Beginning this year, College of the Canyons and the entire 112-campus California Community College System will introduce changes to the state’s current priority registration guidelines, in an effort to ensure that all students have fair access to classes.

The new regulations, which take effect in fall 2014, will continue to reward students who are making progress toward their academic and career goals, while also granting priority registration status to some first-time students.

Incoming freshman, and other first-time students, will be eligible to sign up for classes during the college’s initial registration period, provided they complete all the steps associated with the college’s mandatory matriculation process before June 30, 2014.

Those steps include completing an application for admission, completing an online orientation, completing math and English assessments, and developing a one-semester education plan using the college’s online student virtual advisor.

“First-time students who complete these steps and qualify for priority registration will better position themselves to experience a successful first semester at COC,” said Kari Soffa, director of outreach and school relations at the college. “By registering early, students will also have a better chance of enrolling in the key courses they need to fulfill their general education requirements, satisfy course prerequisites and quickly complete their degree and/or transfer to a four-year school.”

With local demand for classes again expected to be high in 2014, current high school seniors, incoming freshman and other first-time students interested in attending College of the Canyons for the fall 2014 semester are encouraged to begin the matriculation process as early as possible, even if they still may decide to attend another college or university.

“Completing the matriculation process does not commit a student to attending COC,” added Soffa. “But if they do end up wanting to enroll in classes at the college, those students will already have their spot secured, instead of having to scramble to enroll and register at the last minute.”

At COC, potential students were able to start the matriculation process beginning Jan. 1, 2014.

The online student virtual advisor will be available to students beginning April 1, 2014.

New students who complete the mandatory matriculation steps by June 30, 2014 will receive a priority registration date.

Details about these steps, as well as additional enrollment information, is available by clicking the “New Students” button located at www.canyons.edu/admissions.

Registration dates for the fall 2014 semester will be assigned beginning July 1, 2014 for those students who have completed all of the required steps.

For more information about College of the Canyons or to become a student, visit www.canyons.edu.