Admission Policy

Sauk Valley Community College provides a wide range of learning opportunities to meet the various educational needs of students from diverse backgrounds. Sauk is an open enrollment institution and welcomes all that may benefit from its courses and programs of study.

The College has tailored its instruction to serve those with a high school diploma or its equivalent. The College may, at its discretion, admit persons in high school who are under the age of 18 that meet established criteria and have permission from appropriate high school personnel, parents/guardians, and Sauk personnel. (See Dual Credit Enrollment students.)

The College does not guarantee entrance into all courses or programs of study. Entrance into specific programs may depend on other criteria such as age, evidence of language and mathematics skills, and space availability. Also, students may be required to complete specified prerequisites prior to enrollment in certain courses or programs. Counselors and academic advisors are available to assist students in determining an appropriate sequence of courses or program of study.

The College reserves the right to limit enrollment because of space or budget restrictions, to establish selective admission requirements, and to give preference to residents of the District.

Sauk Identification Numbers

Sauk Valley Community College provides a Sauk identification number to each student for college identification and administrative purposes. A Sauk identification number is issued after the student information form is processed by the Office of Admissions and Records. Students will be notified by mail of their Sauk identification number. This number will be used for all transactions at Sauk Valley Community College.

SOAR (Sauk Online Access to Records) 

SOAR is Sauk Valley Community College's online record system that students may access with a Sauk ID number and a personal identification number. Students are able to access records anywhere as long as Internet access is available. Students can view  personal information, grades, class schedule, billing information, financial aid information, and unofficial transcripts. Returning students may register for classes online with counselor or academic advisor approval.

Steps to Registration

1. New Students Planning to Complete a Degree or Certificate
   
   1. Submit to the Office of Admissions and Records a Student Information Form. Forms are available at the College, and on the College website www.svcc.edu/soar
   2. Submit appropriate transcripts (i.e., high school transcripts, GED scores, and all college/university transcripts from institutions previously attended). All transcripts must be submitted directly to the Office of Admissions and Records. Students submitting college transcripts should also file a Transcript Evaluation Request form in the Office of Admissions and Records. This form is available on the College website at www.svcc.edu  Transcripts must be delivered in a sealed envelope.
   3. Complete a placement test. To assist students in choosing appropriate courses, new students (full-time or part-time) must complete placement testing in English/language arts and math. Contact the Counseling Office, 815/835-6354, for placement test options. Contact the Testing Center, 815/835-6530, to arrange a testing time. Students that have completed college level courses, ACT, or advanced placement examinations may have already satisfied portions or all of the testing requirements.
   4. Meet with a Sauk counselor or academic advisor to discuss placement test results and course/program requirements. To schedule an appointment, contact the Counseling Office, 815/835-6354.
   5. Register for classes through the Office of Admissions and Records: Guidelines for registration can be found in the Office of Admissions and Records or at www.svcc.edu/soar
   6. Pay Tuition and Fees at the Business Office or online at www.svcc.edu by a specified date. Students may pay by cash, check, credit card, or apply for the deferred payment plan. Students utilizing financial assistance should contact the Office of Financial Assistance, 815/835-6339, before arranging payment with the Business Office. For more payment information, contact the Business Office, 815/835-6267 or visit www.svcc.edu

2. Registration for Returning or Continuing Students:
   Choose one of the following options
   
   1. Counselor or Academic Advisor Pre-Approval: Students should schedule an appointment with a counselor or academic advisor before registration begins to plan courses for the upcoming semester.
   2. Academic Planning Sheets: Students that are following a counselor or academic advisor-approved academic plan can bring a copy of the plan along with a completed registration form to the Counseling Office for approval.
   3. Counselor or Academic Advisor Approval: Students meet with a counselor or academic advisor during the registration period to discuss recommended course work and gain approval to register.
   4. Self-Registration: Students who have met registration guidelines can register online or on campus. Visit www.svcc.edu/soar for registration guidelines.
      
      Pay Tuition and Fees through the Business Office or online at www.svcc.edu by a specified date. Students may pay by cash, check, credit card, or apply for the deferred payment plan. Students utilizing financial assistance should contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance, 815/835-6339, before arranging payment with the Business Office. For more information, contact the Business Office, 815/835-6267 or visit online at www.svcc.edu

3.  Students Enrolling for Personal or Professional Interest
   (Not planning to complete a degree or certificate)
   1. Submit a Student Information Form: Students enrolling in their first class at SVCC will need to complete and submit a Student Information Form to the Office of Admissions and Records. Returning students should already have a completed information form on file.
   2. Placement testing/Counseling: Students wishing to register for any English/language arts course, math course, or any other college course requiring a specific co-requisite or prerequisite, must complete a placement test and meet with a counselor or academic advisor for class approval. Contact the Counseling Office at 815/835-6354 for placement test options or to arrange a time to meet with a counselor or academic advisor. Contact the Testing Center at 815-835-6530 to arrange a testing time. 
   3. Register for Classes: Register for classes through the Office of Admissions and Records during specified dates and times. Students can register on campus or via the Internet (SOAR - Sauk Online Access to Records).                           
      
