Get Started at Columbus State

A clear path from considering Columbus State to starting your first semester.

Jump to: 1: Deciding on CState | 2: Application & Onboarding | 3: Starting Your Semester | Need Help?

Phase 1: Deciding on Columbus State

Career Programs and Transfer Programs

Columbus State offers a high- quality education at the lowest tuition in the region, with clear paths to a career or a bachelor’s degree. Here, you’ll have the support, resources, and opportunities you need to take your next step.

Associate of Arts / Associate of Science: These transfer-focused degrees are designed to fulfill the first two years of a bachelor's degree. Find a degree or certificate
Associate of Applied Science: Career-focused degrees that qualify you for a job immediately on graduation. Find programs in IT, Healthcare, Business, Logistics, Advanced Manufacturing, and more. CTA Link
Certificates: Short-term programs that teach focused skills, often with a certfication. Examples include CNA, Firefighter 1, and more. CTA Link

Visit CState:

Visiting campus is one of the best ways to experience Columbus State and learn about everything we offer. CTA Link

Phase 2: Application & Onboarding

Applying to Columbus State is easy and completely free! You will usually get an admissions email 2-3 business days after you fill out your application. You'll be assigned a username and password, then you'll be enrolled in Workday, our student information system.

Workday will walk you through the process from there. You'll find tasks to complete in the upper-right hand corner of the screen.

While you're working through your Workday tasks, it's a good idea to Apply for Financial Aid and Scholarships and Send Us Your Transcripts and Test scores. Once that's complete, you'll get an invitation for Orientation and Course Registration Workshop.

Find separate instructions for Immigrants and College Credit Plus students.

Apply to Columbus State: Applying to Columbus State is free and completely online. Once your application is submitted, you’ll receive information about your next steps by email. CTA Link
Set Up Your Student Your Email: After you’re admitted, you’ll receive an email with your Cougar ID and instructions to activate your student accounts. All future emails will come to your CState email. CTA Link
Log in to Workday: When you first log into Workday, you’ll be prompted to complete a series of new student onboarding tasks. Some will take only a few seconds. Other tasks can take days to complete because they require specific documents. CTA Link
Apply for Financial Aid & Scholarships: Complete the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for grants, loans, work-study, and other financial aid opportunities. Columbus State’s school code is 006867. And don't forget Scholarships! CTA Link
Submit Transcripts & Test Scores: High school transcripts, college transcripts, and test scores help Columbus State place you into the right classes and evaluate transfer credit. CTA Link
Attend Orientation and a Course Scheduling Workshop: Complete your online orientation and attend a Course Scheduling Workshop before registering for classes. These sessions help you understand college expectations, explore support resources, and build your first-semester schedule with guidance from college staff. CTA Link
Pay Tuition & Fees: Tuition and fees must be paid before the semester begins. In Workday, you can make payments, enroll in a payment plan, set up direct deposit, and review your account balance. CTA Link

Phase 3: Start Your Semester

Explore Campus: We want campus to feel like home. Learn where to park, study, eat, attend class, and access essential resources. CTA Link
Get Your Cougar ID CTA Link
Get School Supplies CTA Link
Access Blackboard and Attend Class: Blackboard, also known as Blackboard ultra, is Columbus State’s online learning system where instructors post assignments, announcements, grades, and course materials. CTA Link
Find Events, Clubs & Activities: Getting involved helps you build connections and feel part of our community. Explore student organizations, campus events, and leadership opportunities through Cougar Connect. CTA Link

Need Help Figuring it Out?

Your Admissions Representative will help you determine if Columbus State is the smart choice for you (spoiler, we think it is!). They are experts in all things CState, so don’t be afraid to ask them questions. Find your rep at Contact Admissions.