Admission Policy

Union College invites students who desire to study in a Christian environment to apply.

Your first steps to Union College begin here.

Jump to:
Admission Requirements
Conditional Admission
High School Curriculum
Guaranteed Education
Baccaluareate Bonus
International Admissions

Apply.

• Get your application one of three simple ways:
           1)  Fill out the online application, or print the PDF.
           2)  Call 800.228.4600 for an application packet.
           3)  E-mail your request to ucenroll [at] ucollege [dot] edu.
• Submit your application as early as first semester of your senior year of high school or its equivalent.
• If you are a former Union College student and have not attended Union for one or more semesters, submit a reapplication form.

Send transcripts.

• Download an official Transcript Request (PDF).
• Submit the request for your high school (and college, if applicable) registrar to mail all official transcripts directly to:
  Union College
  Attn:  Admissions Office
  3800 South 48th Street
  Lincoln, NE  68506
• Six- and Seven-semester high school transcripts may be submitted for early acceptance.
• Home school students should submit official transcripts from any schools attended and a list of the home school curriculum.  (View two samples of home school transcripts.)

Send test scores.

• Send your ACT/SAT scores one of two ways (required only if less than 24 hours of college credit):
  1.  When you take your ACT/SAT test, request that your scores be sent to Union College (Union's school code for ACT is 2480 and for SAT is 6865).
  2.  Arrange with Union's Career Center (402.486.2540 or career [at] ucollege [dot] edu) to take your ACT test at Union College.
• Students whose first language is not English need the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for non-EAP admission.  Neither TOEFL nor ACT/SAT is required for acceptance into the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program.

Make financial arrangements.

• If you are seeking federal financial assistance, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Get an application from:
  1.  your high school guidance counselor;
  2.  Union's Student Financial Services (402.486.2505);
  3.  or, the web at www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
• View Union's financial information (including estimated expenses and resources) online.
• Sign the financial commitment from Student Financial Services (402.486.2505).

Complete pre-registration.

• Complete the health form online, print the PDF or find the form in your acceptance letter, and ask that your immunization records be sent to Union.
• Complete the housing request online, print the PDF or find the card in your acceptance letter.
• Fill out an employment application online or print the PDF.
• There are benefits for completing the above items by July 30, 2010.
  You will:
  1.  Have the first pick of class choices.
  2.  Avoid long registration lines in the fall.
  3.  Have your class schedule worked out, making it easier to plan your work schedule.
  4.  Have your financial plan completed, making it easier to manage your finances.

• A completed application for admission.  Available from the Office of Admissions and on the Union College Web site, the application may be submitted as early as the first semester of the senior year of high school or its equivalent.
• Graduation from high school, completion of a comparable home school curriculum, or GED (see below).
• A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.50 on a 4-point scale.
• A minimum ACT composite score of 18 with minimum English and math scores of 17, or combined SAT score of 870 (old SAT) or 1290 (new SAT).  The ACT test may be taken on campus.  For arrangements, contact the Career Center at 402.486.2540 or e-mail career [at] ucollege [dot] edu.
• Transcripts of all high schools and colleges or universities attended.  Official transcripts should be mailed directly from the registrar of the institution attended to the Union College Admissions Office as part of the application.  Official final high school transcripts with date of graduation and transcripts of all previous college coursework are required prior to enrollment.
• Home school students should submit official transcripts from any schools attended and/or a home school transcript along with an explanation of the home school curriculum with date of completion. (View sample home school transcripts.)
• Applicants who have not graduated from high school or completed a home school curriculum must submit minimum standard test scores of 450 on each of the five tests of the General Educational Development (GED) or an average score of 500 for all tests.
• Students whose native language is not English must either furnish proof of current English proficiency with a standardized test taken within the past two years, or enter the EAP program.  The College accepts the following examinations and minimum scores:
  TOEFL:  Internet-based (IBT), 80; International Paper-based, 550; computer-based, 213
  IELTS 6.0
  SAT I (Critical Reading) 430
  ACT (English) 17
• Any applicant who has successfully completed at least 24 semester hours or equivalent from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.00 is considered a transfer student with standing as a sophomore or above.  Submission of ACT scores is not required for transfer student admission.

Non-Degree Students
Students from other institutions and individuals not seeking a degree from Union College may take six hours or less of classes per semester without meeting the regular admission requirements above.

Applicants who do not meet the published admission requirements will be considered by the Admissions Committee, which may request further statements and other evidence indicating the likelihood of the applicant's success.  If accepted by committee action, the applicant may be required to enroll in an appropriate fee-based program offered through the Teaching Learning Center (TLC).

Freshman Development (FD) is designed to help freshmen transition into college with the support of an academic coach.  Students on Freshmen Development are required to

• sign a Freshmen Development agreement and complete its requirements;
• limit their class load to a maximum of 13 hours;
• complete the course TLCM 100 Bridge: Building Connections;
• pay an additional fee for Freshmen Development.

