Admission Information

Lamar State College Orange welcomes any student interested in education and personal improvement. As a two-year, lower-division component of the Texas State University System, the Lamar State College Orange campus offers an educational opportunities through an open-door policy that admits all students who can benefit from post-secondary education. Lamar State College Orange believes that each student is important and welcomes students with diverse backgrounds and needs.

First Time Students

Students enrolling in college for the first time who fit one of the following categories may apply for admission:

• Graduates with a diploma from an accredited high school or home school program.
• Those who have earned a Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency.
• Those who are under 18, who do not have a diploma Certificate of High School Equivalency, and who are still in high school may be admitted upon the written recommendation of the high school principal or counselor, and consent from parent/guardian.

Admission to the institution does not guarantee admission to a particular degree or certificate program. Apart from race, sex, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status, special requirements for various programs of study are described in subsequent sections of the catalog.

Beginning freshmen must apply for admission (this can be completed online at goapplytexas.org/ two-year application), official high school transcript(s), and/or Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency and driver’s license.

All students must comply with requirements relating to the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) and must submit appropriate scores for placement purposes.

EDUC 1300 - Learning Framework  is strongly encouraged for all first-time freshman students. A first-time student has not earned any college credit since graduating from high school or Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency.

New students and returning students, with an enrollment lapse of one semester, who are under the age of 22 will not be permitted to register for classes without verification of proof of receiving the Bacterial Meningitis Immunization Vaccination. Please see Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Requirement under the Health Policies and Regulations of this catalog.

Student Identification Cards

Student Identification Cards can be obtained from the first floor of the Library, in the Ron E. Lewis Library Building. Students must present their paid tuition and fees receipt to obtain their student identification card.

Transfer Students

Transfer applicants are considered for admission based on their previous college records. Applicants must submit an application for admission (this can be completed online at goapplytexas.org/ two-year application) and official transcripts sent directly from all colleges previously attended or in a sealed envelope from issuing institution. Transfer applicants must be in good standing with all institutions previously attended. Students on scholastic suspension or probation must meet with an Academic Advisor. Students on disciplinary suspension from another institution must petition the Dean of Student Services for individual approval. Contact the Office of Admission and Records for further information.

Students transferring from a Texas public college or university are subject to the same testing requirements that apply to current students. Therefore, transfer students from Texas public colleges and universities must comply with requirements relating to the Texas Success Initiative.

Reapplying to LSCO for Former Students

Former LSCO students who have not registered, or who have a break in enrollment for one fall or spring term must file for readmission by applying for admission. This can be completed online at goapplytexas.org/, two-year application. Former students who have attended another college are required to submit a complete official transcript of all work done after the last date of attendance at LSCO. Students with unsettled financial debts to any TSUS component or incomplete records will not be allowed to register until such problems are resolved.

Service Member Readmission Policy

In accordance with federal regulations, 34 C.F.R. § 668.18 and the Department of Defense (DoD) Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Lamar State College-Orange (LSCO), will promptly readmit service members who seek readmission to a program that was interrupted due to military service.

Military service is defined as voluntary or involuntary service in the armed forces, including service by a member of the National Guard or Reserve on active duty, active duty for training, or full-time National Guard duty under federal authority, for a period of more than 30 consecutive days under a call or order to active duty of more than 30 consecutive days. This does not include National Guard service under state authority.

Notification of Military Service

Notification of service must be provided to the Office of Admissions and Records at LSCO. The student (or an appropriate officer of the armed forces or official of the Department of Defense) must provide notice of such service as far in advance as is reasonable under the circumstances. This notice does not have to indicate whether the student intends to return to school and may not be subject to any rule of timeliness. (Timeliness must be determined by the facts in each case.) Alternatively, at the time of readmission, the student may submit an attestation of military service that necessitated the absence from school. No notice is required if precluded by military necessity, such as service in operations that are classified or would be compromised by such notice.

Notification of Intent to Return to School

The student must also give oral or written notice of the intent to return to the school within three years after the completion of the period of service. A student who is hospitalized or convalescing due to an illness or injury incurred or aggravated during the performance of service must provide notification within two years after the end of the period needed for recovery from the illness or injury. A student who fails to apply for readmission within these periods does not automatically forfeit eligibility for readmission but is subject to general practices.

LSCO will promptly readmit the student into the next class or classes in the program beginning after notice of intent to reenroll is provided unless a later date is requested or unusual circumstances require LSCO to admit the student at a later date. This requirement supersedes state law—for example, a qualifying service member will be admitted to the next class even if that class is at the maximum enrollment level set by the state.

