Catalogue: Adult Program
Undergraduate Admission Requirements and Procedures

All communications regarding entrance to the University should be addressed to the office of adult studies.  Eligibility for admission will be determined when the application, any required fee, and transcripts have been received by the University. 

Belhaven University seeks students who desire an excellent education combined with a meaningful student life experience and who will have a reasonable chance of academic success at Belhaven University.  Applicants providing evidence of completion of an accredited academic high school curriculum, scholastic achievement, and sound moral character conducive to contributing to the total premium of the University are admitted. 

Belhaven University does not discriminate in the administration of its education policies, applications for admission, scholarship and loan programs, or athletic and extracurricular programs.  The rights, privileges, programs, and activities at Belhaven University are made available to all students who are enrolled regardless of sex, religion, color, national origin, handicap, or age.

APPLYING FOR UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION

First-time Admission

A student who has never attended any college/university will submit an application for admission, the nonrefundable application fee of $25.00, and an official transcript from the high school from which he/she graduated.  The student must have a minimum high school grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Admission by Examination (GED)

A student who has not graduated from high school may be admitted but first must take all five tests of the high school level General Education Development (GED).  Subscores must be 45 or higher or an average standard score of 50 or higher.  The applicant must submit an application for admission, the nonrefundable application fee of $25.00, and provide evidence that a high school equivalency certificate has been issued by providing an official transcript of the GED from the state department of education of the state which issued the certificate. 

Admission of Home-schooled Students

A student who has been educated at home (home-schooled) must submit a transcript outlining courses taken and ACT or SAT scores; OR meet the requirements for students applying with a GED.

Transfer Application Process

• Transfer students must submit a completed application form, the nonrefundable application fee of $25.00, and official college transcripts from all previous colleges attended.  An applicant is not permitted to ignore previous college attendance or enrollment.  A student who misrepresents information in filling out the admission application form or a student who finds after admission or enrollment that he or she is ineligible for academic reasons or any other reason to return to his or her last institution and who fails to report this immediately to the office of admission will be subject to disciplinary action, including possible dismissal from the University.
• An applying transfer student must produce unofficial or official transcript(s) from all previous colleges in order to register for classes.  If unofficial transcripts are submitted, the student will be given thirty days from the beginning date of the first class for the official transcript(s) to be received in the office of adult studies.  The official final transcript(s) must be received before the student is considered officially registered and eligible to receive financial aid. It is understood by all parties that, if for some reason a student is denied admission as a result of not having all documentation at the appropriate offices by the deadline stated, Belhaven University is not liable for any losses incurred to the student.
• A student who is applying with fewer than 12 semester hours of college credit or with only experiential/military credit must also have sent to the office of adult studies an official high school transcript showing the date of graduation. The student must have a minimum high school grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applications will be processed and admission status determined when all required items are on file.
• A transfer student meeting other qualifications is automatically accepted with a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale.  Nonacademic elective credits in physical education are excluded from grade point average (GPA) calculation.
• Transfer credits may be accepted from other institutions of higher learning only when the program of the transferring institution is acceptable to the receiving institution.
• A student under academic suspension from another college or university may not enter Belhaven for one fall or spring semester following his/her suspension.  A student who has been permanently dismissed from another college or university will not be eligible for admission to Belhaven University. 

International Application Process

• All international students should complete an application for admission and submit the nonrefundable $25.00 application fee to the office of adult studies at Belhaven University. 
• An English translation and evaluation of all course work is required by Belhaven University.  We recommend the following company and can provide an application for this service:

  World Education Services, Inc.
  P.O. Box 745
  Old Chelsea Station
  New York NY 10113-0745
  Phone: 212-966-6311 or 800-937-3895
  Fax: 212-966-6395
  E-mail: info@wes.org

• All international students whose native language is not English must present an acceptable score of at least 450 paper-based, or 45 internet-based on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).  A student with a TOEFL score of 450-524 or iBT score of 45-60 will be required to take English as a Second Language courses before beginning their program of study. If a student scores 525 or higher they will not be required to take English as a Second Language courses. Exceptions to this requirement will be considered for students presenting strong verbal scores on the SAT or ACT, or if students provide other evidence of English proficiency acceptable to the University.  In registering for the TOEFL, note the Belhaven TOEFL code number is 1055.
• All international students must include with the admission application an official guarantee of funds (in the form of an official letter of sponsorship and/or an official bank statement showing funds available for the first academic year of attendance).  This form may be referred to as an affidavit of support.  
• International students must provide proof of medical insurance.  Applicants must submit mumps, measles, and rubella immunizations certificate and have arrangements made to be tested for tuberculosis prior to registration.

 
Any student applying for financial aid should complete ALL financial aid forms.  For more information concerning financial aid, please call our Jackson campus at (601) 968-5933 or toll free number (800) 960-5940.

Veterans

Belhaven University is approved for veterans who qualify for education under the privileges provided by federal laws. A veteran who wishes to be assessed for military credit or who will use veteran benefits must submit a copy of Form DD214 and/or DD295 to Belhaven University and contact the VA certifying official at their appropriate campus.

