Consumer Information

Upon satisfactory completion of requirements, students may earn the Associate in Arts Degree, Associate in Science Degree, Associate Degree for Transfer or a Certificate of Achievement. For more information about all academic programs including requirements, view the latest college catalog, explore the Academics pages, or go to a counseling office.

Admission

Admission to LASC is open to high school graduates, individuals with a high school equivalency certificate (GED), or anyone 18 years of age or older and can show evidence of being able to benefit from instruction. All inquiries concerning the application, admission, and registration should be sent to Los Angeles Southwest College, Office of Admissions and Records, 1600 West Imperial Highway, Los Angeles, CA 90047-4899.

Applications for admission with detailed instructions are available from the Office of Admissions and Records and on the college’s website at www.lasc.edu. Click on the “Apply Online” link.

An application must be submitted if a student is:

1. A new student entering LASC for the first time and who is not a current student at a sister campus,
2. A returning (former) student who did not attend LASC or a sister campus for the prior fall semester or spring semester,
3. A student in grades K-12 enrolled in a public or private school who is seeking special admission

Orientation

The in-person orientation will introduce you to LASC, our policies and procedures as well as give you an overview of the different resources and support services as well as a campus tour that is available for your success. Check the posted schedule at the Assessment and Training website for dates, room locations, and times. Students may also complete the Online Orientation by visiting www.lasc.edu.

Assessment

LASC offers a self-paced computerized assessment placement test. Students receive an assessment summary that may be used to select their courses and to plan their educational and career goals. Course recommendations are advisory and should be discussed with a counselor. The Assessment and Testing Office provides services to complete the Prerequisite/Co-Requisite Challenge Exams and course prerequisite/co-requisites clearances. The center offers Accuplacer for English and math placement “Tests of Adult Basic Education (TABE)” non-credit courses. This test will measure the student’s grade level in Language, Math, and Reading. This is not a pass/fail test. This is a timed test. Testing is available through department referral. Please see the Assessment and Testing Office for further information.

Assessment Testing Policy

All students that have taken the Assessment test will be allowed to retest once a term, not to exceed four times a year; as long as they have not completed a course in either the corresponding Math or English course sequence. All test scores are valid for two years. Please be prepared as retesting policies are strictly enforced and are subject to change. Assessment placement results from other California Community Colleges are accepted within the last two years.

Counseling

After participation in the Assessment placement process, students will meet with a counselor and receive an abbreviated student educational plan. All students should meet with a counselor during the semester to develop a comprehensive student educational plan. All students who have not declared an educational goal and students who are enrolled in pre-collegiate basic skills courses are highly encouraged to meet with a counselor to develop a student educational plan.

Follow-up/Early Alert

Early Alert provides mid-semester evaluation and feedback of a student’s academic progress, according to their classroom instructors. Referrals to support services are made when needed or requested. Student Success Center workshops are offered throughout the semester.

Exemption

Exemption from the Matriculation process (Orientation, Assessment, and Counseling are:

• You have already earned an Associate degree or higher (proof of degree required).
• You are only taking one class (not math or English) for personal enrichment or job advancement.

If either of the above applies to you, visit the Admissions and Records Office in Student Services Building (SSB), Room 102, to request an exemption from the matriculation process (ie. Orientation, Assessment, and Counseling)

Attendance

Only students who have been admitted to the college and are in an approved active status may attend classes. Students should attend every meeting of all classes for which they register. To avoid being dropped from a class, students should contact the instructor when they are absent for emergency reasons.

Students who are pre-registered in a class and miss the first meeting may lose their right to a place in the class, but the instructor may consider special circumstances. Whenever students are absent more hours than the number of hours the class meets per week, the instructor may, but is not required to, drop them from the class. In addition, the instructor will consider whether there are mitigating circumstances that may justify the absences. If the instructor determines that such circumstances do not exist, the instructor may exclude a student from the class.

Withdrawals

Students wishing to drop one or more classes must do so through the Student Information System at www.LASC.edu.

