Have you developed a recent interest you want to explore? Or maybe you want to take one class before committing to a full program? Consider taking one or more undergraduate or graduate courses as a non-degree student—that way you don’t have to worry about finding the time and money to earn a full degree!

As a non-degree student, you can take up to 55 credits before you must change to degree-seeking status. Remember, you must find your own funding to pay for courses because non-degree students are not eligible for federal financial aid.

What do I need to apply as a non-degree student?

In addition to your non-degree application, we need some additional information. Read carefully to decide what supplemental documentation best applies to you and your situation and then submit one of the following:

• Official final high transcript with verification of graduation
• High school diploma or documentation
• GED or high school equivalency
• Official college transcript from a regionally accredited institution that includes verification of your high school graduation

How do I change my status from a non-degree student to a degree-seeking student?

Ready to commit to a full program? We make it easy for non-degree students to be considered for degree-seeking admissions. We’re looking for non-degree students with:

• 2.0 or higher Coppin grade point average (GPA) and
• 12 or more Coppin credits

Here’s what our Office of Admissions needs from you

• Complete admission application
• Official transcripts from all schools or institutions attended

Apply

We understand your teenage years aren’t always the right time for your college experience. At Coppin, the average age of our students is 29, and we have the schedules, services, and supports in place to meet all of our students exactly where you are. Now that you’re older and wiser, look to Coppin for an experience that caters to you, your life, and your needs.

When identifying adult learners, we consider the following criteria:

• You are financially independent.
• You have primary responsibilities, including family, work, etc. outside of being a student.
• You have not been regularly enrolled in a college or university for 3 or more years.

What do I need to apply?

• Completed admission application
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended

If you have a high school diploma or equivalent and at least 3 years since your last college or university enrollment, you do not need to submit SAT or ACT scores.

See where Coppin can take you.

Apply now

At Coppin, we know you are more than your test scores. While we recognize the value standardized tests like the ACT or SAT can have in our review process, we commit to holistically reviewing every student application.

We place highest value on your coursework and grade point average (GPA) because they are proven to be the best indicators of college success. We also consider your life experiences, demonstrated passions, and community engagement. Our reviews help us paint a complete picture of you—and are key to better understand your academic readiness and ability to succeed.

Until otherwise updated, Coppin has adopted a test-optional policy due to widespread challenges resulting from COVID-19. Even without test scores, we continue to review all submitted application materials, including:

• Completed admission application
• Coursework and overall GPA<
• Rigor of your current or previous curriculum
• Personal essays
• Extracurricular activities
• Recommendations
• Personal accomplishments
• Additional information that aligns with our review process

Who is required to submit standardized test scores?

• Homeschooled applicants and attendees of non-graded schools must submit official ACT or SAT scores
• Prospective NCAA Division I student-athletes must submit official ACT or SAT scores to the NCAA Eligibility Center for initial eligibility NCAA consideration. Please note: prospective student-athletes can apply for Coppin admission as test-optional applicants
• Non-native English speakers and students applying from any country without English as a native language. See our International admissions page for additional information and requirements. Students may submit official test scores from any of these tests:
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
  • Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Apply now

Whether you’re first in your family to pursue college or following in a long legacy of college grads, you can thrive at Coppin. Think you’re ready to take that next step? See everything Coppin has to offer—and what we’re looking for in our next class of Coppin Eagles.

We are looking for students who have completed or expect to complete the following requirements:

• 4 years of English
• 3 years of physical and life science (must include 2 years of lab experience)
• 3 years of social science or history (e.g. U.S. history, world history, local/state/national government)
• 4 years of mathematics (e.g. algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, statistics, etc.)
• 2 years of world languages and/or advanced technology education

Students must also meet all requirements for attendance, service learning, and any additional local school system requirements, if applicable.

Did you know you may not need to submit ACT or SAT scores? Refer to our Standardized Test Policy to check if our test-optional policy applies to you.

