view of the Mint building exterior

Admission Process

Steps to Enrollment

Our admission process is designed with your ease in mind—just follow the steps below and you'll be on your way to becoming a student at Community College of Philadelphia. We encourage you to apply by August 1 for the fall semester and December 1 for the spring semester to ensure you have enough time to complete the steps to enrollment before the start of the semester.

Each type of student listed below requires a slightly different application process. Click on each link and read the descriptions carefully, then follow the steps to admission for the description that fits you best:

First Time in College

If you have never attended college, then you are a first-time student. If you have taken college courses while in high school, you are still considered a first-time student.

  1. APPLY for Admission.
    Apply Online
    • Make sure to apply for Financial Aid (use Community College of Philadelphia School Code 003249 when filing your FAFSA).
  2. SATISFY Your English and Math Placement Requirement
    Submit your high school transcripts and SAT/ACT scores, if taken, as they are used to determine if you qualify for a placement test waiver. If you do not qualify for a waiver or are unable to get transcripts and/or test scores, you will need to take the placement test.
  3. Confirm your acceptance. You will receive an email from the Admissions Office asking you to log in to your application account and confirm your admission.
  4. Sign up for a New Student Group Registration event. You must attend an event to be eligible to register for classes and receive an academic plan for the semester.
  5. REGISTER for Classes
    Once you attend a New Student Group Registration event, we will email you instructions on how to register for classes. Need help registering? Watch a video that takes you through each step of the registration process or follow our step-by-step guide.
  6. PAY for Your Classes
    You will need to pay tuition and fees by the payment deadline to preserve your class schedule. You can view your payment options here.

Transfer Students

If you have attended another college, then you are a transfer student.

  1. APPLY for Admission
    Apply Online
    • Make sure to apply for Financial Aid (use Community College of Philadelphia School Code 003249 when filing your FAFSA).
  2. REQUEST Transcripts
    Request official transcripts from all previously attended colleges/universities for evaluation for transfer credit, and have them emailed DIRECTLY from your college(s) to traneval@ccp.edu
    *Please note the following: Placement testing, a requirement to enroll at the College, will be waived if you have successfully completed college English and/or college math.
  3. Confirm your acceptance. You will receive an email from the Admissions Office asking you to log in to your application account and confirm your admission.
  4. REGISTER for Classes
    Call the Counseling Center at 215.751.8169 or schedule a registration appointment online.
  5. PAY for Your Classes

You will need to pay tuition and fees by the payment deadline to preserve your class schedule. You can view your payment options here.

Please refer to the Transfer Credits Into the College resource for a listing of institutions and their equivalences, but please note that this listing is not a comprehensive catalog of all institutions.

 Students are encouraged to have their transcripts evaluated prior to registering for classes.

Readmit Students

If you attended Community College of Philadelphia more than two years ago, then you are a readmit student.

  1. APPLY for Admission.
    Apply Online
    • Make sure to apply for Financial Aid (use Community College of Philadelphia School Code 003249 when filing your FAFSA).
  2. Confirm your acceptance. You will receive an email from the Admissions Office asking you to log in to your application account and confirm your admission.
  3. REGISTER for Classes
    Call the Counseling Center at 215.751.8169 or schedule a registration appointment online.
  4. PAY for Your Classes
    You will need to pay tuition and fees by the payment deadline to preserve your class schedule. You can view your payment options here.

Guest Students and Visiting Students

If you plan on taking courses to transfer to the college or university where you are currently a student, then you are a guest student. If you don't plan on earning a degree or certificate, and plan to attend the College only for personal or professional enrichment, then you are a visiting student. Guest and visiting are not eligible for financial aid.

  1. APPLY for Admission.
    Apply Online
  2. SEARCH available classes.
    Make sure to write down the 5-digit CRN number of the courses you wish to take.
  3. OBTAIN proof of prerequisite completion. 
    Students must provide proof that they have completed any prerequisites for the course(s) they wish to take. Any of the following may be provided as proof:
    • Permission letter from your college/university. Permission letter MUST include the following on letterhead: Semester/Term, full name of the course, signature of school official
      *Transcripts are required for students who wish to take any math, biology, physics and/or chemistry classes. Permission letters will not be accepted. 
    • College diploma may be used to satisfy enrollment into any course(s) requiring college-level English (ENGL 101) as a prerequisite
    • Unofficial college transcript showing grade(s) of C- or above for course prerequisites  
    • Test scores may be used to satisfy placement into courses requiring college-level English college-level math. Visit the College's Placement Test page for a listing of test waiver options.