It is the student’s responsibility to officially drop a class through the website or in person. Students must drop by the end of the second week of semester-length classes to avoid fees. Any drops or exclusions that occur after the no-penalty drop date (under last day to drop without a “W”) and up to 75% of the time the class is scheduled will result in a “W” on the student’s record, which will be included in the determination of progress probation. Withdrawals are not permitted beyond 75% of class meeting time. A grade (A, B, C, D, F, P, INC, or NP) will be assigned to students who are enrolled past the last day to drop even if they stop attending class, except in cases of extenuating circumstances. After the last day to drop, students may withdraw from the class upon submitting a petition that demonstrates extenuating circumstances and after consultation with the appropriate faculty.

“Military withdrawal” occurs when a student who is a member of an active or reserve United States military service receives orders compelling a withdrawal from courses. Upon verification of such orders, an “MW” may be assigned at any time after 30% of the time the class is scheduled to meet. No notation (“W” or other) shall be made on the records of a student who withdraws during the first 30% of the time the class is scheduled. Enrollment fees will be refunded with military withdrawals. Military withdrawals shall not be counted in progress probation and dismissal calculations, nor are they counted in the three attempts to take a course.

Course Repeats

Course Repetition To Improve Substandard Grades

The Board of Governors adopted regulations that limit apportionment for enrollment in a single credit course to three enrollments, with specific exemptions. Enrollment occurs when a student receives an evaluative (A-F, N, NP, CR, NC) or non-evaluative (W) symbol, pursuant to Title 5, Section 55023. Limits set forth in this new regulation will affect students based on all prior course enrollments. Students will only have three attempts to pass a class within the Los Angeles community college district (LACCD). If the student gets a “W” or a grade of “NP” or “F” in a class, that will count as an attempt. Students with three or more such records of enrollment will not be allowed to repeat the course within LACCD, but can take the course outside of the district. Students may, however, petition to repeat a course a third time within the district (subject to certain conditions) due to extenuating circumstances such as the significant lapse of time, military withdrawal, etc.

Exemptions to this policy include courses identified as “repeatable” such as kinesiology and performing arts in accordance with Title 5, Section 55041, subdivision (c), but do not apply to enrollment in all other credit courses. Students may repeat courses in which substandard grades (“D”, “F, “NC”, or “NP”) were awarded in LACCD. No specific course or categories of courses shall be exempt from course repetition. This policy only applies to courses taken at colleges within the Los Angeles Community College District. Courses completed through the provisions of Board Rule 6704 Credit by Examination may not be used to remove a substandard grade. Other institutions may differ. Students planning to transfer to another college should contact the institution regarding their policy. The LACCD Chancellor, in consultation with the District Academic Senate, may adopt regulations to limit course repetition within specific programs.

First and Second Course Repetition To Improve Substandard Grades

Upon completion of a repeated course, the highest grade earned will be computed in the cumulative grade point average and the student’s academic record should be so annotated.

Third Course Repetition To Improve Substandard Grades

A student may repeat the same course for a third time provided the student has:

1. Received three substandard grades for the same District course,
2. Filed a petition that states the extenuating circumstances are the basis for the petition for the third repeat. “Extenuating circumstances” are verified cases of accidents, illness, military service, or other circumstances beyond the control of the student.
3. Had the petition approved by the College President or designee. Upon the completion of the third repetition, the grade used in computing the student’s cumulative grade point average shall be the highest grade earned, and the student’s record will be so annotated. The three lower substandard grades will not be used in the computation of the grade point average.

Petitioning To Repeat A Course A Third Time

Petition to Repeat a Course a Third Time accompanied by appropriate documentation must be filed no later than the published deadline for the term during which the student wishes to repeat. The deadline is published each fall and spring semester in the Schedule of Classes. To be eligible to file a Petition to Repeat a Course a Third Time, at least one regular semester (Fall or Spring) must have elapsed since receiving the third substandard grade. A committee will review petitions and students will be notified of the outcome. Petitions to Repeat a Course a Third Time are available in the Office of Admissions and Records and the Counseling Center. If approved, a student must obtain an Add Permit from the instructor once the semester begins and submit the Add Permit to Admissions and Records for processing.

Course Repetition: Special Circumstances

Repetition of courses for which substandard work has not been recorded shall be permitted only upon advance petition of the student and with the written permission of the LASC President or designee based on a finding that circumstances exist which justify such repetition. In such repetition under special circumstances, the student’s permanent academic record shall be annotated in such a manner that all work remains legible. Grades awarded for repetition under special circumstances shall not be counted in calculating a student’s grade point average.

