2024-2025 College Catalog

Academic Policies & Procedures

Financial Obligation of the Student

Degrees/certificates, or other academic record information may be withheld from students who are in default on financial obligations. In such a case, students maintain the right to inspect and review their records. Information will only be released once the student’s account has been cleared.

Updating Student Records

It is the responsibility of students to notify the Records and Registration Office of any change or correction to their name, address, telephone number, and/or any other information on their record. It is imperative that this information be kept current and accurate.

Repetition of Courses

Any student who retakes any course does so with the understanding that only the best grade of the repetition will be computed in the student’s grade point average (GPA), but all attempts will be listed on the transcripts. If a student chooses to audit a course, it will not be considered a repeat or counted in the GPA. It is important to note that other colleges may count all grades for repeated courses when arriving at a GPA. It is the students’ responsibility to acquaint themselves with the policy of the college(s) to which they plan to transfer.

Chosen/Preferred Name

Students who would like to use a name other than their legal first name within the campus community are able to enter a chosen first name, update an existing chosen first name, or delete an existing chosen first name through the Records and Registration Office. For more information please visit RVC Chosen Name.

Developmental Math Policies

If a student receives three (3) non-passing grades (D, F, or W) in a developmental math course within a five-year period, that student is not allowed to re-enroll for another math class at Rock Valley College without permission from the Dean of Adult & Developmental Education.

Credit for Prior Learning

Rock Valley College defines Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) as learning obtained outside of the traditional college classroom. All potential students, from high school to returning adult, may benefit from Credit for Prior Learning. Credit for Prior Learning can provide you with the opportunity to receive credit for these past learning experiences, save money on tuition, and accelerate the completion of your educational goals.

Credit may be earned through several methods, including credit through exams, military experience, work experience, and skills-validation. Some such methods include AP, CLEP, Dantes/DSST, International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, IL State Seal of Biliteracy, and other licenses.

Find more information at RVC Credit for Prior Learning.

Transcript Requests

In order to obtain a transcript from Rock Valley College, consent must be given through one of the following options; National Student Clearinghouse, or the Records & Registration office.

Note: Transcripts listing courses numbered 100 and above will be sent for each request. If you took courses numbered below 100 (development/remedial), Community Education & Continuing Education courses or Adult Education courses, you will need to specifically request inclusion of these records.

Transcripts of work completed at other institutions become a part of a student’s record at Rock Valley College and are not released or copied for distribution. Copies must be obtained from the institution where the courses were completed.

Academic obligations to Rock Valley College must be satisfied before transcripts will be released.

Visit our website for detailed information at RVC Transcripts or contact the Records and Registration Office at (815) 921-4250 with questions.