Navigating the Henry Ford College Student Portal: A Comprehensive Guide

Henry Ford College (HFC) offers a diverse range of opportunities for students to explore their interests, learn, and prepare for the future. From academic classes to student clubs, athletic competitions, and arts programs, HFC is dedicated to assisting students every step of the way. The Student Portal is a crucial tool that centralizes student resources and enhances the user experience. This guide provides a detailed overview of the HFC Student Portal and its various features.

Why Choose Henry Ford College?

Choosing a college is a significant decision. HFC provides an educational home for thousands of students each year. While some may question the value of a college education, a college degree can lead to increased earning potential and open doors to various opportunities. HFC's faculty, staff, and administration are committed to student success, making it an ideal choice for those seeking higher education. HFC is a welcoming college. We believe in the dignity and value of every person.

Accessing the HFC Student Portal

Any HFC student in good standing can access the Student Portal to register for classes and manage their academic information. The HFC Portal provides access to frequently-used resources, information and schedules, and personalized notifications. For students who will be taking online classes or classes that have a significant portion of online work, HFC strongly recommend that you use a computer or tablet for your coursework, rather than relying on your smart phone.

Class Registration

Browsing the Class Schedule

Incoming and current students can browse the upcoming class schedule without logging in. This allows students to explore available courses and plan their academic journey.

Registering for Classes: A Step-by-Step Guide

Accessing the Schedule Tab: The current semester should display under the Schedule tab. If not, click the ">" (next) sign until you reach the semester you wish to register for. Select "+" (expand) if the current semester does not display.
Finding the Course Number: Look in the gray box to find the course number.
Section Details: A Section Details popup window will appear.
Adding Courses to Your Schedule Plan: A new message will show up, telling you the course has been added to your schedule plan (but you are not yet registered!). You will now see the course(s) that you just planned. It is important to note that your course/s is/are only planned.
Official Registration: After planning all your courses, you are ready to officially register. Congratulations! You are now registered for classes. The yellow boxes will appear green, and the screen will say Registered instead of Planned.
Confirmation: Please view the academic calendar to check the add/drop dates and payment dates. Paying for classes on time is essential. A notification box will appear.
Waitlist: When the option "Drop Waitlist" appears, you have been added to the waitlist for that course.

Dropping a Course

If you need to drop a course, it's essential to consult with your academic advisor first. They can help ensure you stay on track with your program and graduation or transfer plan.

Read also: Comprehensive ETAR Guide

Steps to Drop a Course

Confirmation: A pop-up screen will ask you to confirm that you are dropping the class.
Update: Select "Update" if you wish to drop the class.
Successful Drop: The course you dropped will then revert to Planned status, signifying that you have dropped the class successfully.

Important Considerations

If you do not plan to complete a class, make sure you officially drop the class before the withdrawal "W" deadline! If you stop doing the coursework and do not officially drop the class, one of two undesirable things will happen: either you will fail the class and receive an F on your transcript, or, if you drop the class late, you will have a "W" for "withdraw" on your transcript. Both outcomes are easily preventable.

Paying for Classes

Paying for classes on time is essential. Please view the academic calendar to check the add/drop dates and payment dates.

Resources Available Through the Student Portal

The HFC Student Portal provides access to a wide range of resources, including:

Academic Calendar: Stay informed about important dates and deadlines.
HFC Self-Service: View your College financial information, register for classes, drop, and pay for classes.
Free Microsoft 365 Subscription: HFC provides a free Microsoft 365 subscription to all current staff, faculty, and students.
Remote Home Directory Access: HFC users can access the contents of their home directory (H:) drive and other shared resources (such as the K: drive) using remote home directory access. To connect, use the link on the "Commonly Used" card in the HFC portal.
Wireless Internet Service: HFC offers free wireless Internet service throughout both campuses.

