Admissions
General Policy
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) believes in equal educational opportunities for all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, creed, sex, marital status, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, age, handicap or disability in the educational programs and activities it operates.
We are proud to have an open admissions policy. Anyone 16 years of age may apply, even without a high school diploma. Admission to the college does not automatically guarantee admission to all programs of study; you will need to meet the specific requirements of your chosen program. The colleges reserve the right to deny admission, re-admission or re-enrollment to anyone who may pose a risk to the best interest of the college community. The colleges reserve the right to guide your placement in programs and courses based on assessment interviews and past academic experience.
All new students need to register to attend New Student Orientation. It’s an interactive session, and you get pointers on how to be the best student possible, and how to have fun on campus while doing so. You learn about EICC technology resources and where to go to check your email, take online classes, pay your bill, and more.
You can take up to six credit hours without providing a high school or other college transcripts, submitting your ACT scrore, or taking the placement assessment. However, to be officially admitted to a degree or certificate program, you must meet the total admission requirements of the college and the program.
Cross College Enrollment
You may enroll in classes at any EICC campus or take classes with us and at another institution at the same time. If you are receiving financial aid, it’s important to notify the financial aid office at each location you are enrolled.
High School Students
Eligible high school students maybe admitted to EICC under Iowa’s Senior Year Plus. Approval by your high school is required before you are considered for admission. If you are accepted, you can enroll in EICC credit classes through our College Connections program.
- Complete an Admission Application.
- Submit the written approval form. It must be signed by you, a parent/guardian (if you are under 18 years old), and your high school counselor or principal.
- Submit a high school transcript.
- Complete a placement assessment or submit your ACT score. Course placement will be mandatory based on entering assessment, ACT scores, ALEKS placement, or high school GPA.
- Meet with your EICC advisor/high school counselor prior to registration for class(es).
Pre-High School Students- Special Status Admission
EICC will consider admitting a pre-high school student (eighth-grade or below) to credit classes if you are enrolled in public or private school. If approved, your enrollment may be considered as enrichment but is not intended to substitute for the public or private school experience.
Complete the steps below to apply for “special status” admission and we’ll determine if you qualify:
- Complete an admission application.
- Submit a signed permission agreement from your school system/district and an authorized parent/guardian to the Dean of Student Development of the campus you wish to attend.
- If you don’t have a high school diploma, demonstrate you have the specific prerequisite skills by taking the placement assessment or submitting your ACT scores.
- EICC reserves the right to limit the number and type of the courses you may take. You must meet with an EICC advisor when selecting the course(es) you want to take.
- Your special status admissions must be approved by the Dean of Student Development.
Home School Students - Special Status Admission
EICC will consider admitting a home school student (not attending public or private school) to credit classes. If approved, your enrollment may be considered as enrichment to the home school program but is not intended to substitute for home school experience.
Complete the steps below to apply for “special status” admission and we’ll determine if you qualify:
- Complete an admission application.
- Submit a signed home school permission agreement between the appropriate school system and the authorizing parent/guardian to the Dean of Student Development of the campus you wish to attend.
- If you don’t have a high school diploma, demonstrate you have the specific prerequisite skills by taking the placement assessment or submitting your ACT scores.
- EICC reserves the right to limit the number and type of courses you may take. You must meet with an EICC advisor when selecting the course(es) you want to take.
- Your special status admissions must be approved by the Dean of Student Development.
Application Procedures
Apply to EICC and take classes at any of our campuses, facilities, or online. Start here:
- Apply online
- Send us your high school transcripts, or your GET/HiSET certification.
- Ifyou want to transfer credits to EICC from another college or university, have your official college transcripts directly sent to the EICC Office of Registration and Records.
- Fill out and submit this online form: Request for Transcript Evaluation. We’ll notify you how many of your credits will transfer into EICC.
- Provide your ACT, SAT, or take the placement assessment.
Questions? Contact Admissions.
International Student Admissions
- Download and complete the International Student Application.
- Request a Foreign Transcript Evaluation.
- Provide evidence of your proficiency in English.
- Provide proof of financial responsibility.
- Provide proof of the SEVIS I-901.
International students must carry health insurance coverage while enrolled. For more information on each step, go to eicc.edu/international.
Guest International Student Admissions
If you are an international student on an I-20 with another college, you will need to provide the following:
- Copy of I-20.
- Copy of VISA/Passport.
Re-enrollment
Former student? Meet all applicable admissions requirements and you can be re-admitted to EICC. Re-admittance into Career and Technical Education programs are subject to space availability and an evaluation of your previous progress.
Special Student Admission
Veterans and Military Personnel
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges has signed a Department of Defense Memorandum of Understanding and adheres to the President’s Executive Order of the ‘Principles of Excellence’ as in compliance with the guidelines of best practices to support our Military and Veteran Students and their family members.
