application, class schedule, information about courses and programs of study, financial aid, admissions guidance, or who want to check the status of a submitted application may contact the Welcome Center at 406-447-6900. The Welcome Center is located next to the main entrance of the Donaldson Campus (Room 101).

Application Process

Open admission allows any student who might benefit from a Helena College education the opportunity to enroll in classes. Applications for admission are accepted and processed in the order they are received. The deadline for priority admission consideration is one month prior to the start of each semester and complete applications are due one week before the start of each semester. Students are encouraged to apply early as financial aid is offered and programs are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Acceptance for admission to the College does not guarantee acceptance or placement in any particular program. Prospective students should review the Program Offerings section of the catalog for specific program requirements. Falsification or willful suppression by a student of any information called for on an application for admission may be grounds for cancellation or denial of admission.

First-Time and Transfer Admission

Students who plan to earn a degree or certificate, or enroll in seven or more credits in any one semester must submit the following information:

1. A completed and signed application for admission.
2. Out of State Only: A $30 non-refundable application fee.
3. Proof of immunization if born after December 31, 1956; proof of age if born before January 1, 1957. (See Immunization section)
4. Official high school transcripts received from an accredited high school with a graduation date posted, a copy of GED, or HiSET scores. Homeschool students will need to provide an official transcript signed by the home instructor.  Non-accredited high schools will need to be verified by the appropriate office of public instruction to confirm validity. Helena College may request additional information to confirm the validity of a high school diploma.
5. Official college transcripts, if applicable.

Non-Degree Admission

Non-Degree admission is designed for students seeking personal enrichment who do not plan to earn a degree or certificate, do not seek financial aid, and who enroll in seven credits or fewer in any one semester. The deadline for non-degree admission/registration is the fifth day of classes each semester. The following information needs to be submitted:

1. A completed and signed application for admission.
2. Out of State Only: A $30 non-refundable application fee.
3. Demonstrated completion of any prerequisites or necessary placement testing.

Readmission

Students who have previously attended Helena College as degree-seeking students must reapply for admission if they have been absent from the College for two or more consecutive academic semesters (excluding summer). Readmitted students must follow current catalog requirements upon return. The procedure for readmission to Helena College is as follows:

1. Submit a completed and signed application for readmission.
2. Submit official transcripts from all college(s) attended since last attending Helena College, if applicable.
3. If readmission follows academic suspension from Helena College, applicants must submit an academic plan with their application for readmission. Readmission is conditional upon approval of the academic plan by the Admissions Review Committee.

Application Fee: Out of State Only

A $30 non-refundable application fee is required of all out of state residence applicants to The University of Montana campuses, including The University of Montana, Missoula College, Montana Tech, Highlands College, The University of Montana – Western, and Helena College. If a student does not enroll within one calendar year of application fee payment, the application fee expires. After attending any of the Montana University System institutions, students may submit a Transmittal application and the appropriate fee as an application to any institution within the system. For more information, please seek assistance from either the Admissions or Executive Director of Enrollment offices.

Orientation

Orientation is held for all new students and students who have been absent from the College for two or more consecutive academic semesters, excluding summer. Orientation sessions are offered prior to and during the beginning of each semester. College policies, procedures, regulations, and financial aid information are explained to students. Orientation information is mailed to all accepted students approximately three weeks prior to the orientation session. All degree-seeking students are charged an orientation fee.

Immunizations

All students enrolling in seven or more credits are subject to the following requirements in accordance with Montana state law (ARM 37.114.711):

