Application and Enrollment Steps First Time In College Students

First Time In College Students

Below are the steps to enroll in classes at Northwest Vista College. Download our enrollment checklist or click each item below for additional information. Contact Vista Central with any questions.

Apply Now

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Apply

Apply and get accepted to college!

Applying is free and easy. Visit applytexas.org to complete your application. 

Apply now at ApplyTexas.org

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Make sure you have what you need before you begin your application.

View Application FAQs

 

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Most students qualify for financial aid. 

Learn about applying for aid

Next Steps

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Access Student Portal

The Alamo Colleges District uses ACES as the online student portal for all of your information and can be accessed at aces.alamo.edu.

  • You will receive your ACES login information via email within 3-5 days of submitting your ApplyTexas application.

  • Be sure to complete the Test Prep module located in the "Start Here" tab.
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Select the link in the top-right corner of ACES to access your student email.

Submit Documents

You’ll need to gather and submit several important documents, including:

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You don’t have to wait to gather your paperwork. Start submitting these as soon as you apply. 

Get Registered

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Orientation and Registration

Celebrate your transition to college! You'll learn more about your college programs and services at New Student Orientation (NSO), which is required for all new and transfer students.

Once you attend NSO, you'll be able to meet with an advisor and register for classes. 

Learn more about NSO 

Make Payment

After you’ve registered, you’ll need to make sure your tuition has been covered by financial aid or your payments have been made to avoid having your classes dropped. 

View Registration and Payment Calendar

Questions about paying for college?

Learn more about Paying for College

 

Important Dates and Deadlines

Please click on each tab below for more information about deadlines and NVC policies.

Semester Options

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Application and Registration Deadlines

Click the link below and select the "Registration" calendar for the semester you are interested in applying for. You will be able to view the start and end dates for the Apply Texas application and for self-registration for courses.

Application and Registration Dates

Enrollment Management Period (EMP) Registration (Self-Registration Locked)

What is the Enrollment Management Period (EMP)?
The Enrollment Management Period (EMP) is always the last week before classes begin. During this time, self-registration through ACES is locked, meaning students cannot add or drop classes through ACES.

All schedule changes, either registration for additional classes or dropping classes you have already registered for, MUST be done in-person with the Main Advising Office, located in CCC 108. Schedule changes will NOT be processed over the phone or via email, and all registration is first-come, first-served.

Additionally, students will only have one opportunity to make schedule adjustments during EMP weeks.

Self-registration will open back up through ACES on the first day of classes. Students will only be able to register for courses that have not yet had their first meeting.

Example: A student registering on Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. cannot register for a MW class that started at 8:00 a.m., but they can still register for a MW class that meets at 3 p.m.

New Transfer students to the Alamo Colleges and returning students who have been away from school for more than one year may still visit Vista Central prior to registering if they need to see a Certified Academic Advisor to help select their courses.

To Register For Classes During EMP:

(In order to be eligible to register for classes during EMP, students must have been registration ready prior to EMP beginning, which includes submitting their ApplyTexas application and clearing all enrollment holds. First Time In College Students must have already attended a New Student Orientation.) 

  1. Students should look up their Course Registration Numbers (CRNS) through ACES prior to arriving on campus.

  2. Students should have a backup plan of other courses they would like to register for if the class they want is full by the time they arrive.

  3. Students must be prepared to pay for classes the day they register to prevent being dropped for non-payment.

  4. Students will visit the Records Office after looking up their CRNs to register. This is offered on a first-come, first-served basis, but students can sign in online ahead of time to reduce their wait time. Click here to sign in, and select the line for "Late Registration."
Payment Deadlines

Students who do not pay for their courses by the payment deadline will be dropped for non-payment.

Students may choose to pay for their classes all in one installment or sign up for a payment plan.

Students using Financial Aid should verify that their financial aid checklist has been completed through their ACES account.

For more information about how to pay your tuition, signing up for a payment plan, or payment deadlines, visit the Business Office.

After the initial payment due date has passed, payment arrangements are due at registration. Purge for non-payment will run on the Sunday night following registration.

Click the link below and click on the "Registration and Payment Deadlines" calendar for the semester you are enrolling for.

Payment and Payment Plan Deadlines

First Day of Classes

Click on the link below and select the "Academic Calendar" for the semester you are applying for.

Please note that Northwest Vista College offers multiple start dates throughout the semesters, so be sure to look at the correct term.

Fall and Spring Terms: 16 week courses, Flex I, and Flex II
Summer Terms: Maymester, Summer I, Summer II, and Summer 8

First Day of Classes