We work closely with military Education Service Officers to assist students in understanding their state and federal tuition assistance. Our certificate, diploma and degree programs are listed on the Army Ignited website.
EICC is named as a CHAMPS (Certified Higher Academic Military Partner School) by the Iowa Home-based initiative signed by Governor Branstad on November 12, 2013.
All of our credit programs are approved by the Iowa Department of Education for eligible veteran students to uset GI Bill®.. If you are a veteran of the Armed Forces, National Guard or Reserve, contact the VA Certifying Official early in the application process to certify yoru status and benefits. Please ensure that you send your Joint Services Transcript (JST) or Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcripts to the College Registrar for evaluation of credit transfer.
Spouses/children of Veterans who are 100% disabled due to service connected disabilities or have died in servie may be eligible for GI Bill® benefits. Please contact the Veteran Administration (VA) to determine eligibility.
To receive educational assistance from the Veterans Administration, you must meet “pursuit of education and academic standards” established by the VA and college policy. You are responsible for knowing and following policies that apply to you as a veteran. For information about these policies, satisfactory progress, verification, benefit and to answer other questions about veteran students, see your VA Certifying Official.
In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679(e), Eastern Iowa Community Colleges adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Ch. 33) or Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from VA. Eastern Iowa Community Colleges 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 may be required to:
- Produce the VA Certificate of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class;
- Provide a written request to be certified;
- Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Residency Status for Military Personnel and Veterans
Active duty military personnel and veterans, as well as their spouses and dependent children, are considered to be Iowa residents for admission, tuition and fee purposes at EICC.
Senior Citizens
If you are at least 62 years old and live in our service area, you may register for most on-campus credit courses on a space-available basis for $10 per credit hour plus fees. Special registration for seniors is the first five days of classes. Enrollment may be denied in select courses based on prerequisites, high demand, or other criteria.
Guest Students
Guest students are those who enroll at EICC on a part-time basis while enrolled in another college or university. You should be actively enrolled and in good standing with your “home” college or university.
Audit
Auditing a course allows you to enroll and attend class as a noncredit participant, usually as a listener-observer, with instructor approval, or if space is available. Audit enrollment may be denied in select courses based on prerequisite’s knowledge or skills, high demand, or other criteria. To audit a class, register as usual; tuition and fees will be the same as if you were taking the course for credit. You won’t receive credit for the course, but your transcript will reflect the audit with an “N” grade. You can’t receive financial aid for a course you audit.
Registration
New Student Orientation
New to EICC? You must attend a New Student Orientation. It’s an interactive session, and you get pointers on how to be the best student possible, and how to have fun on campus while doing so. Learn about student services, technology resources, where to go to check your email and take online classes, pay your bill, and more.
Registration Procedures
For your first and second semester at EICC, you must meet with your advisor to enroll in courses. Starting your third semester, you an enroll online through EICConnect.
Early Registration
You can choose courses and register early for the next term if your tuition and fees are paid by the designated due date. For some programs, a non-refundable fee, which will be applied toward tuition, may be required when you register or are admitted.
Changing Your Registration
Adding a Class
To add a class, meet with an advisor and complete the proper form, or go to EICConnect and follow the Self-Service link to add the class.
Dropping a Class
To drop a class, meet with an advisor and complete the proper form, or go to EICConnect and follow the Self-Service link to drop the class. You may drop a class with a grade of “W” until two weeks prior to the first day of the final examinations for a full semester class. You have one week prior to the end of the term during the summer or short-term sessions. Failure to follow these procedurse will result in the recording, on your transcript, of the grade you earned in the course.
Withdrawing from College
We encourage you to see your instructor and advisor before withdrawing from EICC. The withdrawal form must be submitted tothe Registrar’s office or completed on EICConnect Self-Service before you’re officially withdrawn from the college. Check the Tuition and Fees Refund policy for a possible refund or contact the Registrar’s office on the campus you attend.
Course Repeats
Want to re-take an EICC course? You can, if you take it the second time with us, too. The grade and credits earned in the most recent course repeate will be used to calculate your cumulative GPA and applied to your degre or program requirement. Once a degree is awarded, if you choose to repeate a course both grades will be calculated in your GPA. Repeated courses are shown on your transcript with an “R” designation.
Academic Load
Take 12-18 credits per term to be considered a full-time student. If you take 11 or fewer credits, you are a part-time student.
If you’d like to take more than 18 credits in the Fall or Spring term, or more than 12 credits during the Summer term, you need approval from the Dean of Student Development. Usually, the Dean will grant permission if you maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA and carry no more than 21 credit hours. If you’re enrolled in a program that requires mroe than 18 credit hours per term, you do not need special permission.
