BEFORE PROCEEDING TO THE ADMISSION APPLICATION, PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATION TO REND LAKE COLLEGE.

Residency Requirements

Tuition charges at Rend Lake College are based on the residency of the individual. Students are classified in one of three ways: in-district student, out-of-district student or out-of-state student. Click here for detailed district information.

In-District Student

Students who are United States citizens or permanent residents of the United States and have occupied a dwelling within the district for at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the semester will be classified as residents of the Rend Lake College district.

The college is comprised of the following high school districts: Benton, Christopher, Hamilton County, Mt. Vernon, Norris City-Omaha-Enfield, Pinckneyville, Sesser-Valier, Thompsonville, Waltonville, Wayne City, Webber, Woodlawn, Zeigler-Royalton.

In order to verify residency information, a certification statement is included requiring a signature on the Application for Admission form which reads as follows: "By checking in-district, I am certifying that I have been a resident of the RLC District (own or occupy a dwelling in the district) for 30 days prior to THE BEGINNING OF CLASSES." Also, above the signature line, the following statement is included: "I understand that withholding or falsifying information on this application may result in ineligibility for admission to or dismissal from Rend Lake College. I further certify that all information on this application is complete and correct." Appropriate follow-up will be pursued by college personnel if deemed necessary to verify this certification, including sending correspondence to the mailing address and placing registration "holds" for proof of residency.

Rend Lake College will accept the following forms of residency documentation when evidence of residency is requested: driver's license, automobile license registration, voter registration card, proof of ownership and/or occupancy of a residence, utility or telephone bill, property tax statement, or other item providing address verification as determined acceptable by the Director of Student Records. In some instances, students may need to review their property tax statement for residency status.

Out-of-District Students

Students who are United States citizens or permanent residents of the United States and whose residence is outside the boundaries of the Rend Lake College district shall be classified as out-of-district students.

Out-of-district Illinois students are charged a tuition fee equal to 150% of the highest in-district tuition rate of any neighboring contiguous community college.

The tuition charged will vary from year to year based on the highest tuition assessed by neighboring community colleges. Official tuition rates can be found here.

In addition, the out-of-district tuition may be waived for a student who is enrolled in a course being provided under terms of a contract for services between the employer and the college.

Out-of-State Student

Students who have not occupied a dwelling within the State of Illinois for at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the semester or who declare their permanent residence to be outside the State of Illinois are classified as out-of-state residents.

The tuition charged will vary from year to year based on the actual in-district tuition rate. The actual tuition charged is determined by March for the coming school year. Applicable fees associated with certain classes also will be charged to the students.

In addition, the out-of-state tuition may be waived for a student who is enrolled in a course being provided under terms of a contract for services between the employer and the college.

Special Residency - Employed Full-Time In District

Students who reside outside the Rend Lake College district but are employed full-time (35 hours a week minimum) by a business or industry located within the district may qualify for the in-district residency status. Interested students may obtain the required form from the Office of Student Records. Employers must complete a new form each semester.

By submitting the online application form I understand that if I withhold or give false information on the application it may make me ineligible for admissions to the college or subject me to dismissal. I further certify that the statements I provide are complete and correct. Rend Lake College does not discriminate on the basis of age, religion, national origin, color, gender, mental or physical disability in admission to or its employment policies.

1. Apply for admission. Complete a Rend Lake College application form available from:
   • Rend Lake College Office of Student Records
   • In-district high school counselors
   • On-line
2. Submit ACT or SAT scores or arrange to take the COMPASS test in the Counseling Center.
3. Submit official transcripts from other colleges attended.
4. Make an appointment with a counselor in the Counseling Center or an academic advisor to discuss career development and goal setting, educational planning, scheduling of classes and accessing campus services and activities.
5. Arrange for payment of charges
   • Apply for financial aid
   • Pay required deposit
   • Enroll in FACTS Tuition Management Plan
6. Present your schedule and have a picture I.D. made in the Learning Resource Center. An I.D. is required to rent or purchase textbooks and to receive financial aid checks.
7. Rent or purchase your textbooks at the Textbook Store and purchase your supplies at the Retail Store, both located in the Student Center.