1. Students born in 1957 or later must provide evidence that they have received two measles and two rubella immunizations, with dose one administered at 12 months of age or later and dose two administered at least 28 days after dose one. No measles vaccination before 1967 is valid. No rubella vaccination before 1969 is valid. As an alternative, students may supply a laboratory report from a CLIA approved laboratory indicating that the student is immune to measles and/or rubella.
2. Student may be conditionally enrolled for an initial term if they have not received the second dose of measles and/or rubella vaccine provided they receive the second dose at least 28 days after the first dose and before the beginning of the succeeding school term.
3. A student may be exempt from the above requirements for medical reasons (ARM 37.114.715) providing the student supplies a statement from a physician (MD or DO) holding a license to practice in the United States or Canada stating:
   1. The specific immunization is contraindicated;
   2. The time period the immunization is contraindicated; and
   3. The reasons for the contraindication.
4. A student may be exempt from the above requirements for religious reasons providing the student supplies a notarized statement that immunizations are contrary to the student’s religious beliefs. This notarized statement must be submitted annually by any student claiming a religious exemption (ARM 37.114.716).
5. A student may be exempt from the above requirements for medical reasons (ARM 37.114.715) providing the student supplies a statement from a physician (MD or DO) holding a license to practice in the United States or Canada stating:
   1. The specific immunization is contraindicated;
   2. The time period the immunization is contraindicated; and
   3. The reasons for the contraindication.
6. A student may be exempt from the above requirements for religious reasons providing the student supplies a notarized statement that immunizations are contrary to the student’s religious beliefs. This notarized statement must be submitted annually by any student claiming a religious exemption (ARM 37.114.716).

Residency Requirements

The Montana University System classifies applicants for admission and current students as either in-state or out-of-state for fee purposes. In general, a person must meet the requirements listed below to qualify for in-state status:

1. A person must be physically present in Montana for twelve (12) or more consecutive months without an absence in excess of a total of 30 days. One must demonstrate by appropriate actions during the twelve-month period the intent to make Montana one’s permanent home. The required twelve-month period does not begin until specific actions are taken to change legal ties to Montana.
2. An individual must be at least 51% financially self-sufficient during the entire twelve-month period and may not be claimed as an exemption under federal income tax regulations by someone filing an out-of-state federal tax return.
3. A person must have filed a Montana income tax return or have had Montana income tax withheld as required by state tax laws during the twelve-month period.
4. If a person owns or operates a motor vehicle in Montana, he/she must license the vehicle in Montana within 60 days of moving. If a person does not own or operate a vehicle. They should obtain a Montana State ID within 60 days.
5. An individual must register to vote in Montana if he/she expects to exercise the right to vote.
6. If an individual chooses to attend any unit of the Montana University System during the twelve-month period of continuous physical presence, he/she must limit enrollment to a maximum of seven credits per semester.

There are additional regulations concerning married persons and others with special circumstances. The basic rules for making the classification are found in the Student Guide to Montana’s Residency Policy and can be obtained from the Welcome Center or Helena College website. Contact Admissions and Records at 406-447-6912.

Subject to Board of Regents Policy 940.1, a student may petition for a change in classification status or appeal an initial residency determination. Students petitioning for reclassification need to complete and submit the residency questionnaire to the Helena College Admissions Evaluator. The burden of proof, including production of required documentation, is upon the individual seeking reclassification. To be eligible to receive in-state status for a particular term of enrollment, the individual must be eligible for in-state status on or before the 15th instructional day of the term, and the reclassification petition must be submitted by that date. Otherwise, a change in classification is effective on the first official day of enrollment for the first term following the date the petition is received by the Admissions Office unless the late filing of a Montana individual income tax form is required, in which case the effective date is the date of filing the tax form. The final decision by Admissions and Records may be appealed to the Commissioner of Higher Education, and the Commissioner’s decision may be appealed to the Board of Regents. An appeal shall be submitted to the campus administration for transmittal to the Commissioner and must be submitted within 14 calendar days of the final campus decision.

Safety and Security Considerations

Pursuant to Board of Regents Policy 301, Helena College may deny or condition admission, readmission, or continuing enrollment of any individual who, in the judgment of the campus, presents an unreasonable risk to the safety and welfare of the campus and persons thereon. In making such judgment, the campus may, among other things, take into account the individual’s history and experience relative to (1) violence and destructive tendencies, (2) behavior at other educational institutions, and (3) any rehabilitative therapy the individual may have undergone. A decision to utilize the authority conferred by this paragraph shall be communicated to the individual in writing. Any such decision may be appealed in writing to the Dean/CEO.