Students on academic probation are required to particpate in Academic Success and Advising Program (ASAP).  The student must

• sign an ASAP agreement and complete its requirements;
• register for a maximum of 12 hours;
• pay an additional fee for ASAP.

A college preparatory diploma represents a better preparation for college than does a general diploma.  The recommendations below are provided as guidance for a quality prepartion for college, not as admission requirements.

• English - four years of English is highly recommended, besides speech and drama courses.
• Mathematics - two years of algebra and one year of geometry. Pre-calculus/advanced math is required to enter some math and science courses.
• Science - two years of biology, chemistry or physics; one year of each is advantageous for science majors.
• Social Sciences - two years of history, or one year of history and another of a social science.
• Computer - a computer applications course which provides basic competency in word-processing, spreadsheets, presentations and file management.

Guaranteed Education Program
As evidence of its commitment to academic quality, Union College created the Guaranteed Education program.  It offers Union graduates who desire a degree in an additional discipline the opportunity to take courses toward that major with no charge for tuition.

The Guaranteed Education program permits alumni who earned at least 64 semester hours in residence to receive free tuition between two years and six years after graduation.  Some restrictions apply:

• Free tuition is limited to the major and contextual requirements for one additional major only.  It does not apply to elective courses or general education courses.
• Most majors are covered under the program, but the professional phases of the Health Sciences, Nursing, and International Rescue and Relief programs are not.
• Because personalized and general studies degrees are not college-designed programs, they are not eligible.
• Students paying full tuition will receive priority for registration in limited-enrollment classes and laboratory sections.
• Only students with a satisfactory citizenship record are eligible.

Baccalaureate Bonus Program
Union's Baccalaureate Bonus program offers qualified students who hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent the opportunity to take additional undergraduate classes or to complete another undergraduate degree at half the current tuition rate.  Students electing to enter the program may carry either full- or part-time class loads.  Applicants for the program must meet the academic and citizenship expectations of regular students, and submit an official transcript verifying completion of the previous degree.

The Baccalaureate Bonus half-tuition rate applies only to fall and spring semester courses.  Discounts are applied to tuition only and do not apply to laboratory fees, the professional phases of the Health Science program, the Nursing program or the International Rescue and Relief program, clinical course work, off-campus courses (including those in affiliated programs), individual lessons, EAP program and/or courses, general fees, club fees, cafeteria charges, room rent and other miscellaneous charges.

Baccalaureate Bonus tuition discounts will be granted to international students only if the student holds a baccalaureate equivalent degree and meets the English language requirement through a satisfactory TOEFL or other score.

Baccalaureate Bonus students may enroll in any course subject to the conditions outlined in this policy but must recognize that first-time undergraduate students paying full tuition will receive priority for enrollment in limited-enrollment classes and lab sections.

Financial Considerations
Applicants to both the Guaranteed Education and Baccalaureate Bonus programs must have paid in full any previous accounts held with Union College.  In addition,

• students in the programs are not eligible to receive any other Union College scholarships or financial awards, and
• federal financial aid, grants, discounts or scholarships are generally not available.
• Expenses that the student remains responsible for include summer school courses, laboratory fees, clinical course work, off-campus courses, individual lessons, general fees, ASB fees, club fees and all other miscellaneous charges.
• On-campus employment is not readily available to students in either program.  However, based on campus employment needs, the Student Finance Committee may approve a student's application for employment.
• Students pursuing degrees assume full financial responsibility for classes that must be taken at other colleges or universities.
• Other restrictions may apply.  Contact Enrollment and Student Financial Services.

For information about application, passports and visas, employment, English langauge proficiency, finances, scholarships, housing, and insurance, please contact:
The Director of Admissions
Union College
3800 South 48th Street
Lincoln, NE  68506
USA
or go to www.ucollege.edu/international.

English Proficiency for International Students
To be admitted as a regular student regardless of citizenship, applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admission Requirements section above.

Federal Financial Aid for Certain International EAP Students
Some non-native English-speaking students may be eligible for Federal financial aid from the U.S. government.  Eligible students include:

• American Samoans;
• students with refugee or asylum visa status; and
• Permanent residents.

Students who are eligible for federal financial aid and whose written TOEFL score is between 475 and 550 may request admission as a regular student rather than an EAP student.  This must be requested in writing to the Admissions Office, either at the time of initial application or upon achieving a TOEFL score of 475.

If accepted, the applicant will be admitted on provisional status for up to two semesters, and must maintain good academic performance.  If the student declares a major, an appropriate adviser will be provided in addition to the EAP adviser, who must approve registration for the EAP courses.  The student must enroll in at least six semester hours of regular courses from a list of approved courses 200-level and below and at least three semester hours of EAP courses.  Courses not on the list may be approved by the division chair in the discipline involved.  Tuition will be charged at the regular rate.

To remain at Union College after two semesters, the student must either pass TOEFL with a minimum score of 550 or be reinstated as an EAP-only student and thus not qualify for federal or state financial aid.