New Student Checklist
Your path to becoming a COC student
Seven steps. One clear path.
Select a button to start. Open Learn more for instructions.
Complete your steps online or get in-person help at the Welcome Center.
STEP 1
Application
Submit your free application to College of the Canyons. Look for your admissions email within 24–72 hours; it explains how to take your next steps.
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Applying is easy and FREE! Complete and submit the California Community College application using the CCC Apply website.
Within 24-72 hours of submitting your application, you will receive an email from the college and instructions on how to complete the remaining steps. Once you have received this email, you will need to create a My Canyons student account at my.canyons.edu.
Important Information:
- The application is best viewed on a desktop or laptop computer, not your phone.
- Utilize Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox web browsers. Do not use Safari.
- If you want to take classes the summer before your first fall semester, you must submit two applications: one for summer and one for fall.
- When creating your CCCApply account, it is recommended that you use a personal email address and not a cell phone number as your primary verification method.
If you need help completing your application, you can watch our Application Video.
If you need help with the ID.me verification, please visit the following page for resources: ID.me.
To apply, start at the CCC Apply website by clicking on the below button.
STEP 2
CanyonsID & My Canyons
Use the instructions in your admissions email to activate CanyonsID and sign in to My Canyons. Keep your Student ID handy—you’ll use your account for the steps ahead.
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Once you have applied and received the college's "Admissions Acceptance" instruction email, you are ready to set up your student account in My Canyons.
How to set up your My Canyons Account:
- Activate your CanyonsID login at my.canyons.edu (or click on the button below).
- Click on "Log In" at the top.
- You will enter the CanyonsID username and password as instructed in your "Admissions Acceptance" email.
- If you have trouble, please visit our CanyonsID for Students website for instructions.
- Once you have successfully logged in, you will need your Student ID number to continue through this checklist. You can find your Student ID number by clicking on "My Canyons Profile" and select "What's My Student ID?"
Click on the button below to set up your My Canyons account.
Need Help?
STEP 3
Financial Aid
Financial aid can help cover tuition and other educational expenses. Start your FAFSA or California Dream Act application early, since processing can take several weeks.
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Financial Aid can help you pay for your tuition and educational expenses. We recommend all students complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at fafsa.gov. Or, if you are an AB-540 eligible student, you can complete the California Dream Act application. Start your application soon after you apply to the college as the processing time can take weeks to complete.
Important Information:
- COC's Federal School Code is 008903 and should be included on your FAFSA.
- Regularly check your My Canyons student email account for requests and updates from the Financial Aid Office.
Complete FAFSA today!
STEP 4
Assessment
Answer questions about your academic background to receive course placements and helpful resources. Assessment is a questionnaire, not a test; have your high school course information ready if available.
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Assessment services are available for students to complete ONLINE! You will be required to log in with your CanyonsID account. Do not hit the start the assessment if you are not ready to answer all the questions, including about your high school GPA and prior courses completed.
Notice: During all major holidays, assessment results and email responses from our programs will be delayed in processing, as staff will be on vacation during those times.
Assessment will provide you with your course placements in math, English/ESL, and Chemistry (for majors that require Chem), as well as resources that may be a good fit for you. Our assessments are not tests, but are instead questionnaire-based. This system relies on "multiple measures," which include your academic history. For this reason, we suggest you gather a copy of high school transcripts if available (if not available, you can take your best guess). The entire process takes about 10-15 minutes to complete. Additional resources can be found on the Assessment homepage. If you need help, contact assessment@canyons.edu.
Do not hit the start the assessment if you are not ready to answer all the questions in one sitting, including questions about your high school GPA and prior courses completed.
Important Information:
- These online services are best viewed on a desktop or laptop computer, not your phone. If you only have a phone, they are still accessible.
- Utilize Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox web browsers. Do not use Safari.
- If you are having trouble logging in with CanyonsID, please visit the following: CanyonsID Login for Students.
STEP 5
Orientation
Explore COC’s programs, services, policies, and resources. Set aside about 30 minutes and sign in with your CanyonsID to complete online orientation.
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The Online Orientation is designed to provide you with information about college procedures, programs, support services and policies. Please give yourself about 30 minutes of quiet time to complete this step. You will be required to log in with your CanyonsID account. Please be sure you have set up your CanyonsID account (details above) before starting your Orientation.
There are two ways to access the online orientation. You can access it through your My Canyons account. Log in to you student My Canyons account, click on the "Admissions & Records" tile then click on the link for "Online Orientation". Or, simply click on the "Online Orientation" button below.
Important Information:
- The orientation is best viewed on a desktop or laptop computer, not your phone. If you only have a phone, they are still accessible.
- Utilize Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox web browsers. Do not use Safari.
- If you are having trouble logging in with CanyonsID, please visit the following: CanyonsID Login for Students.
Start your orientation now!
STEP 6
Advisement & MAP
Explore programs and learn how to choose courses that support your goals. Complete Assessment before starting Advisement so you can use your placements as you plan.
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The Advisement requirement is available for completion ONLINE.
Students must log in using their CanyonsID credentials. Please ensure that your CanyonsID account has been properly set up (refer to the instructions above) prior to beginning the process.
Advisement gives you the tools to confidently choose the right courses and programs to reach your educational goals. Our online advisement module helps you connect your assessment results with your career interests, major options, and recommended first-semester courses.
To get the most out of advisement, you must complete your assessment before starting the module.
For additional resources or to make an appointment with an Academic Advisor please visit the Advisement homepage.
My Academic Plan (MAP) is an online educational planning tool that will show you the classes you need to take to meet your educational goal. Within MAP, you will build your first semester educational plan utilizing the knowledge you gained during your advisement. This should be started once you have completed your assessment and advisement.
Important Information:
- These online services are best viewed on a desktop or laptop computer, not your phone. If you only have a phone, they are still accessible.
- Utilize Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox web browsers. Do not use Safari.
- Assessment results will typically be available in MAP within 48-72 business hours after you have completed assessment.
- If you need assistance with building your MAP, our Academic Advisors are here to help at welcomecenter@canyons.edu.
- If you are having trouble logging in with CanyonsID, please visit the following: CanyonsID Login for Students.
STEP 7
Register & Pay
Use My Canyons to register for your classes when your registration time opens. Review payment information and deadlines so you’re ready for your first term.
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Registration occurs online, and may be completed on or after your assigned date and time, which can be found in your My Canyons account.
Once you have submitted a college application for the given semester/term you are planning to attend, your assigned registration date and time will be posted on your My Canyons account under the 'Registration' button at the top of the page:
- On or around January 31 for Summer
- On or around April 15 for Fall
- On or around August 30 for Winter
- On or around September 30 for Spring
If your "My Academic Plan" (MAP) is complete for the term you are registering for, you can register directly from your plan. This is the best way to register for your classes. You will select 'Plan, Register,...' from the Registration menu.
Notice: Payment for your classes is due at the time you register. Your registration process is not complete until you have paid for your classes. To view your semester statement, please select 'Billing,' in your My Canyons account.
We’re here to help
Get guided support with any of the seven steps—from your application to registration. Financial aid assistance is optional.
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