      NOTE: SAT, ACT and AP scores used to exempt students from taking the placement test must be taken within FIVE years from the student's first day of enrolling at Community College of Philadelphia. IELTS and TOEFL scores used to exempt students from taking the placement test must be taken within TWO years from the student's first day of enrolling at Community College of Philadelphia.

  4. COMPLETE the online Guest/Visiting request form
    After receiving your student ID number, or J-number, log into MyCCP, click the Student tab and access the Records and Registration forms located under Electronic Forms.
  5. REGISTER for Classes 
    Upon review and approval of submitted documents, you will receive an email with instructions on how to register online for classes. Be sure to check your MyCCP email for all communications pertaining to your request. Need help registering? Watch a video that takes you through each step of the registration process or follow our step-by-step guide.
  6. PAY for Your Classes 
    You will need to pay tuition and fees by the payment deadline to preserve your class schedule. You can view your payment options here.

Dual Enrollment Students

If you wish to take a college course while you are still in high school, then you are a dual enrollment student.

  1. APPLY for Admission.
    Apply Online
    *Please make sue to select the Dual Enrollment student type on the application.
  2. COMPLETE the Educational Records Release Form and Program Participation Consent Form and return to:


    Community College of Philadelphia
    1700 Spring Garden Street
    Winnet Building, Room S3-03I
    Philadelphia, PA 19130-3991
    or
    FAX to: 215.496.6087 - attention Advance at College Program

  3. SATISFY Your English and Math Placement Requirement
    Submit your high school transcripts and SAT/ACT scores, if taken, as they are used to determine if you qualify for a placement test waiver. If you do not qualify for a waiver or are unable to get transcripts and/or test scores, you will need to take the placement test.
  4. REGISTER for Classes 

    For information on how to register for classes, please contact the Advance at College Program at advanceatcollege@ccp.edu or 215.751.8933.

International Students

If you are either holding or seeking an F-1 visa to study in the United States, then you are an international student.

  1. APPLY for Admission.
    Apply Online
  2. SUBMIT Required Documentation
    After applying, you will receive an email with a checklist of items required to complete your application. 
  3. SATISFY English and Math Placement Test Requirements
    Submit TOEFL/IELTS/SAT/ACT scores, if taken, as they are used to determine if you qualify for a placement test waiver. If you do not qualify for a waiver, you will need to take the placement test. This test can be taken remotely PRIOR to your arrival in the U.S.
  4. APPLY for F-1 Visa (if overseas) or Transfer I-20 (if already in the U.S.)
    If you are offered admission, you will receive an acceptance letter, I-20 and instructions regarding applying for your student visa.  Once your visa is approved, you are allowed to enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the start of the semester. If you are already in the U.S., please have your I-20 record transferred to our school.
  5. Register and Pay for Classes
    Once you have arrived in the U.S., the ISS Office will schedule you for a New Student Registration Event, so that you can register for courses.  You will then need to pay tuition and fees by the payment deadline to preserve your class schedule. You can view your payment options here.

Important Note about Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid early is critically important. Due to the volume of applications, it may take several weeks to process. Go to the U.S. Department of Education's website to file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Community College of Philadelphia's Federal School Code is 003249.

After activating your MyCCP account (Step2), be sure to check regularly for updates and important messages concerning your financial aid status.

For Fall Applicants: The FAFSA will be available October 1 of the year prior to when you plan on starting school.

If you need help, attend a free FAFSA completion workshop at the College. Visit the Financial Aid section of the College's website to view the latest schedule of workshops and explore other financial aid options.

If you have additional questions, please email the Office of Financial Aid.

If you need assistance in the enrollment process:

  1. Visit us in the Welcome Center on Main Campus or the Regional Center nearest you
  2. Email us
  3. Call the Admissions Information Center at 215.751.8010
  4. Veterans: Visit the Veterans Resource Center on Main Campus in the Bonnell Building, Room BG-43, or online
  5. International Students (F1 visa): Visit the International Student Services Office on Main Campus in the Bonnell Building, Room BG-42 or online

Credit for What You Know

If you’ve completed any of the following, you could be eligible for college credits:

  1. Workplace training and/or experience
  2. Military training and service
  3. Independent study
  4. Professional certifications
  5. Examinations (national exams such as AP, IB, CLEP, DSST, Excelsior College, and UExcel exams; departmental examinations)
  6. Civic activities
  7. Volunteer services

Learn More About Credit for What you Know