Overview

Los Angeles Southwest College has a full array of Title IV programs and California State Programs. Financial assistance may include grants, loans, federal work-study, LASC Foundation scholarships, as well as privately supported scholarships.

Terms and conditions of the Title IV, HEA loans students receive [34 C.F.R. § 668.42(a)(4)]:

If you decide to take out a loan, make sure you understand who is making the loan and the terms and conditions of the loan. Student loans can come from the federal government or from private sources such as a bank or financial institution. Loans made by the federal government, called federal student loans, usually offer borrowers lower interest rates and have more flexible repayment options

Contact information for Obtaining Financial Aid Assistance

Prospective or enrolled students who have questions about obtaining financial aid should call Los Angeles Southwest College's Financial Aid Office at (323) 241-5338. For information about office hours, visit the Financial Aid Office website.

Eligibility for Financial Aid

To receive Federal and most State financial aid, an applicant must:

• Be a U.S. Citizen or an eligible non-citizen (permanent resident, resident alien, refugee, asylee); NOTE: State of California programs may have a less restrictive residency requirement for non-U.S. citizens;
• Be enrolled at Los Angeles Southwest College;
• Be officially enrolled in a degree, certificate, or eligible transfer program in a declared major at an LACCD college;
• Be making satisfactory academic progress, according to financial aid policy;
• Have financial need as demonstrated through an application on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA);
• Not be in default on a Federal student loan or owe a repayment on a Federal student grant;
• Have a high school diploma, a GED (General Equivalency Diploma) or their equivalent, or demonstrate an ability to benefit from a college education by passing the required Department of Education approved ‘Ability to Benefit’ test offered by the Assessment and Tutorial Center;
• Be registered with the Selective Service (unless not required to register);
• Supply an accurate Social Security Number and name;
• Provide all documentation requested by the financial aid office.

Need-based and non-need based federal and state financial aid

Los Angeles Southwest College has a full array of aid programs. Some are need-based and some are non-need based as determined by the information provided and verified on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

How eligibility for need-based aid is determined and how need-based is awarded

Students are packaged for financial aid (given financial aid from several of the programs for which a student is eligible) based on the student’s financial need. Financial need is determined by a student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC is computed from information provided on the FAFSA) as compared to LASC’s Cost of Attendance (COA). Those who have a positive number remaining after the EFC is subtracted from the Cost of Attendance may qualify for some need-based aid sources. To meet federal regulations, LASC defines the neediest students as those whose EFC = $0.

How and When Financial Aid will be Distributed

There are two financial aid disbursements per semester. In order to received disbursements, a student must select their preferences with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. Visit this link for more information: https://bankmobiledisbursements.com/refundchoices/.

National Student Loan Data System

The National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) is the U.S. Department of Education’s central database for student financial aid records. Federal loans disbursed to students or parents will be submitted to NSLDS and will be accessible by guarantee agencies, lenders, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the data system. Student and parent borrowers can track and manage their federal student loans and grants online at the National Student Loan Data System website. The secured site displays information on loans and grants, including amounts, outstanding balances, and status. Student and parent borrowers can also find contact information for their loan servicer.

Terms and Conditions of Direct Loan Deferments

Information regarding the various deferments available to student and parent loan borrowers is available at the Department of Education website. The information is located under “Managing Repayment” and then click on “Trouble Making Payments?”

Terms of Loans Received, Repayment Schedules and Repayment

Generally, borrowers will have from 10 to 25 years to repay their loan, depending on the repayment plan they choose. The loan servicer will notify the borrower of the date the first payment is due. If a repayment plan is not chosen by the borrower, the borrower will be placed on the standard repayment plan, with fixed monthly payments for up to 10 years. Repayment plans can be changed at any time by contacting the loan servicer. Information about standard repayment, extended repayment, graduated repayment, income-contingent repayment (not available for parent PLUS loans), and income-based repayment can be found at the Department of Education website under “Managing Repayment”. Click “Repayment Plans & Calculators”.

Loan Entrance Counseling

The Federal Government requires first-time student borrowers to complete loan entrance counseling to ensure that the student borrower understands the responsibilities and obligations they are assuming. In order to provide the required comprehensive information on the terms and conditions of the loan and the borrower’s responsibilities, first-time student loan borrowers at Los Angeles Southwest College are required to complete entrance counseling.

