Get Ready to Register: Registration Checklist

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DCCCD’s career-enhancing courses put your career on the fast track to success. Whether you’re just getting started or starting over, the college credit you earn at DCCCD is a great start to a new future.

For information about upcoming registration dates, see our Registration Dates Web page.

To get ready for registration ...

1) Choose a college

Investigate possible college choices online: DCCCD has seven unique colleges to choose from, plus the Dallas TeleCollege Online!

2) Prepare to apply (high school students)

Pass all your required high school courses.
Pass your TAKS exam.
Look into scholarship opportunities.

3) Apply for admission

Complete the admissions application.
Submit final official high school transcripts. Keep several copies of your final transcript for your records.
Provide proof of bacterial meningitis vaccination (some exemptions apply).
Participate in your college’s orientation.
Take an assessment test (ACCUPLACER exam). Contact the Testing Center to make an appointment. (Please note: Some of the colleges require that you have an assessment referral form completed by an academic advisor before you can take the exam. Check with the college of your choice to find out if you need to have an assessment referral.)

4) Plan your program of study and register for classes

Get detailed information about some of the credit programs DCCCD offers, or see a chart of all of our degree plans by location.
Read the college catalog to see the courses and requirements for your program.
Look through the current schedule to get an idea of courses you might want to take.
Visit your college advisor so he or she can help you select your courses.
Sign up for classes.

5) Apply for financial aid

Your college’s Financial Aid Office will award grants, scholarships or loans to help pay for tuition and books if all deadlines and requirements are met.
Obtain an electronic PIN, which can be used each year to electronically apply for federal student aid and to access your U.S. Department of Education records online. You will need one for yourself and another one for your parents if you are a dependent.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You must be a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen to apply for federal help.
If you are not a citizen, and therefore not eligible for federal aid, you may still be eligible for Texas state aid if you qualify as a Texas resident under the Noriega bill. To apply for state aid because you do not qualify for federal aid, please complete a paper FAFSA (PDF - 1.9MB) and submit it to your Financial Aid Office with supporting income verification documents.
Become familiar with the types of financial aid you may receive, including grants, scholarships, work study and loans.

6) Pay for classes and buy books

Check with your Financial Aid Office to determine when your award will be disbursed.
Check the due date on your invoice. If you are not yet awarded, you may have to pay out-of-pocket until your award is disbursed.
Pay for classes by check, cash, credit/debit card or money order. Sign up for a payment plan if needed.
Visit the online bookstore for your college with your list of classes to buy books.

7) Get it together

Check out the many student services DCCCD offers.
Set up your eConnect account. eConnect lets you plan your schedule, register and pay for classes, as well as view your grades online.
Get a student ID card, which will serve as your library card and also allow you access to other student services.
Activate your Student NetMail for a free DCCCD email account.

8) Go to class!

Once you have registered and set up your eConnect account, you can log in and check your personalized class schedule for course dates and times.
Check out maps of your college to find your classrooms.