Special Admissions for Minor Students

Minor students who are interested in taking college-level courses while still attending high school may do so through HCC's Special Admissions for Minor Students process.

Special Admissions allows underage students who are not enrolled in a dual credit program and have not yet graduated from high school or completed an equivalent home school degree, to take college-level courses. It’s important to note that special admissions courses do not replace the need for students to complete their high school diploma or equivalent.

Admission shall be considered only when the Special Admissions for Minor Students process outlined below has been completed.

Get a Jump-start on College

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Complete the freshman year of high school or the home school equivalent by the start of the anticipated academic year.

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Apply for admissions as a degree-seeking student.

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Complete checklist items in Student Center.

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Submit a letter of recommendation from a counselor or designee addressing the applicant’s maturity and ability to function well in a college environment.

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Submit required forms for Special Admissions for Minor Students process.

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Be approved for admission to HCC and meet with HCC Dean of Student Success or designee prior to registering.

For Students: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Apply

Minors who will complete the freshman year of high school or the home school equivalent by the start of the anticipated academic year, should take the first step – complete and submit the admissions application via ApplyTexas.

Enrollment Services representatives can also help you with application submission. To connect with Enrollment Services in-person or via Zoom, please visit the Virtual Lobby. 

 

Step 2: Enrollment Checklists

Your To-do List may have two types of checklist items in your Student Center: policy and onboarding/pre-enrollment.

To avoid delays in the processing of your application, please visit myeagle.hccs.edu; select "Student Sign In"; and select "Checklist" box/tile to complete all To-do List items. 

I. ONBOARDING AND PRE-ENROLLMENT CHECKLISTS 

II. POLICY CHECKLISTS 

  • Campus Carry Training
  • Consent to Text Messaging
  • Financial Responsibility
  • Residency
  • Title IX

 

Step 3: Submit Required Forms and Letter of Reference

Below are the forms and documents, students and their families may be asked to submit during the Special Admissions for Minor Students process. Any of the forms or documents listed below may be submitted via email to the college location you are interested in attending. 

 

College Enrollment Services Email Addresses 

Central College: ce.enrollment@hccs.edu

Southeast College: se.enrollment@hccs.edu

Northeast College: ne.enrollment@hccs.edu

Southwest College: sw.enrollment@hccs.edu

Northwest College: nw.enrollment@hccs.edu

 

 

Letter of Reference

As a part of the Special Admissions for Minor Students process, student applicants must submit letter of recommendation from a counselor or designee. The letter of reference should address the applicant’s maturity and ability to function well in a college environment.

Letters of Reference must be sent to a College Enrollment Services email address noted above. 

 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) Forms

Once a student is registered in a college course, their records fall under the rules of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and parents/guardians may not have access to their student’s records without their written permission or proof that they claimed the student as a dependent on their most recent income tax return. Students will have to complete and submit FERPA form online to authorize release of information to third-party or a family member. For details about submitting a FERPA form, please visit the Admissions and Enrollment Forms webpage. 

 

Parental Consent Form 

Specially Admitted Students age 14 -17 must obtain and submit a Parental Consent Form to one of the following mailboxes. 

 

Student Acknowledgment Form 

When meeting with the HCC Dean of Student Success or designee prior to registering, student may be asked to complete the Student Acknowledgment Form. 

 

 

Step 4: Meet with HCC Dean of Student Success or Designee

Once admitted, the student and the parent/legal guardian must meet with HCC Dean of Student Success or designee prior to registering in courses. Below is contact information for each Dean of Student Success. Please contact the college location you are interested in attending. 

  • Central College
    713.718.6219
  • Coleman College
    713.718.7685
  • Northeast College 
    713.718.8066
  • Northwest College
    713.718.5888
  • Southeast College
    713.718.7006
  • Southwest College
    713.718.7789

 

Step 5: Enroll in Approved Course Load

First Semester of Enrollment 

Acceptance of the Application for Admission does not guarantee enrollment into the specific class. Students are subject to all requirements including but not limited to TSI requirements, pre-requisites, corequisites and other enrollment restrictions.

Special Admission student’s initial course enrollment is limited to 8 credits in the fall or spring semester and 4 credits in the summer term.

Petitions for course overload will follow the established process, which can be found on the Academic Information section of the catalog.  Students need to complete the Enrollment Authorization Form in order to be considered to receive permission to take overload. Other factors by the Dean of Student Success may be taken into consideration, which will include but not limited to disciplinary records.

