Helpful Resources
Life can be stressful, and those challenges don't disappear on their own. Check out resources available at Rock Valley College and throughout the community available to support you throughout difficult situations.
Student Success Starts Here
We're invested in student success – and that involves helping removing barriers. Did you know? Rock Valley College offers a variety of support resources, including:
Career Preparation
Students may access Career Services for help with resumes, interviews, job search, etc. You may also visit the Career Closet on-campus for free professional attire, including suits, ties, dresses, shoes, and more.
Financial Assistance
Through the RVC Foundation, scholarships are made possible by generous donations from individuals, businesses, families, groups, and local family foundations. Fund your education through financial aid and scholarships.
Food Support
The mission of the Eagles Nest Food Pantry is to combat food insecurity by distributing food to RVC students and staff. The Eagles Nest Food Pantry program collects and stores food to distribute free-of-charge to RVC students in need, including students enrolled in GED, ESL, and Community Education classes.
Transportation Resources
If you have a state-issued disability parking placard or plate, you may park in any of the designated handicapped parking spaces on campus. The Rockford Mass Transit District (RMTD) provides fixed route transportation, and paratransit services (for persons with disabilities) to surrounding areas. Learn more about parking and transportation.
Free Items Table
Inside the Educational Resource Center (ERC) on RVC's Main Campus, students may find the "Free Items Table" in the ERC Lobby. The table holds a variety of free items for pick-up/drop-off, excluding food or hygiene items.
Contact Us
- Vanessa Sims
- Student Navigator Generalist
- (815) 921-4116
Resources by Special Population
There are nine special populations (defined by Perkins) that include students with disabilities, students who are economically disadvantaged, students preparing for nontraditional careers, students who are single parents, students who are out-of-workforce, students who are experiencing homelessness, students who are English learners, students who are military-connected, and students who have aged out of foster care.
Students with Disabilities
Disability Support Services (DSS) envisions a college community that is universally accessible to all members of the campus community; provides an equal opportunity to students with disabilities; and recognizes all individuals for their talents, abilities, and contributions. If you are a student with a disability who may require free assistance in accessing any of the college's programs or services, please contact our office to discuss potential barriers and practical solutions.
Following the Accommodations Process for Students, students may access a variety of classroom accommodations, including alternative exam formats, scribe for exams, extended time for exams, reduced-distraction environment for testing, preferential seating in classroom, classroom relocation, textbooks in electronic format, peer note taker, etc. Students may also request sign language interpreting or real-time captioning.
For more information, please contact RVC Disability Support Services.
The Raising Aspirations through an Inclusive Student Experience (RAISE) program is an inclusive and supportive post-secondary program for young adults who have intellectual disabilities and who desire to participate in a comprehensive college experience. RAISE is an approved Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) program, which means enrolled students are eligible to apply for Federal Financial Aid. Learn more about RAISE.
Additional resources are available outside of Rock Valley College. For more information, go to the Community Resources at the bottom of this page.
Students that are Economically Disadvantaged
In addition to the variety of resources available throughout campus, students that are economically disadvanted may find support through community resources. The community resources include job training assistance, food and clothing pantries, laundry service, and utilities assistance for help with payments, extensions, and late fee waivers.
For more information, go to the Community Resources at the bottom of this page.
Students pursuing Nontraditional Careers
In addition to the variety of resources available throughout campus, students pursuing nontraditional careers may find support through community resources. The community resources include job training assistance, scholarships, career planning resources, job search support, and employment information.
For more information, go to the Community Resources at the bottom of this page.
Students who are Single Parents, including Single Pregnant Women
There are several resources for students who are single parents and/or single pregnant women:
- Diaper-Changing Stations: Located throughout campus, in both the women’s and men’s restrooms.
- Lactation Room: This offers a private space for individuals to provide the needs of their nursing children. Located on Main Campus in the Student Center, first floor, Room 1220A. For more information, please contact the RVC Dean of Students at (815) 921-4101.
- Pregnant Student Accommodations: At Rock Valley College, a pregnant student may utilize the process established for
any student with a temporary medical condition. A pregnant student must be given excused
absences due to pregnancy or pregnancy related issues for as long as deemed medically
necessary by a doctor. The student seeking an excused absence should first contact
their faculty member or supervisor to inform them if an excused absence is needed.
A pregnant student will be expected to provide medical documentation from their doctor.
For more information, please contact RVC Disability Support Services. Students may seek additional information from the Title IX Coordinator (Dean of
Students).
- It is illegal to exclude a pregnant student from participating in any part of an educational program. This prohibition applies to classes, extracurricular programs, interscholastic sports, and student leadership opportunities. Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 specifically prohibits discrimination against a student based on pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions. The Title IX regulation also prohibits a school from applying any rule related to a student’s parental, family, or marital status that treats student differently based on their sex.
- Temporary Disability Parking: Students who are pregnant may obtain a free, temporary disability parking placard which will allow them to park in designated parking spots for those with a disability. A doctor must fill out Part 2 of the form noting that the diagnosis is pregnancy. Access will be granted for three months, with the possibility of renewal for another three months. This temporary disability parking placard will only be honored on RVC campuses. For more information, please contact RVC Disability Support Services.
