Also, it is an above-average institution with an enrollment of 2,500 undergraduate students. It is the state’s largest community college – with campuses in Decatur and Huntsville. However, Calhoun Community College ranked as one of the best community colleges in the United States, offers students a high-quality education and numerous opportunities.
Also, classes are taught day, evening, and weekend on Calhoun’s campuses, and multiple forms of distance education are offered.
In this article, we’ll provide an overview of what you should know about Calhoun Community College, the reasons why you should study there, its affordability rate, programs, rankings, and accreditations.
What You Should Know About Calhoun Community College
Calhoun Community College is a public community college in Tanner, Alabama. It was founded in 1946 and is the largest of the 24 two-year institutions that make up the Alabama Community College System. Nevertheless, Calhoun Community College is an open-admission, coeducational community college with two-year programs.
General Information
- School Type: Public
- Academic Calendar: Semester
- Setting: Rural
- Size: Medium
Academic Life
- Full-time Retention Rate: 61%
- Part-time Retention Rate: 40%
- Graduation Rate: 29%
- Transfer-out rate: 20%
- Student-faculty ratio: 21-to-1
What Are Academics Like At Calhoun Community College?
Calhoun Community College offers two-year associate degree programs in 49 fields and certificate programs in more than 50 fields. The college offers Associate in Science (A.S.) and Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees, as well as a range of certificate programs.
Calhoun Community College offers students programs that will prepare them to transfer to a four-year college or university. Moreover, popular programs at Calhoun Community College include registered nursing, general studies, and manufacturing engineering technology.
Why Choose Calhoun Community College?
Calhoun Community College is undoubtedly the best college in Alabama. Also, there are various reasons why you should consider choosing to study at Calhoun Community College.
Furthermore, below are some of the best perks of Calhoun Community College:
1. Student-Centered
As one of Alabama’s leading institutions of higher education, Calhoun Community College is committed to student success.
By providing quality, accessible educational opportunities, encouraging community engagement, and promoting economic development. However, the college seeks to improve the quality of life for its students and the communities it serves.
2. Diversity
Calhoun Community College prides itself on being one of the most racially and ethnically diverse schools in the region, with 30+ different countries represented in its student body.
3. Commitment To Excellence
Calhoun Community College is committed to excellence in teaching and service and is the region’s leader in education and workforce development.
Affordable
Calhoun Community College is dedicated to providing affordable, high-quality, and accessible education. The college boasts of being one of the most affordable colleges in the region.
What Are The Clubs And Organizations At Calhoun Community College?
Student clubs and organizations at Calhoun Community College present various opportunities for students to participate in educational experiences and are intended to encourage mutual respect among students.
In addition, below is a list of campus organizations and clubs and a brief description of their functions.
- Black Student Alliance
Open to all, The Black Student Alliance is designed for students who want to get to know other students, talk about or plan activities, respond to campus and community concerns, resolve questions or issues about black students, and enjoy college life together.
- Calhoun Band Club
The purpose of this club is to provide a place for people to gather in unity and safety to make and enjoy music, expressing passion and determination to play quality music for others.
- Christians At Calhoun
The purpose of this club is to meet together, study the word of God, pray, sing, and serve God through our actions, words, and lives.
- Debate Club
The Debate Club allows students who are interested in public speaking and building arguments to work on and develop their speaking skills, as well as learn the ability to form and dissect arguments.
- Multimedia Club
It is dedicated to providing students the opportunity to experiment with and gain hands-on experience with the continuously evolving communications mediums of television, radio, digital photography, and multimedia production.
The college also offers other clubs and organizations that promote student learning and development, such as the program’s clubs and organizations.
However, they include the Creative Writing Club, the Criminal Justice Club, the Drama Club, the Physical Therapist Assistant Club, and the Student Nurse Association (SNA).
Weekend Activities At Calhoun Community College
Calhoun Community College hosts a wide variety of weekend activities each semester, including wellness events, sports competitions, and more. You’ll find it all and more at CCC
Some weekend activities at CCC include:
- Men’s Golf: Glenlakes Invitational
- Calhoun Softball vs. Volunteer State
- Calhoun Baseball vs. Snead State
- Women’s Golf: Wallace State Invitational
- Calhoun Baseball vs. Columbia State CC
What Are The Athletic Activities At Calhoun Community College?
