Start Now Event: BHCC Orientation Step 1

New and Current Students - Get help with Applying, Course Registration, Completing the FAFSA, Student Payment and More!

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About the Start Now Events

Course registration for new students accepted to BHCC opens on May 12, 2025. You can sign up for a Start Now session starting on Monday, April 21. During Start Now, new students will complete two mandatory workshops:

  • Financially Empowered Workshop - students learn about resources to pay for college including free community college programs MassEducate and MassReconnect. (45 minutes)
  • Advising Workshop - students learn how to plan and register for their courses. (2 hours)

Currently enrolled BHCC students should sign up to attend a Drop-in Advising Session and get help with course registration.

Mandatory Placement Testing 

Students must complete their math and English placement testing requirement BEFORE they attend a Start Now session. Schedule your placement test. You will not be able to register for classes at Start Now unless you have completed your English and math placement testing requirement first.

If you have questions about placement testing, send an email to testing@bhcc.edu or call 617-228-2377.

Other Resources

During the Start Now Sessions, all enrollment offices will be open and available for students to complete the following tasks:

  • Apply for admission and drop off documentation (transcripts, etc.)
  • Speak to Admissions staff for help choosing your academic pathway
  • Apply for financial aid and get your billing and tuition payment questions answered
  • Get help completing your math and English placement testing requirements
  • Meet with an advisor to plan and register for classes

Register for Start Now BHCC

If you are a new student admitted to a Selective Program such as Nursing, Medical Imaging, Medical Assistant and other Health or STEM programs, please see your BHCC Acceptance Letter for directions on how to complete your orientation process. You DO NOT need to register for a Start Now Session. View a list of Selective Programs. To access your acceptance letter, please log into the application portal

View the session dates in the dropdowns below. Events will be open for registration two weeks in advance of the date and will remain open until filled. Once a session is full it will no longer show in the calendar. Students are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible.

Start Now - Virtual Sessions (Open to All Students)

Event Date & Time Location Link
Start Now Virtual Session
Friday, May 16
12 - 4 p.m.
Virtual Register
Start Now Virtual Session
Wednesday, May 28
1:30 - 5 p.m.
Virtual Register

Start Now - On Campus/In-Person Sessions (Open to All Students)

Event Date & Time Location Link
Start Now In-Person Session 1
Wednesday, May 14
9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 2
Wednesday, May 14
1:30 - 5 p.m.
Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 1
Thursday, May 15
9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 2
Thursday, May 15
1:30 - 5 p.m.
Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now Chelsea In-Person Session 1
Tuesday, May 20
9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Chelsea Campus Register
Start Now Chelsea In-Person Session 2
Tuesday, May 20
1:30 - 5 p.m.
Chelsea Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 1
Tuesday, May 27
12:30 - 4 p.m.
Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 2
Tuesday, May 27
4 - 7:30 p.m.
Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 1
Wednesday, May 28
9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 1
Thursday, May 29
9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now In-Person Session 2
Thursday, May 29
1:30 - 5 p.m.
Charlestown Campus Register

Start Now - International Student Sessions

If you are an International/F1 Visa seeking student, information about international student sessions will be sent to the email you used to apply to BHCC. If you did not receive an email about your session, please send an email to international@bhcc.edu.

Start Now - English Language Learners

Event Date & Time Location Link
Start Now English Language Learner Session
Thursday, May 15
1:30 - 5 p.m.
Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now English Language Learner Session
Wednesday, May 21
1:30 - 5 p.m.
Charlestown Campus Register
Start Now English Language Learner Session
Wednesday, May 28
9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Charlestown Campus Register

Session Schedules

Start Now Morning Schedule
8:30 a.m. Check-In Opens for the Event
The check in process will help students to confirm their BHCC credentials (username and password) and log into the SelfService course registration system. *Placement Testing, Application and FAFSA workshops available for students who need it 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Session I Begins

9:30 a.m. Financially Empowered Group Session-I 
This session teaches students about all forms of financial aid available to help fund their college education including MassReconnect and Tuition Equity. The session also provide information on the process to apply for financial aid.

10:30 a.m. Advising and Registration Group Session-I
During this session students will work with an advisor who will help them to plan and register for their first semester courses

1:00 p.m. Students Depart Campus

Start Now Afternoon Schedule

Session II Begins

12:30 p.m. Check-In Opens for the Event
The check in process will help students to confirm their BHCC credentials (username and password) and log into the SelfService course registration system. *Placement Testing, Application and FAFSA workshops available for students who need it 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

1:30 p.m. Financially Empowered Group Session-II​
This session teaches students about all forms of financial aid available to help fund their college education including MassReconnect and Tuition Equity. The session also provide information on the process to apply for financial aid.

2:30 p.m. Advising and Registration Group Session-II​
During this session students will work with an advisor who will help them to plan and register for their first semester courses

5 p.m.  Students Depart Campus

Start Now Evening Schedule

3 p.m. Check-In Opens for the Event
The check in process will help students to confirm their BHCC credentials (username and password) and log into the SelfService course registration system. *Placement Testing, Application and FAFSA workshops available for students who need it 3-5 p.m.

Session I Begins

4 p.m. Financially Empowered Group Session-I 
This session teaches students about all forms of financial aid available to help fund their college education including MassReconnect and Tuition Equity. The session also provide information on the process to apply for financial aid.

5 p.m. Advising and Registration Group Session-I
During this session students will work with an advisor who will help them to plan and register for their first semester courses

7:30 p.m. Students Depart Campus

Start Now Saturday Schedule

8 a.m. Check-In Opens for the Event​
The check in process will help students to confirm their BHCC credentials (username and password) and log into the SelfService course registration system. *Placement Testing, Application and FAFSA workshops available for students who need it 8 a.m.-1 p.m.​

Session I Begins​

9 a.m. Financially Empowered Group Session-I
This session teaches students about all forms of financial aid available to help fund their college education  including MassReconnect and Tuition Equity. The session also provide information on the process to apply for financial aid.

10 a.m. Advising and Registration Group Session-I​
During this session students will work with an advisor who will help them to plan and register for their first semester courses ​

12 p.m. Students Depart Campus

Session II Begins

10 a.m. Check-In Opens for the Event​ 
The check in process will help students to confirm their BHCC credentials (username and password) and log into the SelfService course registration system. *Placement Testing, Application and FAFSA workshops available for students who need it 8 a.m.-1 p.m.​

11 a.m. Financially Empowered Group Session-II​
This session teaches students about all forms of financial aid available to help fund their college education  including MassReconnect and Tuition Equity. The session also provide information on the process to apply for financial aid.

12 p.m. Advising and Registration Group Session-II​
During this session students will work with an advisor who will help them to plan and register for their first semester courses ​

2 p.m.  Students Depart Campus

Please log into your virtual session 10 minutes prior to the start of the event. Login instructions will be emailed to the address you used to register for the session. If you have difficulty logging into your session or did not receive the login information, please send an email to advising@bhcc.edu.