Complete and return the Application for Admission.

You may Apply online at www.lawsonstate.edu/Admissions

If you apply online, you must print both pages of the printout and return them to one of our office locations (see the return addresses listed below).  You may also download an application at the same location.

Please Note: As per State Board Policy

Complete and return a Certification of Selective Service Registration, if applicable. Note that all males between the ages of 18 and 26 must show proof of registration with the U.S. Selective Service System in accordance with section 36‐26‐15‐1 of the Code of Alabama of 1974 (as amended). Students may register for selective service online at: https://www.sss.gov

Complete and return the Certificate of Eligibility for In-State Residency forms. If applicable, complete and return the secondary residency form. To acquire the form, see www.lawsonstate.edu/Admissions and click on "Admissions Office Forms".

Mail or deliver completed transcript request form(s) to your high school and any other postsecondary institutions (colleges) you previously attended. Due to your request(s), the official transcript(s) should be mailed by the institution(s) to either Admissions Office location listed below:

You may personally deliver an official copy of your high school transcript to us in an envelope sealed by your high school records official.  Your college transcript(s) must be mailed to our office by your previous institution’s Student Records Office.

Please refer to the catalog or see http://www.lawsonstate.edu/Admissions/prospective  for admission requirements to the Associate of Applied Science, Certificate or Short Certificate programs.

Admissions options for non-high school graduates: Students not awarded the Alabama High School Diploma, its equivalent, or the GED may be admitted to specific short certificate programs, including general automotive, under the “Ability to Benefit” provision after successfully completing the Career Programs Assessment Test (commonly called CPAt). Students awarded Certificate of Completions must also participate in CPAt. Such applicants may not enroll in courses credible towards an associate degree unless their admission credentials meet associate degree requirements at a later time. For more information, please call 929-6385. An applicant with special needs should contact Ms. Janice Williams at 929-6385 a minimum of three weeks prior to your intended CPAt date.

You will receive an acceptance letter or additional letters which indicate your next steps in the process once your application for admission has been received and processed by our office.

All applicants whose applications have been processed prior to the regularly scheduled New Student Orientation sessions are invited to attend by post card or by letter. New Student Orientation allows entering students to learn more about the College, participate in academic advising, pre‐register for classes, and gain valuable information on subjects such as financial aid, the college’s newly implemented affordable tuition management plan, residential life, athletics, and more. Attend one session that is most convenient for you. Upcoming session dates are posted in the Admissions section of the website.

If you wish to pursue the Associate of Applied Science degree in the Ford ASSET, Toyota T-Ten, or General Motors ASEP programs, please indicate your selection on your application for admission.

Graduating High School seniors should ensure that their FINAL high school transcripts are mailed to either Admissions Office location prior to the beginning of their intended entry term. A final high school transcript must include a graduation date and the signature of school official.

Transfer credits are evaluated independently from each institutional transcript where you previously enrolled. All official transcripts should be on file from each institution you attended for an official transfer credit evaluation. If your prior credits have not been evaluated, please contact our office to request a transfer credit evaluation. Note that transfer students are responsible for ensuring they do not register for duplicate, repeated classes.

All financial aid applicants must first complete a form called a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This includes those applying for scholarships, grants and other sources of aid / assistance. For more information please contact the Office of Student Financial Services at (Birmingham Campus) 929-6393 or (Bessemer Campus) 929-3423.

To initiate the FAFSA, visit: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Please visit http://www.lawsonstate.edu/FinancialAid  for detailed financial aid information, including a checklist for financial aid applicants.

Note that the location above contains comprehensive information about scholarships available to Lawson State Community College students. For some scholarships, the application deadline is April 15.

The financial aid code for Lawson State Community College is 001059.

Students may be selected at random by the federal government or the Office of Student Financial Services to verify the following items: 1) family income, 2) taxes paid, 3) family size, 4) number of family members other than parents’ attending post secondary institutions, 5) any other item identified by the Office of Student Financial Services. Failure to submit the requested documentation will cause the student to forfeit entitlement to financial aid.