Go for your goals. Apply now.

Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) graduates are eligible for 2 years of tuition-free enrollment at Coppin State University through the official Finish 4 Free (F4F) partnership.

Do I qualify to Finish 4 Free?

To qualify, interested students must meet all criteria:

• Be a Baltimore City public high school graduate (after June 2018)
• Have an associate’s degree (e.g. A.A. or A.S.) from BCCC earned in or after June 2018
• Provide final, official transcripts from high school and BCCC when you submit your Finish 4 Free application
• Stay enrolled full-time for all semesters at Coppin
• Complete and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Apply to Finish 4 Free!

Do I still qualify for F4F if I didn’t graduate from a Baltimore City public high school?

No. F4F is only open to students who have earned a high school diploma from a Baltimore City public high school.

If you haven’t earned a diploma from a Baltimore City public high school, stay encouraged because you can still apply to Coppin, and may even qualify for scholarships or other financial aid funds

What BCCC degrees qualify me to F4F?

Only Associate of Science (A.S.) and Associate of Arts (A.A.) degrees earned in or after June 2018 qualify. At this time, F4F does not accept Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S) degrees.

What Coppin costs does F4F cover?

The program covers 2 years of tuition. Students should anticipate paying remaining fees, books, and on-campus housing, if desired. Review our scholarships and financial aid resources for more information on funding options.

Congratulations on your Coppin admission! Welcome to our Coppin State University family of more than 50,000 proud. We recommend you pay your non-refundable enrollment fee as soon as you decide you’re ready to join our Eagle family because it secures your spot in incoming classes.

Paying your enrollment fee is your commitment to attend Coppin. It releases your enrollment hold and allows you to register for upcoming semester courses. Also, it helps us project the amount of housing and courses we need to make available for the next year.

Pay your enrollment fee

Who’s required to pay the non-refundable enrollment fee?

If you have been newly admitted to an undergraduate, undergraduate certificate, or non-degree seeking program, you must pay the non-refundable $150 enrollment fee.

If you have been newly admitted to a graduate or doctoral program, you must pay the non-refundable $50 enrollment fee.

How do I submit the non-refundable enrollment fee?

Pay securely through EaglePay. The EaglePay screen prompts you to select “Undergraduate Enrollment Fee” or “Graduate and Doctoral Enrollment Fee.” Choose the option for your level of education.

Coppin State University provides merit scholarships for academic excellence to new, current, and transfer students. To be considered, simply submit your application for admission, no additional application is required but essays, references, resumes, and recommendations are encouraged! By applying to a degree-seeking program at Coppin, you're automatically considered for a merit scholarship.

These scholarships are competitive and offered by invitation only, so applying before the deadline is important. A potential scholar must be a US citizen or a US permanent resident.

Merit Awards for newly admitted students for the Fall 2024 - Spring 2025 academic year

• Presidential Scholarship - Covers all billed costs; Tuition, Fees, Room & Board and $2000 for books
• Fanny Jackson Coppin Scholarship – Covers Tuition, Fees, and $1000 for books
• Gold First-Year Student Merit Award - $5,000 partial scholarship, awarded annually for up to 4 years (requires at least 3.0 cumulative high school GPA)
• Blue First-Year Student Merit Award - $3,000 partial scholarship, awarded annually for up to 4 years (requires at least 2.75 cumulative high school GPA)
• Transfer Merit Award - $3,000 partial scholarship, awarded annually for up to 3 years (requires at least 2.5 cumulative college GPA & 24 transferable credits)

Coppin State University gets our name from our beloved namesake, Fanny Jackson Coppin. She was a pioneer who rose through slavery to transform her life through education. She transformed her life so she could transform the lives of others. Students selected for this prestigious scholarship are expected to follow in her legacy through academic excellence, campus engagement, and community service.

