The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA) requires postsecondary institutions participating in federal student aid programs to make certain disclosures to enrolled and prospective students, parents, employees and the public.
Choose a topic below to learn more.
General info
Health & safety
Student outcomes
- Gainful employment
- Graduation and transfer-out rates
- Graduation rates for students receiving athletically related student aid
- Career services
- Retention rate
- Transfer-out rates for students receiving athletically related student aid
- Intercollegiate athletic program participation rates and financial support data
Persons responsible to provide consumer information
If you need additional assistance in obtaining information about the school, consumer information or would prefer a paper copy of any materials, contact one of the following departments:
- Student Development: 309.341.5237
- Financial Aid: 309.341.5283
- Public Safety: 309.341.5304
Notice of availability of institutional and financial aid information to enrolled students
In compliance with federal law, Sandburg annually distributes to each enrolled student notice of the availability of the information required to be made available to students under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) and for Consumer Information under HEA Sec. 485(a)(1), Sec. 485(f), Sec. 485(g), [Sec. 485(h)] and Sec.485(j) and as amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA).
The notice is distributed annually to all enrolled students and contains a brief description of the various disclosures and how to obtain the full disclosures. The notification method is via individual Sandburg student emails directing students to view the dedicated consumer information page. Sandburg will provide a paper copy of any of the consumer information listed above and its links, upon request.
To request additional information or a paper copy, email finaid@sandburg.edu, or mail a letter to Sandburg Financial Aid, 2400 Tom Wilson Blvd., Galesburg, IL 61401.
Academic improvement plans
Health career pathways
The need for qualified healthcare professionals is growing and predicted to continue growing over the next 20 years. Partnerships between Sandburg, healthcare employers and in-district high schools are an important part of the work being done to meet the growing demand. In addition, curriculum review and revision is ongoing based upon research and input from industry partners. As a result, certificates of completion, certifications and program certificates are available as preparation for entry-level positions in healthcare.
Associate in applied science (AAS) degrees in health, including nursing, radiology, medical assisting, mortuary science and dental hygiene are also available. Some programs have dual-credit pathways designed for students at participating high schools to begin as early as their junior year in high school for accelerated admission into these limited-enrollment programs.
Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act
Sandburg is required by the United States Department of Education to collect information and provide to Congress a report on financial and statistical information on men’s and women’s collegiate sports. The Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act makes current and prospective students aware of the school’s commitment to providing equitable athletic opportunities for its men and women students. The Department of Education athletics website provides data from thousands of colleges and universities in a convenient searchable form. Type Carl Sandburg College under 'name,' and select 'continue.'
Emergency closings
Weather-related closings
When possible, decisions to close college campuses will be made by 5:30 a.m. for day classes and no later than 1 p.m. for evening classes.
During closures, no one is allowed on campus for any reason.
- No classes will be held virtually or onsite.
- All offices and services including the library, fitness center, gymnasium, computer and health labs and practicums are closed, and all athletics practices and games will be canceled.
As a general rule in winter weather, allow extra travel time, and use caution when navigating winter roads, sidewalks and parking lots. Use your best judgment to decide if it’s safe for you to travel.
Delayed opening
If there's a delayed opening, all classes beginning prior to the delayed start time will be canceled. All classes scheduled to begin at or after the delayed start time will be held as scheduled.
Refer to the home page of the website for any delay alerts.
Student vaccinations
Although Sandburg doesn't have a universal student vaccination policy, if you're enrolled in any health career program, you have to comply with the vaccination policy of that program. Failure to do so will either prevent admission to the program or will prevent you from being placed in a clinical setting and thus being ineligible to complete the program.
View specific vaccination policies by program:
Student complaint procedures
Sandburg supports the rights of students to bring forth complaints and is committed to resolving these matters in a fair and timely manner. This applies to all enrolled students in matters relating to other students, faculty, administrators and staff at all Sandburg locations.
Correction to academic records
You have the right to ask to have records corrected you believe are inaccurate, misleading or in violation of your privacy rights. View the procedures to request correction of academic records.
Discipline
Concerns regarding student discipline are handled under disciplinary due process .
Discrimination
The internal grievance procedure provides prompt, equitable and confidential resolution of complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or status in any group protected by applicable federal and state laws.
Complaints emerging from the Galesburg campus, the Carthage campus or any other operation of the college should be addressed to:
Michelle Johnson
Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness
2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd.
Galesburg, IL 61401
309.341.5258
Should the person against whom the complaint is directed be the individual listed above, the case shall be handled by the other institutional contact. Refer to the discrimination grievance policy and form for more information.
