Gavilan College (GC) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Gavilan College (GC) is a community college located in Gilroy, California that serves San Benito and Santa Clara counties. The institution was founded in 1919 with the original name of San Benito County Junior College. The present campus was not established until the year 1966.

There are now two satellite sites located in Morgan Hill and Hollister. The college purchased land for future campus development in 2008 in San Benito County and Coyote Valley.

This school was accredited by the WASC (Western Association of Schools and College) in 2007.

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Information Summary

Ranks 239th in California and 2583rd overall. See the entire top 2,000 colleges and universities list
Overall Score (about)	56.1
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$3,020
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	22 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	71% / 49%
Enrollment Total (all students)	5,649

Academics

Students are given the opportunity to earn an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science as well as certification in many career fields. Some of the more popular courses of study are nursing, administration of justice, digital media, cosmetology, liberal arts, business, communications, biological sciences, computer sciences, and child development.

GC is the only community college in the Northern California region to offer a degree as well as certification in Aviation Maintenance Technology.

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Unique Programs

The school hosts an early college program for local high schools. The students at the Gilroy Early College Academy are able to complete AP and honors courses which fulfill two years of a college education. This provides students with a total of sixty units which can then be transferred to a four-year college or university of their selection.

The STEM program consists of the MESA program and the natural sciences department. It offers a number of services which include counseling to help STEM-affiliated students refine their career choices, which in return helps them choose their transfer opportunities uniformly. The STEM program and MESA also offer personalized tutoring in the math lab, academic excellence workshops, internship opportunities and information.

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) provides students with disabilities the support they need to grow in their community life as well as educate the faculty and the community.

Admissions

Admission forms are to be submitted by new students and those that have been away for two semesters or more at least 10 days prior to attending classes.

High school students looking to attend Gavilan must complete a high school contract form. Some students may be eligible for the Board of Governors fee waiver and it is best to check with the registration office at the time of registration.

Financial Aid

GC is dedicated to help students with financial aid in the most seamless manner, making learning a success.

The financial aid process is similar to that at most educational institutions. Students must complete the FAFSA and a GPA verification form (if necessary) and submit it by the beginning of March. Once the FAFSA data is received by the college, a tracking letter is sent out to compile any additional documents. If additional documents are required, students are requested to return them in a timely manner.

There are number of federal aid programs that the students can take advantage of including the Pell Grant, SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant), FWS (Federal Work Study Grant), ACG (Academic Competitiveness Grant), Cal Grant B, Cal Grant C, CDG (Child Development Grant, Chafee Grant, Extended Opportunity Programs & Services Grant (EOPS), Care Grant and the Trio Grant.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 6735th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in California.

Athletics

The men’s athletics teams include soccer, basketball, baseball, and football. For women, this school offers basketball, volleyball, and softball.

Local Community

The outreach and recruitment services program at Gavilan College, which includes scheduled campus and specific department tours and information on vocational, academic and student support services, is designed to get the local community acquainted with the college’s offerings.

As part of the career fair, a representative from the college will attend the event and highlight the programs and career related information. Prospective students and parents are welcome to tour the campus and take part in financial aid workshops, which are in place to make the process seamless. The service learning program enables students to approach their local community with their insights, which in return brings students and faculty one step closer to the community.

Additional School Information

GC campus security, maintained by the college security department and the V.P. of Administrative services, is executed by non-sworn and unarmed personnel. However, the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department does impose federal, state and local laws as they see fit to include criminal code, investigations of traffic cases and vehicle code violations that occur on campus.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the programs that are covered by the fees charged at the time of registration. These services include first aid and emergency care, health information and education presentations, referrals to health professionals and HIV testing sites, health screenings to include blood pressure, assistance with health issues and confidential health counseling, TB skin testing and over the counter medications. The health fee also extends to accidental insurance, which covers you in the event of any injury while you are attending classes and participating in school authorized activities.

Another great aspect offered at this college is free tutoring programs for all students, which are designed to enhance learning skills through a diversified approach. The writing center at the college helps students evoke structure and writing to equip themselves with the tools and strategies for modern writers. The internet portal allows students to check grades, view unofficial transcripts and register for classed with a single click. The internet also displays awards, financial aid requirements and status, education plans, course, school and personal calendars and is a great solution to interacting with the various clubs and groups on campus.

Gavilan College