New Students Start Here!

Welcome to Los Angeles City College! Use this step-by-step guide to apply for admission and financial aid, complete orientation, meet with a counselor, register for classes, pay fees, and learn more about student support programs.

This checklist is for “New Students.” You are considered a ”New Student” if you:

have never applied to or taken a class at Los Angeles City College or another college within the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), and
have graduated from high school, completed a recognized GED program, and/or no longer attend high school

Step-by-step guides for other students can be found here: Student Checklists.

Step 1: Apply for Admission

Complete the LACC Online Application. Within three business days, you’ll receive an email with your Student ID Number and your new LACCD email address. After you receive your new LACCD email address, you will use that account for all correspondence with the college.

If you need help with the LACC Online Application, please visit the Welcome Center (Student Services Building, 1st floor). The Welcome Center staff can assist you both in person and on Zoom.

Step 2: Verify Your Identity (if necessary)

Students will be emailed if they are required to do ID verification. If you are notified that further verification is needed, you may:

come to Admissions & Records (Student Services Building, 1st floor), or
come to the Virtual Welcome Center

You will need to provide a government-issued ID (driver's license, identification card, passport, etc.). For K-12 students, please inquire with Admissions & Records or the Virtual Welcome Center.

Step 3: Log Into the Student Portal

Using your Student ID Number, log in using your default password and then create a new password to access the Student Portal. The Student Portal allows you to:

Access your assigned student email account
Check your registration appointment date
Add and drop classes
See your class schedule and grades
Access Canvas
Pay your fees
View your unofficial transcripts
View your financial aid status

For more information, please see:

Step 4: Apply for Financial Aid

LACC offers a variety of financial aid programs funded by federal and state agencies and private sources, including grants, fee waivers, work-study opportunities, scholarships, and loans.

If you need financial aid to help with your educational expenses, please complete a free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Application or a California Dream Act Application.

LACC Federal School Code: 001223
LACC DREAM Application School Code: 00122300

Contact the Financial Aid Office to learn more about available financial aid programs and for assistance in filling out your application.

Step 5: Complete Orientation

After you receive your Student ID Number, complete the New Student Orientation to learn about:

life as a student at Los Angeles City College
class registration
Student Services programs

Online orientation is required for all new students and takes approximately one hour. To complete the orientation:

Log into the Student Portal.
Go to "Student Status." Under "Academics," you will see the "Orientation" button.
Select the "Orientation" button to complete your online orientation.

Note: Students who do not complete the orientation within their first two terms may lose priority registration.

Step 6: Meet With a Counselor

Make an appointment with Academic Counseling (Student Services Building, 2nd Floor) to select your classes and develop your Education Plan.

New students are required to develop a Student Education Plan, which will specify your intended:

Award type (e.g. Associate Degree, Associate Degree for Transfer, Certificate of Achievement)
Major (e.g. Child Development, Business, Mathematics, Psychology)

To learn more about Los Angeles City College’s many programs and awards, explore our Career and Academic Pathways. The specific requirements for each program can be found on the Program Mapper.

Note: Students who do not create an Education Plan within their first two terms may lose priority registration.

Step 7: Register for Classes

Consult the Schedule of Classes to find the class sections that best fit your schedule.

You can register for classes the following two ways:

On (or after) your registration appointment, you can enroll online through the Student Portal.
If the class is open, students can still register online through the student portal through the second day of the session. If a class is full or it is after the second day of the session, a student can contact the instructor to request a permission number. Permission numbers are distributed by instructor purview. With a permission number, you can add the class in the Student Portal.

Consult the Academic Year Calendar for the last date to add and drop classes.

Step 8: Pay Fees

Your enrollment will be cancelled unless you make payments by the due date listed in your Student Portal. There are two ways in which you can pay your fees:

Pay online in the Student Portal using a debit or credit card.
Pay in-person at the Business Office (Student Services Building, 2nd Floor). The Business Office will also accept cash, money order, or USD cashier’s check payable to Los Angeles City College.

Please see our Payment Fee Policy for more information.

Step 9: Explore Student Support Programs

The Office of Student Services offers many specialized support programs to help you succeed at Los Angeles City College.