Scholarship Checks

How to Submit External Scholarship Checks

Outside scholarships are awarded by organizations other than Sauk Valley Community College or the SVC Foundation. These may include scholarships from businesses, schools, community organizations, foundations, or private donors.

Submitting External Scholarship Checks

Checks and letters should be mailed to:

Sauk Valley Community College 
Attn: Financial Assistance Office
173 IL ROUTE 2
DIXON, IL 61021

Checks should be made payable to Sauk Valley Community College.

An accompanying letter should include:

• The student’s full name
• SVCC student ID number
• The semester or academic year for which the scholarship is intended
• Any enrollment requirements
• The expenses the scholarship may cover
• Whether unused funds may be refunded to the student, applied to another semester, or returned to the donor

Scholarship Processing Policies

1. Scholarship Restrictions
   Outside scholarship funds are applied according to college policy and the donor’s written instructions. Restrictions may limit an award to tuition, fees, books, supplies, a specific semester, a required number of credit hours, or an academic program.
2. How Financial Aid Is Applied
   Some scholarships are limited to specific expenses or are considered last-dollar funding. As a result, other financial aid may affect the scholarship amount or how the funds are applied. 
3. Fall and Spring Distribution
   Scholarships designated for the full academic year are generally divided between the fall and spring semesters according to the donor’s instructions and SVCC’s financial aid policies. SVCC may adjust the distribution, when necessary, based on enrollment, eligibility, or other applicable requirements. 
4. Enrollment Requirements
   Students must meet the enrollment requirements established for the scholarship. Full-time enrollment is generally 12 or more credit hours unless the donor’s instructions state otherwise.
5. Processing Timeline
   Scholarships are generally finalized after the semester’s enrollment freeze or add/drop period. Students should allow one to two weeks after that date for processing.
6. Award Changes and Corrections
   SVCC may correct, reduce, or cancel an award if it was based on incorrect information, entered in error, the student is no longer eligible, or an adjustment is necessary to comply with college policy, donor restrictions, or applicable financial aid requirements.
7. Schedule Changes and Withdrawals
   Dropping classes, withdrawing, changing programs, or failing to begin attendance may affect scholarship eligibility. The award may be reduced or canceled, and the student may become responsible for charges previously covered by the scholarship.
8. Scholarship Refunds
   A scholarship credit balance may be refunded to the student only when permitted by college policy, the donor, and applicable financial aid requirements. Otherwise, unused funds may be applied to another eligible semester or returned to the donor.
9. Purchases and Reimbursements
   When a scholarship permits payment or reimbursement for educational expenses, prior approval may be required. A final, itemized receipt showing the vendor, purchase date, items purchased, and payment made is required. Estimates, unpaid invoices, shopping carts, and order confirmations are not considered final receipts.
10. Student Responsibility
    Students are responsible for monitoring their SVCC email and student account, submitting requested documentation by established deadlines, and reporting enrollment or eligibility changes to the Financial Assistance Office.