Sierra College
Undergraduate Freshman Application
and Registration Process
The following information is specific to Sierra College, but other local community colleges also have a wealth of opportunities and programs. Each community college may offer different programs, so if there is a specific program you are looking for, check other area community colleges as well. No testing is needed for Sierra College.
*Mrs. Harris is the Sierra College Transition Counselor. Plan on attending all Sierra College workshops if you think there is even a remote chance you may be attending Sierra College.
Sierra College Undergraduate Registration Process:
Please note: this is the process for incoming college freshman applicants. If you are a high school student interested in taking college classes while in high school, please see the Academic Enrichment site.
FOLLOW EACH STEP CAREFULLY!
Include Sierra College in your "College's I'm Applying To" list, and request a transcript. You need to do this step so that you will be cleared to take certain classes.
You will not get First Two years free without completing your FAFSA by March 2nd!
For fall 2021 you will need to complete the 2021-22 FAFSA. If you are interested in taking summer classes, you should complete the 202021 FAFSA. Summer classes fees will only be waived if you qualify for need-based financial aid. It is not included in FTYF.
For more help, see the FAFSA section of our website. More information to come on FAFSA workshops hosted by Sierra College. By registering for one of these, you will also get a recording of the workshop.
TBD
If you/parent did not originally add Sierra to your FAFSA, you can still do this, (but must be done before March 2nd). You click on “Make FAFSA Corrections” to add Sierra and any additional colleges you want to be connected to your FAFSA.
- Attend the Sierra College Application Workshops on November 2nd and 4th in Pack TIme. This is a 2 part series, so please attend both days. Alistair Turner from Sierra College will be helping you through the process.
Please make sure you know your Social Security number, if you have one, for this workshop.
- Start a NEW application through Open CCC (do not do this until the workshop so we can answer questions at the appropriate time).
You will do a new application even if you have done a Sierra College class as a high school student in the past, this is different because you will be a first-time college student as an undergrad.
Note: Login is NOT your mySierra login password, it is unique to your Open CCC account.
Make sure to indicate that you are First Time College Student or you will not be eligible for First Two Years Free. Even if you have taken college classes in the past, you are still considered a first-time college student as you will be a new undergraduate freshman.
Math placement: Sierra College will ask you what math class you will have completed through.
Do NOT write AP Stats- this is not in the sequence they are trying to determine.
If you ended or will end high school with Int III or Algebra II, please indicate that course.
If you took, or are taking, Int III/PreCalc and are not taking Calc in high school please indicate PreCalc.
If you are taking AP Calc AB or BC, please indicate that.
- Need Help?
We offer Sierra College application workshops just for WSCA students in January and February of each year.
There are also Application Help Drop-In Hours.
If you have problems with your application, you can also email our enrollment specialist at aturner@sierracollege.edu, or outreach@sierracollege.edu. Mr. Turner is the enrollment specialist for multiple high schools, so we do not want to overload him with questions that they have already addressed in our process and videos.
Please try going through this process yourself and reading/watching all tutorials first.
- Activate mySierra account
- Once you’ve applied to Sierra, you will receive an email with your login information to activate your mySierra account (your student portal). Check your spam folder if you aren't finding the email.
Then activate your mySierra account, at mysierra.sierracollege.edu
The video will walk you through how to navigate mySierra, opt into the Promise program, get to DegreeWorks, etc
Opt-In to Two Years Free and Promise Program.
Once logged in, check your new mySierra email for updates (we’ll only send you email to this address moving forward) and start working on your “My Next Steps,” including accepting our Terms and Conditions.
You will use your mySierra account a lot. It will be how you register for classes, etc.
Promise Program- this gives you priority registration and priority First Two Years Free. It also makes sure you do not get dropped from classes when you do not pay because your tuition and fees will eventually be waived with First Two Years Free. If you need help with your application
- Complete CAP (Career & Academic Planning)
You will see a link to this under Next Steps in your MySierra or go to the Sierra College Counseling Website and click New Students: Login to CAP.
