Admission, Registration and Payment Procedures

Admission

MCC believes that its classes and programs* should be available to all members of our community. With this goal in mind, we welcome and encourage eligible individuals to enroll in credit classes as full-time or part-time students:

• All high school graduates or home school graduates 

• GED/High School Equivalency recipients 

• Non-graduates no longer attending high school who are beyond the age of compulsory attendance in Illinois 

• Students still in high school who may benefit from taking courses before high school graduation (see Dual Credit Enrollment Procedures section below) 

*Limited admission applies to Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant and Physical Therapist Assistant programs. Refer to the program details here .

Admission Procedures

All students who intend to enroll in credit classes are required to provide the following (except those enrolling in Dual Credit): 

• A completed MCC Admissions Form (www.mchenry.edu/apply) 

• A one-time, non-refundable $15 application fee 

• Official final high school transcript including graduation date or official GED/High School Equivalency transcript, or official letter of high school separation or withdrawal 

• Official college transcripts from an accredited institution if transferring credit to an MCC program of study 

• Unofficial transcripts from an accredited institution are accepted to meet class prerequisites 

*McHenry County College reserves the right to evaluate the validity of a student’s high school completion credentials as needed for institutional purposes or as required by law. 

NOTE: Students transferring college credit from another accredited institution must request an official evaluation. 

Students enrolling in a transfer degree program (AA, AS, AES, AFA) must meet the minimum high school course requirements as outlined in Illinois Public Act 86-0954. Students should submit official high school transcripts to document successful completion of these requirements as specified by the Act: 

• Four years of English emphasizing written and oral communication and literature 
• Three years of social science emphasizing history and government 
• Three years of mathematics, including introductory through advanced algebra, geometry, trigonometry, or fundamentals of computer programming 
• Three years of science including laboratory science 
• Two years of electives from any combination of foreign language, music, vocational education, or art.  
   

Students who do not meet these requirements will be accepted and admitted to MCC and may take placement exams and developmental and/or college-level coursework to meet the requirements of the Act and complete a transfer degree program. 

Dual Credit Enrollment Procedures

Dual Credit in the High School, Running Start, and PCCS 

MCC’s Dual Credit Enrollment Program provides eligible students still in high school with the opportunity to enroll in college credit courses. A student may enroll in college classes to earn both college and high school credit, described as dual credit. Another option is to enroll in college classes and earn only college credit, described as dual enrollment. All college courses and final grades are included on the student’s permanent college transcript. 

The first step in the enrollment process is to meet with a high school counselor and complete an application and registration via DualEnroll. Please note that students age 15 and under must contact the College and Career Readiness office for additional permission (readiness@mchenry.edu).  

Additional information is available at www.mchenry.edu/dualcredit or by calling (815) 455-8597.

Dual Degree  

Students should follow the enrollment process set up by their high school. 

Home School Students

Home School students still enrolled in high school coursework follow the Dual Credit Enrollment procedures above, except parents or guardians act as the school official. 
 
Home School graduates follow the general Admission Procedures above for enrollment in credit classes at MCC. Parents or guardians should complete and submit the student’s Home School official transcript of high school coursework including graduation date. 

International Admission

International Students (F-1) 

McHenry County College is authorized under U.S. federal law to enroll nonimmigrants (a person who seeks temporary entry to the United States for a specific purpose and who has permanent residency abroad) according to 8 CFR 214.2 (f) Academic and Language Students. Upon acceptance the College will issue the student’s Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility and the student may apply for F-1 student visa status. 

Nonimmigrant students who intend to study in the United States in F-1 student visa status must apply for international admission* by submitting the following to the Admissions Office: 

• Completed MCC Admissions Form (www.mchenry.edu/apply) 

• One-time, non-refundable $15 application fee  

• Statement of Intent to pursue an academic or technical degree in full-time status (12 or more credit hours per semester)  

• International Student Affidavit of Financial Support (www.mchenry.edu/admissions/international.html)  

• English proficiency test results: TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Internet-based minimum score of 71 (www.ets.org), or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) minimum score of 6.5 (www.ielts.org), or equivalent test 

• Official high school and/or university/college transcripts of coursework completed outside the United States

*International students must apply for admission at least four months prior to attending MCC. 
 
