Admissions

In this section, you will find our admissions policy and learn how to attend as a non-matriculated student.

• Admissions
• Admissions Categories and Application Process
• Attending as a Non-Matriculated Student
• College Acceleration Program
• College Placement Test Requirements
• Cross Registration

Applying to SUNY Niagara is the first step toward achieving the goal of a high-quality education. SUNY Niagara has an “open enrollment” admission policy to admit applicants who have graduated from an accredited high school or have a high school equivalency diploma. Students who have not completed high school will meet with an admissions advisor to discuss completing the high school equivalency at SUNY Niagara as well as other options.

Applicants who are accepted into the college must also meet any entrance requirements for the program to which they apply.

Applications to the college are accepted throughout the year until the semester begins, on a space available basis. Applications are considered on a first-come, first-serve basis (see curriculum information located in each program description), thus, early application is encouraged.

Application to the college are submitted online at www.niagaracc.suny.edu/apply/.  

Admissions Categories and Application Process

Definition of Terms

Students entering SUNY Niagara are accepted under one of the following classifications:

New Student

A new student, referred to as a freshman, has no prior college experience as a matriculated (one enrolled in a credit-bearing certificate or degree program) student.

Some freshman may have taken college credits in high school, and can submit an official transcript(s) to receive credit for those classes.

Readmit

A readmit student is one who previously attended SUNY Niagara in a matriculated status and who meets one of the following criteria:

• Attended previously in a matriculated status, but has interrupted enrollment for at least one semester;
• Was academically dismissed;
• Voluntarily withdrew from a matriculated status;
• Potential graduate who returned to SUNY Niagara in a different program in a consecutive semester;
• SUNY Niagara graduate in certificate or associate degree program continuing enrollment in a different academic major.

Readmit students who wish to continue their education at SUNY Niagara in a matriculated status must apply for readmission through the Admissions Office. Students who readmit to the college must follow the curriculum requirements at the time of readmission. Students who were academically dismissed and wish to readmit must file an academic appeal. For more information on academic dismissal policy and options for reinstatement, see Academic Policies & Services .

Readmit students must also complete prerequisites as required in their program of choice before an application can be accepted.

Some of our students who are in the attrition category found that they must “stop out” for a semester or two. Some of their reasons include financial considerations, family responsibilities, health concerns or other personal reasons. These students are welcomed back to campus whenever their circumstances permit, and many students do return.

Transfer Students

A transfer student is one who has completed at least one course at another college. Official transcript(s) will be evaluated to determine if any credits are applicable to the certificate or degree program. A minimum of 50 percent of the credits required for the certificate or degree program must be completed at SUNY Niagara.

An official transcript can be obtained by student’s request from the Registrar’s Office at the previous college(s) attended. Transfer credits may be accepted for members of the U.S. Armed Forces by submitting a Certified DD214 form and/or their Joint Services Transcripts (JST).

Application Requirements

Final admission to the college is contingent upon the receipt of the following by the Admissions office:

• High school transcript or HSE Diploma (Does not apply to non-high school degree applicants);
• Completion of prerequisites as required in the program of choice;
• Official college transcript(s) from any institution(s) previously attended;
• Copy of Permanent Residency Card (front and back) if applicable to that specific type of applicant.

Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to submit standardized test scores (e.g., SAT or ACT) as part of the application process for admission. If submitted, these tests will be used only to determine if the student must take the college placement tests.

International

SUNY Niagara offers educational opportunities to students of different countries. The following documentation is required before admission can be granted:

• Copy of valid passport;
• High school transcript and/or verification of graduation from an accredited high school;
• Official college transcript(s) from any institution(s) previously attended;
• Autobiographical statement detailing the goals of the student and reasons for pursuing an education at SUNY Niagara;
• Proof of English language proficiency by one of the following means: TOEFL score of 61 or higher on internet-based test (ibT), TOEFL score of 500 or higher on paper, IELTS score of 6 or higher, Duolingo English test score of 90 or higher, or proof of citizenship from an English-speaking country and a short essay outlining why you should be waived from the English language proficiency testing requirement;Certified bank statement of financial support equal to or greater than current tuition and living expenses estimated by the campus for one year.

