Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to our most frequently asked questions below.
Have a different question? Start a live chat with a Call Center Agent from the Virtual Student Services homepage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to City Colleges?
- There are separate application processes for students who want to take classes for college credit and students who want to take English or high school equivalency courses.
- College credit students: Visit www.ccc.edu/apply to get started.
- Adult Education (ESL or GED/HiSET prep) students: Visit www.ccc.edu/ae to get started.
How do I verify my residency as part of the application process?
- Before you can register for classes at City Colleges, you must verify your residency.
- College credit students: Visit www.ccc.edu/services/Residency-Verification/ to learn more.
- Adult Education (ESL or GED/HiSET prep) students: Visit www.ccc.edu/aeresidency to learn more.
How do I submit my transcripts to City Colleges or order transcripts from City Colleges?
- In order to receive transfer credit, students who have attended other colleges or universities must submit their official transcripts from those institutions to the City Colleges Registrar’s Office where the student intends to register. We strongly encourage that you request for your official transcripts to be sent electronically through Parchment.
- Students can also request to have their City Colleges transcripts sent to other colleges or universities via Parchment.
- To learn how to use Parchment, click here.
How do I apply for financial aid?
- The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is used to apply for federal, state, and college-based financial aid. To complete the FAFSA, visit studentaid.gov. Click here to learn more about what you will need to get started.
- If you are not eligible to fill out the FAFSA because you are an undocumented student, you may be eligible to fill out the RISE Act Alternative Application to qualify for financial aid.
- If you need help with either application, visit your college’s Financial Aid Office in person or through Virtual Student Services.
Do I need to take placement tests? How/where do I take the tests?
- College credit students: New students and former students without placement scores on file are required to take placement tests before registering for classes. Visit www.ccc.edu/placement to learn more and click on your college’s name under “Testing Resource Centers” to view additional instructions and/or view available hours to take your tests.
- Adult Education (ESL or GED/HiSET prep) students: If you have not taken classes for a year, you must take a placement test. Visit www.ccc.edu/aetesting to learn more.
- Students with disabilities who need accommodations for their tests should connect with their college’s ACCESS Center in advance.
How do I pay for my tuition?
- You can pay for your tuition in person at your college’s Business Office or online in the student portal at my.ccc.edu. Visit www.ccc.edu/payforcollege to learn more and find instructions for paying for your tuition.
- Remember, after you register for classes, you must verify how you plan to pay for them by the tuition payment deadline in your student portal. If you do not meet the deadline, you will lose your spot in all registered classes.
How do I purchase my books? How do I authorize my book voucher?
- You can purchase your books and class materials from City Colleges’ Online Bookstore. Get started at www.ccc.edu/bookstore, and use this guide if you need help. If you plan to use financial aid to purchase your books, learn how to authorize your book voucher here.
How can I access my online classes?
- City Colleges uses Brightspace as our online learning platform. Brightspace is where you can view course materials, see announcements from your instructors, submit assignments, and more. You can also find the Zoom links for your online classes in Brightspace in two areas:
- Announcements: This can be found on the main page of your course.
- Content: Click on “Content” from the navigation bar at the top of the page. Then, locate the “Zoom” module on the left side of the screen. Here, you will see both the Zoom class links and recordings if your instructor records your courses.
- To log into Brightspace, visit brightspace.ccc.edu and enter your City Colleges username and password. You can also find the link to Brightspace in the “Quick Access” section of your student portal (my.ccc.edu).
- To learn more about how to use Brightspace and navigate your online classes, click here to access our online orientation.
How do I schedule an advising appointment?
- To make an appointment with your advisory, log into Navigate, our online student support tool, with your City Colleges username and password. Click the “Schedule an Appointment” button and follow the prompts to pick a time that works for you. To learn more, visit www.ccc.edu/navigate.
When do classes start and what is the registration deadline?
- To view the Academic Calendar for college credit courses, visit: https://colleges.ccc.edu/credit-academic-calendar/
- To view the Academic Calendar for Adult Education courses, visit: https://colleges.ccc.edu/ae-academic-calendar/
How do I register for classes?
