Get Started: How to Apply

At HACC, we do our best to take the stress out of applying to college. Most of our applicants can follow a simple four-step process to become a student at HACC.

 

 

Let’s Get Started

1. Apply to HACC
   You must start by creating an admissions account. Once your account is created, you may log in to start and submit a new application. Please ensure all information provided on your admissions application is accurate and complete. Mistakes or missing details may require you to submit additional documentation, which could delay the processing of your application.
   
   If you applied within the last five years but didn’t register for courses, all you need to do is update your starting term. Find out how here. (pdf)
    
2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
   Use HACC’s school code: 003273
   Learn more about the FAFSA and student aid →
    
3. Submit your transcripts. You need to submit transcripts if:

   a. You plan to use financial aid. Learn more →
   b. You graduated high school within the past 10 years.
   c. You graduated high school more than 10 years ago and are planning to study in a pre-health profession OR you are applying to a major that includes biology or chemistry courses.
   
   Official high school transcripts may be submitted electronically to admissionsrecords@hacc.edu or delivered or mailed to any HACC Welcome Center. 
   
   NOTE: All transcripts must be provided in English. Need assistance? →

4. Check the email address you used to complete your application to receive HACC’s acceptance email. Use the directions in your acceptance email to activate your myHACC account. Note that by activating your account, you are accepting your offer of admission.

First-time students, please review the first time student infographic (pdf) for more details.

Specific information for:

Returning Students

You are a returning student if you have not taken HACC classes in at least five years. As a returning student, you will follow the same four-step process listed above to become a HACC student. The only difference is you may not have to activate your myHACC account. Instead, you may need to contact support@hacc.edu or 717-780-2570 to regain access to your existing myHACC account.

Review the returning student infographic (pdf) for more details.

Transfer Students

As a transfer student, you will follow the same four-step process listed above to become a HACC student. The only difference is you likely have credits you will want to transfer.

Official transcripts can be sent electronically to record@hacc.edu. Once we have received your application and your official transcripts, a transfer evaluation will be completed for you. We will notify you via your HAWKMail email address once your evaluation is completed.

You will then complete YOUR onboarding steps so that you can meet with an academic advisor to review your transfer credits, select courses and register for the upcoming semester.

Review the transfer student infographic (pdf) for more details.

Active Military and Veteran Students

As a military or veteran student, you will follow the same four-step process listed above to become a HACC student. The only difference is that you likely have military benefits you can apply to your education. Here’s what you need to know.

GI Bill
Apply online at www.gibill.va.gov.

• Chapter 30, 33, 1606 - VA Form 22-1990 (Please use VA Form 22-1995 if you previously used benefits at another school.)
• Chapter 31 VR&E should meet with a VR&E counselor
• Chapter 35 and Fry scholarship - VA Form 22-5490 (Please use VA Form 22-5495 if you previously used benefits at another school.)
• Chapter 33 Dependent -VA Form 22-1990E (Please use VA Form 22-1995 if you previously used benefits at another school.)
• Upload any additional entitlements (e.g. Kicker or College Fund) to your VA application.
• Email the VA application confirmation page from the VA application and DD-214 or Notice of Basic Eligibility (NOBE) to vaoffice@hacc.edu.
• Send your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to vaoffice@hacc.edu when you receive it.

EAP and FTA

Education Assistance Program (EAP) and Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA) students should work with their unit of assignment or education office to apply for these benefits.

Please contact vaoffice@hacc.edu or 717-780-2331 for information about military/veteran educational benefits and how to use your benefits at HACC.

Review the military and veteran student infographic (pdf) for more details.

Guest Students (Students who attend another university)

You are considered a guest student if you are currently enrolled at another college and taking courses at HACC. Guest students take HACC courses to fulfill their home institution’s degree requirements.

You will follow the same four-step process listed above to become a HACC student. As a guest student, the only difference in the process is that you will have to go through a few extra steps to ensure your HACC credits transfer to your current academic program.

1. Before applying as a guest student, ensure your credits will transfer by consulting your home college’s advisor or registrar.
2. Get an unofficial transcript from your home institution.
3. Fill out and submit the Guest Student Course Approval Form. The Guest Student Course Approval form confirms you meet course prerequisites.
4. Guest students can’t get financial aid from HACC. However, a consortium agreement between colleges determines your aid eligibility and ensures processing through your home institution. Request this agreement from your home institution and send it to financialaid@hacc.edu when completed.

Please contact the Welcome Center at onestopwc@hacc.edu if you have any questions or if you need help with either the Guest Student Course Approval Form or the Consortium Agreement Form.

Note: HACC doesn’t automatically transfer credits from other institutions for guest students. If you want to transfer credits to HACC, apply as a transfer student.

If you’ve taken courses at HACC in the past five years, you do not need to reapply for admissions. Please follow steps 2-4 for guest students and contact our Welcome Center at onestopwc@hacc.edu if you have any questions.

Students who are 65+

Central Pennsylvania’s senior citizens can continue their life-long learning in credit classes at HACC. Seniors can audit most credit courses tuition-free and only pay the fees.

You will follow the four-step process to become a HACC student. When you are filling out the online application, you will select “Personal Enrichment” as your area of study. In order to take a class, you must meet the course prerequisites, which may include placement testing.

Participants must register for the course no more than five days before the start of a term and will be accepted on a “seats available” basis. Noncredit programs, developmental courses, study abroad courses and English as a Second Language (ESL) courses are excluded from the 65+ program.

Please refer to the 65+ Program application for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time does it take to apply?

Creating an account and filling out an application will likely take you about 20 minutes.

How long will it take before I hear if I am accepted?

You will hear back within three to five business days. Please:

• Pay close attention to the email address you used to create your account
• Check your junk folder if you don’t see your acceptance email message within the time indicated above
• Remember to activate your account once you receive your acceptance email