Juniors and seniors attending a high school in the Rend Lake College district may take advantage of dual credit courses per the terms and conditions set forth in 110 ILCS 27/1-30. Students must meet requirements and prerequisites prior to enrolling in courses. Students taking advantage of this opportunity may accumulate college credit prior to graduating from high school.  Dual credit courses held at a non-Rend Lake College location will be accepted for up to 49% of the credit hours required for a Title IV approved certificate or degree. No more than 49% of dual credit hours, rounded to the nearest credit hour, that were provided at a secondary institution may be applied toward a Title IV eligible certificate or degree.

High school juniors and seniors, either home-schooled or attending a high school in the RLC district, may take advantage of dual enrollment by enrolling in courses which take place after the normal high school day. Students must meet placement requirements and prerequisites prior to enrolling in courses. Students also must adhere to the RLC drop policy; failure to drop will result in the student being awarded a failing grade. Tuition will be half-cost for eight hours per semester. Any courses after eight hours are billed at the full tuition rate. Students are responsible for any fees, supplies or textbook costs.

Although the value of a typical 3 credit hour college course is approximately $500 to much more at a private institution, the partnership between RLC and the high school allows us to offer this course FREE of charge to the dual credit students. No fees or tuition will be charged for traditional dual credit classes. (Traditional dual credit classes are taught by qualified high school instructors using college curriculum at the high school campus during regular school hours.)

How do students qualify for dual credit classes?

• Some courses require successful completion of a placement exam administered by college staff on the high school campus or one of RLC’s campuses.
• A student must be approved by their school counselor to participate in the program by being enrolled in a Dual Credit qualified class.
• A student must meet the minimum qualifications for the class as required by Rend Lake College board policy 4.1445.

1. High school officials grant permission to enroll in dual credit courses. The registration process takes place at the high school.
2. Students must meet placement requirements and prerequisites prior to enrolling in courses.
3. Students must adhere to the RLC drop policy; failure to drop will result in the student being awarded a failing grade. Depending on student performance, grades of A, B, C or NC will be awarded and will become part of the college transcript.
4. For a complete listing of dual credit courses, contact RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Division.

Classes are enrolling now for the Fall and Spring semesters at RLC. A number of classes are offered throughout the district, and students should check with their guidance counselors about their interests. These classes include:

• Agriculture

• Art

• Automotive Technology

• Biology

• Business

• Certified Nurse Assistant

• Chemistry

• Communications

• Computer-Aided Drafting

• Computer Science

• Criminal Justice

• Culinary Arts

• Diesel Technology

• Early Childhood Education

• English

• Graphic Design

• Health

• Health Care Terminology

• History

• Horticulture

• Industrial Electronics

• Machining

• Mathematics

• Music

• Office Systems Technology

• Physical Education

• Political Science

• Psychology

• Sociology

• Spanish

• Welding

• Zoology

SWIC currently holds articulation agreements with many institutions of higher learning to ensure seamless transferability of credits. However, it is a best practice to contact prospective colleges/universities to ensure that desired credits will transfer. The student will need to request a transcript be sent to their chosen college/university when they are ready to transfer their credits. The process can be done entirely online through their student portal in MyRLC.

Dual Credit students have access to the same resources as a traditional RLC students while enrolled in a dual credit class. Dual Credit students may:

• Access the RLC library resources.
• Access FREE tutoring.
• Access RLC’s Student Services
• Request accommodations through the Disabilities Coordinator

Students who do not want dual credit need not register for the credit. Parents have the option to disallow their student from taking this course for college credit. Parents must either direct their student not to complete registration paperwork or contact the dual credit office prior to the 10th day after the official start date of the class in order for their student to be dropped from the course. We will provide a form to sign indicating that they do not wish for their student to earn the credit.

• FREE Tuition

• Take college level classes to earn high school and college credit simultaneously

• Take classes in a familiar setting (your high school) with a strong support system

• Transition efficiently from high school to college

• Start earning credits toward stackable certifications or other pathways toward employment and career

• Access resources available to all RLC students

• Advisors

• Tutoring (Success Center)

• Student ID card

• Access to library resources

• Become prepared for college academically

• Gain experience and confidence to succeed in higher education