Applications for international students must be received by July 15^th for fall matriculation and December 1^st for spring matriculation. International applications cannot be accepted for summer matriculation or winter intermission matriculation.

For more information regarding international students and requirements, please go to www.niagaracc.suny.edu/international.

Applicants with a SACC/IEP Diploma or CDOS Credential

A New York State Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential replaced the New York State Individual Education Program (IEP) diploma, effective July 1, 2013. Neither the (former) IEP diploma nor the Skills and Achievement Commencement Credential are acceptable for entrance into a program requiring high school graduation or an HSE diploma. Please see also APPLICANTS WITHOUT A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.

A New York State Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) credential on its own is not acceptable for entrance into a program requiring high school graduation or an HSE diploma.  However, if a CDOS credential is attached to a Local or Regents diploma designation, then it is acceptable for entrance

Applicants Without a High School Diploma

Applicants who are interested in pursuing a certificate or degree but have not completed their high school requirements may enter the college as non-matriculated students pursuing a high school equivalency concentration.

Upon satisfactory evidence that a non-high school diploma holding student has successfully completed 24 credits as a student in the designated areas listed below, the student may apply to the New York State Education Department for issuance of a New York State High School Equivalency Diploma Based on Earned College Credit. Applicants must have reached maximum compulsory school attendance age (MSCAA) prior to being awarded a High School Equivalency diploma.  A student reaches MCSAA when the school year in which the applicant turns 16 has ended (June 30th). Some school districts may require students to be older; this is different per school district and students should confer with their specific district on whether or not they meet MCSAA. The application and College Credit Certification Form for this diploma can be found at www.acces.nysed.gov/hse/college-credit. An official transcript of courses completed must be forwarded with these forms from SUNY Niagara to the State Education Department.

The 24 credits must be distributed as follows:

*Discuss these electives with Sabrina Faso, Non-Matriculated Student Success Coach, for assistance aligning electives with future educational goals.
*Academic foundations courses, designated by the first digit 0 in the course number, do not apply toward this 24 credit requirement.  Also, courses with AAC or GES prefix do not count toward this 24 credit requirement. 

Because of the demands of college, this method of obtaining an equivalency diploma is most appropriate for persons at least 18 years of age who have experienced a break in their formal education.

However, in some cases the needs of younger students who possess the maturity and seriousness of purpose to succeed in college can be met. A student who is under age 17 by the start of the registered term at SUNY Niagara must be enrolled at a high school or registered in as a home-school student With a NYS school district.  If the student is not age 17 by the start of classes, the non-matriculated application must be approved by a parent and/or legal guardian.  If the student withdrew from their high school district, a letter from the superintendent of the district in which the student resides or a signed copy of their Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) is required to confirm home school enrollment.  Non-matriculated students are not required to pass college placement tests before enrolling in courses that require the assessments as a prerequisite

Note:  Subject to standard tuition and fees and is not eligible to receive financial aid.  Financial aid may become available once the student is awarded and the college receives the high school equivalency diploma.  See Tuition and Fees Section of the College Catalog.

Home-Schooled Students Admission

Under New York State law an institution of higher education may admit, as matriculated students, only persons who have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent. Because of this requirement, the State University of New York has established a specific admissions policy for home-schooled students. The purpose of the policy is to ensure that home-schooled students are treated fairly yet in accordance with the requirements of the state and federal law. The policy set forth below deals exclusively with the criteria for eligibility to be considered as an applicant for admission to either a state-operated campus or a community college under the program of the State University of New York. Once eligibility for consideration is established, the applicant also must meet any campus-specific admissions requirements (i.e., high school grade-point average, SAT I, ACT, SAT II scores, essay, letters of reference, extracurricular activities).

Applicants Beyond the Age of Compulsory Attendance

Maximum compulsory school attendance age is reached when the student has completed the school year in which he or she turned 16 or such older maximum age as the board of education of the school district may designate for required school attendance pursuant to section 3205(3) of Education Law.

