1. Apply for admission
If you haven’t been a student at HCC in the last three years, you will need to apply for admission. We have no application fee!

There are lots of ways to apply:

2. Apply for financial aid and scholarships
We have scholarships available for both full and part-time students. In addition, student aid programs may help you pay for tuition, books and expenses.

3. Request a Transcript
If you have not been enrolled in more than three years, you will need to have your final high school transcript or GED certification sent to the Office of Admissions and Records.

4. Take a placement test
You may need to take a placement test. If you are enrolling full-time or part-time in a schedule that includes math, English composition or a business course, you will need to take the placement test. Ask an advisor or the dean of enrollment services to be certain. Testing is provided on campus for all applicants. Click on our placement testing schedule for more information. You may also download a sample placement test to prepare for the test.

5. Transfer college credit
Our dean of enrollment services will evaluate college credits you’ve earned elsewhere to see if they can be applied to your program at Highland.

6. See an advisor
If it has been awhile since you enrolled in college courses, we recommend a visit with our advising staff. Make an appointment by calling (815) 599-3573 or Email advising@highland.edu. See our Ask an Advisor chat for FAQs.

7. Register for classes
Starting with the spring 2004 semester, students will be able to register online. If you are a first time student at Highland, you’ll need to follow steps 1 – 6 in order to get your personal identification number (PIN) that will allow you to register online. See online registration instructions on our web site. Of course, you can always register in the Office of Admissions and Records or by seeing an advisor in your high school.