Lakeshore Technical College Eliminates Barriers for New Students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

5/28/2020

CLEVELAND, WI —

With many students and parents rethinking educational plans for the near future due to the pandemic, Lakeshore Technical College has taken steps to eliminate barriers in the application and registration processes. The college no longer requires an application fee or a placement test known as Accuplacer®.These changes are having a positive impact.

“We are excited to see online applications up 98 percent this month compared to the same time last year,” said LTC Director of Student Outreach Rhetta Earle. “Eliminating the application fee is encouraging prospective students to engage with the college without financial hardship, particularly in light of the economic uncertainty that many are currently facing.”

Previously, applicants paid a $30 application fee as part of the application process. With the pandemic causing the college to close to the general public, applicants without a credit or debit card had difficulty paying the fee. According to Earle, the fee was also a significant financial barrier to some people who would like to attend LTC.

The Accuplacer test, used around the country, helps college administrators place new students into the courses that match their skills and abilities and carried a $25 fee. The elimination of the test allows LTC to enroll students who have already been accepted to the college into their courses for summer or fall, and provides new students financial relief.

An alternate evaluation process has replaced the Accuplacer test. The process consists of an initial session between the new student and an LTC advisor to discuss the student’s previous experience and education to assess the course placement recommendation.

“This new holistic approach is designed to ensure student success while eliminating the potential barriers of required test scores and fees,” said Earle. 

For details on LTC’s application process, click here.

For additional Lakeshore Technical College news, click here.

The Bridge at LTC Cleveland

About Lakeshore Technical College

Each year more than 10,000 people enroll in courses at Lakeshore Technical College. They rely on LTC for job preparation, to earn a degree, upgrade a specialized skill, train as an apprentice, or seek a high school equivalency. LTC faculty and staff meet students where they are in life and help them get one step closer to achieving their goals.

LTC is a nationally recognized technical college. The college was ranked the #2 two-year college in the nation for adult learners by Washington Monthly, the #17 trade school in the nation by Forbes, #11 in the nation for two-year college educational outcomes by WalletHub.com, a top-150 two-year college for the fifth consecutive time by the Aspen Institute, and a top 10 Bellwether Award finalist.

Approximately 800 students graduate from LTC each year, and LTC’s associate degree graduates earn a median salary of $47,800* per year. In addition to the Cleveland campus, LTC serves students in Manitowoc and Sheboygan, and offers classes at additional sites throughout the district. Visit LTC at gotoltc.edu.

*Source: 2019 LTC Graduate Outcomes report, 795 graduates contacted to complete the survey; 508 graduates or 64% completed the survey.