- Work with Mrs. Harris to plan out your first-year classes (SEP=Student Education Plan)
While you know Mrs. Harris is currently your WSCA counselor, did you know she is ALSO your Sierra College counselor until you graduate from WSCA? This is because we are a Sierra College Promise School. Working with Mrs. Harris as a Sierra College Promise Student will give you perks such as priority class registration!
a. If you have a 504 or IEP, you can go straight to DSPS for this step. DSPS will know what kinds of accommodations you may have and be able to connect you with additional services, priority reg, etc.
b. Those without a 504 or IEP, complete this questionnaire for Mrs. Harris. This will give her the information she needs to start working with you on your course plan.
c. Check to see if there are any support programs you are interested in at Sierra (ex/ programs for former foster youth, low-income support, LGBTQ, first-generation college students, undocumented students, etc).
d. Then schedule a meeting with Mrs. Harris to plan your freshman year courses (SEP). You must choose a meeting that says Sierra College SEP Meeting. It will show as 45 minute appointments.
- Plan for course registration
Summer/Fall 2021 Promise Student Registration will be May 7th!!! Once you have your appointment time, you will want to set yourself calendar reminders so that you dont miss your appointment time.
Review all Ready 4 Reg videos and resources.
- Request final transcript to be sent to Sierra
If you decide to go to Sierra, make sure you declare this in your Naviance: Colleges list. You will need to do this so that your final transcripts are sent to Sierra.
- Register for your Sierra classes
As stated before, fall class registration is May 7th!
It is very important that you are prepared with all your CRN numbers, have researched the potential professors, as you watched in the Ready4Reg video.
Once the date gets closer, we will provide a link on who to contact if you have any issues when registering for classes.
Tip: get on right away during your appointment time, as classes fill up quickly!
Sierra College Financial Aid, Scholarships and Support Programs
FAQ's
Clarifying Common Eligibility FAQs
Why are 15 units recommended if the full-time requirement is 12 units?
Lots of reasons!
Proven greater success rate
Faster time to your end goal
Hit the job market sooner
More opportunities for financial support (specific programs and scholarships)
Fewer student loans
Best of all, you’re maximizing the number of units you get free!
What happens if I am allowed to enroll in more than the allowed 18 units per semester?
If you meet all other eligibility requirements, your tuition will be covered.
What if I don’t qualify for FAFSA or the CA Dream Act?
That’s ok! There is no income requirement or restrictions for Two Years Free. We simply need you to complete these applications so we can verify eligibility for any other financial aid first.
What if I don't want to do the FAFSA or CA Dream Act application?
You would not qualify to get Two Years Free.
How long can I receive Two Years Free?
Two Years Free is specific to summer > fall > spring for up to two (consecutive) years.
Within this time frame, you can receive the tuition waiver for any term that you are in 12+ units.
You must receive this tuition waiver for at least one term (summer, fall, or spring) in your first year and complete your first year in good standing in order to get your second year of tuition waived.
Since this waiver timeline starts in summer, does that mean I have to take summer classes?
No, you don’t have to take summer classes. If you do, you need to be in 12+ units to get your tuition waived. This is not common – be sure to speak with an academic counselor if this is something you want to pursue. If you take less than 12 units, you would pay the cost of tuition for summer. This would not affect your eligibility for future terms.
What if I am eligible for Two Years Free, but take less than 12 units in the fall? Am I still eligible for spring?
Yes. You would need to pay for fall units yourself. If you are in 12+ units in spring, you will receive this tuition waiver. If this is your first year, you must enroll in 12+ units in at least one term in order to be eligible for the second year free.
What if I don’t start classes until the spring?
Your spring term would count as your first full year.
If I take a semester off or enroll in less than 12 units, can that extend my two years to a future term?
No. Your Two Years Free time clock starts as soon as you enroll in college units and you have up to two years to receive this tuition waiver.
Year 1 = summer > fall > spring or fall > spring or spring only
Your tuition will be waived for any term that you are in 12+ units
You would pay for any term that you are in less than 12 units
You must enroll in 12+ units in one of these terms in your first year and complete in good standing in order to be eligible for your second year
Year 2 = summer > fall > spring
Your tuition will be waived for any term that you are in 12+ units
You would pay for any term that you are in less than 12 units
What if I received the California College Promise Grant (CCPG) my first year but I am not eligible for it my second year?
You will receive a second year free under AB2 funds.
If I go to a Sierra Promise partner high school, do I have to sign up as a Sierra Promise Scholar to get my Two Years Free?
No, but we recommend it. Being a Sierra Promise Scholar gives you priority registration for your first term and gives you access to additional support and resources. Learn more about Sierra Promise.