2025-2026 Catalog > Student Services - Admissions, Registration, Financial Aid, Graduation > Procedures for Undergraduate Admissions > Admissions Requirements

Admissions Requirements

All prospective students must apply for admission. The criterion for admission is any one of the following:

• have earned a diploma from an accredited high school;
• have earned a High School Equivalency Credential (G.E.D. or HiSET);
• qualify under Ability to Benefit criteria. See the criteria below under "Special Admission for High School Students."

Applying for Undergraduate Admissions to Salish Kootenai College:

All Applicants are required to submit the following documents:

1. Application for Admission
2. Verification of Residency if a Montana resident. Applicable documents include a driver's license , state-issued ID, tribal ID, or a utility bill; these documents must show at least one year of residency.
3. Immunization Records: Required immunizations include two MMRs (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) and completion of SKC's Tuberculosis Screening Form.
   
         a. Students born before January 1, 1957 must complete a TB Screening Form upon application.
         b. Students born after December 31, 1956 must provide documentation from a medical office of two doses of MMR vaccine.
4. Tribal Verification  (If Applicable)
5. Official, certified high school transcript from an accredited high school approved by the Department of Education with graduation date OR official copy of a High School Equivalency Credential such as G.E.D. or HiSET
6. Official, certified transcript from other institution(s) of higher education (If Applicable). Transcripts must be sent by the issuing institution.  

For more information, contact:

• Admissions - (406) 275-4855
• Recruitment - (406) 275-4028
• Academic Transfer Specialist - (406) 275-4774 

Optional forms to be completed by all interested applicants:

• Financial Aid Forms (FAFSA)
• Housing application
• Child Care application

The following majors have specific additional admissions applications that may be obtained on the department website or by calling the department:

1. Dental Assisting Technology
2. Highway Construction Training
3. Medical Assisting Technology
4. Nursing - Direct Admit
5. Nursing RN-BSN
6. Phlebotomy

Ability to Benefit Criteria

The Ability to Benefit provision allows students without a high school diploma or GED/HiSET but who demonstrate the capacity to succeed in college-level coursework to be admitted to Salish Kootenai College and take college courses.  In order to qualify for admission through Ability to Benefit, students must be aged 16 or above AND meet at least one of the following criteria:

1. Have successfully completed 3 credits of college coursework with a grade of “C” or better.

2. Have successfully completed at least one high school Advanced Placement  (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) class with a grade of “4” (AP courses) or “5” (IB courses).

3. Have a high school GPA of 3.0 or above.

Special Admission for High School Students

A currently enrolled high school student may apply for admission to take regular college courses. This special admissions program has been established to serve high school students who wish to supplement their educational program with college-level course work. Students applying for admission under this program must complete the regular admissions procedure and provide documentation of approval by parents and high school officials. Other admissions requirements and procedures are defined in the admissions materials.

High school students are admitted under the “Ability to Benefit” provision. Once admitted, high school students are subject to all SKC policies and procedures, as defined in the SKC Student Handbook and the College Catalog.

The Ability to Benefit provision allows students without a high school diploma or GED/HiSET but who demonstrate the capacity to succeed in college-level coursework to be admitted to Salish Kootenai College and take college courses.  In order to qualify for admission through Ability to Benefit, students must be aged 16 or above AND meet at least one of the following criteria:

1. Have successfully completed 3 credits of college coursework with a grade of “C” or better.

2. Have successfully completed at least one high school Advanced Placement  (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) class with a grade of “4” (AP courses) or “5” (IB courses).

3. Have a high school GPA of 3.0 or above.

For more information about applying to SKC while in high school, please contact the SKC Office of Admissions at 275-4855 or see the SKC Early College website.