New Student Advising & Registration

New students must complete the New Student Advising & Registration (NSAR) before registering for classes for the first time.

Three students sit on large rock in the sun neaby a modern glass building

What is NSAR?

New Student Advising & Registration (NSAR) is for new students and students returning after more than two quarters away. Be sure to complete steps 1 through 4 of the Steps to Enroll before attending NSAR.

The NSAR has two parts. You can complete the NSAR completely online or on campus.

Note: If you're in a ESL, High School+, or GED® Prep, contact Transition Studies before completing the NSAR.

Part 1: Orientation Videos

Explore these video tools and tips to learn about academic and career resources you have access to at SPSCC.

Part 2: Pathway Selection Survey (PaSS)

You have two options to complete this required step: online or in person!

*Note: The PaSS is available for students starting Summer 2023 or Fall 2023. For those wanting to start Winter or Spring, check back here before new student registration opens for the quarter you want to start. Visit the Academic Calendar here.

Finish your final step before registering on your own: Online PaSS

Advisors are available to guide you through your program selection and help you get registered for your first quarter. Select a date and time below.

Don’t see an option that works? Additional dates and times will be posted soon.

After Completing NSAR

If you have questions about which classes to take after completing the NSAR explore the Common Questions below, then schedule an appointment with your Educational & Career Planner through Compass (login with ClipperID required) or visit the ACT Center during walk-in hours.

For general questions about the Steps to Enroll, contact Outreach at outreach@spscc.edu or 360-596-5440.

Common Questions

Before making an appointment, we encourage you to explore our Common Questions.

How do I get started?
You need to complete the Steps to Enroll before before you can register for classes.

Who can I talk to about my Financial Aid questions?
One Stop staff can answer most general financial aid questions. Hours and ways to contact the One Stop are listed on our Hours & Contact page.

For more in depth questions, students are encouraged to schedule a meeting with their assigned Financial Aid Advisor using Compass.

Where can I find my ctcLink ID and global PIN?
Find your ctcLink ID in your acceptance email. You can also use the Find my ctcLink ID tool (login with ClipperID required).

Your global PIN is your six-digit birthdate in the format: MMDDYY.

How do I access my SPSCC email?
You must first activate your ClipperID (step to enroll #2) in order to access your SPSCC email. Once you've activated your ClipperID, you can access your SPSCC email through mySPSCC.

We recommend checking your SPSCC student email often, or forward it to your personal email account.

What is the Pathway Selection Survey / NSAR and how do I get access?
The Pathways Selection Survey (PaSS) and New Student Advising and Registration (NSAR) are required for new students. The PaSS guides you through a 6-question career assessment that will help you select your degree or certificate and pick a Pathway. The NSAR will introduce you to campus resources, your Support Network, and how to get registered for classes.

If you've activated your student accounts, a link to access PaSS and NSAR will be sent to your SPSCC email three (3) weeks before New Student Registration begins.

What can my Educational & Career Planner in the Advising, Career & Transfer Center (ACT Center) help me with?  
Educational & Career Planners are available to:

  • Guide you in picking classes
  • Explore careers and help you pick a program of study and Pathway
  • Develop and approve a degree plan that meets your degree requirements
    Discuss different degree options as they relate to your goals
  • Assist with planning your transfer to another college
  • Help you understand college policies

If you are degree-seeking, your assigned Educational & Career Planner's contact information will show up on your Success Network in Compass within one day of your Pathway Selection Survey and NSAR being processed.

How can I meet with my Educational and Career Planner?
You can schedule an appointment your assigned Educational and Career Planner through Compass in mySPSCC, or visiting during walk-in hours.  

What classes should I take?
For guidance on what classes to take we recommend meeting with an Educational and Career Planner quarterly! You can schedule an appointment your assigned Educational and Career Planner through Compass in mySPSCC, or visiting during walk-in hours.

