Admission Requirements and Registration Eligibility
BLINN COLLEGE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS MANUAL
SUBJECT: Admission Requirements and Registration Eligibility
EFFECTIVE DATE: September 14, 2010; amended May 24, 2011, December 18, 2012, March 18, 2014, April 21, 2015, May 18, 2022, and January 6, 2026
BOARD POLICY REFERENCE: FB
PURPOSE
Blinn College District is an open-admissions college. However, there are requirements that are needed depending upon the student’s background.
Students who are academically under-prepared may be required to enroll in developmental courses in accordance with the Texas Success Initiative rules and regulations. Additionally, academically underprepared students enrolling in some Technical Education courses will be required to enroll in developmental courses that have been paired with these courses, in accordance with Blinn College District policies.
PROCEDURES
The admissions requirements for the different types of students are as follows:
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High School Graduates (Including students with less than twelve hours of transferable college credit.) Any student that has graduated from a state accredited high school is eligible to apply for admission to the Blinn College District.
The following documents are required for admission and registration eligibility:
- Submitted electronic ApplyTexas application (www.applytexas.org)
- A completed official copy of the high school transcript showing the last year’s grades and date of graduation. The Blinn College District will accept faxed transcripts sent directly from the high school. Texas high schools are strongly encouraged to send official transcripts via TREx for faster processing.
- Official Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment scores or official exemption test scores and Documentation.
- For those students transferring to the Blinn College District with less than twelve hours of transferable college credit, an official transcript from the accredited college* is required. The Blinn College District does not accept faxed college transcripts as official.
- Proof of Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination (https://www.blinn.edu/immunizations/index.html).
- Students with International High School Credentials. Students who have completed high school outside the United States must submit a foreign transcript evaluation report, as outlined in Section 11: Foreign Transcript Evaluation Requirements. (https://www.blinn.edu/international/foreign-transcripts-requirements.html)
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Students transferring from an accredited college or university or who are concurrently enrolled in an accredited college. This only includes students with twelve or more hours of transferable college work.
Students transferring to the Blinn College District from an accredited college or university must supply the Blinn College District with official transcripts from each college or university attended (allow 48 hours for documents to process). Only credits from accredited colleges or universities are accepted.
* The Blinn College District only recognizes and accepts transferable credit from colleges or universities that have been accredited by one of the following six “Regional Accreditation” bodies:
- Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
- Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
- Southern Association of Colleges and School
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
The following documents are required for admission and registration eligibility:
- Submitted electronic ApplyTexas application (www.applytexas.org)
- An official, up-to-date transcript from all colleges attended. The Blinn College District does not accept faxed transcripts
- Official Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment scores or official exemption test scores and documentation.
- Proof of Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination (https://www.blinn.edu/immunizations/index.html).
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Students with International Academic Credentials. Students who have completed coursework at a college or university outside the United States must submit a foreign transcript evaluation report, as outlined in Section 11: Foreign Transcript Evaluation Requirements. Upon receipt of the evaluation report, Blinn College District staff will conduct a formal review to determine whether the evaluated courses are equivalent to Blinn College coursework and eligible for transfer credit. The determination of equivalency and transferability is at the sole discretion of the Blinn College District and is subject to institutional policies and applicable accreditation standards.
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Students who have completed a High School Equivalency Exam. To be admitted as a High School Equivalency graduate, students must provide an official Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency (TxCHSE) indicating that they have passed all parts of the exam. Students are able to obtain the TxCHSE by passing all parts of the General Education Diploma (GED) or High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) exams in Texas. Students completing a High School Equivalency Exam outside of Texas must obtain certificates from the state of origin.
The following documents are required for admission and registration eligibility:
- Submitted electronic ApplyTexas application (www.applytexas.org).
- GED or HiSet certificate with official scores and completion date
- Official Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment scores or official exemption test scores and documentation.
- Proof of Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination (https://www.blinn.edu/immunizations/index.html).
