Start Now Event: BHCC Orientation Step 1

• Meet with an advisor and register for classes
• Change your major/program of study
• Get help completing your FAFSA or MAFSA (financial aid)
• Set up a payment plan
• Get help accessing our BHCC self-service system, including your new BHCC email

(Note: New and Transfer students, please allow 3-4 hours to complete your Start Now orientation. Returning students, please allow 90 minutes.)

• Student Check-In -- We assist you to ensure all admissions steps are complete and that you can log into your BHCC email and self-service.
• Financially Empowered Workshop -- Learn how to pay for college! This session will walk you through different types of financial aid including Free Community College and Tuition Equity and show you how to apply for aid through FAFSA and MAFSA.
• Advising and Registration Workshop -- Meet in small groups with an academic advisor who will help you plan and register for your first semester of classes.

• Start Now is only for admitted students new to BHCC or former BHCC students returning to the college who are in non-selective programs.
  • If you are a new or transfer student, you will attend a full orientation. Please plan for 3-4 hours.
  • If you are a former BHCC returning to the college, you will attend an abbreviated orientation. Please plan for 90 minutes.

• New or returning students admitted to a Selective Program such as Nursing, Medical Imaging, Medical Assistant or other health programs do not need to register for a Start Now session. Please see your BHCC decision letter for information on your orientation process. View a list of Selective Programs.
  • Please note, students in the Health Science program DO need to attend Start Now.
• Newly admitted International students with an F1 visa will have their own specialized Start Now orientation and do not need to register for this one. Please check your email for instructions about your Start Now.
• Guest Students (who are not pursuing a degree or certificate here at BHCC) should not register for Start Now. You will work directly with our Guest Registration team to register for classes.
• Dual Enrollment or Early College students should not register for Start Now. You will work directly with our Dual Enrollment team to register for classes.

(Please note: you will not be able to register for classes until these steps are completed.)

• Apply to BHCC and be admitted. Once you are admitted to your program, you will receive a decision letter, which you can view on your admissions dashboard.
  • For questions about applying, please email admissions@bhcc.edu
• Submit proof of high school graduation
  • For questions about high school diploma or transcript requirements, please email admissions@bhcc.edu
• Complete placement testing in math and English
  • For questions about placement testing, please email testing@bhcc.edu or call 617-228-2377.
• For transfer students, you need to request your official college transcripts to be sent to BHCC. That process is outlined on our Transfer to BHCC page.

Click here to see available dates and register for a General Start Now session

Click here to see available dates and register for a Returning Student Start Now session

Register for the Event