Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I enroll at the College?
Students should complete an application and submit it with other required credentials to the Admissions Office. The college mailing address is: P.O. Box 7380, Paducah, KY 42002-7380. Additional information can be obtained at the Information Desk in the Anderson Building or by calling the college at (270) 534-3264.

Admissions Guidelines
Any person who has graduated from high school or is eligible to take the GED will be admitted to the College. All applicants are required to submit an application for admission prior to the beginning of the term of enrollment. In addition, all applicants must complete an entering student survey. All applicants meeting the appropriate academic requirements and technical standards shall be considered equally for admission to the College or to any program regardless of race, color, religion, gender, marital status, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or mental or physical disability.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR COMPLETION OF ADMISSION
First-Time Freshmen (Students who have never taken college courses or who took courses only while enrolled in high school) Placement scores from an approved assessment – ASSET, COMPASS, or ACT (Applicants who have scored less than an 18 in English and reading and 19 in math on the ACT must also take the ASSET or COMPASS placement assessment.) Students applying for allied health programs may be required to submit results of other assessments as specified by the program admission requirements.

Transfer Students (Students who have attended a postsecondary institution regardless of whether or not any credit was earned)
• Official transcript(s) sent from all previously attended colleges to the Registrar’s office showing eligibility to return to the most recently attended college.
• ASSET or COMPASS placement results if college level math and English courses have not been completed or if the student scored less than 18 in English and reading and 19 in math on the ACT.

Transient (or visiting) Students (Students who are planning to attend the college for one semester only and then return to the home institution)
• A letter of good standing from the home institution indicating the student is eligible to return to that institution.
• ASSET or COMPASS placement results if college level math and English courses have not been completed or if the student scored less than 18 in English and reading and 19 in math on the ACT and the student plans to enroll in English 101 or math.

SELECTIVE ADMISSION PROGRAMS
Admission into allied health programs at the College is based on selective admission criteria specific to each program. Students who are interested in the admission criteria for these programs should contact the program coordinators or a career counselor at the College.

Some general education requirements must be completed prior to admission into the programs. Additional general education courses may be taken prior to admission into the programs or after enrollment in the programs.

See the Five Basic Steps to find a quick guide to the registration process at the College.

When should the application be completed and returned?
The application should be completed and returned for processing as soon as possible. Applying early will allow admissions personnel to contact you if your file is not complete and schedule entering freshman for an orientation session. In January, June, and August during registration, applications can be completed on site before registering for classes, but applications should be submitted before registration when possible.  An application is available online for download and printing.

When do I enroll?
A letter of acceptance will be sent to the applicant after receipt of the application. The letter will give instructions about placement testing, orientation, and registration.

How do I know what classes to take?
Counselors and academic advisors work closely with students to help plan an appropriate program of study based on student’s education, career, and personal goals.

When do I pay for my classes?
Students pay for classes at the time of registration. The college will accept VISA, MasterCard and Discover to pay for tuition. Students approved for financial aid or PJC scholarships may request a tuition deferment until these funds are disbursed.

May I talk with a counselor?
Counselors welcome students to discuss career plans, course selection, program or degree requirements, transfer requirements, and other academic and social issues. Students may contact the Information Desk in Nemer 118 to schedule an appointment with a counselor.

If I work full-time, is there a counselor available to talk to me in the evening?
A counselor is available Monday - Thursday evenings until 7:00 p.m. Students may contact the Information Desk at 534-3264 to arrange an appointment.

Will I have an advisor?
Every student is assigned an advisor. Information is sent to the student each semester giving the advisor’s office location and office hours.

What if my file is incomplete?
Someone from the Admissions Office will notify you if your file is incomplete. It is not uncommon for students to enroll in classes and not have all credentials submitted. However, transfer students whose files are incomplete will be classified as "non-degree." Non-degree students are ineligible for financial aid. In addition, students will be unable to register in subsequent semesters until the file is complete.

Am I required to declare a major when I submit my application?
Declaring a major or course of study would assist Admissions personnel in assigning an advisor to help plan your schedule, but it is not absolutely necessary to declare your major when applying for admission.  Students coded as non-degree will be denied financial aid assistance.

If you do not declare a major when applying for admission or if you change your major after being admitted, you must contact the Admissions Office to officially declare or change your major.

If you have other questions or need additional assistance in applying for admission to the college, please contact the college’s Information Desk at (270) 534-3264. Remember to apply early and submit all credentials. You have made an outstanding choice by selecting West Kentucky Community and Technical College as your first choice for higher education.

What degrees, diplomas and certificate programs are available at the College?
West Kentucky Community and Technical College offers a wide array of programs leading to associate degrees, diplomas and certificates.

How long does it take to earn a degree?
Students can tailor a program to fit individual needs. Students who attend as full-time students each semester can expect to complete a degree program in four to six semesters. Students who must limit the number of courses taken during a semester due to family, job, or other commitments, may take additional semesters to complete the degree program.

Both the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees require 60 credit hours for completion. Applied Science degree programs may require between 62 and 77 credit hours.

Courses at West Kentucky Community and Technical College may be completed in a variety of ways:

• Part-time or full-time
• Day or evening classes. (Many classes are offered several times during the day and at night.)
• Various off-campus sites.
• Distance Learning classes including interactive television, video, telecourse, and Internet.

If you need assistance in deciding which path to take, please contact a counselor or an advisor. Counselors and advisors can answer your specific questions concerning degree requirements, scheduling of courses, and employment options.

Financial Assistance
The College does participate in a full range of federal and state financial aid programs. This section provides the answers to ten of the most frequently asked questions concerning financial aid and the application process. Applying for financial aid may be an overwhelming experience, but trained personnel are available to assist students and parents with this task.

What types of financial aid are available?
There are three types of aid: grants, loans, and work. Grants are non-repayable funds. Loans must be repaid, but generally, the repayment does not begin until six months after the student stops being a half-time student. The work programs provide employment experiences both on and off campus.

How do I apply for financial aid?
To apply for financial aid, the applicant completes the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA). This form collects taxable and nontaxable income and asset information of the applicant and the applicant’s family. This form should be mailed in the envelope provided and sent to a processing center. Within 4 – 6 weeks, the applicant will receive a response, the Student Aid Report (SAR), which indicates eligibility.

When should the financial aid forms be completed?
To get the best consideration for financial assistance, the FAFSA should be completed by March 1 of the year in which the applicant plans to attend college.

Can I use my KEES award at the College?
Yes. Beginning with the high school graduation class of 1999, students may receive money based on their high school grade point average (2.50 and above) and highest ACT score (15 and above). KHEAA sends award notices to the student. Prior to registration, a copy of this notice should be submitted to the College's Financial Aid Office.

Can I use my VA educational benefits ?
Yes. Students eligible to receive Chapter 30, 30/34, 31, 32, 35, or 1606 benefits must contact the Veterans Coordinator at (270) 534-3253 to request verification of their enrollment status to the Veterans Administration.

Activities
Campus life at West Kentucky Community and Technical College is as diverse as the student body itself. A wide array of activities are available for your enjoyment and participation. Whether you prefer playing on the stage, on the courts, or participating in a community service project, activities outside the classroom are important parts of campus life. Organizations are active in many causes. The campus television station and theatre department provide opportunities for self-expression as well as learning.

Disclaimer & Privacy Policy Legal Statements
Although the authors of this Web site have made every reasonable effort to be factually accurate, no responsibility is assumed for editorial or clerical errors or error occasioned by honest mistake.

All information contained on this Web site is subject to change by the appropriate officials of West Kentucky Community and Technical College without prior notice. Material on this Web site does not serve as a contract between the College and any other party.