Important Information and Notifications

Right to Know Information

In accordance with federal regulations set forth by The Higher Education Act of 1965, certain student consumer information must be made available to all students at HFC. The Henry Ford College Biannual Right to Know Information Notification is distributed to enrolled students and employees after the start of the 15-week semester and after the 8th week of classes during both the Fall and Winter semesters.

Staying Updated

It is very important that your contact information remains current and accurate. Please review the records maintenance instructions to update your contact information. If HFC is unable to contact you, they will not be able to admit you to an HFC program.

Read also: Accessing the Cal Poly Portal

Athletics and Club Sports

HFC is a member of the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) - Eastern Collegiate Conference (ECC) and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). The College mascot is the Hawks. Try-outs for all sports take place in early Fall. HFC provides Club Sports teams based on the interests of the student body.

Technical Support

HFC has a computer loan program for Chromebooks. Contact our Help Desk or Instructional Technology office during open hours if you need individual support in getting connected and using the online course interface. Free internet and related services are available from commercial providers for some households. Comcast and Charter Communications have announced that they are providing free wifi internet access and related services to specific audiences. A list of additional free or low-cost options is here. (Note: These are commercial services and are not affiliated, funded, or supported by HFC. Resource sharing may be an option. You might wish to reach out to classmates, friends, or relatives who could share laptops, tablets, or other computer resources with you for the next two months. If you choose this option, please follow the CDC guidelines for safety (e.g.

Additional Resources and Support Services

HFC offers a variety of support services and resources to assist students with various needs. These services are not endorsed by or affiliated with Henry Ford College.

Mental Health and Well-being

The National Runaway Safeline: Offers advice for those considering leaving home, including legal information and personal safety tips.
The Lifeline: Provides free and confidential support 24/7 for individuals in distress, including suicide attempt survivors and those with mental health concerns. Help is available in Spanish and for the deaf or hard of hearing.
Veterans Crisis Line: Offers support focused on the needs of veterans, regardless of VA enrollment.
Alzheimer’s Association Hotline: Provides help with finding care and support for those with Alzheimer's and their families.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Offers a free, confidential information service in English and Spanish, available 24/7.

Assistance Programs

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services: offers a range of assistance programs, including Medicaid, food assistance (SNAP), and emergency relief for home repairs, utility bills, relocation, and burials.
United Way of Southeast Michigan: Helps people meet basic needs like housing, food, transportation, and health care.
The Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) program: A supplemental nutrition program for pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and kids up to five years old who are income eligible.
DTE: Provides several credits and assistance programs, with credits typically based on the appliances or other features in your home.
T.H.A.W. The Heat and Warmth Fund: Collaborates with agencies and programs throughout Michigan to help households with energy and utility expenses during challenging financial times.
The Salvation Army: Offers affordable furniture and clothing, along with food assistance options.

Food Assistance

Capuchin Services Center: Offers a food pantry and a clothing closet.
The Conner Kitchen site: Frequently serves working families, children, and seniors, offering an evening meal.
The Meldrum soup kitchen: Frequently serves male or trans-masculine guests who have been displaced, unhoused, or are struggling, offering lunch.
Crossroads: Offers clothing, food, and household items in their soup kitchen.
Gleaners: Partners with a variety of community organizations and locations to distribute food.
MI Bridges: Where you will register and apply to obtain state food assistance.
Zaman International: Serves marginalized women and children.
Mother’s Pantry: Allows you to choose what you need from their shelves, otherwise known as a client’s choice pantry, in Inkster.
Open Door Ministries: Not just to provide food to needy families but to help them be able to provide food for themselves.
The Salvation Army of Dearborn Heights: Offers a food pantry, along with programs and services to Detroit residents who live in the following zip codes: 48129, 48221, 48223, 48227, 48228, 48235.

Housing Assistance

United Way: Can help you pay housing or utility bills, or otherwise reduce the burden of financial insecurity by directing you to government resources.
Detroit-based agency: Offers different housing support options, from a warming center for families and women to church-based rotating shelters for adults.
Organization with multiple locations: Offers emergency shelter, permanent housing for those with disabilities, and recovery housing for those who need supportive services to address substance abuse.
Emergency shelter for homeless families: A partnership between Wayne County and the Lutheran-affiliated organization Samaritas.
CAM: Connects you to resources and serves Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park.

