Fall semester began this week at Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges, and there is still time to register for courses. Students can apply, register and complete their orientations online as well as in person.

In addition to full-semester day and evening courses, the colleges offer weekend courses, short-term courses, one-day seminars and online courses.

Some courses begin in September; others start in October and November.

The three colleges provide general education, transfer preparation, career programs, skills enhancement and lifelong learning classes.

The Ventura College Promise, a program sponsored by the Ventura College Foundation, pays enrollment fees of all recent Ventura County high school graduates who meet the program requirements during their first year of attendance at Ventura College.

This same promise is extended to students who have successfully completed their GED requirements or who have completed high school coursework but have not yet passed their exit exam.

Only students who enroll at Ventura College during the fall semester will be covered under the Promise Program. Expenses covered by the Ventura College Promise include the per-unit cost of courses, the Health fee, the Student Center fee, and the cost of an Associated Student Body card.

There is no minimum/maximum number of units that must be taken, and no minimum gradepoint average or assessment score that must be met.

To qualify, an applicant must identify an educational goal, take an assessment examination, work with a counselor to develop an education plan, complete a Financial Aid Application and apply for the Ventura College Promise.

Interested individuals can contact a Ventura College counselor at (805) 654-6448 or the Ventura College Foundation Office at (805) 654-6461.