Getting Started at Tidewater Community college

Tidewater Community College is ready to help you get started pursuing your dreams, goals, and challenges.

Please follow the steps below. 
If you need assistance, contact the TCC Information Center at 822.1122.            Office Hours
Print info       ~      Catalog    ~     Student Handbook ~ Alphabetical Index of Programs and Degrees

1. Determine eligibility.
   • Eligibility requirements
   • International students
   • Special provisions
2. Apply for financial aid.
3. Apply for admission to Tidewater Community College.
4. Take the assessment tests.
5. Attend a FOCUS session
6. Register for classes.
7. Pay tuition by deadline.
8. Obtain your student ID card.
• Go cashless on campus with StormDollars.
9. Purchase books.

STEP 1 - Determine Eligibility for Admission.

• Individuals are eligible for general admission to Tidewater Community College as curricular students if they have a high school diploma or the equivalent, or if they are 18 years of age or older and are able to benefit from study at the college, based on the college’s placement testing policies and procedures.
• High school graduates (or General Educational Development diploma [GED] completers) who score below the college’s required scores must enroll in appropriate developmental courses and may enroll only in those college credit courses for which they meet developmental prerequisites.
• Applicants who have completed a home-school high school program are eligible for admission under the college’s general admissions policy.
• For additional information concerning applicants with other educational backgrounds, please refer to the College Catalog> General Information> Admission to the College.
  
  
• Admission Under Special Provision
  
  
• Admission of International Students

STEP 2 - Apply for Financial Aid.

• Students may apply for Financial Aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
• Tidewater Community College’s FAFSA application deadline is April 1 and it is advised that the application for financial aid be completed as early as possible.
• The college code for TCC is 003712 and it must be listed on the FAFSA in order for the college to receive your financial aid information.
• Apply for Montgomery G.I. Bill Education Benefits (MGIB).
• Students who have served in the U.S. military should apply for Veterans education benefits by completing the application available at your campus Office of Veteran Affairs.

 STEP 3 -  Apply for Admission to Tidewater Community College.

• Apply online: the online application form makes applying for admission easy and provides immediate status feedback.
• Obtain a paper application:
  • Fill and print application in pdf format - PDF Application Instructions
  • Request a mailed application by using the Request Form.
  • Contact the TCC Info Center at 757.822.1122 or info@tcc.edu to have an application mailed to you.
  • Pick up an application at any the Welcome and Entry Services Office on any of our four TCC campuses.
  • Return paper application to a Welcome and Entry Services Office on any of our four TCC campuses in person or by mail.

STEP 4  - Take the Assessment Tests.

• Find the assessment testing schedule, sample questions and information for SAT/ACT waivers
  • on the TCC Assessment Testing website
  • or by calling the Information Center at 757-822-1122,
  • or by visiting the Welcome and Entry Services Office on any campus.
• The $4.00 testing fee can be paid at any campus Business Office.
• Students should present their receipt and a photo ID when they arrive to take the test.

STEP 5 - Attend a FOCUS Session.
Freshman Orientation Centered Upon Success

• All new students should attend a FOCUS session.
• Sessions provide a review of the assessment scores and class placement, TCC college curriculums, tuition and financial aid information, important academic dates, enrollment procedures, class scheduling, and academic planning.
• Academic advisors are available at each FOCUS session to help students develop an academic plan to meet their academic and career goals.
• FOCUS sessions dates and times

STEP 6 - Register for Classes.

• Fill out a Registration Worksheet.
• Students needing registration assistance should contact one of our campus Enrollment Services Offices.     Details of process
• Students can register online at myTCC. 
• If students need assistance accessing the online system, they should call the TCC Information Center at 757-822-1122.
• Students should print their class schedule (How?) and bring it with them the first week of classes.

STEP 7 - Pay Tuition by Deadline.

• Costs differ for In-State and Out-of-State students (Student Domicile)
• In-state Tuition Offer for Military Families
• Tuition payment, due dates, and refunds
• Tuition Charts
• Students can pay their tuition online in SIS with their VISA or MasterCard.
• Students can also pay by telephone with VISA or MasterCard by calling (757) 822-2000.
• Students can pay on campus at the Business Office with cash, money order, check, VISA, or MasterCard.
• If a student would like to pay by mail, they should call the TCC Information Center at 757-822-1122 for the mailing address.

STEP 8 -  Obtain Your Student ID Card for Access to Campus Programs and Services.

• Student ID cards
  • StormDollars! Go cashless using your current TCC ID! Simply swipe and go!  

STEP 9 - Purchase Books.

• It is recommended that students obtain their textbooks prior to the start of classes.
• Students should take a printed copy of their class schedule to the bookstore so the staff can assist with textbook purchases and/or rentals.
• Students using financial aid to charge books will also need a photo ID and SIS student ID number.

Chesapeake Campus 1428 Cedar Road Chesapeake VA 23322    Phone Number: (757) 822-5100 VTDD Number: (757) 822-5101		Portsmouth Campus 120 Campus Drive Portsmouth VA 23701 Phone Number: (757) 822-2124  VTDD Number: (757) 483-5154
Norfolk Campus 300 Granby Street Norfolk VA 23510  Phone Number: (757) 822-1110 VTDD Number: (757) 822-1248		Virginia Beach Campus 1700 College Crescent Virginia Beach VA 23453  Welcome & Entry Services (757) 822-7172 VTDD Number: (757) 430-1401

OFFICE HOURS

Note: Acrobat Reader is free software which you MUST have to open and read pdf files. If you do not have Acrobat Reader on your PC, you may download it quickly by following the instructions at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html