Placement Assessment

Students will work with their advisor to determine accurate course placement.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

Students who are residents of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming may be eligible to participate in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program. If selected, students pay reduced fees which are approximately one and one-half times current resident fees. WUE application materials will be sent to students from participating states. Contact Admissions and Records with WUE-related questions. Admissions and Records will offer available WUE waivers on a first-come first-served basis to qualifying applicants. This offer extends to the completion of a student’s program or two years, whichever comes first, provided the student: 1) maintains a 2.5 cumulative grade point average; 2) does not change his or her program of study; 3) completes a minimum of 12 credits each semester of enrollment; and 4) does not change his or her state of legal residence. Students who change any of these conditions stated above may lose the WUE offer. Appeals will be considered on a case by case basis and should be directed to the Executive Director of Enrollment.

Credit by Examination

Students may be awarded credits by examination through the following three options:

• College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
  Required scores on the respective CLEP exams will warrant full course credit in the equivalent Helena College course. Official results must be sent directly from the CLEP Testing Center to Admissions and Records.
• Advanced Placement (AP)
  A score of 3, 4, or 5 on an AP exam for any equivalent Helena College course will warrant the award of full course credit. Official results must be sent directly from the AP testing center to Admissions and Records.
• Credit by Exam (CBE)
  Students may receive credit through nationally recognized professional licenses or certificates gained through examinations. Students must be able to provide the original certification document and examples of the curriculum for the certification. The student must verify the certification through his or her advisor and the Executive Director of Enrollment Office. If curriculum and certification cannot be verified, the student may be able to show competencies through the challenge process. Students should refer to the Challenge Policy for more information.

A student will receive a grade of “EC” for any credits awarded through CLEP/AP/CBE.

Transfer of Credit

Helena College is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.  As such, all college level coursework from institutions accredited by the following list of agencies will be reviewed for transfer credit. Helena College will review and transfer all applicable credits to meet program, general education, and elective requirements.

1. Higher Learning Commission 
2. Middle States Commission on Higher Education 
3. New England Commission of Higher Education
4. Northwest Commission on Colleges & Universities
5. Southern Assoc. of Colleges & Schools Commission
6. WASC Senior College and University Commission

Transfer credits from institutions not accredited by the agencies in the above (excluding foreign institutions) list will not be accepted for transfer.

• Courses must be college-level, defined as those courses that are applicable toward a certificate, an associate of applied science, associate of arts, associate of science, or baccalaureate degree at their respective institution. In all cases, such courses shall not include remedial or developmental courses.
• Montana Board of Regents Policy 301.5.2 guarantees that coursework completed in the last five years will be reviewed for possible use in a student’s specific program of study, and coursework completed in the last fifteen years will be reviewed for possible use to satisfy general education requirements or as elective coursework. The guarantee provides only that courses falling into the relevant time periods will be analyzed for possible use in a student’s degree program. It does not guarantee that the courses will be automatically accepted. Further, the policy allows individual Montana University System campuses discretion with regard to consideration of outdated coursework; however, since it is a discretionary decision, it cannot be challenged. The provisions of this policy also govern the evaluation of “outdated” classes that have been completed at Helena College. Students with outdated coursework are encouraged to contact Admissions and Records or the appropriate academic department.
• Courses must have been completed with a letter grade of C- or higher, or a Pass from a Pass/No Pass grading method if the course would apply to the student’s intended program of study. (Students should refer to the Academic Information section for limits on pass/no pass credits.)
• All programs of study require that one-third of the academic credit hours be earned at Helena College.
• Courses accepted for transfer credit will appear on a student’s transcript. The credits will be calculated into the total credits earned, but grades earned for accepted transfer credits will not be included in the grade point average (GPA).
• Completion of a student’s admission file by the priority deadline, which is one month prior to the first day of classes of the term for which a student has applied, will facilitate the processing of evaluation of transcripts for transfer credit.

Students will be notified in writing of the admission decision, the total number of credits accepted for transfer to Helena College, and the transferability of general education and/ or elective credits within ten working days of the receipt of a completed transfer application on or before the priority deadline. Students seeking transfer of credits to satisfy degree and/or certificate requirements must have their official transcripts reviewed by faculty from the appropriate academic program.