      Pay Tuition and Fees through the Business Office or online at www.svcc.edu by a specified date. Students may pay by cash, check, credit card, or apply for the deferred payment plan. Students utilizing financial assistance should contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance, 815/835-6339, before arranging payment with the Business Office. For more information, contact the Business Office, 815/835-6267 or visit online at www.svcc.edu

Sauk E-mail Accounts

Students registered for classes at Sauk Valley Community College will be provided with an email account that will be available the day following their registration. All official email correspondence from SVCC will go to their  SVCC email address.

Student Photo ID Cards

Student photo ID cards are available in the Office of Admissions and Records on a walk-in basis, after the 10th day of classes. They will be valid for one year.  When expiration occurs, individuals who are students will be provided a new ID card at the Office of Admissions and Records.  Replacement cards will be available for a fee.

Dual Credit/Enrollment Students

Sauk Valley Community College offers academic, as well as career and technical education, college-level courses to qualified high school students. The Dual Credit program provides the opportunity for high school students to jump start their college education by enrolling in college level courses while in high school.

Dual Credit - Students are concurrently enrolled in high school and college while taking some college classes for high school and college credit.

Dual Enrollment - Students are concurrently enrolled in high school and college while taking some college classes for college credit only.

To take advantage of this opportunity, students must have completed their sophomore year, be at least 16 years old, meet established criteria, and have permission from appropriate high school personnel, parents/guardians, and Sauk personnel. Students requesting to participate in Sauk's Dual Credit/Enrollment program must satisfy the course placement policy by taking the Sauk placement test  or providing Sauk with ACT or SAT scores. Students may register for no more than 12 semester hours in the fall or spring semesters or 6 semester hours in the summer term.

Students participating in Sauk courses will be evaluated as college students and expected to follow the rules and regulations of Sauk Valley Community College. All students will abide by Sauk's Student Rights and Responsibilities. Students enrolled in college-level courses must have appropriate academic qualifications, a high level of motivation, and adequate time to devote to studying a college-level course.

High school students interested in Dual Credit Enrollment should:

1. Meet with a high school counselor to discuss the course options for Dual Credit and obtain the necessary forms.
2. Meet with a staff member in Sauk's Office of Recruitment to register for courses and bring the following:
   - A completed Student Information Form and Dual Enrollment Application and Course Registration Form.
   - A copy of high school transcripts
   - A copy of ACT scores and/or appropriate placement results

Contact either a high school counselor or the Office of Recruitment at 815/835-6421, for more information.

International Students

Any student from another country that wishes to attend SVCC should contact the Student Activities/Cross-Cultural Coordinator prior to making application. Students from other nations seeking admission to the College must:

**All Steps Must be Completed by July 1st for Fall Enrollment; November 1st for Spring Enrollment.**

1. Have completed the equivalent of a high school education;
2. Have a mastery of the English language - score at least 500 on the paper-based test, 66 on the Internet based test (iBT), or 173 on the computer-based version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL);
3. Have on file a Student Information Form for admission;
4. Provide official transcripts, translated into English, from all secondary and post-secondary institutions attended;
5. Provide an affidavit of adequate financial support; and
6. Meet all requirements for admission into the United States as set forth by the department of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

International students must normally carry a minimum of twelve (12) semester hours. Enrollment into courses will be determined by placement test scores and personal evaluations. International students will be charged out-of-state tuition. It is possible for some foreign students to be admitted as "International Relations" workers and, therefore, qualify for in-district tuition. International Relations students are required to be sponsored by a resident of the College district.

Veterans Registration

Effective beginning the 2013-2014 academic year, pursuant to Illinois Public Act 098-0316, Sauk Valley Community College will offer service members and veterans the earliest possible enrollment opportunity offered by the college (advance registration).

In order to qualify for this Advance Registration opportunity, the student must not be on hold for any current or previous debt to Sauk Valley Community College, must be a resident of Illinois and must either be:

1. A current service member-a member of any component of the U.S. Armed Forces, including any reserve component, or the National Guard of any state, who is eligible to receive military education benefits (as verified by the Veterans Services Advisor) or;
2. A veteran-a previous service member who has received an honorable discharge, a general discharge or an other than honorable discharge (as verified by the Veterans Services Advisor).

Service Members and Veteran students do not have to be using Veterans Educational Benefits at Sauk Valley Community College to qualify, but must provide the Veterans Services Advisor the necessary documentation to show that they meet either (1) or (2) above. This may include the Member 4 copy of their DD214, a copy of a current Certificate of Eligibility for educational benefits from the Department of Veteran Affairs or other appropriate documentation.