Athletic competition is an integral part of the overall educational program at Calhoun Community College.
Academic success is the primary goal of every student-athlete and member of the Athletic Department Staff. Moreover, Calhoun Community College offers many sports activities for interested students.
Athletics take place on both the Decatur and Huntsville campuses. It offers both men’s and women’s sports, which include:
- Baseball
- Bass Fishing
- Cross country
- Esports
- Golf
- Men’s Basketball
- Softball
- Volleyball
- Women’s Basketball
Merit Awards And Financial Aid
Merit awards and financial aid at CCC are available to both new freshman and transfer students, helping to make a Calhoun education more affordable.
Nevertheless, below is an explanation of merit awards and financial aid:
1. Merit Awards
Merit awards, also known as scholarships, are awarded based on criteria such as academic success, student performance, demonstrated leadership, community service, and financial needs.
Unlike other institutions that require multiple applications to be completed for various scholarships, Calhoun has changed that model to allow individuals to complete one application to be considered for all scholarships offered, including foundation and institutional scholarships.
To begin the scholarship process, interested students should first complete an application for admission to the college through the Calhoun admission office (Calhoun Community College scholarships are only available to citizens of the United States).
After that, the applicant should complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application. Finally, once the above steps have been completed, you should submit a Calhoun scholarship application to determine which scholarships you qualify to receive.
Also, for more information, please visit Calhoun Community College Scholarships.
2. Financial Aid
Financial aid (including Pell grants) is used to pay for college tuition and fees. It can cover a range of educational expenses, like room and board, books, supplies, and transportation.
CCC offers financing assistance to help students achieve their educational goals. Also, financial aid at CCC is available in a variety of forms, including:
- Loans
At CCC, loans are funded by governments or private lenders and must be repaid.
- Scholarships
Scholarships are essentially free money to pay for school, and unlike loans, they do not need to be repaid.
- Grants
Grants are given to students who demonstrate financial need; they do not need to be repaid.
- Work-Study
At CCC there is a work-study activity. Work-study is a federal student-aid program designed to help students earn money for school.
Financial Aid Applications
Your journey to qualifying for financial aid begins by taking the first step and applying for admission to CCC.
This guide will provide you with all the information you need, ensuring you have the resources needed to secure financial aid for your education.
In addition, here are some resources to help you understand the financial aid application process and the basic requirements for students:
Step 1: Apply For Federal Student Aid (Free Application)
To begin any financial aid request, applicants must first fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Completing the FAFSA allows Calhoun to calculate how much federal aid, institutional grants, work-study, or loans a student is eligible for.
Step 2: Complete The Verification Process (If Required).
Applicants selected by the Federal Central Processing System for verification must provide the requested documentation within 15 days of request and before awarding offers.
Step 3: Satisfy Requirements, Review, And Accept Award Offers
All student notifications are made through their Calhoun email account. When notified, you may review and satisfy documents online.
Please visit the Calhoun Community College webpage for more information about this step.
Step 4: Complete Direct Student Loan Steps (If Applicable)
If a student declines student loans on the accept award tab, no other steps are necessary; however, if the student accepts student loans, they may also be required to complete entrance counseling (EC) and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) for John C. CCC to activate the loans through the Department of Education.
Step 5: Complete Plus Loans For Parents (If Applicable).
Go to the Financial Aid Forms page. Complete the PLUS loan application and submit it to the office.
PLUS loans require an acceptable credit history and can be disbursed to the student per parent authorization. The student must have a FAFSA on file before making a PLUS application.
That is the step to take to secure financial aid for your education. Once you’ve completed the steps, you should check your student account for charges, authorized aid, and refunds or owed money.
Requirements For US Students
Below are the requirements for US students who want to join CCC as first-time freshmen.
- Official high school transcript with a posted graduation date from a public, private, or home school program equivalent to the Alabama High School diploma, as defined by the Alabama State Board of Education.
- Official GED certificate issued by the appropriate state education agency.
Requirements For International Students
Below are the requirements for international students who want to join CCC, whether as a first-time freshman, a transfer student, a transient student, or a re-admission student.
- Official Copy of High School or College Academic Transcript (translated into English)
- Official TOEFL scores
- A signed, notarized Affidavit of Financial Support that includes a current bank statement from a person or persons who assume full responsibility for the student’s financial support and a bank letter from the sponsor’s bank.