Do I need to take CCS 101 (College and Career Success)?
Students are required to take CCS 101, SPSCC's college success course, in the first two quarters regardless of full time or part time status. Students returning to SPSCC with fewer than 30 credits will be required to complete the college success course unless they previously completed the course with a passing grade.

Why can’t I register for this course?
If you are attempting to register for course, and new student registration has already begun, we recommend checking out the following complications that most students encounter when attempting to register for classes.

Course prerequisite
Before registering for a course check to see if the course has a course prerequisite. A prerequisite is a course which needs to be completed before taking another course. This will be noted in the class description.

Placement or Transcripts
If the prerequisites are English or math, you may just need to update your placement. Usually it’s as simple as submitting your transcripts to assessment@spscc.edu. Visit the Placement Options page to review all options.

Entry Code
An entry code is required when a student has completed the prerequisites for a course at another institution. It does not allow you to skip over prerequisites. A prerequisite is a course which needs to be completed before taking another course.

Class is full
When a course reaches capacity or is in other words full, a student can register to be on the waitlist. The waitlist does not guarantee enrollment in the course. Waitlist is the opportunity for students to be enrolled in the course if a spot becomes available.

Still having issues? No worries, we are here to support! Email advising@spscc.edu

What is a Wait List? What do I do if the class I want has a Wait List?
When a course reaches capacity (the class is full), the "Wait List" begins. This is an opportunity for students to be enrolled in the course if a spot becomes available. Students are placed on the Wait List in chronological order (first come, first served) and can be on a maximum of five Wait Lists at a time. SPSCC maintains a Wait List for many courses if they become full. If an opening occurs in a class, the student at the top of the Wait List will automatically be enrolled in that class

We recommend enrolling in the course if the Wait List number is below four.

The College will notify students through their SPSCC email only if enrolled in a class from the Wait List. It is the student’s responsibility to check their Wait List status on a daily basis.

How can I meet with my Educational and Career Planner?
You can schedule an appointment your assigned Educational and Career Planner through Compass in mySPSCC, or visiting during walk-in hours

What are the Advising walk-in hours?
Walk-in advising hours are listed on our Hours & Contact page. During open hours, check in at the Start Here desk located in Building 22 or using Zoom for virtual walk-ins.

What is Compass?  
Compass is a web-based advising tool that allows you to connect and make appointments with your Educational & Career Planner, Financial Aid Advisor, faculty, and others here to help you at SPSCC. You can access Compass through mySPSCC.

Students use the Success Network page in Compass page to schedule appointments with advising, financial aid, and faculty mentor.

Compass also allows faculty to raise flags on students to alert college staff to reach out and offer support to the student.

How do I schedule an appointment with someone on campus?  
Use Compass to schedule an appointments:

  1. Go to spscc.edu
  2. Select the Menu (top right of website)
  3. Find "mySPSCC" on the bottom in small text
  4. Select the tile that says "Compass"
  5. Log in with your ClipperID
  6. Go to Your connections and find your assigned connections (Educational Planner, Financial Aid Advisor, Instructors, Faculty Mentors and more!)
  7. Select the three dots to the right of their directory name
  8. Select “Schedule”
  9. Complete the scheduling prompts

If you would like to schedule with someone outside of your connections, scroll to the bottom to find Your Services, by department.

Select on the name of the department you would like to schedule you with.   
You will then have the option to select through the team members of each department and find availability that best meets yours.

For all departments, hours, and contact information, visit our Hours & Contact page.

What are some support services that can help me?
There are so many services to suppor your time at SPSCC. Visit our Services & Support Overview page to begin exploring.

Personal Support includes resources such as: Mental Health Counseling Services, Access Services, Childcare & Parent Support, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Center, Financial Resources, Food, Housing & Basic Needs and much more!

Academic Support includes resources such as: free Tutoring Services, Canvas & Compass Support, Online Learning Support, Advising, Career & Transfer Center, Assessment Center, Access Services, Transfer Planning, and more!