Article VI: Student Services

Tuition, fees, and refunds for St. Charles Community College shall be reviewed by Administration, approved by the Board of Trustees, and included in the Schedule of Tuition, Fees, and Refunds for Credit Classes.

Content Owner: Administrative Services
Issued: 08/1993
Revised: 08/2009, 11/2010, 02/2011, 03/2011, 03/2012, 06/2012, 03/2013, 02/2014, 03/2015, 06/2015, 04/2016, 06/2016, 03/2017, 07/2017, 03/2018, 03/2019, 10/2019, 12/2019, 03/2020, 03/2021, 04/2021 (policy number change)

Tuition, fees, and refunds for St. Charles Community College are listed on the following document:

Discounts and Status Waivers
Any Missouri resident 65 years of age or older on or before August 1 of an academic year may enroll in courses for college credit, on a space available basis, with a tuition-free scholarship which does not include course fees or books. Proof of age is required at the time of registration. All tuition-free courses may be taken on either a credit or audit basis. All course prerequisites must be met prior to registration.

Out-of-District status will be waived for an individual whose tuition and fees are being paid by an in-district business, company, or organization. To qualify for the above waiver, the student must provide a letter from the employer on company letterhead stating that the tuition is employer paid.
Active Duty Military, Veterans, and Eligible Dependents Using VA Benefits

Missouri Returning Heroes Act
In compliance with the Missouri Returning Heroes Act, tuition charged to combat veterans will be limited to fifty dollars per credit hour. Eligibility is determined for any program leading to an undergraduate certificate, associate degree, or baccalaureate degree. A “combat veteran” is any person who served in armed combat after September 11, 2001, who was a Missouri resident when first entering the military and who was discharged from military service under honorable conditions.

To apply, a copy of the student’s most recent DD-214 (long form) and the Returning Heroes Education Act Application must be submitted to the Office of Enrollment Services located in the Administrative Building, Room 1204. The Office of Enrollment Services will determine the amount, if any, that tuition will be reduced.

Active Duty Military
In compliance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act, in-state tuition rates will be charged for any member of the armed forces who is on active duty for a period of more than 30 days and whose domicile or permanent duty station is in the State of Missouri. Eligibility is also extended to the service member’s spouse or dependents. The in-state rate will apply so long as the service member, their spouse or dependent is continuously enrolled at St. Charles Community College, notwithstanding a subsequent change in the permanent duty station of the service member to a location outside of Missouri.

Military Veterans and Eligible Dependents Using VA Benefits
In compliance with Public Law 114-315, known as the Jeff Miller and Richard Blumenthal Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2016, Section 417, St. Charles Community College will charge in-state rates for military veterans who meet any of the following criteria:

• Anyone using educational assistance under either Chapter 30 (Montgomery G.I. Bill – Active Duty Program), Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment), or Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 G.I. Bill) of Title 38, United States Code, who lives in Missouri while attending a school located in Missouri (regardless of his/her formal State of Residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
• Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in Missouri while attending a school located in Missouri (regardless of his/her formal State of Residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of the transferor’s discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
  A spouse or dependent using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9) who lives in Missouri while attending a school located in Missouri (regardless of his/her formal State of Residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of the Service member’s death in the line of duty following a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
• Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same school. The person so described must have enrolled in the school prior to the expiration of the three year period following discharge or death as described above and must be using educational benefits under either Chapter 30, Chapter 31, or Chapter 33, of Title 38, United States Code.
• Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in Missouri while attending a school located in Missouri (regardless of his/her formal State of Residence) and the transferor is a member of the uniformed service who is serving on active duty.

Content Owner: Administrative Services
Issued: 08/1993
Revised: 08/2009, 11/2010, 02/2011, 03/2011, 03/2012, 06/2012, 03/2013, 02/2014, 03/2015, 06/2015, 04/2016, 06/2016, 03/2017, 07/2017, 03/2018, 03/2019,  03/2020, 03/2021, 04/2021 (policy number change)

St. Charles Community College shall offer a comprehensive program of financial aid.  The financial aid  program will include need and/or merit based financial aid in compliance with all federal and state regulations, and scholarships to eligible students. The financial aid program shall be administered by the College’s Office of Financial Aid.  Internal scholarship criteria and availability shall be governed by Administrative Procedures.  

Heading 3

You can enter content freely. for an accordion panel.

Internal practices and procedures will promote responsible stewardship of College resources and funds. The College will respond to allegations of impropriety by investigating the allegations and protecting those individuals who have, in good faith, reported alleged illegal or improper activities.