Loan Exit Counseling

All students who received a loan must complete a Mandatory Online Loan Exit Counseling Workshop. The loan exit counseling will provide valuable counseling and important information regarding repayment, deferment, and default prevention. Please visit the National Student Loan Data System website to conduct an online exit counseling.

Private Educational Loan Disclosures

Any student applying for a private education loan at Los Angeles Southwest College must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form with the college in order to ensure that all waivers and grants are available to the student, as well as to encourage students to make use of low-interest loans available through the Department of Education (subsidized if eligible). Student borrowers are counseled to compare the terms and conditions of the Department of Education loans with the terms and conditions of private education loans to determine the more favorable borrowing option. Upon request, LASC will provide the self-certification form for private education loans required under Sec. 128(e)(3) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1638(e)(3) and the information required to complete the form, to the extent that Los Angeles Southwest College possesses the information.

Pell Grant

Details on Pell Grant recipients and completers can be found below:

Academic Year Definition

An “Academic Year” is defined as the Fall Semester through the Spring Semester of the following year. Winter and Summer terms are considered “Intersessions.”

Career Transfer/Pathway and Jobs Center

The Transfer Center offers a variety of services, including transfer workshops, university application assistance, educational plans, and annual Transfer Fairs. At LASC, you can complete your freshman and sophomore equivalent coursework, then transfer to the college or university of your choice as a junior. After using resources of the Career/ Transfer Center, students will have awareness of transfer services, they will be able to identify universities that offer their major, they will be able to successfully complete CSU/ IGETC requirements. Also, students will be able to identify UC and private institutions of interest and demonstrate the use of the online university application systems and will have awareness of transfer deadlines.

Distance Learning/Online Learning

List of all programs that are offered at the LASC campus is available in our catalog.

Materials that explain the faculty role in regards to interaction with students in distance education courses:
LACCD Administrative Regulation E-89

Faculty

Information on the college’s faculty and instructional personnel is available in the college’s catalog. Contact information for current faculty can be found in our faculty directory. For additional information, please contact LASC's Human Resources at 323-241-5283 or visit Annex of the Cox Building on LASC's campus at 1600 West Imperial Highway.

Gainful Employment (Certificate Programs Only)

Disclosures related to programs preparing students for gainful employment [34 C.F.R. § 668.6(b)].

For a comprehensive list of all programs (both certificates and degree programs), visit the LASC Programs Page

Textbook

Students can access each semester’s book list through the college store. Book information is listed as it becomes known through the submission of book orders from faculty. The book list is subject to substantial change prior to, and throughout, the course of a semester.

Student Right-To-Know refers to the Student Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-542), which requires colleges and universities to participate in federal financial aid programs to disclose information about completion and transfer rates. The intent is to provide prospective students a statistic of comparable effectiveness that they can use to determine their college of choice.

– more about the Student Right To Know Act

Completion/Graduation Rates

LASC's completion and graduation rates can be viewed at LASC Student Success Score Card

Athletics

Graduation and retention rates for student-athletes
Graduation and retention rates are available to student-athletes, their parents, high school coaches, and guidance counselors when interest in intercollegiate athletic participation is made by the student. LASC does not offer financial aid to students based on athletic ability. For information on graduation and retention rates or student success programs for student-athletes, please contact the Athletic Director.

Equity in Athletics Survey

https://ope.ed.gov/athletics/#/institution/details

Equity in Athletic Discourse

As part of federally mandated Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act, information on annual participation rates and financing of men’s and women’s sports in intercollegiate athletic programs is available by request to students and the general public. For more information or to receive a copy of the report, contact the Athletic Department or you can find the data on the Department of Education’s website.

FERPA Information

[34 C.F.R. Part 99, § 668.41(c)]
FAMILY EDUCATION RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT (FERPA)

Misrepresentation

Academic Dishonesty

Violations of Academic Integrity include, but are not limited to, the following actions: cheating on an exam, plagiarism, working together on an assignment, paper, or project when the instructor has specifically stated students should not do so, submitting the same term paper to more than one instructor, or allowing another individual to assume one’s identity for the purpose of enhancing one’s grade.

Board Rule 9803.28 Academic Dishonesty