- College credit students: Register for classes in the student portal at my.ccc.edu. This video will walk you through the registration process. If you need help, schedule an appointment with your advisor in Navigate, or visit your college’s Advising Office virtually via Virtual Student Services.
- Adult Education (GED/HiSET prep) students: Talk to your instructor or the Adult Education Office at your college to get help signing up for classes.
How do I view my class schedule?
- To view your class schedule, log into your student portal at my.ccc.edu and click on the “Manage Classes” square. From the sidebar, select “Study List” or “View My Class Schedule.”
When are VSS services available?
- Go back to the Virtual Student Services homepage and click on your college. Next, look for the service you are interested in and find their virtual hours.
How long will I have to wait to talk to someone in a virtual room?
- During periods with an increased volume of students, such as the time leading up to and during the start of the semester, please expect a wait of at least 15 minutes. Staff is working diligently to provide quality service to all students.
How do I update my student records (name, address, etc.)?
- To update your student record (change name, home address, date of birth, etc.), follow the instructions here: https://www.ccc.edu/services/update-student-records/
When should I meet with Advising and Registration vs. Admissions?
- Advising and Registration: This team is your point of contact once you are admitted to City Colleges.
- Admissions: This team is your point of contact when you are applying to City Colleges.
Should I receive a confirmation email about my application?
- Once your application has been approved, you will receive a confirmation/acceptance email to the email address you used when you applied to City Colleges. If you can’t find it, please contact the Office of Admissions at the college where you applied. From the VSS homepage, select your college, select “Future Students,” find “Admissions,” and click on “Virtual Room Link.”
Why is my application suspended?
- To learn why your application has been suspected, please contact the Office of Admissions at the college where you applied. From the VSS homepage, select your college, select “Future Students,” find “Admissions,” and click on “Virtual Room Link.”
Where do I find my tuition payment deadline?
- After you register for classes, you must verify how you plan to pay for them by your tuition payment deadline to avoid being dropped. You can find your tuition payment deadline in the student portal at my.ccc.edu.
- Once you’ve logged in, you will see a notification in the Alerts/Tasks/Holds section (upper right corner). Click on “Payment Deadline Reminder” to see your payment deadline.
How do I sign up for a payment plan?
- Click here for detailed instructions about how to enroll in a monthly payment plan.
I have never taken an online class. Where can I get assistance?
- You can attend a live Online Learning New Student Orientation or you can view a recorded session.
My instructor said I need to log in twice on two separate days. Where should I go to ensure my activity is logged in Brightspace?
- Make sure you download your syllabus, view your course resources and content, and complete all of your first week’s assignments.
Does my online course have proctored exams?
- Some online courses have proctored exam(s) which you are required to complete online. Contact your instructor or refer to your course syllabus for more information.
What if I receive an "ADW" (administrative withdrawal), as a mid-term grade?
- Students who do not fully participate in their course through constant communication with their instructor, submission of homework, quizzes, and/or exams, and/or through the course web site, phone, e-mail or in-person contact at conferences, risk receiving an Administrative Withdrawal (ADW), on their mid-term grade report. A full explanation of the ADW can found in the Student Policy Manual.
What support services are available to me?
- All students taking any classes at City Colleges of Chicago are entitled to our on campus and online support services—including access to the campus computer labs. For a list of what resources are available, please visit Student Resources: Quick Guide – City Colleges of Chicago.
Does City Colleges offer online courses?
- Yes! Online Learning courses are offered at all seven City Colleges of Chicago locations.
Online courses have the same prerequisites, academic requirements, credits, and transferability as courses taught in the traditional classroom format. They also have the same rigor and although faculty facilitate learning, students must have excellent time management skills to complete all of the online readings, assignments, and projects. Online courses are not self-paced, and students will move through the courses based on a clear syllabus and course outline.
Students should contact their College Advisor if they have any questions about enrolling in online classes.