Distinct Student Populations: TRIO, Underage Student, International, and Veterans

TRIO Student Support Services

East Peoria Campus • 308B • (309) 694-8944

Trio which stands for “Turning Roadblocks Into Opportunities” is a federally funded program by the Department of Education that is designed for students at Illinois Central College to help increase college retention and success. Trio a free academic support program improves academic skills while enhancing personal and professional development of students. Trio takes great pride in assisting students with completing a degree, earning a certificate or transfer to a four-year college or university. Members of Trio are provided with a wide range of services to help them reach their academic goals and dreams. Services range from:

• Academic Advising

• Career Guidance

• Tutoring Services/Study Groups

• Financial Aid/Transfer Assistance

• Cultural/Educational Activities

• Scholarships to 4 Year Colleges & Universities

• Workshops/Leadership Conferences

If you would like to become a member of Trio, you can stop by our office at the ICC East Peoria Campus Room 308B or call us at (309) 694-8944. Or visit https://icc.edu/trio .

Underage Student Enrollment

Students under the age of 16 can enroll at ICC on a part-time basis in up to seven credit hours.  Students who wish to enroll in any course(s) must petition the Dean of Students. Students will be asked to complete the appeal form, to complete any assessment placement testing or provide results of ACT/SAT tests, to provide a transcript including all completed coursework from the current school, and to provide additional information as indicated on the form. Once the documentation is provided, an appointment can be made by calling the Dean of Students at (309) 694-5573. It is recommended that the petition be made a minimum of two weeks prior to the course start date.

Process

The paperwork and initial meeting with the Dean of Students will serve as an evaluation of the proposed coursework, as well as the academic and emotional preparedness of the student for college-level coursework. The Dean of Students will confer with the appropriate faculty member and dean prior to the face-to-face meeting with the student to determine the academic preparedness needed and any potential challenges or exceptional characteristics of the course that may be relevant to the decision. The faculty member and dean have the ability to deny entrance into a class. If the faculty staffing for a class changes, the course enrollment will be reviewed with the new faculty member.

Students will not be permitted to enroll in developmental coursework unless there are extenuating circumstances that require this enrollment. The Dean of Students will use the faculty member’s feedback and recommendation in determining student eligibility for an individual course in conjunction with the face-to-face meeting.

The face-to-face meeting will discuss course content, course modality, academic rigor, FERPA, safety and legal issues, and other important aspects of underage enrollment. The student must also provide a letter from the school principal or other designated official that indicates their recommendation or support of the student for college-level coursework. If the enrollment is approved by all parties involved, the student will be allowed to enroll in the course.

Dual Enrollment

The student must be enrolled on a full-time basis at a district elementary or secondary institution or be officially enrolled in a home education program.

The student must be at least 16 years old to enroll at ICC.  Dual credit students can enroll in an unlimited amount of dual credit courses taught by an Illinois instructor.

International Student VISA (F-1)

International Student Office • (309) 694-5553 • international@icc.edu

Any international students requiring an F-1 (nonimmigrant student) visa are required to contact the International Education Office, (309) 694-5553 or international@icc.edu about necessary documentation, policy and procedure for compliance of US immigration law. The International Student Coordinator is the institution’s Primary Designated School Officer (PDSO) on all visa/immigration requirements and is responsible for collecting documentation for institutional sponsorship of any F-1 visa by creating a Form I-20. For an international student to qualify for admittance to ICC and a supporting Form I-20 they must provide: financial documentation to prove sufficient funds are available for enrollment, proof of proficiency in the English language in reading, writing, speaking and listening, high school/college transcripts, passport information and supplemental documentation (if necessary). All students (including F-1 students) are required to take Reading and Math Placement Tests before advisement and registration. A condition of the F-1 visa, students are required to enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours for fall and spring semesters, with a minimum of 9 in-person credit hours.

International Students requiring an F-1 (nonimmigrant student) visas are required to provide proof of English Language Proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

Students can demonstrate English proficiency by:

• Providing official English Proficiency Test results within the last 2 years with the following minimum scores:

  • TOEFL ibt: 79

  • IELTS: 6.5

  • Duolingo: 80

Prospective students on any other visa/immigration status should first consult Enrollment Management. Resources and support are available to all international students through the International Education Office.

