Priority Registration

terms to know

Degree Applicable

Courses that will count toward Columbia College certificate or degree programs. These courses are numbered 1 - 199.
Fully Matriculated

A student who has completed advisement, placement, and orientation.
Good Academic Standing

Good academic standing means the student is meeting the minimum requirements of Columbia College, that is their cumulative GPA is 2.0 or better, and more than 50% of the overall units attempted have been completed.
Probation

When students are not in good standing, they are placed on Probation. A student who has a cumulative GPA below 2.0 will be placed on Academic Probation. A student whose cumulative completion rate is less than 50% will be placed on Progress Probation. Three consecutive semesters on Probation will lead to Dismissal status. Students on probation or dismissal status are blocked from registering for classes online, are limited in the number of units they may enroll in, and must see a counselor to have their classes approved.

Priority Registration Levels and Criteria

Priority registration allows you to register early, helping you get the classes you need to achieve your goals. To be eligible for priority registration you must be fully matriculated, in good academic standing, and remain below the 100-degree applicable unit cut-off. There are four different priority levels for registration. Each student is allocated into one of the following levels depending upon eligibility.

Level 1. California State Legislature defined programs and student categories:

Active Duty Military, Veterans, CalWORKs, eligible former Foster Youth, EOPS, Disability Services, and Student Parents. Students must also meet Level 3 eligibility.
Level 2. Program or categories of students designated by Columbia College:

TRiO, Athletes, and students petitioning to graduate. Students must also meet Level 3 eligibility.
Level 3. Continuing and new students who:

Are fully matriculated; have 100 or fewer degree applicable units; are in good standing or on 1st semester probation.
Level 4. Continuing and new students who:

Are not fully matriculated.
Level 5. Dual enrolled high school students who:

Are fully matriculated and have the appropriate paperwork on file with Admissions and Records.
Level 6. Open registration students who:

Do not meet criteria levels 1-5.

Keeping Priority Registration

Registration Units

Priority registration is lost when a student has earned over 100 degree applicable units (courses numbered 1-199) at Columbia College.

Academic Standing

To remain in good academic standing, students need to have a Grade Point Average (GPA) above 2.0, and progress needs to be at least 50% (i.e. the student must complete 50% of the units they attempt).

When a student's GPA falls below 2.0, or their minimum progress requirements fall below 50%, they will be placed on either academic or progress probation. Standings are based on the prior semester.

Priority registration is lost when students have earned a 2nd semester Probation or Dismissal Status.

Should you lose your priority registration and feel there is an error, you may complete a Loss of Priority Registration Appeal Form for consideration by the Vice President of Student Services. (Please note: This form does not function in Google Chrome, please use either Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer.)

Still have questions? Contact Counseling either by calling 209-588-5109 or drop in to the Counseling Office located in upper Manzanita Building to book an appointment with a counselor.