Admissions Requirements

Admission to Tri-C is open to all high school graduates, anyone with documentation of successful GED completion, non-high school graduates participating in dual enrollment programs and those 18 years of age or older. It is not necessary to enroll in a specific program to be admitted to Tri-C.

Students have several enrollment options:

• A two-year program to prepare for transfer to a four-year college
• A career/occupational program to prepare for employment
• Individual courses for personal interest

Tri-C’s general admissions procedure does not ensure admission to a particular course or program. Some courses are exclusive to students in a particular major. Additionally, admission to a specific program may be competitive or require specific minimum qualifications. Some students may be advised to enroll in certain courses to address gaps in their academic preparation.

Prospective students are encouraged to begin the admissions process well ahead of the start of the semester/term. Students may take courses at more than one campus.

Please note that student records are deactivated after three consecutive semesters without registration activity. Individuals whose records have become inactive must reapply for admission to the College.

Residency Requirements

Tri-C is supported by Cuyahoga County taxpayers and the State of Ohio. Accordingly, students who reside outside of Cuyahoga County or Ohio pay out-of-county or out-of-state tuition rates. The determination of a student's official residency status for tuition purposes occurs at the point of admission, according to the residency policies of Ohio, the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Tri-C Board of Trustees.

It is important for students to understand that a change to a Cuyahoga County address does not automatically result in a change to in-county residency for tuition purposes. Students are responsible for initiating a change of residency status by submitting a Petition for Change of Residency Status and providing supporting documentation to the Admissions & Financial Services office. For a change to be applicable to a specific semester, the process must be completed by the end of the 100% refund period for each term.

To see if you qualify for a change of residency, visit tri-c.edu/residency or any campus Admissions & Financial Services office.

Selective Service

All male U.S. citizens (and those with a permanent resident card) between the ages of 18 and 25 are required to register with Selective Service to qualify for in-county or in-state tuition rates. The admission application requires a Selective Service registration number or reason for exemption. In accordance with the Defense Department Authorization Act (Pub. L. 97-252) and Ohio Revised Code §3345.32, any student who is required to register with the Selective Service and fails to do so will be ineligible for federal and Ohio student financial aid funds. Contact the Admissions & Financial Services office at any campus for further information.

Social Security Number and Tri-C ID

All students must provide Tri-C with their Social Security number (SSN). The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 requires colleges and universities report names and SSNs for all students.

International/Foreign Students

U.S. immigration laws have a variety of requirements regarding college enrollment. If you have or will be applying for F-1 non-immigrant student status, you must consult with a Special Student Services coordinator before applying and registering for classes. F-1 applicants are not permitted to apply for admission online. F-1 students with a Form I-20 from Tri-C must successfully complete a minimum of 12 credits per semester in order to maintain status. Nine of the 12 credits must be taken as traditional seat-based (in-person) or blended learning (in-person/online) classes; the remaining three credits may be taken via distance learning, which includes online, independent learning and cable college. A Special Student Services coordinator is available at each of the campuses to address deadlines for F-1 international student admission and for other F-1 information. 

For information that involves maintaining your visa status, such as work permission, authorized withdrawals, transfers and program extensions, visit tri-c.edu/get-started/international-students or see the Special Student Services coordinator at the campus listed on your I-20:

International/Foreign Students Coordinator by Campus

Campus	Phone Number	Building
East	216-987-2118, internationaleast@tri-c.edu	Student Services Building, Room 1605
Metro	216-987-4167, lori.brindisi@tri-c.edu	Student Services Building, Room G09
West	216-987-5203, internationalwest@tri-c.edu	Student Services Building, Room G100
Westshore	216-987-5884, Internationalws@tri-c.edu	Admissions & Financial Services, Health Careers and Sciences Building, Room 141.

Transient (Visiting) Status

1. If a student wishes to take a course for credit at another institution while attending Tri-C, he or she should:
   • Request a transient (visiting) student form from the Counseling office.
   • Complete the form, obtain approval from a counselor and return it to the Admissions & Financial Services office.
   • The Admissions & Financial Services office will confirm the student’s status.
   • Upon completion of the course, the Tri-C student should request an official transcript be sent from the visiting institution to:
      Office of the Registrar
      P.O. Box 5966
      Cleveland, OH 44101-0966
2. If you are attending another college or university and would like to take classes that will transfer back to your home institution, apply as a visiting or transient student at Tri-C. Visit tri-c.edu/get-started/visiting-students.html for more information.