First-Year Experience (FYE)
FYE Program
Collin College recognizes that the first year of college is a very important time for students. It's a time filled with excitement and new opportunities, but it can also bring about stress and uncertainty as students adjust to a new environment and increased academic demands. As a result, Collin College has developed a First-Year Experience (FYE) program specifically designed to assist first-time-in-college (FTIC) students in making a smooth and successful transition into college life.
A good starting point is to become familiar with some of the terms you may encounter along your college journey.
Key Dates and Deadlines
Another crucial step in making a successful transition to college is knowing when things are happening. Collin College offers a couple of different resources to stay on top of important dates through an academic and master calendar.
Academic Calendar
A concise one-page list of important academic deadlines, including census dates, withdraw deadlines, class start and end dates, final exam dates, and major holidays.
Master Calendar
A detailed month-by-month calendar showing dates and deadlines for class start and end dates, registration deadlines, payment deadlines, appeal deadlines, housing move-in dates, major holidays, commencement dates, and due dates for final grades.
Orientation Information
Now that you’ve had a chance to see the relevant deadlines, you’ll need to apply so that you can register for classes. Visit Collin College Apply Now for a step-by-step guide on applying and registering.
It is very important that all FTIC students complete orientation prior to attending classes. This is because it helps new students acclimate to their new environment, both academically and socially. It provides essential information about campus resources, academic expectations, and support services, helping students feel more confident and prepared for the challenges ahead. Orientation also offers opportunities to meet peers, faculty, and staff, fostering a sense of community and belonging that is crucial for a successful college experience.
To see the Collin College orientation schedule and Sign-up, visit Collin College Orientation.
Prior to attending orientation, it is very important that you complete the following pre-orientation activities. That way you can begin registering for classes at the conclusion of orientation, ensuring that you get your most preferred schedule.
Pre-Orientation Activities
- Provide Transcripts
Provide any transcripts that you may have by requesting that your high school send an official transcript to transcripts@big5vn.com or the following address:
Collin College
Admissions & Records
P.O. Box 8001
McKinney, Texas 75069-8001
Please note: Whether a transcript was received at Collin College electronically or by regular mail, it may take up to 7 - 10 business days to process, as each transcript must be manually reviewed. Transcript processing during peak season may be longer.
- Provide Proof of Vaccinations
Provide proof of meningitis vaccination by submitting vaccine records through our Med+Proctor portal (proof of vaccination must be submitted through the portal and will not be accepted in our admissions offices.) This can take several days to process, so please submit this as early as you can.
Submit Vaccination Records - Complete Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Placement Testing
Complete TSI testing to see if you are ready for entry-level college coursework in the areas of English Language Arts Reading (ELAR) and mathematics. This step must be completed before registering for courses. If you think you may be exempt from the TSI test, please review the list of acceptable exemptions and waivers you can submit in lieu of taking the test.
View TSI Exemptions
Sign Up for TSI Testing - Complete Campus Safety Training
Complete Campus Safety Training through your CougarWeb account. This will be located on the student tab in the Safety and Wellness Channel. (You must first be admitted to Collin College before you can gain access to this training.)
Complete Training
Provide any transcripts that you may have by requesting that your high school send an official transcript to transcripts@big5vn.com or the following address:
Collin College
Admissions & Records
P.O. Box 8001
McKinney, Texas 75069-8001
Please note: Whether a transcript was received at Collin College electronically or by regular mail, it may take up to 7 - 10 business days to process, as each transcript must be manually reviewed. Transcript processing during peak season may be longer.
Provide proof of meningitis vaccination by submitting vaccine records through our Med+Proctor portal (proof of vaccination must be submitted through the portal and will not be accepted in our admissions offices.) This can take several days to process, so please submit this as early as you can.
Submit Vaccination RecordsComplete TSI testing to see if you are ready for entry-level college coursework in the areas of English Language Arts Reading (ELAR) and mathematics. This step must be completed before registering for courses. If you think you may be exempt from the TSI test, please review the list of acceptable exemptions and waivers you can submit in lieu of taking the test.
View TSI ExemptionsSign Up for TSI Testing
Complete Campus Safety Training through your CougarWeb account. This will be located on the student tab in the Safety and Wellness Channel. (You must first be admitted to Collin College before you can gain access to this training.)
Complete TrainingTools for Success
Campus resources are vital for FTIC students as they help ease the transition into higher education. Resources such as academic advising, tutoring centers, and libraries provide essential academic support, helping students adjust to the rigors of college coursework.
Counseling services, career centers, and student organizations foster personal development, mental health, and a sense of community, all of which are critical for student success. Access to these resources helps FTIC students navigate challenges more effectively, improving their chances of academic achievement and long-term success in college. Please check the list below for resources offered at Collin College
Important Resources
OneLogin
Collin College uses a single sign-on system called OneLogin. You will need to install this to your device before gaining access to Collin applications like Workday Student, Canvas, and Office 365.
Collin College Email
Collin College uses Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Outlook for email. This means that to access your Collin-issued email, you’ll need to log into Office 365. After you install and activate the OneLogin app, you’ll want to log into Office 365 through your CougarWeb account. For instructions, please click the Collin Email Instructions button below. For troubleshooting, please contact Student Technical Support at (972)377-1777.
View Collin College Email Instructions
Academic Advisors
One of the most important resources students have at their disposal is academic advisors. They are crucial for student success because they help students choose the right courses, understand degree requirements, and develop academic plans aligned with their career goals. Advisors also offer support in overcoming academic challenges and making informed decisions about their education. By providing personalized advice and connecting students with campus resources, academic advisors play a key role in ensuring students stay on track for graduation.
