Academic Policies & Procedures
Financial Obligations
Rock Valley College may withhold degrees, certificates, or other official academic records from students who are in default on financial obligations. Students retain the right to inspect and review their educational records. Official records will be released once the student’s account has been cleared.
Updating Student Records
Students are responsible for notifying the Records and Registration Office of any changes to their name, address, telephone number, or other personal information. Keeping student records current and accurate is essential.
Repetition of Courses
When a course is repeated, only the highest grade earned is used to calculate the student’s grade point average (GPA); however, all attempts appear on the transcript. Audited courses are not considered repeats and are not included in the GPA. Students planning to transfer should be aware that other institutions may calculate GPA differently and may count all attempts.
Chosen or Preferred Name
Students may request to use a chosen first name instead of their legal first name within the campus community. Requests to add, update, or remove a chosen name must be submitted through the Records and Registration Office. Additional information is available on the
RVC Chosen Name
page.
Developmental Education
Students who receive three non-passing grades (D, F, or W) in a developmental math or English course within a five–year period may not re-enroll in another developmental math or English course without approval from the Dean of College Readiness and Learner Support.
Credit for Prior Learning
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) recognizes learning gained outside of a traditional college classroom. Eligible students may earn academic credit based on prior learning, helping reduce the time and cost required to complete a degree or certificate.
CPL may be awarded through methods such as standardized exams, military training, work experience, industry credentials, and skills validation. Examples include AP, CLEP, DANTES/DSST, International Baccalaureate, Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy, and approved licenses.
For more information, visit the
RVC Credit for Prior Learning
page.
Transcript Requests
Official transcripts may be requested through the National Student Clearinghouse or the Records and Registration Office.
Note: Transcripts automatically include courses numbered 100 and above. To include developmental (below 100), Community Education, Continuing Education, or Adult Education coursework, students must specifically request those records.
Transcripts from other institutions become part of a student’s record at Rock Valley College but are not released or copied. Official copies must be requested directly from the originating institution.
Additional details are available on the
RVC Transcripts
page or by contacting the Records and Registration Office at (815) 921-4250.