Academic Records

A permanent cumulative record is kept on each student. This record shows for each term all credits attempted and earned, all grades earned, and term and cumulative grade point averages (GPA). Only transfer and occupational courses will be included in the GPA. Grade reports at the end of each term indicating course work for the current semester, grades earned, and term and cumulative GPA may be viewed at svcc.edu/soar. 

Entrance 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 who 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, permit persons in high school who are under the age of 18 who meet established criteria and have permission from appropriate high school personnel, parents/guardians, and Sauk personnel to enroll at SVCC. (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. Students may be required to complete specified prerequisites prior to enrollment in certain courses or programs. Academic advisors are available to assist students in determining appropriate sequencing of courses for programs 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.

Baccalaureate Transfer Programs (A.A., A.S., A.E.S., and A.F.A.)

Public Act 86-0954 specifies that 15 units of high school coursework or the equivalent be required for admission to community college transfer programs. Students interested in transfer programs at SVCC should satisfactorily complete, while in high school, a college preparatory curriculum to include:

• Four years of English (emphasizing written and oral communications, and literature).
• Three years of mathematics (introductory through advanced algebra plus geometry --general/basic/technical mathematics and pre-algebra are not acceptable).
• Three years of social science (emphasizing history and government).
• Three years of science (laboratory sciences - general science is not acceptable).
• Additional courses:  (two years of electives in foreign language, music, vocational education, or art).

Specific college admission requirements vary from institution to institution.

Students who have not completed the above curriculum will satisfy these requirements by fulfilling the transfer degree requirements as outlined below:

Physical/life Science courses, social/behavioral science courses, and MAT 115 or higher (excluding MAT 121) meeting program admission requirements will also count toward associate degree general education requirements. 

Student Classifications

Class Standing

A first-year student (freshman) is one who has earned fewer than 30 semester hours including any semester hours accepted in transfer from other colleges or universities. A second-year student (sophomore) is one who has earned 30 or more semester hours including any semester hours accepted in transfer.

Full-Time

A full-time student is defined as one who is registered for 12 or more semester hours during a regular semester, or 6 or more semester hours during the summer session. This definition applies only for academic purposes. Financial assistance has a different definition of what constitutes a full-time student.

Student Load

The anticipated course load for a full-time student during the fall and spring semester is 16 semester hours. The full-time load during the summer semester is 6 semester hours. Course loads greater than 16 hours are recommended only for students who have a high school average of "B" or minimum College grade point average of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale).

Students in most academic courses are expected to spend at least two hours of preparation for each hour of class. Students who are working are cautioned to plan a course load that is in proportion to their workload. A suggested schedule for working students is as follows:

Students desiring to take 19 or more credit hours during a regular semester or more than 10 credit hours during the summer semester must have prior approval from the Dean of Student Services.

SVCC Identification Numbers

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

SOAR (Sauk Online Access to Records) 

SOAR is Sauk Valley Community College's online record system. SOAR can be accessed anywhere an Internet connection is available by entering the user name and password. Students can view personal information, grades, class schedule, billing information, financial aid information, and unofficial transcripts. With approval from an academic advisor, eligible students may use SOAR to register for classes.