Class Attendance
Instructors decide the attendance requirements for each course. You are responsible for knowing and following the class attendance guidelines.
Graduation
Complete your application for graduation by the fifth day of classes of the semester in which you plan to graduate. For summer graduates, your application is due by the fifth day of the classes in the Spring term.
You must pay all of your financial obligations to the college before you can graduate.
Educational Costs
At EICC, our tuition is one of the lowest in the state. The cost of your education will vary based on your state of residence, fees, books and materials for your program. All costs are subject to change. Please contact the Business Office for current tuition and fee schedule.
Tuition
Tuition is based on residence and class load. For non-Iowa residents, tuition is 1.5 times the rate for Iowa residents.
Illinois Border County Tuition
Our Illinois neighbors - those living in Carroll, Henry, Mercer, Rock Island, and Whiteside counties - can enroll at EICC and pay the tuition rate for online courses.
Books and Supplies
Your costs will vary depending on the program you choose, but you should expect books and supplies to be a significant expense. Career and Technical Education programs may also require tools or uniforms. Contact the Barnes and Noble bookstore for more detailed information.
Transcript Recording Fees
EICC charges $9 per credit hour to record credit you earned through tests and other types of non-traditional credit. For example, if you take a CLEP test and earn three credit hours in English, it will cost you $27 to record that credit on your transcript.
Tuition Refunds
If you withdraw from EICC, complete the necessary withdrawal forms to make sure you do not jeopardize your academic standing. If you are eligible for a refund, tuition will be refunded according to the following schedule:
- Courses that are 16 weeks in length:
100% Prior to the end of the 10th day
- Summer or shorter term courses:
100% Prior to the end of the 5th day
See the Registration Center for the specific course dates.
If EICC fully cancels the class(es), your tuition and fees will be refunded.
The same refund policy applies for individual courses that are dropped through the proper procedures. The amount of the refund will be the appropriate percentage between the tuition charge for the new load and the amount charged for the original load. Certian Title IV recipients will be refunded according to the federal guidelines. Contact the Financial Aid Office for details. Contact the Business Office or Registrar for refund deadlines for short-term programs.
Continuing Education refund policies may be according to the class type. EICC’s standard refund policy requires you to notify the Continuing Education office at least three business days prior to the class start date to qualify for a refund. If you pay by check, your refund will be issued after the check clears. Cash or check refunds may take up to three weeks.
Residency
You’re considered an Iowa resident for tuition purposes if your legal residence is in Iowa, and you have lived in the state for at least 90 days prior to the start of the term for which residency is requested. You’re responsible for proving your in-state tuition status. To apply to be reclassified from non-resident status, complete a Request for Residency Status form in the Registrar’s Office and provide:
One of the following:
- Current rent receipt
- Utility bill
- Bank statements (Iowa)
- Evidence of current real estate owneship in Iowa
And two of the following:
- Current Iowa Voter Registration card
- Iowa income tax return (most recent tax year)
- Current Iowa motor vehicle registration
- Current Iowa driver’s license or state of Iowa photo ID
File your request to change residency status before the end of the first week of classes during the Fall or Spring term, or the second day of Summer term and short-term class sessions.
If you were reclassified as a resident, it becomes effective at once and does not cover any earlier term in which you enrolled. International students can’t establish residency while studying in the U.S. on a temporary student visa. Contact the Admissions Office or the Registrar for more information.
Student Health Insurance
We encourage all EICC students to carry health/accident insurance. Please visit www.healthcare.gov for available insurance coverage.
Financial Aid
If you are in need of financial assistance to attend EICC, contact the Financial Aid Office. Please don’t withdraw from courses for financial reasons without talking to our staff to see if help is available.
Financial aid programs are constantly reviewed by the state and federal governments. The outline below is a general overview. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for more information.
Financial Aid General Policy
If you previously attended or are currently attending another institution, you must notify the Financial Aid Office. You can’t receive financial aid from two institutions during the same semester.
For information about Satisfactory Academic Progress and other financial aid policies, see the current Student Handbook or contact the Financial Aid Office.
To apply for federal and state financial aid, all students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.studentaid.gov.
Federal Assistance
Pell Grant: Based on financial need and enrollment status. Students must not have a Bachelor’s or higher degree.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant: Funding is limited and administered by EICC. Priority must be given to Pell Grant recipients with the most financial need. Students must not have a Bachelor’s or higher degree.
Work Study: Part-time employment opportunities. Students can work at an EICC campus or facility or a designated off-campus location in a community service position or at an elementary school through the America Reads/America Counts programs. The amount you may earn is based on financial need. Funding is limited.
William D. Ford Direct Loan Program: Long-term, low-interest loans available to students and parents (also known as Subsidized or Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans). In addition to completing the FAFSA, you must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and loan Enterance Counseling. Access the applications at www.studentaid.gov. Parents of dependent undergraduate students may qualify for Direct PLUS Loans.