Scholars who will enroll in Fall 2025 or after are subject to the following conditions of the Fanny Jackson Coppin Scholarship: The Fanny Jackson Coppin Scholarship is a four-year, renewable scholarship covering tuition, fees and up to $1000/year in books. To qualify, a potential Scholar must be a current high school senior with a weighted high school cumulative grade point average of 3.3 or above. The test score requirements are an SAT score of 1140 or an ACT composite score of 23*. A potential Scholar must be a US citizen or a US permanent resident.

The scholarship is renewable provided the Scholar completes thirty (30) credit hours during the freshman year, enrolls in the Academic Excellence track via the Honors Program or the Leadership Excellence track, and maintains a cumulative 3.2 grade point average and resides on campus.

Scholars will select an Excellence track during summer orientation. Be sure to visit their webpages to learn more about each track.

Please contact the Office of Admissions for more details at 410.951.3610 or email admissions@coppin.edu.

*CSU is currently offering test optional admission. Other factors including submission of resumes and letters of recommendation may be considered in lieu of SAT and/or ACT scores.

For more details about the Fanny Jackson Coppin Scholarship requirements before 2025, please visit here.

Requirements for admitted students with pending I-20 eligibility

Sometimes a student may be admitted to Coppin State University before the student is issued a Certificate of Eligibility (also know as an I-20). When this happens, a student must submit the following:

Affidavit of Financial Support Form (I-134)

This form (I-134) can be downloaded from the United States Citizenship and Immigrations Services website. The admitted applicant is required to provide to the campus official financial bank statements verifying that more than $27,000 (room, board, mandatory fees and tuition) is available annually. Bank statements should be no more than 2 months old from the date it is submitted. Admitted international students should be prepared to pay all of their expenses for a minimum of one year prior to receiving an I-20. The University does not provide financial assistance for international students.

Immigration Transfer Recommendation Form

Applicants who have been accepted for admission will receive the Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20). It is also used for transferring from one institution in the United States to another. If the student has attended another U.S. institution, copy of all I-20s from previously attended schools must accompany a completed Immigration Transfer Recommendation Form from the last attended institution. All immigration documents issued by the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USCIS) must be presented.

Additional immigration information

Once the international admissions process is complete, an acceptance packet is mailed that includes your acceptance letter, the I-20 Form (for F Visa) and other enrollment related information. After receiving the I-20 Form, you will need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. Be sure to print and keep a receipt. You must obtain your student visa from the U.S. embassy/consulate. The websites have directions for the visa application process, including how to make an appointment for your visa interview.

At the earliest opportunity, each admitted international student should notify the Office of Admissions of his/her new local or mailing address. Upon arrival to the campus, students must present their F-1 Visa to the Office of Admissions. All international students are required enroll as full-time degree candidates (minimum 12 credit hours per semester). In order to proceed with enrollment, students must report to the Office of International Programs periodically during each semester for status updates and verification of class attendance.

Immigration regulations prohibit persons on student visas from accepting paid employment during their first year in the United States and grant only limited relief for "unforeseen changes in financial circumstances."

Our Coppin State University community includes students from more than 44 countries around the world. As a Historically Black College or University (HBCU), we honor our groundbreaking legacy in meeting the needs of the African American community. At the same time, we are excited to approach the future and how we continue to grow into a more global campus—and that includes you.

When identifying international students, we look to the following criteria:

• You are not a U.S. citizen and have been educated outside of the United States
• You are currently in the U.S. on an F-1 student visa
• You are currently living outside the U.S. and require an F-1 visa to study in the U.S.
• You are currently in the U.S. on another class visa

What if I have a permanent resident or parole visa status?

Students who hold permanent resident or parole visa status must add your alien registration number on the undergraduate application where indicated. You may qualify for in-state tuition rates if you:

• submit appropriate residency paperwork and
• have documented established legal domicile in Maryland for one year prior to the semester date

Please note you may be asked to provide your alien registration card for verification. Also, any and all foreign academic records submitted for evaluation must be translated into English and notarized.