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Students who are reentering the Blinn College District after not being enrolled for more than one academic year. Any student who has previously attended the Blinn College District but has been away for more than one academic year and may or may not have attended another college or university since last attending the Blinn College District is eligible for readmission. Transfer students who have previously enrolled at and attended the Blinn College District will be re-admitted with their current academic standing.
The following documents are required for readmission and registration eligibility:
- Submitted electronic ApplyTexas application (www.applytexas.org)
- An official, up-to-date transcript from all colleges attended. The Blinn College District does not accept faxed copies.
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High School (including home schooled) students enrolling in a Dual Credit program or as early admission students. High school students may attend the Blinn College District beginning the summer following their 8th grade year. A student participating in the Dual Credit Program may take the number of academic classes permitted by Applicable Law. The following documents are required for admission and registration eligibility:
- Submitted electronic ApplyTexas application (www.applytexas.org)
- Written permission from the high school principal
- A “B” or better average in high school work for academic courses or “C” for WECM courses. as indicated on an official high school transcript
- An official high school transcript indicating course work completed up to the time of enrollment in the Blinn College District.
Students seeking admission under this provision are required by state law to have satisfied current TSI criteria for dual credit as determined by the THECB. Scores, exemptions, or waivers must be furnished by the School District or the student on an official document prior to registration. Current eligibility scores and exemptions are available on the College’s website (https://www.blinn.edu/dual-credit/eligibility-requirements.html). Scores/ exemptions must be furnished on an official document at the time of registration by the high school or the student.
- Students wishing to continue enrollment at the Blinn College District following their high school graduation are required to submit a final copy of their high school transcript showing the student’s high school graduation date
- Proof of Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination (https://www.blinn.edu/immunizations/index.html).
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Graduates of a Home School or a Non-Accredited High School. Any student who has completed a home school program or has graduated from a non-accredited high school is eligible to apply for admission to attend the Blinn College District.
The following documents are required for admission and registration eligibility:
- Submitted electronic ApplyTexas application (www.applytexas.org)
- Official Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment scores or official exemption test scores and documentation
- A completed copy, showing the last semester’s grades and date of graduation, of the student’s transcript signed by the principal or head of instruction. If the principal is the parent, the signed transcript must be notarized. For those students who are seeking Title IV Financial Aid, additional information may be required
- Proof of Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination (https://www.blinn.edu/immunizations/index.html).
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Students without a high school diploma or High School Equivalency Exam certificate. Any person who has not graduated from high school and who has not received a High School Equivalency Exam certificate may enroll in the Blinn College District with the approval of the Registrar.
The following documents are required for admission and registration eligibility:
- Submitted electronic ApplyTexas application (www.applytexas.org)
- Official Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment scores or official exemption test scores and documentation
- For those students who are seeking Title IV Financial Aid, additional information may be required
- For those students under the age of eighteen (18) years of age:
- A copy of the student’s transcript signed and notarized by the principal or head of instruction, showing the last semester’s grades
- Students are limited to two (2) college credit courses during each semester
- Proof of Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination (https://www.blinn.edu/immunizations/index.html).
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Students enrolling in a Level I Certificate program. Any person seeking a level I technical certificate is eligible to apply and enroll in the Blinn College District.. These students are exempt from Texas Success Initiative testing requirements as long as the student enrolls in the courses within the level I certificate program(s) as outlined in the College Catalog (http://catalog.blinn.edu/).
The following documents are required for admission and registration eligibility:
- Submitted electronic ApplyTexas application (www.applytexas.org)
- A completed official copy of the high school transcript (or a foreign transcript evaluation from an approved NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) evaluation agency) showing the last year’s grades and date of graduation.
- Proof of Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination (https://www.blinn.edu/immunizations/index.html).
Contact registrar@blinn.edu to receive a testing waiver.