Additional resources are available outside of Rock Valley College. For more information, go to the Community Resources at the bottom of this page.
Students who are Out-of-Workforce
In addition to the variety of resources available throughout campus, students who are out-of-workforce may find TRIO Student Support Services particularly helpful. The three federal TRIO programs at Rock Valley College serve over 300 low-income, first-generation students, and/or students with disabilities each year. Students must apply. For eligible students we provide FREE holistic and comprehensive advising and instructional support to help college and high school students overcome class, academic, social, and cultural barriers to complete their education. Learn more about TRIO at RVC.
Additional resources are available outside of Rock Valley College. For more information, go to the Community Resources at the bottom of this page.
Students Experiencing Homelessness
Here are a few on-campus resources available to students experiencing homelessness:
- Homeless Liaison/Crisis Counselor: The Homeless Liaison provides free support to students experiencing housing insecurity to connect them to available resources on and off campus, and to remove barriers to college retention and success. For more information, visit Personal and Success Counseling.
- Locker Facilities: Free use of a locker (during open hours on weekdays). Bring your own lock – daytime usage only. Located on Main Campus in the Physical Education Center (PEC) from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Questions? Contact Personal and Success Counseling at (815) 921-4109.
- Shower Facilities: Free use of the shower facilities (on weekdays). Located on Main Campus in the Physical Education Center (PEC) from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Questions? Contact Personal and Success Counseling at (815) 921-4109.
Additional resources are available outside of Rock Valley College. For more information, go to the Community Resources at the bottom of this page.
Students who are English Learners
Several campus resources are available for students who are English learners:
- English as a Second Language (ESL): The free ESL program can help improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Our classes range from providing basic language skills for beginners to helping advanced students prepare for higher education, training, or a career. All ESL classes are free for students in the Rock Valley College district. Learn more about the ESL program.
- Enrollment Accessibility: Students do not have to have submit a Social Security number in order to enroll. This removes a barrier for undocumented students.
- ESL Tutor: A Spanish-speaking tutor is available by appointment. For more information, contact Tutoring Services.
- Phlebotomy Adjunct/Tutor: A Spanish-speaking Phlebotomy adjunct co-teaches and offers in-class tutoring for Phlebotomy and at other times by arrangement. For more information, contact Amanda Lonsway, academic advisor for Phlebotomy.
- Rock Valley College Website Translation: The college website has a translation feature for many different languages. To access this feature, scroll to the bottom of any page and "Select Language" from the tool available in the website footer.
- Translated Documents: Key documents for enrollment are translated into Spanish. Google Translate also provides accessibility for most documents in many languages.
- Translation Services (for meeting staff or faculty): Translation services are only offered for Adult Education meetings at this time, they cannot be used to support learning in the classroom.
- RVC Refugee and Immigrant Services: Offers immigrant and refugee support, naturalization and legal assistance, English language literacy, educational training opportunities, community partner support, crisis intervention, help with coordination of services such as employment, unemployment, WIC, SNAP, housing & healthcare. For more information, visit RVC Refugee and Immigrant Services.
Additional resources are available outside of Rock Valley College. For more information, go to the Community Resources at the bottom of this page.
Students who are Military-Connected
We are committed to serving the educational and training needs of prospective and/or enrolled service members, veterans, their dependents and/or survivors. Veterans Services provides free services to promote the educational and training needs of prospective and/or enrolled service members, veterans, their dependents and/or survivors. Accommodations exist for active military deployments surrounding non-attendance and readmission. Learn more about Veterans Services.
The RVC Student Veteran Association is a free student veteran club that fosters ties to the veteran community and believes in giving back. The club provides opportunities for like-minded individuals with shared experiences to meet and support one another. Learn more about student organizations.
Additional resources are available outside of Rock Valley College. For more information, go to the Community Resources at the bottom of this page.
Students who have aged out of Foster Care
In addition to the variety of resources available throughout campus, students who have aged out of foster care may find support through community resources. The community resources include access to shelters and housing resources, Foster Youth Housing Assistance Program, mentoring and scholarships (to help fund your education), Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Help for Youth Program (that offers tuition assistance, childcare, and transportation resources), and more.
For more information, go to the Community Resources at the bottom of this page.
Academic Support Services
Support Programs
TRIO
TRIO serves low-income, first-generation students as well as students with disabilities.
WEI
WEI is a grant-funded program that addresses obstacles for minority students and students from at-risk communities.
ICAPS
ICAPS is a free academic support program for students pursuing college certificates.
Your instructors want you to succeed in your classes! Communicate with your instructors during the first week of class about any accommodation needs. Reach out to them in-person during office hours or contact them to clarify policies, due dates, assignments, or concepts taught in class. If you know you are going to have to miss class or there is a conflict with a due date, reach out to your instructor ahead of time to let them know and see if something may be worked out. If you must turn in an assignment late, contact them as soon as possible and let them know when you plan to submit the assignment.
Additional Resources
For Emergencies
For life-threatening or severe emergencies, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency department.
You Matter
Contact 988 to access the National Suicide & Mental Health Crisis Lifeline. Available 24/7, call, text, or chat.
Get Support
Not sure where to begin? Contact our RVC Student Navigator Generalist by email or (815) 921-4116 to take the first step.