Veterans Education Benefits: Financial assistance for veterans of the Armed Forces, National Guard or Reserves, or widows, widowers, and children of disabled or deceased veterans. Contact the Registrar for VA certifying official or eligibility and application information.
State Assistance
Iowa Vocational - Technical Tuition Grant: Provides funding for Iowa residents enrolled in Iowa community college Career and Technical Education programs who show financial need and meet the state’s priority deadline.
Skilled Workforce Shortage Tuition Grant (Kibbie Grant): Provides funding for Iowa residents enrolled in specific Career and Technical education programs who show financial need and meet the state’s priority deadline.
Future Ready Iowa Skilled Workforce Last Dollar Scholarship Program (Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship): Covers the remaining tuition and institution-wide mandatory fees charged after other federal and state scholarship and grant aid have been awarded.Must be enrolled in eligible program of study and have an expected family contribution at or below $20,000.
All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship - a state-funded scholarship program available to Iowa residents who begin their initial enrollment at an eligible college or university within two years of graduation from high school. Students must file a FAFSA application and the Iowa Financial Aid application by the state’s priority deadlines.
Education and Training Voucher (ETV): Grants available to Iowa residents aging out of the Iowa foster care system. Students must file the FAFSA and Iowa Financial Aid application by the state’s priority deadlines.
Iowa National Guard Service Scholarship: Provides funding to Iowa National Guard members who satisfactorily complete Guard training and maintain satisfactory performance of Guard duty. Contact your Commanding Officer for an application, eligibility, and deadline requirements.
Karen Misjak Gear Up Iowa Scholarship: A need-based scholarship program that aids students in the 2.0 GEAR UP Iowa cohort with the cost of post-secondary education.
EICC Programs
EICC Tuition Grant: Assists students who meet certain critera. Funding is limited.
College Foundation Scholarships: All EICC students are eligible for scholarships from EICC’s three foundations.
Other Forms of Assistance: Many employers are area organizations (civic, ethnic, religious, etc.) offer financial assistance. Contact the organization or your employer for more information.
State-based Student Complaints Process
The Iowa Department of Education maintains two separate student complain processes to review and appropriately act on complaints concerning the institution; one within the Bureau of Iowa College Aid (Iowa College Aid) and one within the Bureau of Community Colleges and Postsecondary Readiness (CCPR). Iowa College Aid accepts complaints from any student attending any post-secondary educational institutional located in Iowa, and from any Iowa resident attending a post-secondary educational institution located in any other State. CCPR accepts equity-related complaints, from students who last recorded date of attendance at an Iowa community college is within one year; and the complainant has attempted to resolve the matter through the community college’s complaint and grievance process.
Learn more about and find links to each student complaint form at https://educate.iowa.gov/higher-ed/student-complaints.
Confidentiality of Student Records
Our faculty and staff use records to meet the needs of individual students and help develop ways to improve programs, services, and academic success. Student records are regarded as confidential. EICC will not provide names and addresses to outside agencies for commercial use or any information about academic records without your written consent or under specific guidelines set out in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974.
The College may release the following types of information to the public as the College sees fit, keeping in mind the privacy of the student and the totality of the surrounding circumstances: name, address, telephone listing, email address, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, academic honor rolls, degrees and awards received, full-time/part-time status, most recent previous school or institution attended by the student, and photograph and likeness, artwork, or writing.
Students objecting to the public release of such information must file a written objection with the Registrar’s Office within 30 calendar days of the beginning of the term in which they first enroll during that year. It is necessary for students to renew their objection at the beginning of each school year.
Students wishing to review the entire EICC policy on student rights may request the EICC policy from the Dean of Student Development.
Please consult your current online Student Handbook at www.eicc.edu/about-eicc/student-handbook/records.aspx for more detailed information about the confidentiality of student records.
Deceased Student Records Request
The following requirements protect the confidentiality of academic information upon the death of a former student or alumnus of the college.
The Office of the College Registrar will evaluate each request for the release of a transcript or other academic records of a deceased student on the individual merits of that request and reserves the right to deny the request in whole or to release only part of the academic records that are requested. The Office of the College Registrar does not release academic records of deceased students to the news media or for research purposes.
The closest living next-of-kin may submit a written request along with the following certified documents in English:
- Death certificate of the former student or alumnus
- Photo ID of the requestor
- Obituary of the former student or alumnus, reflecting the relationship between the deceased and the requestor.
If there is no living next-of-kin, academic records may be requested by the executor of the estate or holder of power of attorney for the deceased. A written request along with a notarized copy of the executor statement or power of attorney in English is required.
Online Voter Registration
www.sos.state.ia.us/elections
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