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Students who are non-degree or non-certificate students. Any person that is not intending to seek a degree or a certificate, or planning to transfer to another college or university is eligible to attend the Blinn College District. Students being admitted under this method may not take more than two (2) courses during each semester.
The following documents are required for admission and registration eligibility:
- Submitted electronic ApplyTexas application (www.applytexas.org)
- Proof of successful completion of one of the following conditions:
- Graduation from a state accredited United States high school
- Successful completion of a High School Equivalency Exam.
- Graduation from a non-accredited high school or from a home-schooled program
- Graduation from a foreign high school with submission of a foreign transcript evaluation from an approved NACES evaluation agency.
- Has been out of high school for a period of five or more years
- Official Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment scores, official exemption test scores and documentation, or email registrar@blinn.edu for testing waiver.
- Proof of Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination (https://www.blinn.edu/immunizations/index.html).
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International Students - The following requirements apply to applicants who are not U.S. citizens.
Foreign Transcript Evaluation Requirements:
Transcripts from a high school, college or university outside of the United States need to be evaluated by an approved NACES evaluation agency. Acceptable evaluation agencies of international transcripts for US equivalence are listed below.
A detailed description of the foreign transcript evaluation requirements is available on the International Student Program website (https://www.blinn.edu/international/foreign-transcripts-requirements.html). Transcripts or evaluations submitted directly by the student or the originating institution to Blinn College District will not be accepted. Only official evaluations transmitted by an approved NACES evaluation service directly to Blinn College District will be considered valid.
Original academic documents must be provided to the evaluation company in order for the evaluation to be recognized. Applicants should be aware that the evaluation process may require three to six months to complete, depending on the timely submission of original documents to the evaluation company. To avoid delays in admission decisions, visa processing, course registration, or athletic eligibility, applicants are strongly encouraged to initiate the evaluation process as early as possible.
The following documents are required for admission and registration eligibility:
LEGAL IMMIGRANTS:
Submit your Alien Registration Receipt Card, Permanent Resident Card, or an I-551 stamp in your passport (For individuals with a pending I-485 Application to Register Permanent Resident or Adjust Status on file with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) submit the I-797C Notice of Action/filing receipt regarding the I-485.)
- Meet the same requirements as a U.S. citizen depending on the category of admission.
NONIMMIGRANT ALIEN:
The following requirements apply to all applicants seeking or holding an active F-1 status, other non-immigrant visa statuses, F-1 Co-enrolled students, and to all non-citizen applicants that do not qualify for admission as Immigrants.
Applicants are required to comply with all requirements and procedures for each visa category as established by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Detailed descriptions of each admissions requirement for each category can be found at the International Student Program website www.blinn.edu/international.
For F-1 visa holders: application and all admissions documents must be submitted by the respective admissions deadline in order to receive a Document of Eligibility Form I-20 from the Blinn College District. See the International Student website for specific deadlines. F-1 visa holders are required to complete the mandatory International Student Orientation and check-in requirements; as well as maintain all visa requirements in line with the Department of Homeland Security and the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP).
New F-1 applicants:
- Submitted electronic ApplyTexas application (www.applytexas.org)
- Nonrefundable $200 international student application fee
- Confirmation of Financial Resources Form documenting source of adequate funds.
- English Proficiency-Requirements demonstrated by a minimum score from an accepted English Proficiency test. See minimum English Proficiency requirements and exemptions at International Student Program website (https://www.blinn.edu/international/).
- High School Foreign Transcript Evaluation from approved NACES evaluation service or Official U.S. High School Transcript.
- Foreign College Transcript Evaluation from an approved NACES evaluation service or Official U.S. Accredited College Transcript (if applicable).
- Official Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment scores or other state-approved test scores or official exemption documentation.
- Copy of passport
- Proof of Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination (https://www.blinn.edu/immunizations/index.html).