LSCO will admit the student with the same academic status, which means;

• to the same program to which the student was last admitted or, if that exact program is no longer offered, the program that is most similar to that program;
• at the same enrollment status, unless the student wants to enroll at a different enrollment status;
• with the same number of credit hours previously completed, unless the student is readmitted to a different program to which the completed credit hours are not transferable, and with the same academic standing (e.g., with the same satisfactory academic progress status) the student previously had.

Tuition & Fees

If the student is readmitted to the same program, LSCO will assess the tuition and fee charges that would have been assessed for the academic year during which the student left (first academic year only). However, if veteran’s education benefits or other service member education benefits will pay the higher tuition and fee charges that other students in the program are paying for the year, LSCO will assess those charges to the student.

If the student is admitted to a different program, and for subsequent academic years for a student admitted to the same program, LSCO will assess no more than the tuition and fee charges that other students in the program are assessed for that academic year.

Readmission Requirements

The cumulative length of the absence and of all previous absences from the school for military service may not exceed five years. Only the time the student spends actually performing service is counted.

If LSCO determines that the student is not prepared to resume the program with the same academic status at the point where they left off or will not be able to complete the program, LSCO will make reasonable efforts at no extra cost to help the student become prepared or to enable the student to complete the program.

A student’s readmission rights terminate in the case of a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge, general court-martial, federal or state prison sentence, or other reasons as described in 34 CFR 668.18(h).

Proof of Residency

The Office of Admission and Records is responsible for determining the residence status of students for the purpose of tuition as set forth by the Texas Education Code, Rules, and Regulations for Determining Status of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and college regulations. Students classified as Texas residents are required to provide documentation showing the applicant’s name (or parent’s name if residency is based on the parent) with a Texas residence and dated one year before registration, such as the following:

• Texas high school transcript for the full senior year immediately preceding the census date;
• Unexpired Texas driver’s license or Texas ID card with an issue date of more than 12 months preceding the census date for the term enrolling;
• Two consecutive Texas voter registration cards with the most current not expired;
• Pay stubs for the 12 months preceding the census date;
• Bank statements reflecting a Texas address for 12 months preceding the census date;
• Utility bills for the 12 months preceding the census date;
• Registration or verification from licensor showing Texas address for licensee;
• Ownership of real property with copies of utility bills for the 12 months preceding the census date;
• A current credit report that documents the length and place of residence of the person or dependent’s parent.

International Students

Students from other countries holding visas other than permanent resident visas are considered international students. Applicants to Lamar State College Orange may be accepted for admission and have a Form I-20 issued when all requirements have been met. These requirements include:

• Application for admission (can be completed online at https://goapplytexas.org/;
• International Student Application and application fee;
• Official secondary school record and official college transcript (translated and evaluated);
• Evidence of sufficient financial support for the academic year in the form of an I-34 affidavit of support, an Immigration and Naturalization Service document;
• Copies of VISA/Passport
• Proof of adequate health insurance; and
• Provide proof of English Language Proficiency. International students must provide proof of English language proficiency through scores on the TOEFL or IELTS. This testing requirement is waived only for applicants who have completed at least two consecutive years of study at a college or university in the U.S. or an English proficiency-exempt country. Scores are valid for two years and must be received directly from the testing agency.

Undergraduate (Freshman & Transfer) English Proficiency Requirements:

Transfer students who are out of status must file reinstatement for F-1 status with the Immigration and Naturalization Services before they will be allowed to enroll. Students denied reinstatement will be administratively withdrawn from classes and will be subject to the refund policy in effect at the time of withdrawal.

In fulfillment of immigration regulations, a student must enroll in a full-time course of study which will lead to the attainment of specific educational objectives. A full-time course load is defined as a minimum of 12 semester hours.

High School Student Dual Credit Enrollment

Lamar State College Orange has a dual credit program allowing qualified high school students to enroll in college courses and earn credit for the courses simultaneously at the high school and college levels. Written recommendation from the high school principal or counselor and consent from parent/guardian must be on file before enrollment.

High School Concurrent Enrollment

Lamar State College Orange allows qualified high school students to enroll in college courses. Students attend high school and enroll in a course at the College; however, credit is received at the College level only. Written recommendation from the high school principal or counselor and consent from parent/guardian must be on file before enrollment.

Graduates of Non-Accredited High Schools

Applicants who have not graduated from accredited high schools may be admitted if they (1) have graduated in the upper two-thirds of their classes, (2) score 700 or above on the Scholastic Aptitude Test, or (3) have the recommended high school preparation credits.

Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination Requirement

Texas Senate Bill 1107 and subsequent Senate Bill 62 require all students entering an institution of higher education (public and private) to either receive a vaccination against bacterial meningitis or meet certain criteria for declining such a vaccination 10 days before the first day of classes. Therefore, if you are under the age of 22 and are 1) a returning student, who did NOT attend classes at Lamar State College-Orange the preceding long semester, 2) an entering freshman, OR 3) a transfer student, you must submit evidence of vaccination against bacterial meningitis. Students that are taking online-only courses DO NOT need to submit evidence of vaccination against bacterial meningitis. However, must complete a signed notarized waiver that may be obtained from the Admission & Records Office and may only enroll in online classes. To learn important facts about Bacterial Meningitis http://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/about/index.html.