Home-schooled students will be eligible for further consideration as applicants for admission to matriculated status if they can provide either 1) a letter from the superintendent of the school district in which the student resides, attesting to the student’s completion of a program of home instruction meeting the requirements of Section 100.10 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education and section 3.47(a) of Rules of the Board of Regents attesting to the student’s completion of a program of home instruction that is the substantial equivalent of a four-year high school course of instruction sample letter or 2) passing score on the general comprehensive examination for the state high school equivalency diploma (and the diploma itself when available). When the student has reached the maximum compulsory school attendance age, he or she is eligible to take the state high school equivalency diploma test. A student may not take the equivalency test until July 1 of the year in which he or she turned 16.

A diploma issued by a correspondence school that is not accredited or registered in New York State is not acceptable as the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma.

Applicants Under the Age of Compulsory Attendance

These home-schooled students will be eligible for consideration as applicants for admission to matriculated status only if the student can provide a letter from the school district in which the student resides attesting to the student’s completion of a program of home instruction that is the substantial equivalent of a four-year high school course of instruction and meets the requirements of Section 100.10 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education and section 3.47(a) of the Rules of the Board of Regents.

Students in the above-mentioned category may be required to take the college’s placement tests in mathand/or reading Unless they meet the SUNY Niagara English Reading Waivers and Course Placement and the SUNY Niagara Math Waivers and Placement waiver requirements through prior college coursework/standardized tests.

Admission of Persons with Disciplinary Dismissals (NOT Academic)

The college’s admissions application form includes mandatory questions regarding dismissal from college for disciplinary reasons. An affirmative response will not automatically prevent admission, but you will be asked to provide additional information. This information will be reviewed by campus personnel to ensure campus safety. Any falsification or omission of data may result in a denial of admission, or disciplinary action.

Applicants who have been dismissed from an institution of higher education for disciplinary (non-academic) reasons must provide a letter of recommendation from the Vice President of Student Services or similarly ranked official from the relevant institution and the applicant’s official transcripts from all previously attended college(s).  Proof of high school completion is also required.

Applications must be received and completed 60 days prior to the start of the semester. Contact the Admissions Office for more information.

Persons with prior Felony convictions:  State University of New York (SUNY) policy prohibits SUNY Niagara admission applications from inquiring into an applicant’s prior criminal history. After acceptance, the College shall inquire if the student previously has been convicted of a felony if such individual seeks campus housing or participation in clinical or field experiences, internships or study abroad programs. The information required to be disclosed under SUNY policy regarding such felony convictions shall be reviewed by a standing campus committee consistent with the legal standards articulated in New York State Corrections Law.

Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. Students who have concerns about such matters are advised to contact the division office of their intended academic program.

High School Articulation Agreements

Articulation agreements seek to strengthen career pathways by supporting degree completion and facilitating a seamless transfer of college-level courses for high school graduates who desire to pursue a degree at SUNY Niagara.

In some instances, a high school course’s content has been evaluated and determined to be equivalent to college level.  When planning to transfer approved high school coursework to college courses with academic credits awarded, an articulation agreement is in place to evaluate the inclusion of content and assessment as being college or advance-level content and a minimum grade is required.

For more information regarding high school articulation agreements, please contact the office of Academic Affairs at 716-614-6450.

 College Acceleration Program (CAP)

Through the College Acceleration Program (CAP) of SUNY Niagara, students can experience college-level work before they’ve left high school. CAP is a concurrent enrollment program, a cooperative agreement of the State University of New York (SUNY), colleges, and high schools that allows high school students to take college classes in their high schools for both high school and college credit.

By taking college courses in high school, students can learn about college culture and expectations, showing that students have what it takes to succeed. Additional benefits may include:

• Saving money by reducing future college costs (through earning college credit while still in high school)
• Showing college admissions officers the seriousness of junior and senior year in high school
• Graduating from college earlier by starting now
• Lightening the first- or second-semester course load in college and relieving some pressure and stress in the first year
• Having the time to take more electives in college, earn a double major, do a special work internship, or spend a semester traveling abroad by starting early in high school
• Tuition is discounted and the cost per credit is determined annually.  All courses must be paid by the deadline in order to receive college credit.

