Hillsborough Community College (HCC) Student Services Overview

Hillsborough Community College (HCC) provides a wide array of student services designed to support students throughout their academic journey, from enrollment to graduation and beyond. These services encompass academic support, financial aid, accessibility resources, student life activities, and career guidance, all aimed at fostering a supportive and engaging learning environment.

Admissions and Enrollment

The Student Services Contact Center serves as a central hub for information and registration assistance for prospective, current, and returning HCC students. New students, whether freshmen or transfers with fewer than 12 semester credit hours, are required to attend New Student Orientation (NSO), offered online through the student checklist, which provides crucial information about academic programs, support resources, requirements, and student life.

Prospective students must also complete several steps, including submitting official high school transcripts to the Admissions & Records Office and completing the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment to determine college readiness, unless they qualify for an exemption. If not exempt, students must first take the Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) test.

Student identification (ID) cards are required after registration and payment for classes. These cards are essential for accessing library and computer lab resources, attending college activities, and participating in campus elections. Students must carry their ID cards at all times and report any loss to the HCC Police Department. Replacement ID cards are available for a nominal fee at the college campus.

Academic Support

Advising and Counseling

HCC provides counseling and guidance services to assist students in achieving their educational goals. Once a student selects a program of study (major), they are assigned to an Academic Advisor who specializes in that field. The HCC Counseling Department offers a full range of professional services, including personal and mental health counseling, substance abuse counseling, ADA and Title IX accommodations, career counseling, academic skills enhancement, outreach programming, consultation, and crisis intervention.

Tutoring and Learning Resources

HCC's library offers a conducive environment for individual and group study, along with wifi access. The library provides access to a vast collection of resources, including over 4 million volumes through cooperative borrowing agreements with the University of Houston libraries and the Houston Public Library. A daily library delivery service ensures that books can be requested from and delivered to any campus library.

TUTORS offer comprehensive tutoring services to students free of charge. HCC uses the Canvas learning management system (LMS), known as Eagle Online, for course-related activities. Students are expected to log in to their online courses regularly, with instructors defining "active participation" for each course. HCC students and faculty can access Office 365 Education, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Microsoft Teams, and other classroom tools, on up to 3 devices for free.

Early Alert Program

The Early Alert program is a collaborative effort between professors and advisors to identify and assist students who are at risk of failing one or more classes. Faculty members submit an early alert through the Student System to an Academic Advising Office, enabling timely intervention and support.

Financial Aid

HCC offers various financial aid options to make education more affordable, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. The college recognizes that financial challenges can hinder students' academic progress. Therefore, it provides numerous funding sources to help students overcome financial barriers. An emergency fund is available each semester for students facing unanticipated financial hardships that might otherwise prevent them from completing their programs. HCC also participates in the NC Childcare Grant program to assist eligible students with childcare expenses.

Accessibility Resources

Houston Community College is committed to creating an accessible learning community for individuals with disabilities, ensuring equal opportunities to pursue their educational goals. The college adheres to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, providing reasonable accommodations to students with documented disabilities (e.g., physical, learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, pregnancy, etc.).

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Students needing accommodations must contact the Ability Services office, preferably before the start of each semester, to allow sufficient time to meet with an ADA Counselor and arrange accommodations. The Ability Services Offices are located at each of the six colleges. Students must provide appropriate documentation from a qualified professional diagnosing their disability and request specific accommodations. The Ability Services Office will then issue a letter detailing the approved accommodations, which the student should present to their instructors as soon as possible.

Students enrolled in online or dual credit courses can access the same support services as on-campus students. They can schedule appointments with the Ability Services Offices via telephone, video conference, or other suitable formats.

Student Life

Student Activities

The Student Activities Office, located in the Student Center, provides opportunities for students to connect with classmates and instructors, join student organizations, attend campus events, and participate in leadership conferences. The Student Center offers reservable spaces for events, including meeting rooms and open areas.

The Student Affairs Office collaborates with faculty, staff, students, and the community to support student engagement, learning, and success. The Dean of Student Affairs oversees various areas, including Admissions and Records, Academic Advising, the Children’s Learning Center, Disability Support Services, Athletics, Financial Aid, Internships and Job Services, TRiO: Student Support Services, and Student Activities.

Religious Accommodations

Students may request religious academic accommodations by completing a Student Religious Accommodations Request Form. The Dean of Students Office reviews the request and engages in an interactive process with the student and faculty to discuss potential accommodations. These may include excused absences, alternative arrangements for missed exams, modifications to dress standards, or alternative assignments, provided they do not create undue hardship or fundamentally alter the educational program.

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Campus Safety and Security

HCC prioritizes student safety and security. All students are required to complete Campus Carry training within their first semester of enrollment, as mandated by Texas Senate Bill 11. This training educates students on prevention and safety strategies regarding sexual assaults on campus and how to report concerns to the appropriate campus authorities.

Resources for Specific Student Populations

Veteran and Military-Affiliated Students

HCC is dedicated to supporting Veteran and Military-Affiliated Students. These students who plan to use VA/GI Bill® and/or State of Texas Hazlewood Act educational benefits must follow the steps outlined in the applicable HCC enrollment checklist. Military personnel, their spouses, and dependent children may be entitled to pay tuition and fees at the rates provided for Texas residents under certain circumstances.

The Hazlewood Act provides qualified Veterans, spouses, and/or dependent children with an education benefit of up to 150 hours of tuition exemption at public institutions of higher education in Texas. Eligible Veterans may assign unused hours to a child under certain conditions. HCC offers priority registration to Veteran & Military-Affiliated students.

International Students

HCC considers students holding a non-immigrant visa to be international students.

Additional Services and Resources

Human Resources (HR) Services

Hillsborough College (HCC) offers a comprehensive suite of Human Resources (HR) services designed to support current and prospective employees, retirees, and the institution's overall mission. HCC provides a variety of employment opportunities, including full-time, part-time, and adjunct teaching positions across all campuses.

Technical Support

SUPPORT TECHNICIANS offer comprehensive technical support services for online students and faculty across extended hours seven days a week.

Testing Services

Testing Services is responsible for administering various assessment tests and providing accommodations to those who qualify. Special accommodations at testing centers are available for those who qualify. HCC students with a qualified disability seeking accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact one of the Ability Services Offices located at each of our six colleges.

Alumni Association

The HCC Alumni Association is open to all graduates of HCC certificate and degree programs, former and current students who have successfully completed at least twelve hours at Houston Community College. The mission of the association is to promote meaningful engagement and continuing relationships between HCC and its alumni through programming and membership.

Student Success Course

HCC recommends all new students enroll in a Student Success Course during their first semester. This course assists students with identifying a program or area of study and planning their degree path. If a student plans to transfer to a four-year college or university, it is important to identify an institution(s) to ensure the student is completing the appropriate requirements to transfer.

Repeating Courses and Dropping Courses

Repeating a class more than three times or dropping more than six courses over an entire academic career can affect the price you pay for courses and/or your financial aid award.

Online Registration

Your HCC Online Advisor will provide you with a registration link to register for online courses. You can contact your advisor through the Ask HCC Online form to request the registration link. The registration link will allow you to register for classes online through the MyEagle system.

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