FAQ for Applicants
CH 2023 COVID-19 VACCINATION & MITIGATION FAQ
Does College Horizons have a COVID-19 vaccine requirement to participate in the 2023 College Horizons Program?
Yes, all participants of the 2023 College Horizons in-person programs, including student and faculty, are required to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination series. As of November 2022, the current CDC recommended COVID-19 vaccination series includes the primary dose, secondary dose, booster 1, and bivalent booster 2. You must submit proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or have an approved exemption to attend the program in-person.
How do I provide proof of COVID-19 Vaccination?
The week of March 6, 2023, applicants will be notified of their admission to the program. Upon admission to the program, an admitted student will receive instructions to upload their COVID-19 Vaccination card as proof they have received the full COVID-19 vaccination series that includes 2 primary doses, booster 1, and bivalent booster 2. As Vaccination cards are considered medical records, admitted students will upload their vaccination cards through a secure portal that complies with HIPPA and protects personal health information. Do not email vaccination information to College Horizons. College Horizons uses a designated Travel Agency to book all student airline tickets and before a student can book a ticket, they must provide their COVID-19 Vaccination that shows proof they have received the full COVID-19 vaccination series.
What is the deadline to submit proof of COVID-19 Vaccination?
By April 1, 2023, a student admitted to the program will need to provide a COVID-19 Vaccination card as proof they have received the full COVID-19 vaccination series that includes 2 primary doses, booster 1, and booster 2. College Horizons uses a designated Travel Agency to book all student airline tickets and before a student can book a ticket, they must provide their COVID-19 Vaccination that shows proof they have received the full COVID-19 vaccination series.
What brand of COVID-19 Vaccination shots should I get?
College Horizons cannot provide medical advice on which brand of COVID-19 vaccination to receive. Please consult with a pharmacist, nurse practitioner, or doctor on the COVID-19 vaccination that is available for your age group.
What if I am unvaccinated? When should I get my COVID-19 Vaccination?
Applicants and participants need to plan to have received the full vaccination series by April 1, 2023. The COVID-19 vaccination series generally requires 3 weeks between shots, so a student who has not received any COVID-19 vaccinations will need 12 weeks to become fully vaccinated. To meet the April 1, 2023, deadline to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination requires an unvaccinated student to start their vaccination series by mid-January 2023.
What if I am partially vaccinated?
Applicants and participants need to plan to have received the full vaccination series by April 1, 2023. The COVID-19 vaccination series generally requires 3 weeks between shots, so a student who is partially vaccinated needs to plan 3-9 weeks to become fully vaccinated. To meet the April 1, 2023, deadline to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination requires an unvaccinated student to start their vaccination series by mid-January 2023.
If I have already had COVID, am I still required to be vaccinated?
Yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19. The vaccine requirement still applies to those with recent COVID-19 infection. Experts do not yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19, especially as new COVID-19 variants emerge. Studies have shown that vaccination provides a strong boost in protection in people who have recovered from COVID-19. Visit the CDC website to learn more about why getting vaccinated is a safer way to build protection than getting infected.
CH 2023 COVID-19 RELIGIOUS EXCEPTIONS, MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS & SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
What if I do not plan on getting vaccinated because I have a religious or medical reason that prevents me from being vaccinated? Are there exemptions?
Yes, College Horizons COVID-19 vaccine requirement allows for exemptions. Medical exemptions and religious exceptions can be requested by completing the appropriate form. Complete the “Medical Condition/Disability/Pregnancy/Lactation Status Accommodation Request Form” if you are an individual with a disability or medical condition that prevents you from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals requesting medical exemptions will also have to submit additional documentation signed by a healthcare provider. Complete the “Religious Accommodation Request Form” if you are an individual who holds a sincere religious belief that prevents you from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Medical exemptions and religious exceptions are evaluated on a case-by-case basis; they are not automatically granted.
Be aware that individuals who receive a religious, medical, or health-related exemption are not guaranteed in-person participation. Possible accommodations for students requesting exemptions may include attending a remote 2-day program when the student has a documented need for an accessibility accommodation.
