Navigating GPA and Admission Requirements at Houston Community College

Houston Community College (HCC) provides a wide array of programs designed to cater to the diverse interests and needs of its student body. As a comprehensive community college system, HCC aims to offer accessible higher education opportunities. While admission to HCC is relatively open, understanding the nuances of its requirements, particularly concerning GPA and program-specific criteria, is essential for prospective students.

General Admission Policies

HCC operates as an open-admissions institution, focusing on providing access to higher education for a broad range of students. Therefore, there isn't a strict GPA cutoff for general admission. Instead, HCC emphasizes a holistic approach to evaluating applicants, considering factors beyond academic performance.

Application Process

To apply to HCC, prospective students typically need to complete the following steps:

Online Application: Submit an online application through the HCC website. There is no charge to apply.
Proof of High School Completion or Equivalent: Provide documentation verifying high school graduation or its equivalent, such as a GED certificate.
Placement Testing: Complete the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment to evaluate reading, writing, and math skills. Alternatively, students may submit qualifying scores from the SAT, ACT, PLAN, or PSAT to be exempt from TSI testing in specific areas.

The admissions application deadline is one week before the class start date, so students should submit their applications well in advance. The student portal includes a checklist of items that must be completed as part of the enrollment and registration process.

Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment

HCC utilizes the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment to assess the level of students’ reading, writing, and math skills. Based upon their assessment results and specific program objectives, students may be required to take developmental and/or prerequisite courses. If the TSI assessment exam is not available, students will be required to enroll in a co-requisite model with a paired college course and a developmental course to satisfy the TSI requirement.

Special Admission Requirements

While HCC has a generally open admission policy, certain programs have additional requirements to ensure students possess the necessary skills and knowledge. These may include:

Specific GPA Requirements: Some programs, like the Honors College, require a minimum GPA for consideration.
Standardized Tests: Certain programs may require specific scores on the HESI or other exams.
Personal Narrative: Applicants might need to submit a personal essay outlining their goals and qualifications.
Personal Interview: Some programs may conduct interviews to assess a candidate's suitability.
Immunizations and Background Checks: Health Sciences programs often require students to submit required immunizations and undergo background checks due to clinical rotations at healthcare affiliates.

GPA Considerations for Specific Programs

Although a minimum GPA is not always required for general admission to HCC, GPA becomes a significant factor when applying to specific programs such as the Honors College or certain health science programs.

Honors College

The HCC Honors College provides high-achieving students with enriched instruction, leadership development, and study abroad opportunities. To be eligible for the Honors College, students must generally have a 3.5 high school GPA or a 3.5 HCC GPA, along with college-ready scores on TAKS, SAT, ACT, or TSI. The Honors College application is separate from the general HCC application, and all students are interviewed before acceptance.

Health Sciences Programs

Health Sciences programs at HCC have high standards for progression to prepare students for success in their chosen fields. Unlike other HCC programs, most health science programs require a C (75%) or better to progress to the next course in the program. The Nursing Program, in particular, requires a minimum grade of B (80%) or better in each RNSG course to advance.

Dual Credit Programs

Currently enrolled high school or homeschooled students may enroll in the same volume of HCC courses (each semester) as a traditional HCC student. Dual Credit programs allow eligible high school students to earn college credit while still in high school. To be eligible, a student must be currently enrolled in a public-school district, charter, private school, or be a homeschool student with an established memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Houston Community College.

Dual Credit students must complete an HCC admission application and submit an official high school transcript indicating PLAN, PSAT, TAKS, STAAR SAT, and/or ACT test scores (or bring the official test score report if test scores do not appear on the high school transcript). Dual Credit students are also allowed to take the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment to qualify for college courses taught as dual credit.

While Texas law does not impose limitations on the number of classes a dual credit student may take, Houston Community College recommends that students taking more than two classes per semester possess a 3.0 or higher-grade point average in high school coursework.