College Placement Testing Requirements 

Your academic records will be reviewed to determine if testing is needed; many students will be placed in appropriate coursework based on high school or transfer records. If you are required to take one or more placement tests, you will be notified by the Admissions Office. Test results will determine placement in appropriate reading and/or math course(s). All tests are untimed and can be taken at-home, if you do not have access to a computer, you can utilize the Testing Center at SUNY Niagara or your local library. Students are allowed to take each placement test twice prior to the start of your first semester.  Test scores are valid for up to 3 years.

• If you are not prepared to start at the college level for reading or math, there is an option to self-select into one or both foundational subject levels.  This would bi-pass the need for testing and require completion of ENG 088, MAT 012, and/or MAT 023 coursework.

• You may have a waiver based upon your past educational history, please ensure all transcripts for high school, College, AP, and CLEP have been sent to Admissions.

English as Second Language Retesting Opportunity:

ESL students who do not pass the SUNY Niagara Reading placement test on their first attempt may request to take Accuplacer ESL tests instead of retaking the SUNY Niagara online test. ESL Accuplacer tests must be taken on campus. Please contact the Testing Center (testingcenter@niagaracc.suny.edu or 716-614-6728) to schedule an appointment. 

Academic Adjustments for Students with Disabilities:

Placement tests are untimed and can be completed at-home remotely. This means an academic adjustments for extended time, separate location and distraction-reduce setting accommodations are not necessary. Students who need other academic adjustments for the placement tests should contact Accessibility Services (access@niagaracc.suny.edu or 716-614-6728) prior to taking any tests.

Cross Registration

Cross-registration is intended to promote timely degree completion by providing student access to courses at other SUNY campuses while they are enrolled at their home campus.  SUNY Niagara participates in a Western New York Consortium Agreement and a SUNY Cross-Registration Agreement whereby matriculated students in good academic standing may cross-register for coursework at another participating institution.

Participating institutions make their own policies regarding admittance of cross-registered students, so students must check with the institution they will be cross-registering with.  All SUNY institutions are included in cross-registration. Click here to obtain a list of participating institutions within the WNY Consortium Agreement, along with important dates and further details.

A home campus is the institution of the student’s primary registration/matriculation.  A host campus is the institution that provides instruction to a matriculated student registered at a home campus. 

For SUNY Niagara students seeking to cross-register elsewhere:

• Students may cross-register only for degree applicable coursework when an equivalent course is not available at SUNY Niagara, the enrollment capacity has been reached in all SUNY Niagara offerings, or the course is available but conflicts with another required course which would result in increased time to degree.  Requests based on non-academic conflicts will not be approved.
• Coursework taken through cross-registration MUST be transferred back to SUNY Niagara and applicable toward a degree/certificate program.
• Cross-registration is available for spring and fall terms only. 
• Students must be matriculated and in good academic standing.
• Study abroad courses are excluded from cross-registration.
• Students cross-registering at a SUNY school must be enrolled at SUNY Niagara for at least six (6) credits.  SUNY Niagara students cross-registering at a WNY Consortium school must be enrolled full-time at SUNY Niagara. 
• Students will not be approved for cross-registration if there is a hold on their record that prevents registration at SUNY Niagara.
• Students cross-registering at another SUNY institution may cross-register for up to six (6) credit hours. Students participating in the WNY Consortium may cross-register for one course with a max of four (4) credit hours. Also, the total credit load (including SUNY Niagara and cross-registered courses) cannot exceed eighteen (18) credits.
• Enrollment at another community college requires proof of permanent residency in New York State for 12 months. Individual counties may have additional residency requirements. Students should check with the community college’s Bursar’s (Cashier’s) Office for further details.
• All course-related fees in excess of tuition remain a student responsibility (e.g., lab fees, distance learning fees, supplies, etc.). These fees are not covered in the cross-registration agreement.
• Students who register for coursework other than what was approved may be charged by the other institution. Likewise, students cross-registering at SUNY Niagara will be charged by SUNY Niagara if they register for coursework other than that for which they were approved.
• The host campus may have restrictions on cross-registering students enrolling in certain courses.
• Students wishing to drop or withdraw from their coursework at host campus must follow that campus’s rules and deadlines.
• Cross-registered coursework taken elsewhere is evaluated for acceptance as transfer credit.  SUNY Niagara’s limit on transfer credits applies. 
• Students must have proper approval of both SUNY Niagara and the host campus to finalize registration. Students are responsible for ensuring that the coursework meets the requirements for the degree. If students change their majors, the cross-registered courses may fail to count toward degree requirements.
• Even if students have the permission of the instructors, or have satisfied all pre-requisites/co-requisites necessary for enrollment at the host campus, they must still complete the registration process through the appropriate offices at the host campus to be officially registered. Students are responsible for registration.
• Registration dates and deadlines vary by host campus. Students are responsible for contacting the host campus for registration-related dates and deadlines.

