Adult Learner (Non-Traditional) Applicants

Applicants who graduated high school more than 5 years ago or earned a GED. These are typically students that are 24 years or older and have either not attended another institution or who have attended another institution but have earned less than 30 transfer credits.

Steps to Enrollment:

  1. Complete online application and pay $30 non-refundable application processing fee.
  2. Submit an official high school transcript or a copy of your high school diploma:
    • A copy of your high school diploma can be submitted to any GHC campus location or emailed to admitme@highlands.edu
    • High school transcripts must be official (official electronic transcripts or mailed directly from your high school/county office).
  3. Submit transcripts from any college(s) you have previously attended:
    • College transcripts can be sent electronically through Parchment or National Student Clearinghouse.
    • We accept official transcripts mailed directly to GHC from your college(s).
    • We DO NOT accept faxed transcripts.
    • We DO NOT accept emailed PDF transcripts.
    • We DO NOT accept transcripts that were opened by anyone who does not work at GHC.
  4. If you are applying for in-state tuition, submit Verification of Lawful Presence.

Other Information

  • There are no GPA requirements for students who have graduated from high school more than 5 years ago or earned a GED.
  • If you were previously enrolled in college, you must be eligible to return to your current institution (cannot currently be on academic suspension/exclusion/dismissal).
  • SAT/ACT/Accuplacer are not currently required, however, they can be used to exempt Learning Support classes.
  • Certificate of immunization is not required for an admissions decision but must be received during a student’s first semester at GHC.
  • English Language Proficiency is required for students who are non-native speakers of English or who transfer from an institution of higher education outside the U.S. where English was not the language of instruction are required to show English language proficiency. English Language Proficiency can be satisfied by English transfer credit, 4 units of college prep English earned at an accredited U.S. high school, or any of the assessment tests listed in the chart below:
    Minimum Acceptable Scores Required for Admissions
    TOEFL IELTS SAT ACT Accuplacer
    ets.org ielts.org collegeboard.org act.org testing@highlands.edu
    Internet Based (iBT)
    80
    6.5 Evidence Based
    Reading & Writing
    480
    ACT English
    17
    Reading score 237
    & WritePlace score 4