Other Populations

Evening students

Evening students who wish to enroll in a program of study should apply through the Admissions Office. Degree programs that can be completed entirely through evening study are Business Administration, Business Careers, Fire Science and Liberal Arts. Other programs may require a combination of day and evening study. Online courses also serve as an important resource in completing a program.

International students

BCC welcomes international students from all over the world. The College recognizes the value of a diverse student body and works toward improving international understanding through the cultural exchange that international students provide.

Official transcripts of all studies at the high school level and college or university transcripts, if applicable, must be submitted in English. Applications should normally be made three to six months in advance of the expected entrance date. The Admissions Office provides the necessary documents for students to obtain an F-1 Student Visa and assistance in maintaining status while at the College.

See also International Students.

New England and New York regional students

Students who are legal residents of any New England state or of New York State are eligible for reduced rates under the New England Regional Student Program and Border States Initiative. Students in these states pay tuition equal to 150 percent of applicable resident tuition.

Senior citizens

Senior Citizens who are legal residents of Massachusetts and are 60 years of age or older may qualify for a categorical tuition waiver. With the waiver, seniors pay no tuition and about one-third the credit course fees paid by non-senior students. Application forms for the tuition waiver are available in the Registrar’s Office. Completed forms should be submitted along with proof of age (e.g., driver’s license). If qualified, the Registrar’s Office will issue a tuition waiver certificate good for one academic year at a time.

Qualified seniors who are non-degree students are issued a “space available” tuition waiver. “Space available” means that there is sufficient paid enrollment to meet minimum class-size requirements, but the course is not full. “Space available” registration generally begins about two weeks before the start of each semester. Specific registration dates and fee amounts are announced in the Semester Schedule.

Students with disabilities

Berkshire Community College values inclusion and equal access to its programs and activities and is committed to a climate of mutual respect and full participation. Our goal is to create learning environments that are usable, equitable, inclusive and welcoming. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable academic accommodations, you are advised to con- tact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) prior to the start of a course to discuss your accommodation needs and options. The DRC will work collaboratively with students with disabilities to develop effective accommodation plans. The DRC is located in the Student Support Center in the Susan B. Anthony Building (A-118). For an appointment, please call 413-236-1660.

Transfer-in students

BCC welcomes transfer-in students, including veterans with prior military training and/or experience. Applicants requesting transfer of previous college experience to BCC must provide BCC with official transcripts from their previous college(s) and high school. Official transcripts are also needed to meet the admission requirements for Nursing and Allied Health.

BCC may grant credit from regionally accredited institutions where a grade of C (2.000) or better has been earned and where the course content parallels the requirements in a student’s pro- gram at BCC. Students may also request the granting of credit for transfer courses that are not degree requirements if the courses can be applied toward completion of the MassTransfer general education block (Gen Ed Foundation), provided the credits are added to the BCC transcript prior to graduation.

Transfer students planning to graduate from BCC may not account for more than three quarters of a program’s graduation credit requirements by transfer, credit by exam, prior learning experiences or any combination of these.

International transcripts must be reviewed by an external evaluation service. Contact the International Admissions Counselor at 413-236-1636 for more information.

Veterans, National Guard and reserves

The Registrar’s Office assists veterans, their dependents or spouses, and members of the National Guard/Reserves in determining their eligibility for education benefits. Students who are eligible for benefits through a program administered by the Veterans Administration are provided with assistance in filing for benefits.

PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY THE VA INCLUDE:

• Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2008;
• Montgomery G.I. Bill® — Active duty (MGIB-AD), Chapter 30;
• Montgomery G.I. Bill® — Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR), Chapter 1606;
• Reserve Educational Assistance Program, Chapter 1607;
• Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) Chapter 35; and
• Vocational Rehabilitation (VR&E), Chapter 31.
• In addition, the Registrar’s Office administers the Commonwealth of Massachusetts tuition waiver programs for eligible veterans with specified wartime service and eligible members of the National Guard. As each program has a different set of eligibility, filing and compliance rules, students are encouraged to contact the Registrar’s Office for an explanation of program benefits and requirements.

See Valor Act Academic Credit Policy.