Transportation

The Detroit Department of Transportation: Serves the city of Detroit, surrounding suburbs, and neighboring cities, including Highland Park and Hamtramck.
SMART Flex app: Use the SMART Flex app to request a ride.

Child Care

Organization: Can help you find child care by listing programs and providing criteria by which you can evaluate programs on their safety and educational capacities.

Health and Wellness

Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Control MI DHHS: A comprehensive program is available for adults and children, especially if uninsured or underinsured, with asthma and those who are considered high-risk.
Integrated community health center: Has medical, specialty, laboratory, pharmacy, and other services.
Comprehensive health center: Serves American Indian/Alaska Native individuals, families, and other underserved populations in Southeast Michigan.
Assistance programs: Assists with copays, premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses when health insurance is not enough to cover chronic or life-altering diseases.
Clinic: Serves uninsured people in the Metro-Detroit area.
Covenant Clinic: A community care initiative and offers the routine care usually provided by a family doctor or primary care physician, including chronic condition management.
Affordable healthcare: They provide affordable healthcare, no insurance required.
The Healthy Michigan Plan: Administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and can help you if you make $18,000 or less per year as an individual and are not enrolled in or do not qualify for other Medicaid programs.
Eye Care America: A public service program of the American Academy of Ophthalmology that provides uninsured and underinsured individuals 65 years and older with access to medical eye exams.

Important Communication Guidelines

Email Communication

Subject Line: Always include a subject line that is short and relevant. Specific subject lines help readers to quickly and efficiently triage your message.
Professionalism: Use standard grammatical conventions and a professional communication style, including complete sentences. Avoid jargon, acronyms, texting-style shortcuts, memes, and emojis. Represent yourself well.
Out-of-Office: If you will be away from the office for a day or longer, consider using the out-of-office function and, if relevant, include information on whom senders should contact in your absence. Keep your message brief and targeted. Indicate when you will return to the office, and be realistic about when you will be able to respond to waiting messages. Do not indicate why you are out of the office.

General Communication

Respect: Always be respectful. Henry Ford College is a public institution that is welcoming to all people, regardless of personal characteristics or beliefs.
Urgency: If something is truly urgent, pick up the phone. Explain the situation.
BCC: Using BCC is often perceived as a duplicitous, unprofessional practice and is likely to reduce trust between you and your colleagues.

Privacy

Users of HFC's systems should not expect privacy. Penalties for violation of these guidelines will vary depending on the nature and degree of the specific violation. Penalties range from reprimand through expulsion for students or termination for employees in accordance with the provisions of any College collective bargaining agreements.

Admissions and Enrollment Information

Timeline for Seniors

The following timeline is for students who plan to start in the Fall semester. You may start in Winter, Summer, or Fall.

Read also: Accessing the MUSD Student Portal

Now: Apply. Financial Aid.
April: Orientation. Advising.
August: Pay for classes. Buy books.

Academic and Workforce Programs

You may also wish to speak to an academic advisor or counselor about your career and life goals. Special admissions procedures are required for health-related programs.

Transfer Credits

HFC accepts transfer credits from accredited colleges and universities.

Dual Enrollment

Complete Payment Authorization form for Student Accounts office. If you are enrolled at Dearborn, Fordson, or Edsel Ford High School please disregard this form. Trade and apprentice students starting math TAMA 110 do not need to take the Accuplacer math placement test.

Health Careers Programs

Students seeking to study nursing or other health careers programs at Henry Ford College have specific admissions requirements.

Meet with a Health Careers Academic Advisor.
Submit your program application as soon as you know you are interested in one or more health careers programs.
Complete any course admission requirements, take your support classes / general education classes next.
Get qualified to be admitted.

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