NOTE: Students transferring college credit from institutions outside the United States must request an official evaluation (see Evaluation of Foreign Transcript section). 

Au Pair Students (J-1)

McHenry County College offers Au Pair students in J-1 visa status the opportunity to enroll in credit classes according to the requirements of their Au Pair program.* 

Au Pair students are required to complete an MCC Admissions Form (www.mchenry.edu/apply), pay a one-time, non-refundable $15 application fee, and submit the following to the Admissions Office: 

• Au Pair agency letter stating the student is a participant in an officially recognized program 

• Letter signed by the host family with whom the student resides, including host family home address 

• Copy of the student’s passport, visa, and Form DS-2019 with visa/program end date 

*Au Pairs are required to complete two credit classes/6 credit hours. Au Pairs are not eligible to register for credit classes after the Visa expiration or program end date shown on their Form DS-2019 or Agency letter, unless the student provides proof of an extension of stay or approved change of status to the Admissions Office. 

NOTE: Au Pairs are not eligible to register for ESL or Adult Education classes per ICCB regulations. 

International Tuition 

Nonimmigrants (a person who seeks temporary entry to the United States for a specific purpose and who has permanent residency abroad) admitted to the College in F-1 student visa status are considered international students for tuition purposes and will be assessed the out-of-state tuition rate. 
 
Students admitted to the College who reside in the U.S. in exchange visa or other temporary visa statuses (J, H, L, etc.) and live in College District #528 and/or work full-time for an employer in the College’s district will be assessed the in-district tuition rate. Proof of residency status is required before the in-district rate can be assessed. 

Placement Testing

MCC offers multiple ways for students to determine the math and English courses needed for a successful start to their studies. Starting courses may be determined based on SAT, ACT, or placement test scores. MCC uses the ALEKS test for placement in math courses and courses requiring math, and the ACCUPLACER reading and WritePlacer essay tests for placement in English. Please contact the MCC Testing Center at (815) 455-8984 for more information about placement tests. Students needing accessibility accommodations should contact Access and Disability Services at (815) 455-8948.

Qualifying ACT and SAT scores are shown in the tables below.

English Placement

*Scores are valid 5 years from the test date.

Students with scores below 19 on the ACT or 480 on the SAT will take the ACCUPLACER reading and WritePlacer essay tests to determine their course needs. Students should allow at least 90 minutes for the ACCUPLACER reading test and at least 120 minutes for the WritePlacer essay test. These tests may be repeated with the highest score determining the appropriate starting course. Online tutorials are available to help students identify and improve areas of weakness before retesting.

Math Placement

*Scores are valid 2 years from the test date.
**MAT 175  requires a C or better in high school trigonometry.

Students with scores below 22 on the ACT or 530 on the SAT will take the ALEKS math placement exam. Students may also take the exam if they scored between 22 and 28 on the ACT or between 530 and 660 on the SAT and wish to take MAT 170 , MAT 171 , MAT 175  or MAT 220 . Review manuals are available for purchase from the bookstore or can be downloaded from www.mchenry.edu/aleks.

Students should allow at least 90 minutes for the ALEKS test. An online calculator is provided, and a practice test is required to familiarize students with the test format and the online calculator. The test may be repeated up to four times, with the highest score determining the appropriate starting course. Online tutorials are available to help students identify and improve areas of weakness before retesting. The majority of students who use the tutorials and repeat the test are able to improve their scores enough to require one less math class.

Foreign Language Placement

Students who wish to take French, German, or Spanish classes at MCC are encouraged to take the modern language placement test to match their abilities with the appropriate college-level courses. The test can be taken only once; exceptions for retesting can be made with the chair of the Philosophy and Languages Department.

Geometry Placement

Students who do not meet the geometry prerequisites may take a geometry placement test or enroll in MAT 096 .

NOTE: Placement methods are subject to change.

