At City Colleges of Chicago (CCC), we are committed to providing our students with a broad range of educational opportunities and services to help them achieve their education and career goals. We serve a highly diverse student population, including full-time, part-time, transfer, disabled, under-represented, military veteran, and international students.
Admissions is easy and applications are accepted year-round. CCC is an open enrollment institution; we are here to guide you every step of the way. Whether you enroll full-time or part-time, we offer a variety of options to fit your busy schedule, including daytime and evening classes, as well as distance education courses via our Center for Distance Learning (CDL).
Admissions is a two step process, as follows.
STEP 1: APPLY ONLINE
Complete the online admissions application. If you have a Social Security Number (SSN), please enter it on your application. Your SSN enables us to quickly determine if you have an existing record in our database. We will keep your SSN confidential and will not share it. You can complete an online application even if you do not have an SSN.
Once your application is accepted, you will be assigned a student ID number which you will use to complete the admissions process.
STEP 2: ATTEND NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION
New Student Orientation is required for all students new to CCC. The orientation process is between 1-2 days, depending on the college you are attending.
Register Online
Visit ccc.edu/orientation to register for your New Student Orientation.
Attend Orientation
On the day you arrive at orientation, you should expect the following:
Welcome to CCC presentation
This will likely be the first step in your orientation process. Here you will receive more information on Financial Aid, Placement Testing, Campus Resources, Student resources, policies, and guidance on our academic programs.
Residency Verification
All students must provide proof of address in the City of Chicago each time they register to receive in-district tuition rates. The following items are acceptable proof of address:
- Valid driver's license or State of Illinois or City of Chicago identification card
- Voters registration card
- Copy of lease agreement
- Utility or telephone bill (landline only)
- Consulate ID with Chicago address
- Signed letter on letterhead from a homeless shelter confirming residency in the shelter
A Campus Tour by CCC Student Ambassador
Each college has separate resources such as the Business Office, Student Services, Advising, etc. The campus tour will help you to be better acquainted with each area and give you an opportunity to meet a current student ambassador.
Placement Testing
All new students are required to complete placement tests in the areas of reading, writing, and math. Students may only be waived out of all placement testing subjects by receiving the following scores on their ACT or AP tests:
- 21 or higher on Math ACT
- 21 or higher on English ACT
- 19 or higher on Reading ACT3 or higher on an AP test in these areas
- 3 or higher on an AP test in these areas
If you have not already done so, please send us your official ACT scores.
Meet with Your Advisor
Depending on your college, this step may happen on the second day of your orientation. After retrieving your placement test results, you will meet with an advisor whom will help you to develop your Education Plan.
Before attending orientation, please devote some time to reading more about the CCC focus areas. The
Program and Career finder page is a great resource to learn more about each program and which programs are offered at each college.
Register for Classes
You will register for classes after you visit with an Academic Advisor. Based on your focus area and your education plan you created together, we will help you select your classes through self-service at my.ccc.edu.
Payment of Tuition and Fees
After registering for classes, you have three payment options:
- Financial Aid and/or Scholarships
- Payment Plan
- Pay out of pocket with cash or credit
If you are using Financial Aid, your deferment must be completed in order to complete your registration. All payment options and information can be found on your my.ccc.edu account. Please click here to learn more about each option as well as important payment deadlines.
Purchase Textbooks and Obtain a Student ID
City Colleges of Chicago offers an online bookstore where you may choose from new, used, rental, and ebook options. By visiting ccc.edu/textbook and logging in with your CCC username and password, your assigned courses and materials will automatically load.
You will also be directed to take your photo for your official student ID.
Additional Information:
- While we strive to provide you with full services at our New Student Orientation, don’t forget the following before classes begin:
- Make sure you have your textbooks
- Collect your Ventra card (for full time students only)
- Visit your classroom in advance so you won’t be late.