Can I appeal a medical or religious exception decision?
No, decisions regarding medical exemptions and religious exceptions are final and not subject to appeal. Individuals are permitted to reapply if new documentation and information should become available.
Will College Horizons be providing an accommodation to students who are granted an exemption to the vaccine requirement?
Yes, possible accommodations for students may include attending a remote 2-day program when the student has a documented need for an accessibility accommodation. If you require an accommodation, please complete the appropriate form (“Medical Condition/Disability/Pregnancy/Lactation Status Accommodation Request Form” or “Religious Accommodation Form”) and explain the accommodation you are requesting.
I have been granted an exemption. What now?
Individuals who receive a religious, medical, or health-related exemption are not guaranteed in-person participation. In-person participation is dependent on the overall course of the pandemic and the rate and efficacy of vaccination. Possible accommodations for students who have been granted exemptions may include attending a remote 2-day program.
If in-person participation is determined to be appropriate under the circumstances for these individuals, please understand that the risk of the student’s illness from COVID-19, and the risk of communicating COVID-19 to others, are substantial for those individuals who have not received full vaccination. If you choose to participate in-person in the Program and are not fully vaccinated, you KNOWINGLY and FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH COVID-19 RISKS, both known and unknown, from in-person participation. Additionally, you will be required to test for COVID-19 prior to attending and during the in-person program, always wear a mask indoors and outdoors, and practice physical distancing of 6 feet.
I am vaccinated, but I am high-risk for severe illness if I contract COVID-19, and I am worried about in-person participation. What options are available to me?
If you believe you are immunocompromised, please consult your physician and take additional precautions, such as mask wearing and physical distancing, even in situations where these are not required. Please wear a properly fitted, high-quality mask (e.g., N95, KN95, KF94) whenever possible. If you believe you are immunocompromised, complete the “Medical Condition/Disability/Pregnancy/Lactation Status Accommodation Request Form.” Possible accommodations for students may include attending a remote 2-day program when the student has a documented need for an accessibility accommodation.
Will I know who is and who is not vaccinated?
No, to protect personal privacy, you will not know who has or has not been vaccinated, unless the individual discloses that information to you directly; however, it is not acceptable to ask anyone their vaccination status. If a student or faculty or staff member is participating in-person, it means they have observed the required protocols. Please do not assume that because someone is wearing a mask during the program that they are not up to date on their vaccination. Individuals may choose to wear a mask when it is not required for various reasons.
What if I do not plan on getting vaccinated for personal reasons? Are there exemptions?
No. To be eligible to participate in the College Horizons’ Program, you are required to be fully vaccinated. College Horizons does not offer exemptions from its COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for those that personally choose not to get vaccinated for non-religious or non-medical reasons. You may want to speak directly with your medical provider and talk about the options that are right for you to protect your health, and the health of those around you.
Can anyone request to participate in the 2-day remote program that College Horizons is providing as an accessibility accommodation?
No. The 2-day remote program is a possible accommodation intended only for students who have been admitted to the College Horizons program AND have a documented need for an accessibility accommodation. Medical exemptions and religious exceptions can be requested by completing the appropriate form. Complete the “Medical Condition/Disability/Pregnancy/Lactation Status Accommodation Request Form” if you are an individual with a disability or medical condition that prevents you from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals requesting medical exemptions will also have to submit additional documentation signed by a healthcare provider. Complete the “Religious Accommodation Request Form” if you are an individual who holds a sincere religious belief that prevents you from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Medical exemptions and religious exceptions are evaluated on a case-by-case basis; they are not automatically granted.
OTHER COLLEGE HORIZONS STUDENT & PARTICIPANT FAQs
Where do I get an application?
Visit www.collegehorizons.org/apply on our website. You will be able to access all application links and read our eligibility requirements.
I am having trouble accessing the application.
The application must be accessed using either a computer with an internet connection or a mobile device. If you are having trouble viewing the form on a computer, try accessing it using a different browser.