Academic Eligibility for Dual Credit Courses

To be eligible for academic dual credit courses, high school students must pass the applicable areas of a Texas Success Initiative. The student may be exempt from state mandated TSI testing if the student meets the qualifying standards on applicable areas of the SAT, ACT, PLAN, PSAT, or qualifying STAAR scores by subject. Students may take college level courses related to the area(s) of the test they pass. A student must also meet institutional course prerequisites.

Academic Standing and GPA Requirements

Once enrolled at HCC, maintaining a satisfactory GPA is crucial for remaining in good academic standing and for financial aid eligibility.

Academic Standing Measures

HCC evaluates a student’s academic progress based on their cumulative GPA. The following academic standing levels are used:

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Academic Warning: This is a one-time warning period for students who fail to meet the GPA requirements for the first time.
Academic Probation: Students who were on Academic Warning and did not achieve a 2.0-semester GPA or meet the minimum cumulative GPA standard will be placed on Academic Probation. Students who were on academic probation and did not achieve a 2.0-semester GPA during the next major semester are placed on Academic Suspension.
Academic Suspension: Students who fail to meet the GPA requirements while on academic probation may face suspension. Suspended students will be unable to attend HCC the next major semester. Suspended students may appeal their academic suspension. If an appeal is granted, students will remain on academic probation.

A student’s academic progress will be evaluated for the first time after a minimum of nine attempted semester hours. Students who do not maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 will be placed on academic probation, continued academic probation, or academic suspension.

Impact of Course Repeats on GPA

If a student repeats a course in which a grade (A-F) has been received, the highest grade received is the permanent grade for the course and will be used in computing the grade point average. All grades earned in a given course will be entered on the transcript.

Financial Aid and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

To receive financial aid, students must demonstrate that they are successfully working toward completing their degree program in a timely manner. This is evaluated through Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements, which differ from academic requirements. Financial aid will only be offered for courses that count toward degree completion.

SAP requirements include:

Minimum GPA: Maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA, which is often 2.0 or higher.
Completion Rate: Completing and passing a minimum of 67% of ALL the credit hours attempted.
Maximum Time Frame: Completing degree or certificate requirements within 150% of the minimum number of hours required to graduate.

Students who do not maintain the standards listed above will be ineligible to receive financial aid.

Financial Aid Warning, Probation, and Suspension

Financial aid eligibility is closely tied to academic progress. HCC employs a system of warning, probation, and suspension to address students who are not meeting SAP requirements.

Financial Aid Warning: Being placed on warning is a one-time, generous grace period and cautionary warning.
Financial Aid Probation: The goal of the probation status is to give students the chance to still receive aid while progressing toward meeting SAP status.
Financial Aid Suspension: Suspension status unfortunately means students are ineligible to receive any federal and state financial aid funds.

A student who is ineligible for financial aid for failure to meet HCC’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements may file an initial (first attempt) SAP appeal. If approved, the student will be placed on Probation and will be eligible for aid during their probationary semester/term. At the conclusion of the probationary period, the student will retain financial aid eligibility by meeting an academic plan of successfully completing 67% of courses attempted and earning a 2.0 for the probationary term.

Additional Resources and Support

HCC provides various resources to support students in their academic journey. These include:

Advising: Students can contact an HCC Student Advisor for questions regarding enrollment and/or gaining access to additional resources or information.
Tutoring: HCC offers tutoring services to help students succeed in their courses.
Student Life: Engaging in student life activities can enhance the college experience and provide additional support.
Basic Needs Support: HCC provides resources to help students meet their basic needs, such as food and housing.
Career and Employment Services: Students can access career counseling and job placement assistance.
Counseling and Ability Services: HCC offers counseling services and support for students with disabilities.
Student Learning Intervention Program (SLIP): Students seeking re-admission after being placed on enforced Academic Withdrawal or Suspension at HCC must attend a Student Learning Intervention Program (SLIP) session at the college they attend.

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