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Transforming Lives through the Earned Tuition Program 

The SVCC Impact Program by Sauk Valley Community College is creating a transformative educational journey for students in the Sauk Valley region. By harnessing the collective power of local partners and communities, this initiative paves a sustainable path for students to pursue higher education and achieve career success through lifelong learning, public service, and economic advancement.

The cornerstone of the SVCC Impact Program is the Earned Tuition Program.  This innovative program offers eligible students residing in the Sauk district the opportunity to earn tuition and fees for up to three years at SVCC upon high school graduation.  In order for students to qualify for the Earned Tuition Program, they must complete 25 hours of community service each year of high school with local non-profit organizations.  This has provided thousands of volunteer hours within the Sauk Valley Community College district.  It also fosters support and awareness for the important work the non-profit organizations play in the greater SVCC community.

To qualify for the Earned Tuition Program, students must register by September 1 of their first year in high school, progress with their class, participate in 100 hours of community service, apply for at least one scholarship, and complete the FAFSA or FAFSA forecaster if ineligible. These requirements ensure that students are committed and community-oriented from the outset.

Once at SVCC, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA per semester, be enrolled in a certificate, degree, or transfer program, and continue participating in community service. This holistic approach guarantees that students remain engaged and academically successful throughout their college journey. The timing of the SVCC Impact Program is critical. Illinois faces historic declines in population, college enrollment, readiness, workforce development, median incomes, and housing prices. Implementing pro-growth strategies like the Earned Tuition Program is essential to reversing this backward momentum and propelling Illinois forward.

The program encourages a college completion mindset among K-12 students, improves high school graduation rates, increases college enrollment and completion rates, decreases student loan default rates, and enhances workforce participation outcomes. By expanding economic vitality and growing the region's per capita income, the SVCC Impact Program fosters and sustains a thriving community.