Connect With Academic advising
Degree Plan and Catalog Information
Understanding your degree plan is key for your success. Fortunately, Collin College has all degree plans easily accessible through the Collin College Catalog, which you can access by clicking the button below.
If you are wanting to transfer to a university to complete a 4-year degree not offered at Collin, you’ll want to click the link in the left-hand side catalog menu that says, “Academic Transfer Programs.” Once there, you’ll click on the program that best applies to you for a recommended course sequence.
If you are not wanting to transfer to a university after Collin, then in the catalog you’ll want to click the link in the left-hand side catalog menu that says, “Academic Workforce Programs.” Once there, you’ll click on the program that best applies to you for a recommended course sequence.
The catalog also has important information like course descriptions, registration procedures, financial policies and procedures, financial aid resources, academic policies and procedures, and much more.
View the Collin College Catalog
Tutoring: Anthony Peterson Center for Academic Assistance
Tutoring is important in college because it provides personalized academic support, helping students to master difficult subjects, improve their study skills, and achieve their academic goals.
Visit the Anthony Peterson Center for Academic Assistance to learn more about tutoring assistance.
Libraries
Libraries are important for student success because they offer access to essential academic resources, quiet study spaces, and expert research assistance. Collin’s libraries offer Makerspaces (collaborative learning environments where students gather to make works, share materials, and learn new skills), study rooms (most campuses), and extensive collections of materials to support student success.
Learn More About the Collin College Libraries
Financial Aid
Financial aid is crucial for FTIC students because it makes higher education accessible by reducing financial barriers, enabling students to focus on their studies rather than financial stress.
Visit Collin College Financial Aid to learn more about financial aid options
Scholarships
Scholarships provide numerous benefits for FTIC students, primarily by reducing the financial burden of tuition, fees, and other expenses, which allows students to focus more on their studies. With less financial stress, students are more likely to succeed academically, as they can dedicate more time to coursework instead of juggling part-time jobs. Beyond financial relief, scholarships can open doors to networking, mentorship, and internships, which enhance the overall college experience and future career opportunities.
Counseling Services
Counseling services at Collin College provide students with vital mental health support, helping them navigate personal challenges, stress, and emotional issues that may arise during their academic journey. These services offer a safe and confidential space for students to discuss their concerns, whether related to academics, relationships, or other aspects of life.
At Collin College, all issues are taken seriously, and no problem is "too small" to discuss. Counseling Services is designed to meet the needs of Collin College students with compassion, honesty and confidentiality. Once you begin classes at Collin College, you are eligible for counseling services.
Sign Up to Meet With a Counselor
Health Services
Collin College offers 24/7 medical telehealth services through TimelyCare. This service allows physicians and counselors to treat and discuss a wide range of conditions at no cost to students.
For more information about the service, view the Timely Care Information Sheet, or visit Collin College Timely Care and follow the prompts. (Mobile users will be directed to download the TimelyCare app.)
Fitness Programs
Collin College has intramural sports and fitness centers at the Plano, McKinney, Frisco, and Wylie campuses. These centers offer students a range of benefits, including improved physical health through access to exercise equipment, stress relief through physical activity, and opportunities for social interaction and community building. They also support overall well-being by encouraging healthy lifestyle habits and providing a productive outlet for managing academic and personal stress. For more information about Collin’s intramural sports and fitness centers, please click the button below.
Visit Intramurals and Fitness Centers for more information.
Student Organizations
Student Organizations are a great way for students at Collin College to develop social, educational, and leadership skills. Involvement in recognized student organizations allows students the opportunity to network, represent the college, and become engaged in service activities both on-campus and in the community. For more information on how to join or create a student organization, click the next button.
Visit Student Organizations for more information on how to join or create a student organization.
Campus Events
Like student organizations, attending campus events enhances social connections, fosters a sense of community, and provides opportunities for personal growth, networking, and engagement in campus life. To learn more about campus events, you’ll want to visit Cougar Connect, the main virtual hub for everything going on around the district. There you can search for specific events, or click on the calendar icon to see what events are coming up (virtual events are also posted to Cougar Connect, so check for those as well.)
Visit Cougar Connect and log in to your Collin account to view and sign up for events on campus.
Student Housing
Student housing in fully furnished units is available at the Plano Campus. However, to be eligible, students must be enrolled full-time for the current semester and meet specific GPA requirements. This means that before applying for housing, students must complete the steps listed above and register for classes.
Visit Student Housing to learn about housing requirements and the application process
Academic Planning Coach Program (APCP)
The Academic Planning Coach Program (APCP) at Collin College provides guidance and support to our traditionally underserved FTIC students by connecting them to crucial campus resources to help them achieve their academic and career goals.
Learn About the Academic Planning Coach Program (APCP)
Learning Frameworks Course
The Learning Frameworks Course is a college credit course that examines learning based on research and the theory of learning psychology. FTIC students are encouraged to take this course to enrich their understanding of how to learn, enhance study skills, and explore strengths and weaknesses as learners. Students can develop effective personal learning strategies to increase success in other college courses. The Learning Frameworks course is offered as a three-credit version (EDUC 1300) or a one-credit version (EDUC 1100).
For more information about this course, or for questions about how to enroll, please visit academic advising.
Community Engagement
Community engagement describes the collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources. At Collin College, students can engage in service learning, which is the service-based experiential application of course knowledge in real-world situations in which the service benefits the community.
Learn more About Service Learning and Community Engagement.