Admissions

The Community College of Rhode Island has an open admissions policy that offers Rhode Island residents an opportunity for education beyond the high school level. 

A high school diploma or its equivalent is not a general admissions requirement of the college provided the student is 18 years of age, the compulsory age for high school attendance in Rhode Island. Students admitted without a high school diploma or its equivalent have the opportunity to complete their GED through the program available at CCRI. Students who are younger than 18 years of age must submit official high school or GED® transcripts indicating a

graduation date prior to enrolling at the college. Submission of official high school or GED transcripts is strongly encouraged to ensure accurate course placement.

A high school diploma or its equivalent is required for admission to the following Health Sciences programs. In addition, individual departments may have specific admissions requirements that students must meet. Because many of the programs listed below have specific space limitations for admission, it is to the student’s benefit to complete special admissions requirements as soon as possible.

Health Science Programs

CCRI has instituted a performance-based application process for selected Health Sciences programs. 

Health Sciences Programs

Transcripts

All transcripts submitted for admission must be official and sent to CCRI’s One Stop Student Services Office directly from the respective institution. Applicants with GED® credentials should have a transcript of equivalency scores sent to CCRI from Parchment or from the General Equivalency Center. Equivalencies from correspondence schools are not acceptable.

Homeschool transcripts must be official, and documentation from the local school district approving the home-schooling program should be submitted to the One Stop Student Services Office. High school transcripts from online high schools will be accepted only if the high school is regionally accredited.

In the case of secondary education received outside of the United States, transcripts must be evaluated to determine whether they meet U.S. secondary school completion requirements. A list of authorized agencies that evaluate international transcripts is available on the Admissions website.

College Board SAT®

Although the College Board SAT® test is not required for admission to CCRI, students are strongly encouraged to submit these scores to CCRI. Students who take the SAT® or ACT® may list CCRI as a report school. Test scores will provide additional information for course placement.

Residency policy

The Rhode Island Board of Education established the residency rules for students attending the state institutions of higher education.

Residency Policy

Admission Dates

Applications are processed as they are received. Performance-based Health Science applications are competitive and accepted during designated months.

Health Sciences Programs

Admissions and Registration

Continuing Degree Students

New or Returning Degree Students

International Student Admission

International students can begin their studies at CCRI every Fall and Spring semester. 

To ensure applications are processed in a timely manner, prospective students should view all application deadlines for both Spring and Fall semesters on the international student webpage.

International students

  • Must pay out-of-state tuition and fees.
  • Are not eligible for financial aid.
  • Must attend full time (minimum 12 credit hours) each semester.
  • Do not have on-campus housing available.
  • For additional information see International Student webpage.

New England Regional Student Program

Decorative

The New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) Regional Student Program allows students to attend CCRI at a regional tuition rate, which is 150 percent of the current in-state tuition rate. To be considered for the regional rate, students must be enrolled in a degree or certificate program.

  • Students who live in any New England state outside of Rhode Island qualify for the 150 percent NEBHE tuition rate.
  • Students who return to CCRI after a break in enrollment are held to the NEBHE policy in place at the time of their return.

Regional Student Program

Undocumented Students Living in Rhode Island

In 2021, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed the Student Success Act, a law granting in-state tuition to students who are neither U.S. citizens nor permanent residents of the United States, provided they attended a Rhode Island high school for three or more years and continue to live in Rhode Island; graduated from an approved Rhode Island high school or received a GED® credential; and signed an affidavit confirming that they are seeking legal status. Students who wish to apply for in-state tuition based upon these criteria must complete and submit an application and affidavit. 

Early College Opportunities for High School Students

Decorative

Early College Opportunities are for students currently attending high school who want to attend CCRI to get a start on their college education by taking college classes through one of our Dual Enrollment Programs. For information see Early College Opportunities webpage.

Early College Opportunities

Running Start Program

High school seniors who wish to study at CCRI on a full-time basis during their senior year may be eligible to earn college credit and credit toward high school graduation simultaneously. The Running Start Program is for high school students who have demonstrated academic achievement and the maturity necessary to enroll in college courses during their senior year of high school, and applications are submitted their junior year in high school. Students should complete the online admissions application and Running Start form found by visiting this page.

High School Enrichment Program

High school juniors and seniors who wish to take CCRI courses on a part-time basis (up to eight credits) are required to complete the application process and the High School Enrichment form found by visiting this page. Course selection is made at the discretion of the high school counselor or principal. Registration may be contingent on course availability and instructor agreement.

Pathways in Technology (P-TECH)

Students enrolled in a high school P-TECH (Pathways in Technology) program can apply to be full-time CCRI students during their senior year through the CCRI Enrichment Program. The CCRI P-TECH Enrichment Program is for high school students who have demonstrated academic achievement and the personal maturity needed to enroll in full-time college courses. During their high school P-TECH program, students will have already had the opportunity to earn CCRI credits. By attending CCRI full-time in their senior year, students will be able to continue earning credits toward an associate degree. For more information, please contact Sandra Nolan, the Director of Concurrent Enrollment at 401-825-2099 or sanolan@ccri.edu.

High School/Community College of Rhode Island Partnership Program

The High School/Community College of Rhode Island Partnership Program offers high school students the opportunity to earn college credits while in high school. Students enrolled in selected high school courses that meet CCRI curriculum requirements obtain college credits upon successful completion of the high school course, high school graduation and enrollment at CCRI. Interested high school students should contact their school counselor as soon as possible so they may enroll in appropriate classes while in high school. To obtain credit, contact Sandra Nolan, the Director of Concurrent Enrollment at sanolan@ccri.edu or 401-825-2099. 

Prepare RI

State funds are available to support special programs for high school students. For more information about Prepare RI dual and concurrent enrollment programs, please visit the Rhode Island Department of Education website.

Veterans Educational Assistance

Students who qualify for veterans educational benefits may obtain enrollment and certification information by visiting this page.

As part of Rhode Island's continuing efforts to recognize the men and women of our Armed Forces, and pursuant to §30-30.2-3(2) of the R.I. General Laws, the Council on Postsecondary Education has  established a policy that supports veterans and service members with Priority Registration for all Combat Veterans of the United States Armed Forces, the National Guard, the Reserves and the United States Coast Guard attending  any Rhode Island public institution of higher education.

Combat veterans attending the Community College of Rhode Island wishing to obtain priority registration must self-identify to the campus veterans' certifying official(s). Veteran students seeking priority registration must submit the following:

  1. DD 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) which annotates service in a combat theater of operation including notation of medals awarded for service
  2. Service members currently on active duty who do not have a DD214 must present award citation and copy of deployment orders that demonstrated service in a combat theater of operation
  3. Community College of Rhode Island  CCRI Student Veteran's Certification worksheet

Documentation must be submitted prior to the first day of priority registration for the first term in which priority registration is sought (generally November for spring registration and April for fall registration). Once Combat Veteran Status has been established for early registration, it will carry over to future terms. You do not need to submit an additional DD214.