New Student Orientation

New Student Orientation (NSO) is one of the first steps in beginning your academic journey at McHenry County College. During NSO, new students will receive an overview of college programs and policies, meet with an Academic Advisor, choose classes, and register.

All required placement testing must be completed prior to NSO for effective advising and registration. Visit www.mchenry.edu/orientation for more information.

Registration

Credit Hours and Course Load

Students earn credit hours when they spend time learning a subject or skill. At MCC, each course is given a credit hour value. The number of credit hours varies from class to class depending on how often each class meets. Generally, a 3-credit-hour class meets for 3 hours a week for 16 week classes; 6 hours a week during 8 week classes; and 12 hours a week during 4 week classes.

Time on task is the total learning time spent by a student in a college course, including instructional time as well as time spent studying and completing course assignments (e.g., reading, research, writing, individual and group projects.) Workload will vary depending on your study habits.

A lecture course requires two to three hours of work outside of scheduled course time for each course credit; therefore, for a three-credit course, the student should expect to spend about nine to twelve hours each week in this course. A lab course is scheduled for an extended time and requires less out-of-class work.

For enrollment verification purposes, full-time enrollment is verified at a minimum of 12 credit hours for the fall and spring terms and 6 credit hours for the summer term.

Course Overload

The normal class load for a full-time student is 12 to 18 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters, 6 to 9 credit hours during the summer session, and 3 credit hours during intersession. Special permission must be obtained from an MCC Academic Advisor to register for more than the maximum loads cited above.

In order to qualify for course overload, the student should be in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 2.5 at MCC. If the student does not have an established GPA at MCC, high school or external college transcripts are required to confirm the minimum GPA standard.

Students are required to submit the “Request for Course Overload” form available in Advising (A257) and review the request with an Academic Advisor. The following will be taken into consideration with the student’s request:

• Minimum 2.5 cumulative college GPA
• Placement into college-level English and math (via ACT/SAT or placement testing)
• Prior AP and honors coursework
• Student major, career, degree/certificate and transfer goals
• External commitments
• Prior college credit

Transfer Students and Acceptance of Credit

Credits earned at other regionally accredited colleges/universities for transfer to McHenry County College can be evaluated by sending official transcripts from the institutions you previously attended to the Admissions office. Transcripts emailed by the student are considered unofficial. 

If you attended more than one institution, coursework at each institution is evaluated independently. An official transcript must be requested from each institution. Official transcripts may be: 

• Submitted by your previous institution directly to MCC through secure transcript services such as the National Student Clearinghouse or Parchment 

• Dropped off in-person in A260* 

• Mailed to MCC Admissions at 8900 U.S. Hwy 14, Crystal Lake, IL 60012 

*Transcripts must remain sealed in the original envelope as provided by the issuing institution to be considered official. 

The following conditions must be met for MCC to accept credit from another institution:

• Transcripts must be from a regionally accredited institution.
• Coursework completed with a D or higher will be evaluated if the student’s cumulative GPA is 2.0 or above. If the student’s cumulative GPA is below a 2.0, credit may be transferred for courses earning credit and successfully completed with a grade of C or higher.
• MCC will not accept ENG 151  or ENG 152  with less than a C grade (less than two earned quality points on a 4.0 scale).

Credit may be transferred, but grades earned at previous institutions do not transfer and are not included in computing student’s cumulative GPA at MCC.

An evaluation of transfer credit may take up to six weeks from the date MCC receives the transcript from the previous school.

For details on how MCC participates in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) and accepts IAI-approved transfer coursework, please refer to the Transfer Programs section of this catalog.

Evaluation of Credit from an International Institution

University/college coursework completed outside the United States must be submitted to an organization that specializes in evaluating international transcripts. MCC will accept official evaluations of earned international credentials from any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). A list of NACES member organizations can be found at www.naces.org.

Transcripts

Official transcripts of a student’s MCC academic record can be sent to other educational institutions and employers upon the student’s request.