I'm having trouble submitting my application. What if my Verified e-signature isn't working?
If you have trouble verifying your required e-signature or submitting your application, please see our CH E-Signature Instructions.
Does the applicant need to be an enrolled Tribal member? What do Hawaiians provide?
To be eligible, each student must be an enrolled (citizen) member of an American Indian tribe, Alaska Native group, or Native Hawaiian AND provide appropriate documentation supporting tribal enrollment.
Provide documentation such as one of the following:
- An enrollment or membership document from a federally or state recognized tribe or the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA); or a Certification of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) issued by the BIA or a tribe, if the CDIB includes tribal enrollment information. A tribal membership document must be on tribal letterhead or be an enrollment/membership card that contains the tribal seal and/or an official signature.
- A document issued by an Alaska Native village/tribe or an Alaska Native Corporation Settlement Act (ANCSA) regional or village corporation acknowledging membership or shareholder status; or a CDIB issued by the BIA or tribe, if the CDIB includes ANCSA shareholder status or information regarding membership in an Alaska Native village. An Alaska Native village/tribe or ANCSA document must be on official letterhead or be an enrollment/membership card that contains the tribal or ANCSA seal and/or an official signature.
- A document issued by the Hawaiian Registry Program, a branch of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), or a Hawaiian Registry Card issued in accordance with OHA’s verification procedures.
CH will NOT accept a birth certificate for a student, parent, or grandparent as proof of tribal enrollment.
I am Indigenous from Central/South America or First Nations from Canada, but I live in the continental U.S. or Alaska and/or I am a U.S. citizen. Am I eligible?
Indigenous Peoples from Central/South America and First Nations, Metis and Aboriginal from Canada are not eligible to apply at this time.
For more information on Enrollment, Tracing Indian Ancestry, and CDIB Applications visit the U.S. Department of Interior Affairs at: https://www.bia.gov/regional-offices/great-plains/tribal-government-enrollment-claims
For more information on Native Hawaiian ancestry verification visit the Office of Hawaiian Affairs at:
https://www.oha.org/registry
For students attending a Kamehameha High School visit the Ho’oulu Verification Services at:
https://www.ksbe.edu/verification/
I am a Senior in high school or I already graduated from high school but am not in college, can I still apply?
Sorry, you are not eligible to apply. Current 10th and 11th graders may apply. See our “Resources” page for some of the tools we use at the program.
My GPA is below a 3.00, can I still apply?
Yes, as long as your grades are showing an upward trend by the time you submit your application in February. Likely, you will be waitlisted until we receive updated grades.
What is the cost for a student to attend a College Horizons program?
There are no fees, application/program/tuition costs to attend College Horizons. However, a student/family will need to cover the airfare/travel costs to the program sites. College Horizons does provide financial assistance for eligible students.
What do I need to participate in the College Horizons remote program?
We require all participants to have a laptop or tablet device (not a smart phone) and internet access for the duration of the program.
What do I do if my school device (laptop/tablet) has a firewall?
If you are using a school device some schools place firewalls on websites that will not allow you to access external websites. Either ask your school’s IT to give you access to the College Horizons website or try another device to access the Apply page.
Do I need to submit original copies of my official documents?
No. We do not need originals. Please provide photocopies of your parent’s tax info and tribal enrollment verification only. This does not include your high school transcript which needs to be an official copy.
Is College Horizons a college I can apply to?
No. CH is not a college/university. We are a college-access organization that provides pre-college and pre-graduate workshops on the admission process, financial aid process, and provide strategies on how to be competitive candidates for competitive admissions as well as how to be a successful as a Native student in college.
Does College Horizons provide scholarships to attend college?
CH is not a scholarship organization. We only provide financial aid to eligible participants of the summer program to assist with airfare costs to attend our program.
If I (a student) attend College Horizons, will I be guaranteed admission to one of the partner CH schools?
No. CH does not guarantee admission to any of our partner colleges or to any colleges that may participate in our programming and/or college fair. You are admitted to partner schools like any other school, based on your own merit and accomplishments, independent of our program.