This page includes important things you need to know about Financial Aid, including helpful resources.
The Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP) explains in detail the academic standards all financial aid recipients must maintain in order to receive future aid, as well as the applicants' rights and responsibilities.
Our Cost of Attendance (PDF) breaks down the cost of attendance for independent and dependent students who attend Rock Valley College.
The Department of Education now requires that students (and parents) use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to transfer tax data to the FAFSA or provide the school with a copy of the IRS Tax Return Transcript.
View instructions on how to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (PDF). If you are unable to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool you can request a copy of your IRS Tax Return Transcript (PDF).
NOTE: The dates below are estimated disbursement dates and do not reflect the actual dates you will receive your Financial Aid Refund or refund checks. Once Grants have been applied to your account, it may take up to two weeks for refund checks to be mailed.
NOTE: Students who are registered in late starting classes and who are eligible for a PELL/MAP refund will not have funds disbursed for these classes until after the class has begun.
If you are taking below 100 level classes (MTH 098), you MUST also be enrolled in and attending an above 100 level class for financial aid to cover the below 100 level class.
Financial aid does not pay for CNA (NAD 101), Phlebotomy, or the CDL (Truck driving) classes.
Below is a list of acronyms to familiarize yourself with specific to Financial Aid and some of the paperwork you will fill out during the Financial Aid process.
AGI: Adjusted Gross Income
COA: Cost of Attendance
CPS: Central Processing Site (Processes the FAFSA's)
CWS: College Work Study (aka fws - federal funded work study)
DL: Direct Loan
ED: Department of Education
EFC: Estimated Family Contribution results of FAFSA
FA: Financial Aid
FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid
FWS: Federal Work Study
ING: Illinois National Guard
ISAC: Illinois Student Assistance Commission
ISIR: Institutional Student Information Record
IVG: Illinois Veteran Grant
MAP: Monetary Award Program
NSLDS: National Student Loan Database
R2T4: Return of Title IV Aid
RVC CWS: RVC funded work study
SAP: Standards of Academic Progress
VA: Veterans Administration