Proof of bacterial meningitis vaccination or exemption:

• Evidence of Vaccination must verify that the vaccination was received at least 10 days before attending classes.
• A document bearing the signature or stamp of a physician, his or her designee, or public health official that states the name of the vaccination, the name and address of the medical facility, and the day, month, and year that the vaccination was administered.
• An official immunization record generated by a state or local health authority. This record must state the name of the vaccination, the name and address of the medical facility, and the day, month, and year that the vaccination was administered.
• An official school record that indicates a current bacterial meningitis vaccination. This record must state the name of the vaccination, the name and address of the medical facility, and the day, month, and year that the vaccination was administered.

Evidence to Decline Vaccination must be submitted in the following format:

To claim an exclusion for medical reasons, the student must present a statement signed by a physician (M.D. or D.O.), duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States who has examined the student, in which it is stated that, in the physician’s opinion, the vaccine required is medically contraindicated or poses a significant risk to the health and well-being of the student. Unless it is written in the statement that a lifelong condition exists, the exemption statement is valid for only one year from the date signed by the physician.

An affidavit signed by the student stating that the student declines the vaccination for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief. For information about requesting a conscientious objection exemption form from DSHS click here: http://collegevaccinerequirements.com/.

Important Considerations:

• The bacterial meningitis vaccination must be administered by a Health Practitioner authorized by law to administer an immunization.
• Vaccinations older than 5 years will require a booster.

How to provide proof of bacterial meningitis or exemption:

After evaluating multiple platforms, Lamar State College Orange chose an established provider, MedProctor. This system:

• Reduces the future burden of paperwork on our students.
• Provides HIPAA and FERPA privacy and security practices to the information.
• Makes this information instantly available to you, the student, if the need arises in the future.
• Advances the speed of care and communication of our staff to you in the event of an outbreak or an illness.

After applying for admission students will receive an email from MedProctor containing instructions on how to set up their account and provide the information required by the state. The bacterial meningitis vaccine or exemption from the vaccine must be provided to MedProctor before registration. All students are required to submit their information through MedProctor.

How to Apply for Admission

The following procedures should be followed in making an application for admission. All credentials should be submitted to the Office of Admission and Records, Lamar State College Orange, 410 Front Street, Orange, Texas 77630, Phone (409) 882-3923, Fax (409) 882-5096, or admissions@lsco.edu. 

Students must:

• apply for admission online at goapplytexas.org/ (inclusion of a social security number is encouraged);
• submit official transcripts from each high school and/or official college transcripts from all colleges previously attended, sent directly from issuing institutions or in a sealed envelope from issuing institution (this requirement applies, regardless of the length of time in attendance and regardless of whether credit was earned or is desired);
• submit current driver’s license; and
• submit visa or green card, if applicable.

All materials required for admission to Lamar State College Orange should be on file in the Office of Admission and Records before registration. A new applicant whose file is incomplete at the time of registration will be allowed to enroll on conditional status pending completion of the admission file. Students should take the prescribed placement tests and/or have records of test scores sent to the Office of Admission and Records.

NO STUDENT will be permitted to re-enroll until admission requirements have been met.

When to Apply for Admission

The application should be made well in advance, two or three months before the proposed enrollment date. Students are encouraged to submit applications as early as possible to facilitate the early advisement process.

The application form should be submitted before transcripts are sent. Official transcripts should normally be sent from the issuing institution after all work to be transferred is completed. Temporary admission will be granted if the time interval is limited between the end of a semester elsewhere and the beginning of the subsequent semester at Lamar State College Orange. In this event, an unofficial transcript and/or copy of the last grade report will be required. All credentials must be on file within four weeks after the first class or the student may be withdrawn. Students on temporary admission who are subsequently found to be ineligible for admission will be withdrawn.

In some cases, questions regarding transfer need to be clarified while work is still in progress at another institution. Under these circumstances, the partial transcript should be submitted and a complete official transcript furnished by the end of the semester.

Selected Admission - Health Sciences Programs

Admission to Lamar State College Orange does not guarantee entrance to a specific health sciences program. The number of students admitted to each of these programs is limited. Students admitted to selected admissions programs are admitted based on college reading levels, math abilities, prior educational achievements, and other specific criteria. Application for program admission should be made directly with the program director within published deadlines. Programs that require separate applications include the associate of applied science degrees in upward mobility nursing and the certificates in vocational nursing, dental assisting, pharmacy technology, and emergency medical services.