We know that enrolling in college for the first time – or coming back after a long absence – can be overwhelming, so we are here to help.
Application/Admission Process
It's easy to apply to any of the Los Rios colleges!
All California community colleges share a common application – simply start by creating an OpenCCC account and filling out the online application for American River College.
A few things to know:
- You can save your application and come back to it at any time.
- You will have a chance to review your application before you submit it.
- You only need to submit one application to take classes at any college in the Los Rios district – don't spend unnecessary time submitting separate applications for each college.
All California community colleges share a common application, so the application process for all of the Los Rios colleges is the same.
You only need to submit one application to take classes at any college in the Los Rios district. After you apply, if you want to take classes at a different Los Rios college, then we can help you enroll at another Los Rios college.
Start by creating an OpenCCC account and filling out the online application for American River College. You can save your application and come back to it at any time. You will have a chance to review your application before you submit it.
Application Window Opens
We encourage new students to apply early to ensure they get the classes they need and access important new student activities, such as orientation. The application window opens in early September for the following year's spring semester and in February for the same year's summer/fall semester.
| Application Window Opens | For Semester |
|---|---|
| February 1, 2025 | Summer/Fall 2025 |
| September 2, 2025 | Spring 2026 |
Deadline to Apply
Though students can still apply after a semester has started, we don't recommend it – the later you apply, the less likely you are to get the classes you need.
If you have a high school diploma (or equivalent) or are at least 18 years old, your admission is guaranteed! There is no minimum GPA requirement.
After you submit your application, we will email you a student ID number and instructions for next steps.
After you apply, you'll immediately start to receive information from Los Rios and American River College about enrolling in classes, financial aid, upcoming orientations, and the resources available to help you succeed.
If you haven't yet applied for financial aid, then submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (if you are a US citizen or permanent resident) or the California Dream Act Application (if you are not a US citizen or permanent resident).
Contact Admissions and Records if you have questions about the process.
Paying for College
With the Los Rios Promise program, most students won't pay any tuition fees. If you take advantage of other local, state, or federal financial aid grants, then there’s a good chance you can get help paying for books, other fees, and living expenses.
Learn more about how to save money with financial aid or see a breakdown of tuition and fees.
With the Los Rios Promise program, most students won't pay any tuition fees. In addition, many students qualify for thousands of dollars in other state or federal financial aid grants.
Apply for Financial Aid
To make sure you get all the financial available to you, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can read more about the FAFSA or start your FAFSA right now.
If you are not a US citizen or permanent US resident, then you should submit the California Dream Act Application instead of the FAFSA.
Learn more about how to save money with financial aid.
Picking a Degree or Certificate
It's not a problem if you don't know what you want to study! We will help you figure it out. Our career centers have staff and technology tools designed to help you zero in on the perfect match between your skills and interests.
In the meantime, do what you can to enroll full-time (15 units) and take English and math in your first semester – those classes will likely apply to whatever program you end up choosing.
Of course, not everyone can go to school full-time – and it is alright if you can't. Take as many classes as you can, and we'll help you create a plan to complete your goal as quickly as possible.
We have hundreds of degrees and certificates to choose from and our career centers have staff and technology tools designed to help you zero in on the perfect match between your skills and interests.
Explore Degrees and Certificates
You don't have to decide on a program right away. While you explore, do what you can to enroll full-time (15 units) and take English and math in your first semester – those classes will likely apply to whatever program you choose.
Of course, not everyone can go to school full-time – and it is alright if you can't. Take as many classes as you can, and we'll help you create a plan to complete your goal as quickly as possible.
Enrolling in Classes
Enrolling in classes is easier than ever! After your application is processed, you will receive an enrollment date and time. Your enrollment date and time is the earliest you can enroll – you can also enroll any time after your enrollment date.
You can enroll online in eServices, where we have new tools that make it easy to plan your schedule. You can also enroll in person in Admissions and Records.
If you know what you want to study and what your goal is (for example, transferring to a four-year college), then we can help you identify which classes to take, and in what order.
Start with English and Math
It’s alright if you don't know what you want to study – lots of students figure it out as they go. Start by making sure you take English and math in your first semester – those classes will likely apply to whatever program you end up choosing.
If you graduated from a US high school within the last ten years and included all of the requested information about your high school records on your college application, then you will be automatically placed into English and math classes that are best for you. If you didn't have this information when you applied – or if you graduated from high school over ten years ago – then we'll help you identify which English and math classes to pick.
Try to Take Take Classes Full-Time
We recommend that you try to take a full course load (15 units) in your first semester. This will make it easier to complete your degree on time. In addition, there are more financial aid dollars available for full-time students, so it might be cheaper than you think!
Of course, not everyone can go to school full-time – and it is alright if you can't. Take as many classes as you can, and we'll help you create a plan to get done as quickly as possible.
We recommend that you try to take a full course load (15 units) in your first semester. This will make it easier to complete your degree on time.
In addition, there are more financial aid dollars available for full-time students, so it might be cheaper than you think!
Of course, not everyone can go to school full-time – and it is alright if you can't. Take as many classes as you can, and we'll help you create a plan to complete your goal as quickly as possible.
Appy for Financial Aid
After you apply to a Los Rios college, submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (if you are a US citizen or permanent resident) or the California Dream Act Application (if you are not a US citizen or permanent resident) to make sure you get all the financial available to you.
Enroll in Classes
Enroll in classes once your enrollment date arrives – after that, you are almost ready to start!
Orientation
If you're a new student, then you'll go through orientation before you start classes. Orientation provides you with information you need to hit the ground running at the start of classes, such as how and where to access support services.
Transferring
The California State University (CSU) system, the University of California (UC) system, and other four-year colleges and universities have different rules regarding what classes can and cannot transfer. Learn more about transfer opportunities.
Transfer Degrees
We suggest you explore our Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) programs. ADT programs earn you an associate degree and guaranteed admission to a CSU to get your bachelor's degree.
We advise that you schedule an appointment with a counselor to talk about what transfer options are best for you.