- Official Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment scores or official exemption test scores and documentation
Transfer F-1 applicants:
Applicant with an F-1 visa and an active I-20 from a SEVP Certified School (this includes high school students with an I-20 from a SEVP Certified High School.) The applicant must begin enrollment at the next available eligible term or within 5 months, whichever is sooner.
- Submitted electronic ApplyTexas application (www.applytexas.org)
- Nonrefundable $200 international student application fee
- Confirmation of Financial Resources Form documenting source of adequate funds
- English Proficiency-Requirements demonstrated by a minimum score from an accepted English Proficiency test. See minimum English Proficiency requirements and exemptions at International Student Program website (www.blinn.edu/international). Exemption does include C or better in ENGL 1301 from U.S. regionally accredited institution of Higher Education.
- Official transcript from each college or university attended. Must have at least 30 hours of credits left to take at Blinn College. Certified English translation and original native language transcript for all foreign college course work. Foreign transcripts may need to be reviewed by a foreign transcript evaluation service.
- High School Foreign Transcript Evaluation from approved NACES evaluation service or Official U.S. High School Transcript. (This will be waived if applicant has more than 12 hours of college course work)
- Proof of Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination (https://www.blinn.edu/immunizations/index.html).
- Copy of immigration documents: valid passport, valid visa, I-94 record, current active I-20
- Official Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment scores or official exemption test scores and documentation
Other Non-immigrant Visa applicants:
B-visa holders are not eligible to enroll under a B-visa designation in accordance with federal regulations. Other visa types may be eligible to enroll depending on visa requirements as outlined by the Department of Homeland Security and Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)
- Submitted electronic ApplyTexas application (www.applytexas.org)
- Copy of immigration documents: passport, visa, I-94 record. An I-797 Notice of Action for I-539 Application to Extend/Change of Status filing receipt or Approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can be taken in lieu of visa.
- F-2 visa holders must provide copy of current I-20 document along with active F-1’s I-20 information.
- High School Foreign Transcript Evaluation from approved NACES evaluation service or Official U.S. High School Transcript. (This requirement will be waived if applicant has more than 12 hours of college course work from an approved regionally accredited institution of higher education).
- Foreign College Transcript Evaluation from an approved NACES evaluation service or Official U.S. Accredited College Transcript from each college or university attended.
- Proof of Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination (https://www.blinn.edu/immunizations/index.html).
- Official Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment scores or official exemption test scores and documentation
Co-enrolled F-1 International Student:
F-1 International student with an active I-20 who wishes to take one or more courses at Blinn College while remaining in full-time F-1 status at another college or university.
- Submitted electronic ApplyTexas application (www.applytexas.org)
- Co-enrollment permission from current SEVP certified school. Updated each term for which student intends to enroll
- Copy of immigration documents: valid passport, valid visa, current active I-20
- Foreign College Transcript Evaluation from an approved NACES evaluation service or Official U.S. Accredited College Transcript from each college or university attended.
- High School Foreign Transcript Evaluation from approved NACES evaluation service or Official U.S. High School Transcript.
- Proof of Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination (https://www.blinn.edu/immunizations/index.html).
- Official Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment scores or official exemption test scores and documentation
Pending Asylum applicants:
Individuals with a pending I-589 Application for Asylum with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- Submitted electronic ApplyTexas application (www.applytexas.org)
- Copy of the I-797C Notice of Action/filing receipt regarding the I-589 Application for Asylum
- Copy of passport
- Copy of previous visa status prior to submitting the I-589 Application for Asylum
- Copy of I-94 record
- High School Foreign Transcript Evaluation from approved NACES evaluation service or Official U.S. High School Transcript.
- Proof of Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination (https://www.blinn.edu/immunizations/index.html).
- I-797C Notice of Action/filing receipt for I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant status (if applicable, such as individual filed to extend or change their status after their last entry into the U.S.)
- Copy of Work/Employment Authorization card (if applicable)
- Official Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment scores or official exemption test scores and documentation