• The student may request an official transcript online through myMCC; see www.mchenry.edu/transcripts for details. The appropriate fee will be charged for this service.
• Alternatively, the student may come into the MCC Registration Office during business hours to complete a transcript request card and pay the required fee.

Residency Requirements

Tuition rates are based on residency for any classes that meet on campus. Classes that are fully online are charged at the in-district tuition rate. In order to be charged in-district rates, students must be residents of Community College District #528, regardless of the county for 30 days prior to the semester. District #528 is one of 39 community college districts in the Illinois Community College System. It incorporates the following rural and suburban municipalities:

• Alden
• Bull Valley
• Cary*
• Crystal Lake
• Harvard
• Hebron
• Huntley*
• Johnsburg
• Lakewood
• Marengo
• McHenry
• Oakwood Hills
• Richmond
• Ringwood
• Solon Mills
• Spring Grove
• Trout Valley
• Union
• Wonder Lake
• Woodstock

In addition to the above municipalities, some addresses within the following municipalities may also be included in District #528:

• Algonquin
• Barrington
• Fox River Grove
• Garden Prairie
• Hampshire
• Island Lake
• Lake in the Hills
• Lakemoor

*Lake and Kane County residents are out-of-district with some exceptions in Cary and Huntley. See specific District #528 street names at www.mchenry.edu/residency.

Proof of Residency is required for:

• Current/former students changing from out-of-district and out-of-state to in-district.
• Students who have had mail returned to MCC.

The following is acceptable documentation which must include the student’s name:

• Illinois Driver’s License
• Illinois State ID
• Current Lease Agreement
• Mortgage
• Utility Bill (gas, electric, garbage, water)
• Voter Registration Card
• Library card only from the following libraries: Alden, Cary, Crystal Lake, Fox River Grove, Harvard, Hebron, Johnsburg, Marengo, McHenry, Oakwood Hills, Richmond, River East Library, Ringwood, Solon Mills, Spring Grove, Union, Wonder Lake, and Woodstock
• An in-district high school transcript proving attendance at the high school the semester immediately prior to entering MCC

NOTE: Students who move from outside the district and who obtain residence in the district for reasons other than attending MCC are exempt from the 30-day requirement if they demonstrate through documentation a verifiable interest in establishing permanent residency. This documentation must be approved by the director of Registration and Records.

Residents of Illinois, In-District

In order to be charged in-district rates, students must reside at an address in District #528. Proof of residency may be required.

Submit your proof of residency documentation in any of the following ways:

• In person at the Registration Office (A258)
• By fax: (815) 455-3766
  (Please include a number where we can reach you)
• By mail:
  McHenry County College
  Registration Office
  8900 U.S. Highway 14
  Crystal Lake, IL 60012
  (Please include a number where we can reach you)

Residents of Illinois, Out-of-District

A person who resides in Illinois and is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident but is not a resident of Community College District #528 as defined above is considered an out-of-district resident. Proof of state residency status may be required.

Out-of-State Residents

A person who resides in another state and is a U.S. citizen or a resident of a foreign country is considered an out-of-state resident and will be assessed the appropriate tuition.

Works In-District

Out-of-district and out-of-state students who are employed within McHenry County College District #528 a minimum of 35 hours per week, also qualify for the in-district tuition rate. Students must supply the Registration Office with a letter on company letterhead stationery, signed and dated by the owner/manager, stating the student works 35 or more hours per week.

Joint Agreements

Joint Agreements

Joint agreements allow students to enroll and pay in-district tuition rates in specified career/occupational certificate and degree programs offered at another community college. A joint agreement is available only when the home community college does not offer the certificate or degree program.