 

Re-enrollment Eligibility

Re-enrollment eligibility in subsequent semesters requires a grade of “C” or better in all college-level courses. Students are also subject to all requirements including but not limited to TSI requirements, pre-requisites, corequisites and other enrollment restrictions.


In order to stay on track in the program, students are required to meet on a semesterly basis with the Dean of Student Success or designee to ensure students are making satisfactory academic progress (2.0 or above grade point average) and are enrolled in the correct program plan.

 

Step 6: Cover Costs

With one of the lowest tuitions in Houston, HCC is an affordable option to reach your educational goals. Tuition and fees are due on or before the payment deadline, where applicable. Failure to pay may result in being dropped from the class. Students and their families should also plan to cover costs of textbooks and course materials. 

 

 

Policy Considerations Based on Student's Age
  • Specially Admitted Students age 14 – 16 years old must have a parent, legal guardian, or authorized adult on site at all times at an HCC location to monitor the student's activities outside of class and to be immediately available in case of an emergency. Failure to do so will cause the student to be removed from each enrolled class. The parent or legal guardian will not be allowed to be in the classroom with the student.

  • Specially Admitted Students age 14 -17 must obtain and submit a Parental Consent Form. Please reference detailsin step 3 above. 

  • If the student is younger than 14, the student will be assessed for maturity and readiness for the college environment. Students who are admitted and are under age 14 must satisfy the requirements listed above for ages 14-17 as well.

  • Special Admissions Students will comply with all College policies and will have access to College services and supports available to students, regardless of their age. Certain services or supports may require additional requirements and/or parental consent to access, such as counseling. Certain extracurricular activities or student organizations may not be available to minor students, such as overnight travel with a student organization. For questions about student services and student organizations, please contact Dean of Student Success or designee.

 

Parents/Legal Guardians: Reference Guide

Parental/Legal Guardian Responsibilities
  • Specially Admitted Students age 14 – 16 years old must have a parent, legal guardian, or authorized adult on site at all times at an HCC location to monitor the student's activities outside of class and to be immediately available in case of an emergency. Failure to do so will cause the student to be removed from each enrolled class. The parent or legal guardian will not be allowed to be in the classroom with the student.

  • Specially Admitted Students age 14 -17 must obtain and submit a Parental Consent Form. Please reference details in Forms section below.

  • Once admitted, the student and the parent/legal guardian must meet with HCC Dean of Student Success or designee prior to registering in courses. Below is contact information for each Dean of Student Success. 
    • Central College
      713.718.6219
    • Coleman College
      713.718.7685
    • Northeast College 
      713.718.8066
    • Northwest College
      713.718.5888
    • Southeast College
      713.718.7006
    • Southwest College
      713.718.7789

 

Parent/Legal Guardian Forms

Below are the forms and documents, parents and legal guardians may be asked to submit during the Special Admissions for Minor Students process. Any of the forms or documents listed below may be submitted via email to the college location student anticipates attending. 

 

College Enrollment Services Email Addresses 

Central College: ce.enrollment@hccs.edu

Southeast College: se.enrollment@hccs.edu

Northeast College: ne.enrollment@hccs.edu

Southwest College: sw.enrollment@hccs.edu

Northwest College: nw.enrollment@hccs.edu

 

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) Forms

Once a student is registered in a college course, their records fall under the rules of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and parents/guardians may not have access to their student’s records without their written permission or proof that they claimed the student as a dependent on their most recent income tax return. Students will have to complete and submit FERPA form online to authorize release of information to third-party or a family member. For details about submitting a FERPA form, please visit the Admissions and Enrollment Forms webpage. 

Parental Consent Form 

Specially Admitted Students age 14 -17 must obtain and submit a Parental Consent Form to one of the following mailboxes. 

 

Appeal Process

Appeal Special Admissions Decision

The purpose of the Special Admissions Process is to provide students and their families a safeguard to have a fair review process. If you are not satisfied with the special admissions outcome, you may appeal the decision according to HCC’s Board Policy FLD (Local) by contacting the respective colleges’ Dean of Student Success at the numbers listed below. 

  • Central College
    713.718.6219
  • Coleman College
    713.718.7685
  • Northeast College 
    713.718.8066
  • Northwest College
    713.718.5888
  • Southeast College
    713.718.7006
  • Southwest College
    713.718.7789

 

Enrollment Support

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