Applying for Admission

How to Apply

Prospective students complete a free admission application at www.kirkwood.edu/apply. As part of the application, students will select their intended program or program area.

Once the application is processed, students will receive an email from the Admissions Office outlining their next steps. In addition, the academic department associated with the selected program or program area will follow up with further details. This may include specific requirements for admission into the chosen program.

Some programs allow students to be admitted directly upon application, while others require additional steps before full acceptance. These steps may include a program conference or other program-specific requirements. The program conference is where students learn more about the program expectations before being admitted; this is an important step because some programs fill quickly.

Placement Assessment

All degree-seeking students in programs with coursework that requires placement in math and/or writing must complete the necessary steps to place the students in appropriate courses to address their learning needs. In addition, non-degree seeking students wishing to register for coursework that requires placement in math and/or writing must also complete the necessary placement steps. Appropriate placement in math and writing courses is determined by a variety of measures, including placement tests, previous academic experience, and advising. Information about placement is offered to prospective students prior to registration and can be provided by an academic advisor.

Financial Aid

Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after it is available. Start early – the financial aid process can take some time to complete. Go to http://www.fafsa.gov.

Scholarships

Kirkwood awards over $3.5 million in scholarships to students each year. The application for the upcoming academic year scholarships open October 1, with a first-round deadline of March 15. Applications received after March 15 are eligible for a limited amount of second-round funding opportunities. Applications for second-round opportunities are due July 15.  Apply at www.kirkwood.edu/scholarships.

Housing

Kirkwood does not offer on-campus housing, but many students live in privately owned apartments within one mile of the Cedar Rapids Main Campus. Area apartments offer individual lease options. For housing information, visit www.kirkwood.edu/housing. 

Transcripts

Students who are transferring to Kirkwood, or returning students who attended another college after leaving Kirkwood, must provide Kirkwood with an official transcript from each college or university they attended in order to receive credit for those courses.

Admission to the College Does Not Guarantee Acceptance into All Programs

Admission to Kirkwood Community College is granted on a continuous basis as applicants complete the required admission procedures. However, while Kirkwood maintains an open admission policy, some programs of study require students to meet additional admission criteria before acceptance into the technical portion of the program. Applicants can apply a year in advance of the term they plan to enter. It is recommended to apply as soon as they've determined their specific major/program or general program area as some programs fill quickly. Applicants should also be mindful that some specific programs have one entry term a year. Program entry terms can be found on the individual program pages of this catalog.

College Credit While in High School

High school students have the opportunity to earn both high school and college credit through an agreement between the local high school district and Kirkwood Community College. With approval from the high school, students may enroll in individual classes or a sequence of classes called a Career Academy program at no cost to the student or family. Courses are available within the high school setting, at a Kirkwood location or online. Additional information can be found at www.kirkwood.edu/earncredit and high school students can apply at www.kirkwood.edu/hscreditapply.