Title IX (sexual harassment)
Learn more about how to report an incident related to Title IX, including but not limited to dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and other gender-based offenses .
Complaints regarding departments or employees
A student who has a concern with a staff member or college department is encouraged to attempt to resolve the complaint in an informal manner with the individual, department or immediate supervisor.
If a resolution is not reached, complaints should be directed to the immediate supervisor or dean of the person against whom the complaint is directed. If no resolution is reached at this level, the student can submit a formal written complaint to the proper vice president. All decisions, notification of decisions and reasons for decisions will be in writing.
The formal written complaint should be addressed to one of the following administrators:
Vice President of Academic Services
2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd
Galesburg, IL 61401
Vice President of Student Development
2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd
Galesburg, IL 61401
Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness
2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd
Galesburg, IL 61401
External complaints
Students or consumers who have a complaint should first try to resolve their issue through their institution's formal complaint procedures. If the issue is not resolved through this process, students can file a formal complaint with the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB).
ICCB may then contact the institution on the student's behalf. If you're an out-of-state student taking an online class and you have a complaint that hasn't been resolved through the college's grievance procedures, you can file a complaint with the state in which you reside; student complaint information by state. You can also contact the Illinois Community College Board when seeking a resolution.
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is an independent body responsible for the accreditation of Sandburg. Complaints may be filed with the Higher Learning Commission online.
Drug-related offenses & penalties
Effects of drug convictions on Title IV financial aid eligibility
A federal or state drug conviction (but not a local or municipal conviction) can disqualify a student for federal student aid funds. The student self-certifies when applying for aid that they're eligible on the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA).
Convictions count only against student eligibility if they were for an offense that occurred during a period of enrollment for which the student was receiving federal student aid. They don't count if the offense was not during such a period unless the student was denied federal benefits for drug trafficking by a federal or state judge. Also, a conviction that was reversed, set aside or removed from the student’s record doesn't count, nor does one received when a juvenile, unless tried as an adult.
Penablties for drug convictions
The following outlines the periods of ineligibility for FSA funds, depending on whether the conviction was for the sale or possession and whether the student had previous offenses. (A conviction for the sale of drugs includes convictions for conspiring to sell drugs.)
Possession of illegal drugs
- First offense: One year from the date of conviction
- Second offense: Two years from the date of conviction
- Third and subsequent offenses: Indefinite ineligibility from the date of conviction
Sale of illegal drugs
- First offense: Two years from the date of conviction
- Second and subsequent offenses: Indefinite ineligibility from the date of conviction
If a student was convicted of both possessing and selling illegal drugs, and the periods of ineligibility are different, the student will be ineligible for the longer period.
How to regain eligibility
A student regains eligibility the day after the period of ineligibility ends or when they successfully complete a qualified drug rehabilitation program that includes passing two unannounced drug tests given by such a program. Further drug convictions will make the student ineligible again.
Students denied eligibility for an indefinite period can regain eligibility after completing any of the following three options:
- Successfully completing a rehabilitation program (as described below), which includes passing two unannounced drug tests from such a program
- Having the conviction reversed, set aside or removed from the student’s record so that fewer than two convictions for sale or three convictions for possession remain on the record
- Successfully completing two unannounced drug tests, which are part of a rehab program (The student does not have to complete the rest of the program.)
In such cases, the nature and dates of the remaining convictions will determine when the student regains eligibility. It is the student’s responsibility to certify to the college that they successfully completed the rehabilitation program.
When a student regains eligibility during the award year, the college may award the Pell Grant and campus-based aid for the current payment period and direct loans for the period of enrollment.
Standards for a qualified drug rehabilitation program
A qualified drug rehabilitation program must include at least two unannounced drug tests and must satisfy at least one of the following requirements:
- Be qualified to receive funds directly or indirectly from a federal, state or local government program.
- Be qualified to receive payment directly or indirectly from a federally or state-licensed insurance company.
- Be administered or recognized by a federal, state or local government agency or court.
- Be administered or recognized by a federally or state-licensed hospital, health clinic or medical doctor.
Gainful employment
Sandburg is committed to creating an educated workforce by offering occupational programs that lead to gainful employment. We meet with advisory boards consisting of local leaders as well as industry professionals to make informed decisions in the development of new offerings as well as improving existing programs.
Graduates from Sandburg’s certificate programs can be assured that they are learning current industry standards and practices in state-of-the-art labs using the latest equipment that leads to gainful employment.
We invite you to explore the many occupational offerings available at Sandburg and to learn the job outlook for specific occupational offerings, our completion rates and the financial costs associated with completion. View each program page for more information.