Content Owner: Human Resources
Issued: 12/2006
Revised: 10/2009, 03/2019

Reporting Illegal or Improper Activities
Any employee or student having knowledge or good faith suspicion of illegal or improper activities may report the activities to any of the following Administrative Officers:

College President
Daniel J. Conoyer Social Sciences Building, Office 2104
636-922-8380

Vice President for Academic Affairs
Daniel J. Conoyer Social Sciences Building, Office 2110
636-922-8356

Vice President for Administrative Services
Administrative Building, Office 3121
636-922-8359

Vice President for Human Resources
Administration Building, Office 1242
636-922-8300

Vice President for Marketing and Student Life
Daniel J. Conoyer Social Sciences Building, Office 2108
636-922-8277

Chief Information Officer
Administration Building, Office 3103
636-922-8607

The Administrative Officer receiving the report of illegal or improper activity must disclose the report to the Board of Trustees and will disclose, in a timely manner, in writing to any State or Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity all violations potentially affecting a State or Federal award.

In situations where administrative involvement is suspected in an alleged impropriety, a report may be made to the President of the Board of Trustees.

It is preferred that allegations of illegal or improper activity be made in writing, but they may be made verbally. Reports should contain as many specifics as possible to assist in investigation of the actions. Allegations may be made anonymously. All complaints will be investigated promptly and discreetly, and corrective action will be taken as necessary.

In addition to internal reporting procedures as outlined above, any employee or student who has information concerning alleged illegal or improper activity may make a good faith report of the conduct to the appropriate government agency. This report will be considered a protected disclosure.

Protection from Retaliatory Conduct
Retaliation will not be tolerated against any College employee or student who in good faith makes a protected disclosure or who refuses to obey an illegal or improper directive. No College employee may use the influence of his or her position to interfere with or discourage another employee or student from making a protected disclosure.

Any employee or student who believes he or she has been the victim of retaliatory conduct in response to a protected disclosure or refusal to engage in illegal or improper activity should report the retaliation to any of the Administrative Officers listed above. In the event there is suspected administrative involvement in the retaliation, a report may be made to the President of the Board of Trustees.

False Reports
While retaliation against an employee or student making a good faith disclosure is not tolerated, disciplinary action may be taken against an employee or student who discloses information which he or she knows to be false or who does not have a reasonable belief for making the disclosure.

Term Definitions

• A “good faith” report of illegal or improper activity is information that a reasonable person, based on the facts and circumstances, could believe to be true and accurate.
• A good faith report of illegal or improper activity as outlined in the procedures above is defined as a “protected disclosure.”

Content Owner: Human Resources
Issued: 12/2006
Revised: 10/2009, 03/2019

College administration is charged with identifying resources that promote the safety and well-being of students, including developing and tracking outcomes linked to enhancements in programs and/or services.

Content Owner: Marketing and Student Life
Issued: 06/2011
Revised: 06/2020

International students who are in the United States or wish to come to the United States under a student visa may be admitted to St. Charles Community College for programs approved by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Applicants must meet minimum English language, educational, and financial requirements as specified by College procedures and SEVP regulations.

Content Owner: Student Services
Issued: 08/1993
Revised: 01/2007, 08/2020

Steps for International Student Admission
To be considered for admission, international students must:

1. Complete an online Application for Admission to St. Charles Community College (SCC).

2. Complete an International Student Application Packet from the SCC Office of Admissions and Recruitment.

3. Submit the following documents to the Office of International Student Services:

• Official transcripts of records, translated into English, from all secondary schools attended verifying high school degree from native country or an American or International Baccalaureate high school degree
• Completed Certified Financial Responsibility Statement demonstrating proof of adequate financial support through the entire period of planned attendance
• Completed Conditions of Enrollment statement acknowledging understanding of enrollment conditions
• Proof of English language proficiency level

Conditions of Enrollment
Acceptance to St. Charles Community College does not guarantee a Form I-20 or F-1 student visa; this decision is made by U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS). Failure to adhere to the following conditions and associated deadlines may result in enrollment prohibition, deregistration from courses, and termination of Form I-20. To become or remain enrolled, international students must:

• Be enrolled in a degree program, or take classes for ESL training or pathway through the English Language and Culture Institute (ELCI)
• Be enrolled in 12 credit hours each semester, unless a DSO has approved a reduced course in accordance with US government guidelines
• Attend class regularly according to attendance policy for each course
• Be responsible for housing and transportation
• Arrive ten days before the beginning of each semester of enrollment, follow check-in procedures, and attend orientation
• Complete TB Screening Form and Test within ten days of arrival for first semester of enrollment
• Arrange to obtain international student health insurance approved by SCC
• Register for classes through DSO
• Not drop a main-semester class and enroll in a second eight-week semester class without the ISS Director’s permission
• Maintain contact with Designated Student Officer (DSO) from the Office of International Student Services, who will monitor admission application status and issue Form I-20Pay for and arrange to ship Form I-20
• Treat themselves and others with respect, and students who violate SCC policies and procedures, or the State or federal law, or who fail to maintain agreements with SCC and SCC affiliates are subject to suspension or disciplinary action

Financial Responsibility
International students must provide proof of financial support from the student, family member, friend, government sponsor, or scholarship(s) at or above $20,495 annually or at the amount determined by the DSO and approved on the institution’s I-17.

Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees are outlined in the Schedule of Tuition, Fees, and Refunds for Credit Classes and must be paid by the due date each semester. Rates will be charged as follows:

• International students who hold F, H (except H-1B), J, O-2, P, or Q visas will pay Out of State/International tuition rates and fees.
• International students who live as an unemancipated minor, hold a visa in the categories specified above, and are dependent on and living with a parent or guardian who has established residency in the SCC taxing district with permanent resident alien status or a visa in a category other than those specified above will pay In-District tuition rates and fees.
• International students who are classified as non-immigrant alien and hold a visa in a category other than those specified above, with established residency in the SCC taxing district, will pay In-District tuition rates and fees.

Employment
International students must have approval from the DSO for on-campus employment, economic hardship employment, Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

Financial Aid
International students do not qualify for federal work-study programs or federal financial aid but are allowed to apply for scholarships.

English Language Proficiency
NON-NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS
Non-native English speakers who score below minimum requirements for English proficiency will be placed in courses offered through the English Language and Culture Institute (ELCI) to study English or pursue a pathway from ESL (English as a Second Language) to a degree program.

The following English proficiency requirements must be met for acceptance to a degree-seeking program with ESL support classes. Students who wish to study English or score below the following scores will take classes offered by the English Language and Culture Institute:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Paper Based: Minimum score of 323
• TOEFL IBT (Internet Based Test): Minimum score of 50
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): Minimum score of 5.5
• Duolingo Online Test: Minimum score of 80

EXEMPTION FROM ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) COURSEWORK
Non-native English speakers who apply for acceptance to a degree-seeking program may be exempted from English as a Second Language coursework with the following demonstration of language proficiency:

• TOEFL Paper Based: Minimum score of 550
• TOEFL IBT: Minimum score of 79 with no section score below 17
• IELTS: Minimum score of 6.5
• Duolingo Online Test: Minimum score of 100
• Cambridge CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English): Minimum grade of C
• Cambridge CAE (Certificate of Advanced English): Minimum grade of B
• GTEC CBT (Global Test of English Communication Computer Based Test): Minimum score of 100
• PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic: Minimum score of 6.5
• SCC ELCI (English Language and Culture Institute) Intensive English Program: Completion of highest level
• IB (International Baccalaureate) English A: Language & Literature HL Exam: Minimum score of 5
  Transferrable Credits: Minimum of 24 transferable credits from an accredited two- or four-year post-secondary institution in the United States
• English Composition Course: Minimum grade of C in English Composition at an accredited two- or four-year post-secondary institution in the United States
• American high school graduation and:
• • ACT (American College Testing): minimum score of 19 in Reading and English, or
  • AP (Advanced Placement): Score of 4 or 5 on either the English: Language and Composition; or English: Literature and Composition exams

Note: Students may not provide a score for exemption once they begin their course of study at SCC.

NATIVE SPEAKER EXEMPTION
Students from the following predominantly English speaking countries are not required to submit an English language proficiency score: Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Fiji, Gambia, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent (Grenadines), Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Students from these countries are required to assess basic reading, writing, and mathematics levels at the SCC Assessment Center before enrolling at the College. If scores on these placement instruments are significantly deficient, the student will be referred to the English Language Culture Institute for assessment.

NATIVE SPEAKER APPEAL FOR EXEMPTION
Students who have completed their education entirely in English in a country where the English is considered an official language but is not on the list of native English-speaking countries above, may submit a written appeal to the Director of International Student Services to be exempted from providing an English language proficiency score for admission. These students are required to assess basic reading, writing, and mathematics levels at the SCC Assessment Center. If scores on these placement instruments are significantly deficient, the student will be referred to the Assessment Center for English as a Second Language (ESL) assessment.

Enrollment, Attendance, and Academic Progress
According to Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP) regulations, international students must take a full course of study and make progress in their program, unless they are approved for a reduced course load by a DSO. Student visas may not be extended due to lack of progress in a degree program. To ensure compliance with these regulations, international students must:

• Enroll in 12 credit hours per semester.
• Enroll in Fall or Spring main semesters, and 12-week late start semesters by the deadline printed in the application materials (usually at least one month before the first day of classes).

Note: Students who wish to enroll in eight-week or five-week semesters must seek the approval of the Director of International Student Services.

Meet class attendance requirements as determined by attendance policies for each course:

• Degree-seeking international students who are administratively withdrawn for failure to attend class may not be allowed to enroll in eight week courses to maintain status.
• International students reported as not attending class and falling below 12 credit hours in a semester will be suspended, and Form I-20 will be terminated. These students will not be allowed to re-apply for at least one main semester and should seek assistance from an immigration attorney rather than SCC officials when requesting reinstatement.

Make academic progress in degree program:

• International students submitted for Academic Early Alert will be advised by International Student Services staff and guided to SCC resources for grade improvement.
• International students placed on academic probation must raise their GPA to the required level within one semester. Failure to do so will result in inability to register for the following semester, termination of Form I-20, and reapplication required for the next semester.

Content Owner: Student Services
Issued: 08/2020
Revised: 02/2021