Non-SUNY Niagara students seeking to cross-register at SUNY Niagara:

• Cross-registration is only available for spring and fall terms.
• Cross-registration is available upon the first day of non-matriculated registration as published in the Student Calendar. Courses may be closed to cross-registrants because of space limitations.
• Students are responsible for ensuring that prerequisites and enrollment requirements are met.
• Students must prove permanent residency. If a New York State student resides in a county other than Niagara County, they must provide a Certificate of Residency (COR) from the home county to avoid a doubling of tuition charge.  All out-of-county residents must supply a COR to the SUNY Niagara Cashier’s Office in order to have the out-of-county charge waived.  If the student is unable or unwilling to provide a COR, SUNY Niagara may charge the student a higher tuition rate, up to a maximum of the rate charged to non-NYS students.

Students’ submission of the Cross-Registration Agreement is considered approval for the host campus to automatically release grades/transcripts to their home campus at the end of the semester. This also permits the home campus and host campus to communicate regarding their academic and financial records.

Students’ submission of the Cross-Registration Agreement also indicates their agreement to abide by all regulations imposed by the host campus. In addition, the host campus may apply rules and regulations to incoming students as they deem necessary (e.g., restrictions on classes). Students must be aware of those rules before they cross-register.

Enrollment changes may impact students’ eligibility for financial aid for the current term and/or future terms. Students must consult the Enrollment Center regarding academic eligibility for financial aid, including satisfactory academic progress standards before making any changes to their schedules. They are required to notify the Enrollment Center and the host campus within five (5) business days if their enrollment status changes. Changes in enrollment may impact their financial aid and may result in tuition and fees being due to SUNY Niagara. Students may become liable for tuition if they make enrollment changes.

Any health (immunization/records/physical exam, etc.) requirements must be met at BOTH campuses, even if they differ. Students failing to meet these requirements may be liable for tuition and fees.

Cross-registered students who register prior to published dates will not be honored as cross-registered students and the tuition will not be deferred.  A cross-registration application CANNOT be backdated for a previously enrolled course.  If a student does not submit the cross-registration form at the time of registration, the student will be billed for the course.

Currently SUNY Niagara has cross-registration agreements with the following colleges/universities:

• All SUNY institutions
• Canisius University
• Daemen University 
• D’Youville University 
• Hilbert College
• Houghton University
• Niagara University
• Saint Bonaventure University
• Trocaire College
• Villa Maria College

Attending as a Non-matriculated Student

An individual may take courses at the college as a non-matriculated student who is not seeking a certificate or degree from SUNY Niagara. Students may also enter on a non-matriculated basis if they are not prepared to matriculate. Non-matriculated students are not required to have graduated from high school or possess a high school equivalency diploma. Non-matriculated students are not eligible for financial aid.  Contact the Records Office to enroll or review the website information.

Course prerequisites must be met.  If a rerequisite course was taken at another institution, an unofficial transcript or grade mailer proving successful completion will be a sufficient waiver.

A student who is under age 17 by the start of the registered term at SUNY Niagara must be enrolled at a high school or registered in a home school program.  If the student is not age 17 by the start of classes, the non-matriculated application must be approved by a parent and/or legal guardian.  If the student withdrew from their high school district, a letter from the superintendent of the district in which the student resides or a signed copy of their Individualized Home Instruction Plan (IHIP) is required to confirm home school enrollment.  Non-matriculated students are not required to pass college placement tests before enrolling in courses that require the assessments as a prerequisite

A minor student’s enrollment in any college course constitutes an agreement by that student to complete all class assignments without special consideration being given because of age.