Admission Requirements

Official transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended.  Students applying with fewer than 12 semester hours of transferable college credit must also submit an official high school transcript showing the date of graduation.  A 2.0 grade point average (GPA) is required.

• Official transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended.  Students applying with fewer than 12 semester hours of college credit must also submit an official high school transcript showing the date of graduation.  A 2.0 grade point average (GPA) is required.
• A minimum age of 21*
• Must have one year of relevant work experience.
• All transfer credit must be college academic level with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.  Applicants whose native language is not English must provide evidence of proficiency in English by scoring 550 paper-based, or 79 internet-based on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).  The TOEFL requirement may be waived under certain circumstances if English proficiency can be demonstrated through other reliable documentation.

*Age Waiver
In rare cases, the admission committee may waive the age requirements under the following guidelines:
a.  The student must show significant work experience.
b.  Cumulative transfer GPA must be at least 2.5
c.  The committee may request an interview with the applicant.

Provisional Admission

Students who provide unofficial documentation (such as transcripts) but are missing official documentation may be admitted provisionally.  These students will be given 30 days from the beginning date of the first course to provide official documentation to the office of adult studies or risk being removed from class.  A student cannot be certified for financial aid until he/she is officially admitted to the University.

Conditional Admission

Students who have transferable hours but whose cumulative entering grade point average is lower than a 2.0 may be referred to that program's admission committee for consideration.  If admitted, the following may apply:

• Associate - Student must maintain a 2.0 in the first three three-hour courses.
• Baccalaureate - Student must maintain a 2.0 in the first three three-hour courses.
• Graduate – Students must maintain a 3.0 in the first three three-hour courses.

The admission committee, when admitting a student with a substandard GPA, may make further recommendations based upon a student's previous record.
The student may be asked to submit an essay or recommendations for review by the program committee.

Conditions - If, by the end of the third three-hour course, the GPA is below requirements, the student will be notified and may not enroll in a fourth course.  If the student is already enrolled in the fourth course, he/she may be administratively withdrawn and will not be charged for the course.

Students who have been withdrawn because they did not meet the probationary requirements may petition for reinstatement after six months.  Reinstatement is not automatic, and students must show cause and correction for academic deficiencies.  If severe extenuating circumstances can be shown, a student may appeal to the adult studies admission committee for immediate reinstatement.

The second academic disqualification will be considered a suspension, and the student may not petition for reinstatement for one year.

Deferred Admission

Applicants may have admission deferred for one or more of the following:

• GPA lower than 2.0.
• Insufficient work experience.
• Does not meet age requirement.

Readmission

A student who has previously withdrawn and desires reentry into the program will:

• Complete the reentry request form and return it at least one week prior to reentry.
• Contact the Director of Student Services, who will obtain re-entry clearance.
• Students should contact the Student Financial Planning office to make arrangements for payment and financial aid if applicable.

A student who has been out of the Adult Studies program for six months or longer must fill out an attest form, and will reenter under all current program policies.  A student who has been out for one year or longer must reapply.

Transfer Credits

Transfer of credit is controlled by the receiving institution and accreditation does not guarantee transferability. Belhaven University usually allows full credit to transferring students for work completed at other regionally-accredited institutions; however, some courses which are not regarded as consistent with a liberal arts curriculum (to be determined by the provost) may not be credited toward a degree.  Also, remedial courses are not transferable.  A grade of D will be accepted for credit if the student has an overall average of C on all courses transferred from that school.  Only grades of C or better can be accepted for transfer credit in ENG 104, ENG 105, and MAT 133 or MAT140&141.  In the case of transcripts submitted from more than one institution, each transcript is evaluated as a separate unit in chronological order.  Orlando students see additional requirements listed under Gordon Rule. 

A student pursuing an associate of arts degree may transfer a maximum of 53 semester hours of credit.  A minimum of 17 semester hours of credit must be earned in residency at Belhaven University for the A.A. degree.

Once a student has earned 64 hours of junior and/or senior college credit, he/she may not transfer in any more junior or community college hours.  A minimum of 60 semester hours of credit must be earned at Belhaven University or another senior college.  A maximum of 50% of the bachelor's core curriculum may be transferred into the bachelor's curriculum with remaining curriculum to be completed at Belhaven University.

Non-degree seeking, Special Student Application Process

• Submit a completed application for admission with fee of $25.
• Non-degree seeking students, after attempting six semester hours, must either apply for admission as a degree-seeking student or make a request to be continued as a non-degree seeking student (maximum of 12 hours).
• Non-degree seeking students must submit a letter of good standing or an official transcript from the last college attended. A non-degree seeking student will be allowed to apply during registration if an unofficial transcript or letter of good standing is available. The student will be given 30 days after registration for the official document to be received in the office of admission.

NOTE: Only 12 hours taken as a non-degree student may be applied toward a degree.