MCC participates in a consortium of community colleges known as CAREER (Comprehensive Agreement Regarding the Expansion of Educational Resources). Any career program (Associate in Applied Sciences or certificate) offered at one of the following Illinois community colleges but not at MCC is eligible for joint agreement:

• Black Hawk College
• Carl Sandburg College
• City Colleges of Chicago
• College of DuPage
• College of Lake County
• Danville Area Community College
• East St. Louis Community College Center
• Elgin Community College
• Harper College
• Heartland Community College
• Highland Community College
• Illinois Central College
• Illinois Eastern Community College
• Illinois Valley Community College
• John A. Logan College
• John Wood Community College
• Joliet Junior College
• Kankakee Community College
• Kaskaskia College
• Kishwaukee Community College
• Lake Land College
• Lewis and Clark Community College
• Lincoln Land Community College
• Moraine Valley Community College
• Morton College
• Oakton Community College
• Parkland College
• Prairie State College
• Rend Lake College
• Richland Community College
• Rock Valley College
• Sauk Valley Community College
• Shawnee Community College
• South Suburban College
• Southeastern Illinois College
• Southwestern Illinois College
• Spoon River College
• Triton College
• Waubonsee Community College

In addition to programs offered by CAREER Consortium schools, MCC participates in program-specific joint agreements with the following community colleges:

• Gateway Technical College

Joint Agreement Guidelines

The joint agreement request form is available at www.mchenry.edu/records/agreements.html. This request form must be completed at least 30 days prior to the official start of the academic term for which you request enrollment. Approved joint agreements are valid for one fiscal year and must be renewed every year.

Joint agreements are restricted to programs that result in Associate in Applied Science degrees or certificates and will not be approved for individual classes. Authorization is limited to one program per applicant at any time.

For joint agreement information, call (815) 479-7632 or email questions to evaluation@mchenry.edu.

If you are an out-of-district student desiring a certificate or degree program at MCC that is not available at your community college, you may apply for a joint agreement. For more information, contact the community college serving your district.

Tuition and Fees

The Board of Trustees establishes tuition and fees for Community College District #528. The Board reserves the right to change tuition and all fee rates at any time. Any balance/refund due as a result of these changes will apply to all students for upcoming semesters, including those who have paid for the semester prior to the change. Failure to clear financial liability may prevent the student from registering.

Please refer to www.mchenry.edu/tuition for current rates.

Tuition Rates

*In-district rate applies for students with joint agreement authorization on file.

**See “Auditing Classes” or “Repeating Courses” in the Academic Policies and Standards  section of this catalog for exemption information.

***Course specific fees are assessed to offset additional costs for out-of-the-ordinary supplies, computer usage, software support, etc. Fees are continually reviewed and adjusted to accurately reflect the cost of instruction. Tuition and fees are subject to change with Board approval. For current rates, check: www.mchenry.edu/tuition.

Senior Citizen Tuition Reduction

Senior Citizen Tuition Reduction for credit classes applies to in-district tuition rate only. Senior citizens age 65 or older at the time of registration, who enroll in credit classes are given a tuition reduction in the amount of 100% of the in-district tuition rate. There is no reduction in fees.

The age requirement for all discounted tuition is the person’s age as of the date of registration for the class, regardless of the beginning date of the individual class.

Method of Payment

Students may use cash, check or credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa) for tuition payment, fees and MCC Store purchases.

Payment plan information is available online at www.mchenry.edu/tuition.

Online payments can be made in Self-Service at www.mchenry.edu/mymcc.

Refund Policy

Refund Policy

Tuition and fee refunds will be issued to eligible students based upon the effective date of withdrawal, which is determined by the date you formally notify the Registration Office by withdrawing online, in person, or via their MCC student email. Failure to attend class does not constitute withdrawal. To receive a full refund (less the registration fee) you must withdraw within the first seven (7) calendar days of the class start date. It is your responsibility to be aware of these refund dates and to make sure MCC has your correct address and e-mail address on file.

Request for Exception to Refund forms are available online at www.mchenry.edu/registration/withdrawing.html. To be considered, you must first be withdrawn from the class you are seeking a refund for and then submit the online form no later than two weeks after the end date of the semester to which the request applies. 

If students paid tuition and fees with a credit card and are not on a payment plan, MCC will process the refund. If students are on a payment plan or paid with cash, check, or financial aid, BankMobile will process the refund.

If the College cancels a class, you will receive a full refund of tuition and course fees.

The following information serves as a guideline.

Credit Refund Policy
 

Non-Credit Refund Policy