Students completing their transfer application before the priority deadline will be notified of the transferability of credits towards specific degree and/or certificate requirements no later than the last day to add classes for the intended term of entry.

Students who complete their transfer application after the priority deadline will receive a complete evaluation of their credits for transfer and will be notified of the results prior to registration for the following academic term.

Students wishing to appeal decisions made regarding their transfer credits must submit a signed written request to the Admissions Office. Appeals with regard to the transferability of credits to satisfy degree and/or certificate requirements will be reviewed by the appropriate program faculty and/or division director as needed. Appeals with regard to the transferability of general education and/or elective credits will also be reviewed by the appropriate faculty and/or division director as needed. Students who have submitted their appeal in a timely manner will receive a response and final decision prior to registration for the following academic term.

Students with questions or who need further information about transfer policies should contact Admissions and Records at 406-447-6912 or 406-447-6907.

Montana University System Transfer Initiative

To help students plan their transfer within the Montana University System, a transfer initiative was implemented in 2007. The initiative incorporates common course name and numbering to make the transition from institution to institution easier. For more information, see the MUS Common Course Numbering Transfer Guide online at www.mus.edu. Students wishing to transfer Helena College credits to another college or university should contact the Admissions Office at the receiving institution for information and policies concerning the evaluation and acceptance of transfer credits.

Policy of Nondiscrimination

Helena College is committed to providing all persons an equal opportunity for education, employment, and participation in activities as provided by law. It is unlawful:

1. To exclude, expel, limit, or otherwise discriminate against an individual seeking admission as a student or an individual enrolled as a student in the terms, conditions, or privileges of the institution because of race, creed, religion, sex, marital status, color, age, physical disability, national origin, service in federally or state defined uniform service, veteran status, political ideas, genetic information, gender identity, gender expressions, sexual orientation or physical or mental disability, unless based on reasonable grounds;
2. To make or use a written or oral inquiry or form of application for admission that elicits or attempts to elicit information or to make or keep a record concerning the race, color, sex, marital status, age, creed, religion, service in federally or state defined uniform service, veteran status, political ideas, genetic information, gender identity, gender expressions, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or national origin of an applicant for admission;
3. To print, publish, or cause to be printed or published a catalog or other notice or advertisement indicating a limitation, specification, or discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, age, physical or mental disability, sex, marital status, or national origin of an applicant for admission; or,
4. To announce or follow a policy of denial or limitation of educational opportunities of a group of its members through a quota or otherwise, because of race, color, sex, marital status, age, creed, religion, service in federally or state-defined uniform service, veteran status, political ideas, genetic information, gender identity, gender expressions, sexual orientation or physical or mental disability, or national origin.

In addition, this facility may not be used in the furtherance of any discriminatory practice, nor become a party to an agreement, arrangement, or plan which has the effect of sanctioning discriminatory practices. Racial or sexual harassment of students or faculty is unlawful.

This policy is in compliance with the requirements of Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Titles VII and VIII of the Public Health Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Montana Human Rights Act and the Montana Governmental Code of Fair Practices. Helena College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The catalog, advertisements, and recruitment material will present programs and information in a way that discourages sexual stereotyping.

Helena College shall ensure that the non-discrimination policy, as it affects applicants and students, is published and disseminated. Resources who have disabilities should contact Accessibility Services if accommodations are needed or if obstacles are encountered at Helena College. Students should follow the complaint procedure outlined in the Helena College Student Code of Conduct Handbook if they believe this policy of nondiscrimination is not being followed.

Non-Discrimination Statement & Title IX Coordinator Notice

Any person wishing more information regarding Helena College’s policy and process as they relate to Discrimination, Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Stalking, and Retaliation, may do so by contacting:

The Title IX Coordinator and Section 504, Valerie Curtin, 406-447-6913.

Title IX Coordinator, Valerie Curtin
valerie.curtin@helenacollege.edu
406-447-6913