[Updated TOEFL and IELTS scores effective Fall 2024 per approval from Academic Standards]

Veterans Affairs

Veterans Affairs Office • (309) 694-5562

Illinois Central College will assist veterans and eligible dependents of veterans in navigating the college enrollment process and completing the proper forms required for monthly education benefits and will serve as a liaison between the student and the US Department of Veteran Affairs. Certification requests must be submitted by the veteran or their eligible dependent(s) each semester to the ICC Veterans Affairs office to ensure timely and proper enrollment certification through the US Department of Veteran Affairs.

Requirements for Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35, 1606, and 1607 are as follows:

• Copy of DD-214 member 4 or DD-2384 (Notice of Basic Eligibility)

• Transcript of any previous college coursework from each institution previously attended (if applicable)

• Certificate of Eligibility from the Department of Veteran Affairs for the eligible education benefit

The ICC Veterans Affairs Coordinator is available to answer questions about Veteran benefits and to monitor student degree plans and academic progress.

ICC also accepts the Illinois National Guard, Illinois Veterans and Illinois MIA/POW grants. A request to use these benefits must be submitted by the veteran each semester to the ICC Veterans Affairs office to ensure tuition is paid. For eligibility questions, please contact the ICC Veterans Affairs office at (309) 694-5562.

The law requires that educational assistance benefits to veterans and eligible dependents be discontinued when the student ceases to maintain the Satisfactory Academic Progress standards set forth by the educational institution. At ICC, students receiving state and/or federal veteran education benefits must maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA to maintain eligibility for education benefits. The exact rules for satisfactory academic progress may be obtained at icc.edu/students/financial-aid/eligibility.

To have military education credits evaluated and posted to Illinois Central College records, official transcripts from The Community College of the Air Force or the Army (AARTS) must be sent directly to the College from the appropriate institution. It is the student’s responsibility to request the transcript be sent directly to Illinois Central College. Any other military education for which students wish to receive consideration for credit must be listed on the DD-214 or DD-295. To ensure maximum veteran education benefits, please contact the ICC Veterans Affairs Office.

To ensure maximum veteran education benefit, please contact the ICC Veterans Affairs Office.

Withdrawal Due to Call to Active Duty

In accordance with Illinois Statute (330 ILCS 60/5.2), students who are called to active military service have the right to receive a refund of tuition and fees applicable to their registration when called to duty for a period of seven or more consecutive days. Withdrawal from the course will not impact the grade point average of the service member. Please provide a copy of your orders to the ICC Veterans Affairs Coordinator once orders have been received that may impact your semester classes.

VA Pending Payment Compliance

In accordance with Title 38 US Code § 3679 subsection (e), Illinois Central College adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA.

This school will not:

• Prevent the student's enrollment;

• Assess a late penalty fee to the student;

• Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding ;

• Deny the student access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students will be required to:

• Provide the enrolling institution with a copy of their VA Certification of Eligibility (COE)

• A “certificate of eligibility” can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) website; eBenefits; or a VAF 28-1905 form, for chapter 31 authorization purposes.

Additional criteria to qualify for this provision are also required for such students and listed below:

• No other requirements other than COE submission.

Military Federal Tuition Assistance (TA)

Per DoDI 1322.25, Voluntary Education Programs, paragraph 1.c.(1)(b),

Illinois Central College does not use unfair, deceptive, and abusive recruiting practices. In accordance with federal laws, regulations, and the Department of Defense (DoD) Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the college:

• Bans the payment of any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on securing enrollments or federal financial aid (including TA funds) for Service Members to any persons or entities engaged in any student recruiting, admission activities, or making decisions regarding the award of student financial assistance.

• Refrains from high pressure recruitment tactics such as making multiple unsolicited contacts (3 or more), including contacts by phone, email, or in-person, and engaging in same-day recruitment and registration for the purpose of securing Service Member enrollments.

• Bans inducements, including any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, transportation, lodging, meals, or other item having a monetary value of more than an insignificant amount to any individual or entity, or its agents including third-party lead generators or marketing firms other than salaries paid to employees or fees paid to contractors in conformity with all applicable laws for the purpose of securing enrollments of Service Members or obtaining access to TA funds.

