Admissions FAQs
- Is there an application fee?
- Do I need a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma (HSED) to enroll?
- How do I schedule a campus visit?
- Do I have to take the ACT®?
- I just want to take a class or two and transfer to my four year institution, what do I do?
- Does NICC have sports?
- Does NICC offer on-campus housing?
- I'm undecided on my academic program; who can help me?
- I'm on a waitlist; what does that mean?
- Does NICC have a cafeteria or meal plan?
- Is there an on-campus daycare option?
- How do I apply for financial aid?
- Should I apply for financial aid if I think my parents make too much money?
- Do I have to be full-time to receive financial aid?
- Does financial aid cover my book costs?
- When do I get to schedule my classes?
- I have attended NICC in the past, how do I re-enroll?
- What is the NICC enrollment?
- How large are the classes?
- When do I have to pay my bill?
- How do I know which books I need for class?
- How do I transfer credits from another college to NICC?
- Will I need a laptop?
There is no fee to apply to the College. Submit an application online, and the Admissions Office will be in contact regarding next steps.
Do I need a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma (HSED) to enroll?
Prospective NICC students do not need a diploma or HSED to enroll. However, interested students may need a diploma or HSED for admission to specific programs. If a prospective student does not have a high school diploma or HSED, he or she will not be eligible for federal financial aid.
How do I schedule a campus visit?
Prospective students can schedule a group campus visit online or contact the Admissions Office to schedule a personal one-on-one visit with one of the NICC Admissions Representatives.
NICC does not require the ACT exam for admission. However, NICC uses ACT® scores in addition to ACCUPLACER®, ALEKS® and ACT Compass® scores for acceptance. NICC offers, at no cost, course placement assessments for any student wanting to enroll at the College.
I just want to take a class or two and transfer to my four-year institution, what do I do?
If a prospective student is interested in taking a class at NICC without earning a degree, the process is simple: Submit an application to NICC and choose Not Seeking a Degree as the academic program. Non-degree seeking students are considered General/Liberal Studies (GLS) students and do not have to complete admission testing to be accepted to the College. However, some courses require prerequisites and/or are reserved for program students. If a course has a prerequisite, the student must provide documentation that he or she satisfies the requirements for registration in the course. GLS students will receive their MyCampus login and password after submitting the application. Follow the directions given with the login information to register for courses online. GLS students are not eligible for financial aid funding.
Intramural sports are offered through the Student Life Office. Students on both campuses are encouraged to have fun, meet new people and show off their athletic skills!
Does NICC offer on-campus housing?
The College is non-residential but does provide housing guides which list housing options within close proximity to each campus.
I’m undecided on my academic program; who can help me?
Many students are unsure of their program interest and are encouraged to seek guidance from the Career Services staff. The Career Services staff can provide an assessment tool to assist in the decision-making process in addition to career planning advice. Undecided students are encouraged to pursue the Associate of Arts degree, which allows them to begin their education and explore a variety of subjects while obtaining their general education courses required for many majors.
I’m on a waitlist; what does that mean?
Many programs fill up in advance due to limited enrollment, so prospective students should apply early! If a student is not accepted for the semester in which he or she applied, the student will be placed on a waiting list for future openings or considered for the next available semester. This does not mean the student has to wait to enroll in courses. Many of these programs have prerequisites or general education courses that can be taken in advance while the student is waiting to be accepted to the program. Contact the Admissions Office for more information on limited enrollment programs.
Do you have a cafeteria or meal plan?
The College does not provide meal plans, but the Calmar and Peosta campuses have a full-service cafeteria with daily specials.
Is there an on-campus daycare option?
There are childcare centers on both campuses. Contact the Child Development Center to learn more about costs and availability of services.
How do I apply for financial aid?
To apply for financial aid, students must submit an online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application. Use the NICC school codes to link the FAFSA application with NICC (Calmar: 004587; Peosta: 012634).
Should I apply for financial aid if I think my parents make too much money?
Students are not required to apply for financial aid; however, they may want to apply for student loans through the government. This is also done by using the FAFSA form. Borrowing money from the government has some advantages including lower interest rates and deferred payment until the student is finished with school. So even if a student isn’t eligible for grants, he or she may be eligible for loans.
Do I have to be full-time to receive financial aid?
Students must be at least half-time (6 semester hours) to receive loans. Half-time enrollment is not a requirement to receive grants or work study.
Does financial aid cover my book costs?
Excess financial aid funding can be used toward textbook purchases at the online bookstore. Financial aid is first applied to tuition bill.
When do I get to schedule my classes?
When registration opens, students will receive information to schedule an advising appointment with an academic advisor.
I have attended NICC in the past; how do I re-enroll?
Students who have not attended NICC or applied for admission for one year have to reapply to the College by submitting an application for admission. If a student has attended NICC within the year, he or she does not need to reapply and can contact the Advising Office to schedule a registration appointment.
How many students attend NICC?
NICC has an annual enrollment of 5,605 students.
The student to faculty ratio at NICC is 16:1.
When do I have to pay my bill?
Tuition is due two weeks prior to the start of the semester. Students are encouraged to pay their bill early to avoid cancellation due to non-payment.
How do I know which books I need for class?
Textbooks are available from the online bookstore. Use your course schedule to find the books required for a particular class.
How do I transfer credits from another college to NICC?
To receive transfer credit, send an official transcript from the college previously attended to the NICC Admissions Office. The Registrar will evaluate the transcript and determine which credits will satisfy NICC degree requirements.
NICC campuses and centers have wireless access, and students are welcome to bring your own laptop, but it is not required. Access to the wireless network requires a valid email address. There are computer labs around campus for student use as well.