Take the printout of your course schedule to the Office of Student Financial Services if you are using any type of financial aid to cover your tuition. This applies to the following types of financial assistance: Grants – Federal PELL, College Work-Study, SEOG, ASAP College Sponsored Scholarships, External Scholarships, Special Programs, Veteran’s Programs

Questions? Call (Birmingham Campus Office) 929-6380 or (Bessemer Campus Office) 929-3423.

All students intending to register for credit courses which lead to an associate degree or a certificate must take the COMPASS placement assessment unless exempt. Contact the Admissions Office for more information or see the exemptions at: http://www.lawsonstate.edu/Admissions/prospective/compassfrequentquestions

A variety of resources are available online to help you prepare for this assessment. Please visit:

Please call (Birmingham) 929-6385 or (Bessemer) 929-2053 or 3418 to schedule your assessment. Please bring a sanctioned, valid photo ID with you to the assessment. There is no fee for the assessment.

An applicant with a documented disability who needs accommodations to take the COMPASS test should contact the Student Development Services office at least two weeks in advance of the testing date.

Compass Placement Assessments are untimed but on average, last approximately one and a half hours.

First time students meet with a counselor during pre-registration, on the open registration dates or during  new student orientation sessions to register for classes. Re-entering students or students entering the Ford/GM/Toyota programs should visit their departmental program coordinators / instructors to register for classes. Students will receive printouts of the course schedules and the costs of attendance for the semester from their counselors or instructors.

Please ask your counselor / instructor for a copy of your degree plan. This will help you track your academic progress during your enrollment at Lawson State Community College.

The degree plan you receive is based on the information you provide us on your application for admission relative to your intended program of study and award type.

You may register online after your first term at the College. See the online class schedule publication for details.

Pay your Tuition and Fees at the Business Office, (Birmingham Campus-second floor, Administration Building) (Bessemer Campus-Building A, Cashier’s Office)

Remember: You are not officially registered until your tuition and fees have been paid or assumed by financial assistance. You will be provided a receipt once your charges have been cleared from your account. Please keep your receipt.

You may purchase textbooks / academic supplies in the bookstore on either campus. (Birmingham Campus- Leon Kennedy Student Center, second floor) (Bessemer Campus- Building A, Next to the Cashier’s Office)

NOTE: All tuition and fees are due at the time of registration. A student is not officially registered until tuition and fees are paid. Once tuition and fees are paid, you will receive a receipt. Please keep this receipt.

Please refer to the class schedule publication, the catalog, or obtain a copy of the refund policies from the Business Affairs Office or the Office of Student Financial Services for specific information regarding refunds.

Lawson State Community College has partnered with Tuition Management Systems to help students and their families better manage the cost of education. Go to Lawson State Community College’s Payment Center www.lawsonstate.edu  or call 1-800-722-4867.

Tuition Management Systems offers low interest loans, interest free monthly payment options, education payment counseling, flexible payment scheduling, Family InfoLine, and 24-hour automated account access.

Present your payment receipt at the ID station on either campus to receive your Student Identification Badge and your parking decal. You may request multiple decals should you need to register multiple vehicles.

Locations for ID and Parking Decal Pick-up (Birmingham Campus – Leon Kennedy Student Center, Second floor-prior to open registration) (Bessemer campus – Student Services Center, Building A, College Cashier/Bookstore Lobby)

*Bookstore Hours: Mondays-Thursdays, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Fridays-8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

*Extended during registration.

Note: ID badges will not be made without a copy of the student’s Schedule Confirmation.

Initial cost for the Student Identification Badge and Decal (no fee) / Replacement Cost for the Student Identification Badge- ($25)

Driving directions to both campuses is available in the class schedule publication online.

Campus maps are available online and within the class schedule publication.

Residential Housing Information may be obtained at www.lawsonstate.edu by clicking the Residential Living link or you may call 205-929-6493 or email residencehall@lawsonstate.edu. 

Comprehensive Telephone / Contact Information for Lawson State Faculty, Staff, and Administration are available at: http://www.lawsonstate.edu/Admissions/prospective.