• Allows educational institution sponsored scholarships or grants and tuition reductions available to military affiliated students.

Federal Tuition Assistance

Tuition Assistance (TA) is a government benefit offered to current service members of all branches of the Armed Forces to assist with the cost of tuition only. Each service has its own criteria for eligibility. The application process can be different for each branch.

How to Get Started?

• Contact your unit’s Educational Services Officer (ESO) or representative as the first step.

• Visit your local installation education center, or you can go online to a virtual education center. The following links are provided for each branch:

  • Army

  • Marine Corps

  • Navy

  • Air Force

Prior to Enrollment

You may be required to develop an education plan or complete TA orientation.

Military tuition assistance may only be used to pursue degree programs at colleges and universities in the United States that are regionally or nationally accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S Department of Education. A quick way to check the accreditation of a school is by visiting the Department of Education.

Your service’s education center must approve your military tuition assistance before you enroll in a course.

Return of Unearned Military Tuition Assistance (TA) Only

• Return any TA Program funds directly to the military service, not to the service member.

• Up to the start date, return all (100 percent) TA funds to the appropriate military service when the service member does not:

  • begin attendance at the institution, or

  • start a course, regardless of whether the student starts other courses.

• Return any TA funds which paid for a course that is cancelled by the institution.

• Return any unearned TA funds on a proportional basis through at least the 60-percent portion of the period for which the funds were provided. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based on when a student stops attending. In instances when a service member stops attending due to a military service obligation, the institution will work with the affected service member to identify solutions that will not result in student debt for the returned portion.

*This does not apply to Financial Aid (Title IV) attendance or recalculating of aid.

Couse Drop Policies

Readmission of Service Members

In accordance with federal regulations, 34 C.F.R. § 668.18 and the Department of Defense (DoD) Voluntary Education Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Illinois Central College will promptly readmit service members who seek readmission to a program that was interrupted due to a uniformed service obligation.

This policy shall apply to:

• Service members who are unable to attend classes for more than 30 consecutive days; and

• Service members who are unable to attend classes for less than 30 days when such an absence would result in a withdrawal from the college.

A student is eligible for readmission under this policy if, during an absence, the student performs uniformed service, voluntary or involuntary, in the Armed Forces, including the National Guard or Reserve, active duty, active duty for training or full-time National Guard (under federal authority). The cumulative length of all absences for uniformed service (service time only) must not exceed five years.

A student must provide orders or written notice by Commanding Officer of a Uniformed Service Obligation, such as Temporary Duty (TDY), etc., to the Director of Admissions or designee as far in advance as possible, unless precluded by military necessity. Such notice does not need to indicate when the student will return to the college.

Notice of Intent to Return

The student must also give oral or written notice of Intent to Return to Director of Admissions within three years after the completion of the period of service. Immediately upon the student's return to school, the student must provide notice that he/she may be entitled to the tuition and enrollment benefits outlined in this policy.

The student is required to provide official military obligation documentation to the Director of Admissions or designee.

Tuition and Fees

A returning student must be charged the same tuition and fees in effect during the last academic year the student attended, unless veterans' education benefits or other service member education benefits will pay the amount in excess. For subsequent academic years, the returning student may not be charged tuition and fees in excess of what other students in the program are charged.

Readmission Requirements

A returning student will be permitted to reenroll in the next class(es) scheduled in the same academic program, unless the student requests a later date of reenrollment or agrees to a different program. A returning student will be readmitted into the same academic program the student was enrolled in prior to the military service obligation. If the exact program no longer exists, the student must be admitted to the program that is most similar, unless the student requests or agrees to admission to a different program. Returning students will be reenrolled with the same enrollment status, number of completed credit hours, and academic standing as the last academic year of attendance.

If the college determines that a returning student is not prepared to reenroll in the same academic program with the same academic status or is unable to complete the program, the college must make reasonable efforts to enable the student to resume or complete the program at no additional cost to the student. If such efforts are unsuccessful or place an undue hardship on the college, the college is not required to readmit the student.

In accordance with federal regulations, returning students who receive a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge from the Armed Forces (including the National Guard and Reserves) are not eligible for readmission under this policy. However, service members who receive dishonorable or bad conduct discharge may remain eligible for readmission even though they will not be entitled to the benefits outlined in this policy.