Valencia College is an open-access public institution. Admission is granted in accordance with Florida statute, State Board of Education rules, and Valencia College policy. Admission to the College provides eligibility to enroll in credit coursework based on program pathways, placement requirements, and available course capacity. Admission to the College does not imply admission to limited-access or selective-admission programs.
Applicants must submit an online Application for Admission and pay a non-refundable, non-transferable application fee. No application fee is required for bachelor's degree or advanced technical certificate programs.
Admission is not complete until all required documents have been received and evaluated. Failure to submit required transcripts or supporting documents may delay degree-seeking classification, financial aid eligibility, transcript release, registration in courses with prerequisites, transcript release, or graduation.
Valencia College may consider past conduct of applicants and deny admission or enrollment to individuals whose conduct is determined to be disruptive to the College community or contrary to the best interests of the institution, in accordance with Florida law and College policy.
Upon acceptance, the College assigns each student a Valencia Identification Number (VID), which is used for access to student records and student transactions.
Degree-Seeking Admission
Degree-seeking students must demonstrate high school completion or the equivalent and meet English language proficiency expectations as determined through placement requirements.
Applicants may be admitted as degree-seeking if they meet one of the following:
- Hold a standard high school diploma from a valid U.S. high school
- Completed secondary education outside the U.S. that is equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma (official English translation required for non-English documents)
- Completed a home education program pursuant to s.1002.41, F.S., with required documentation
- Earned a state-issued high school equivalency diploma (GED)
- Completed college coursework at an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
Non-Degree-Seeking Admission
Applicants may be admitted as non-degree-seeking for purposes such as personal interest, job improvement or teacher recertification, career or technical certificate enrollment, transient study from another institution, or Dual Enrollment for eligible high school students.
Non-degree seeking students are generally not eligible for financial aid, except students enrolled in selected eligible certificate programs. See Financial Aid Eligibility information.
Students who are currently enrolled in high school and have not yet graduated may only enroll through Valencia College's Dual Enrollment program. Students who are not admitted through Dual Enrollment and who are actively attending high school are not eligible to register for credit coursework under any other admission category.
Applicants who are no longer attending high school, including adults who did not complete a standard high school diploma or equivalent, may be admitted as non-degree-seeking, subject to placement and program restrictions as applicable. A student is considered "no longer attending high school" once they have formally withdrawn or separated from their high school program, regardless of age.
Special Admissions Categories
In addition to standard degree-seeking and non-degree-seeking applicants, Valencia College admits students through specialized pathways:
- Dual Enrollment: Eligible middle and high school students may enroll in college credit courses while completing high school graduation requirements. Dual Enrollment admissions are governed by state law and local articulation agreements. Dual Enrollment students are classified as non-degree-seeking and may register only for approved coursework. Additional eligibility, placement, and documentation requirements apply. Detailed information is provided in the Dual Enrollment section of this Catalog and on the Dual Enrollment website.
- International Students: Applicants seeking F-1 or other eligible nonimmigrant student status must meet federal visa requirements, demonstrate financial support, and satisfy any credential evaluation or English language proficiency standards established by the College. Admission is contingent upon immigration eligibility and compliance with federal regulations. Detailed information is provided in the International Students section of this Catalog and on the International Student Services website.
Assistance and Additional Support
Detailed information regarding application procedures, required documentation, Florida residency, transcript requirements, and other enrollment steps is available on the Admissions website.
Students with admissions questions or who need assistance completing the steps to enroll may contact First Stop. Staff are available to assist with application requirements, residency documentation, transcript questions, and general enrollment support.
