Residency and Special Tuition/Fee Considerations

Resident Students

A student is considered a resident of Richland Community College District 537 if the student establishes a permanent residence in the District for at least 30 days prior to enrollment. The College is authorized to require such written documents, affidavits, verifications or other evidence as are deemed necessary to determine residency.

Out-of-District or Out-of-State Students

A resident of another community college district who plans to attend Richland Community College and wants to avoid out-of-district fees should request an application for charge-back from the community college located in the district of residence. It must be completed and returned to that college no later than 30 days prior to the beginning of the term for which application for charge-back is being made.

Applicants who reside in another community college district may be granted an out-of-district or out-of-state tuition waiver if they are employed at least 35 hours per week by an entity located in Richland’s District or if they are enrolled in a course that is being provided under the terms of an agreement between the employing entity and Richland. If employed for less than 35 hours per week, the course must be work-related.

Applicants who are attending an educational institution located within the College district will be charged in-district tuition. Verification of attendance will be required.

Senior Citizen Students

District 537 residents who are 65 or older or who will become 65 years old during the calendar year are eligible to enroll without payment of tuition in regularly scheduled credit courses, other than credit courses designed specifically for senior citizens, provided that available classroom space exists and tuition-paying students enrolling constitute the minimum number required for the course. Such waiver does not apply to all other fees associated with enrollment in such a course. For more information, call Business Services, 217.875.7211, Ext. 6227.

Students with Cooperative Agreements

Richland Community College has Cooperative Educational Program agreements with other Illinois community colleges that allow Richland District residents to enroll in a degree and/or certificate program in a vocational-technical program not available at Richland. These agreements provide a student with the opportunity to attend another Illinois community college for programs not offered at Richland. Students may take all specialized courses at the cooperating college. Related technical and general education courses required in the programs may be taken either at Richland or at the cooperating college. Cooperative Agreement applications must be completed prior to the start of each academic year the student is attending the other community college, regardless of any prior year’s approval. Under the agreements, no Charge-Backs or out-of-district fees are required of students enrolling in the designated programs of study. A Cooperative Agreement form must be completed by Richland and submitted to the college that the student plans to attend. Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Academic Services, Room W141, 217.875.7211, Ext. 6224, for further information prior to completion of a form.