- Documentation demonstrating adequate health and life insurance, which must be maintained during all periods of enrollment
How Do I Apply To Calhoun Community College?
If you’re a degree-seeking student or you plan to attend a 4-year university, here are the steps to take to apply to CCC
Step 1: Apply To Calhoun.
The first step is to visit the Calhoun official page and apply.
Step 2: Complete Your FAFSA.
Before the deadline for the CCC general scholarship application, a completed FAFSA that identifies Calhoun as a receiving institution must be filed.
The FAFSA must be completed regardless of the student’s intention to utilize federal financial aid.
Step 3: Review The Entrance Criteria
The candidate must meet the following criteria:
- Intellectual Curiosity
- High school GPA of 3.5 or higher
- ACT score of 24 or higher
Step 4: Register For Classes
Once all the processes mentioned above are completed, the candidate will be required to register for classes.
What Are The Courses And Programs At Calhoun Community College?
CCC offers over 50 programs of study, some of which include:
- Accounting (AAS)
- Paralegal (AAS)
- Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (certificate)
- Dental Hygiene
- Medical Laboratory Assistant (Certificate)
- Nursing (associate degree and practical certificate)
- Child development (AAS)
- Biology
- Pre-engineering
- Aerospace Technology (AAS)
- Automotive Technology (AAS)
- Music Technology (AAA)
- Multimedia Production Technology (AAS)
Academic Departments At Calhoun State Community College
There are approximately 7 academic departments at Calhoun State Community College; they include:
- Business & CIS
- Health Sciences
- Humanities and Social Sciences
- General Studies
- Mathematics and Natural Sciences
- Technologies
- Fine Arts.
What Are The Types Of Degrees And Certificates Offered At Calhoun Community College?
CCC provides several degrees and certificates to help you fulfill your educational needs; some degrees can transfer toward a four-year degree.
- Associate Of Science Degree (A.S.)
The Associate of Science Degree fulfills the first two years of a Bachelor of Science, with guaranteed credit transfer to any public or private college or university.
- Associate Of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
The Associate of Applied Science Degree is the award conferred on students who wish to complete two years of education at CCC and then enter the workforce.
While many courses taken in an A.A.S. degree program will transfer to an Alabama senior institution, the degree is not designed as a transfer degree.
- Certificate Program
The certificate is an award granted to students who wish to train or retrain in a specific field or skill and enter or re-enter
What Is The Tuition For The 2024 Academic Year At Calhoun Community College?
When it comes to affordable tuition, Calhoun Community College is one of the best. The school boasts of being one of the most inexpensive community colleges, with the lowest tuition in the region.
It is ranked among the nation’s most affordable schools. The college has two tuition rates: in-state and out-of-state tuition.
The in-state tuition at CCC is $4,990 for the 2024 academic year. The out-of-state tuition at CCC is $8,740 for the 2024 academic year.
Bodies Accredited With Calhoun Community College
CCC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Additionally, many of Calhoun Community College’s programs are accredited; they include:
- AAS Child Development is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
- Dental Assisting: Accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, American Dental Association.
- Associate Degree and Practical Nursing Program, Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- Medical Laboratory Technician, Accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
- Physical Therapist Assistant: Accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Rankings Of Calhoun Community College
CCC is a highly-rated college in the United States. It is ranked on multiple platforms. Its ranking is based on substantial research and millions of reviews. The college ranks on the following platforms:
- Calhoun Community College is ranked #1,153 out of 2,217 schools in the nation for overall quality on the College Factual 2024 Best Colleges List.
- Calhoun Community College is ranked #11 in the Best Community Colleges in Alabama on Niche’s 2024 Ranking.
- Calhoun Community College ranks #1 in the United States in awarding degrees in advanced manufacturing.
- Calhoun Community College ranks #163 out of 1,289 Best Associate Degree Colleges for the money on College Factual.
Conclusion
In this guide, we’ve discussed the reasons why you should attend CCC.
We’ve also looked at the tuition rates, admission requirements, financial aid, clubs and organizations, programs, rankings, and accreditation of CCC.
We wish you the best of luck with your application!
Reference
- Calhoun.edu
- Usnews.com
- Wikipedia.org
- Linkedin.com
