Admission & Registration

The Illinois State Board of Education requires that students who wish to enter a transfer program (AA/AS/AFA) meet enrollment requirements under Illinois Public Act 86-0954. Students can be enrolled under the following options:

• through placement testing or completion of specific college courses
• completion of 24 semester hours of college-level coursework is also acceptable
• fulfilling 15 units of high school courses as outlined below

As outlined above, college preparatory course requirements for enrollment to the AA/AS/AFA degree programs will be waived for students who have completed 24 semester hours of college coursework (100 level or above) with grades of “C” or better.

Health Career Program Admissions

Admission to many of Carl Sandburg College’s Health Career programs (Associate Degree Nursing, Practical Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Dental Hygiene, and Mortuary Science) is limited and, therefore, competitive. Selection is based on a points system outlined in the admissions steps for each program. Students seeking admission to a limited enrollment program at Carl Sandburg College will be admitted to the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in General Studies, or another eligible program or certificate while they complete the preparatory work.

International Admissions

Carl Sandburg College encourages applicants from around the world to apply for our various degree programs. The College is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant students. Prospective international students should contact the director of international student services (international@sandburg.edu, 309.341.5312) to discuss their eligibility for admission.

International Student Admission Steps

International students seeking an F-1 student visa must meet the following admission requirements and submit all required documentation by the published deadline.

• Completed Carl Sandburg College Application for Admission.
• Proof of high school graduation - An official transcript that provides evidence of graduation from a secondary school. Photocopies may be accepted. Transcripts must be translated into English.
• Proof of English Proficiency - Students whose native language is NOT English are required to submit one of the following:
  • TOEFL IBT minimum score of 68. Official test results must be sent directly from ETS using school code 1982.
  • Official transcripts from an accredited United States college or university showing successful completion (grade of C or higher) of a college-level writing course and 6 hours of college-level academic coursework that requires reading.
  • Official SAT score with an Evidence-Based Reading and Writing sub-score of 480 or higher or an official ACT score with an English sub-score of 20 or higher.

  Carl Sandburg College will issue a Form I-20 after all admission requirements are met.

  All international students must report to the College on or before the date stated on the Form I-20.

  Students on an F-1 visa are required to abide by the regulations that govern international students in the United States. Failure to do so will result in a visa termination.

  During the fall and spring terms, F-1 students are required to enroll full-time which is defined as a minimum of 12 credit hours.

  International College Transcripts

  Students with prior international postsecondary studies are not required to submit transcripts for admission. However, in order for college-level coursework taken in other countries to be considered for transfer credit, students must submit an original course-by-course evaluation completed by a member organization of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or other College-approved organization.

  Readmission

  If you have previously attended Carl Sandburg College and want to return after an absence of one semester or more, you must notify the Admissions and Records Office of any changes in name, address, phone number, academic program, etc. Some academic programs have special readmission policies and procedures. Call 309.341.5237 or email studentservices@sandburg.edu for the Galesburg campus (main) or 217.357.3129 for the Carthage branch.

  Steps to Enroll

  *Note, the steps to enroll for our Limited Enrollment Programs differs from those listed below. Please check our website, or contact Student Services at 309.341.5237 or studentservices@sandburg.edu to speak with an advisor, for more information.

  1. Submit your application

  • Complete and submit a free online admissions application.
    • Look for your acceptance letter in 1-2 business days at the email address provided on the applicaion.
    • If you are under the age of 16 when enrolling complete the Admission Request for a Student Under the Age of 16.

    2. Before enrolling, you must show both Math and Reading placement eligibility. The Admissions Application Portal can be used to determine your status.

    • Send official transcripts from your high school and/or previous college/s to transcripts@sandburg.edu
    • Submit ACT/SAT test scores if taken with the last 5 years from your school or the testing agency such as ACT or College Board.
    • Schedule Accuplacer placement testing if necessary.

    3. (Optional) Apply for financial aid and scholarships

    • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Sandburg’s federal school code is 007265. The FAFSA is used to award federal, state, and some institutional aid.
    • Apply for Foundation Scholarships.

    4. Register for classes

    You must satisfy Steps 1 & 2 to ensure you meet course requirements through the submission of high school and/or college transcripts or placement testing such as Accuplacer, ACT, and/or SAT prior to meeting with an advisor.

    • Schedule an appointment with an advisor to register for classes.
      • Call 309.341.5237 or email studentservices@sandburg.edu for the Galesburg campus (main) or 217.357.3129 for the Carthage branch.
      • Dual Credit students must contact the Dual Credit Coordinator to register for classes.

      5. Pay tuition

      • Log into mySandburg, then navigate to the Student menu, select My Account, choose View account, and proceed to Pay tuition.
        • Books and supplies are purchased separately through the college bookstore or an external source.
        • Contact the Business Office at 309.341.5281 for assistance.

        If you have any questions, contact the Welcome Center, or call 309.345.3500.

        Online & Blended Courses

        Online courses offer the same high quality instruction as their equivalent on-campus counterparts. These instructor-led courses are delivered through the Internet. By using the Internet students are able to link to faculty and other students in the class.

        With Sandburg Online, learning can be accessible and flexible. If students have a busy schedule, they are able to “attend” class at times that best fit their schedule.

        While the courses begin and end on specific dates and the course work has assigned deadlines, you can work at your own pace within the deadlines. For more information, please check our website at http://www.sandburg.edu/Academics/Online-Learning/index.html.

        Blended learning combines both traditional (face-to-face) classrooms with online coursework. This type of class can be structured a variety of ways, but typically it meets in the classroom once a week, and then the student completes the rest of the week’s activities online. This provides a more flexible schedule, but keeps the personal touch of face-to-face meeting time. Because of the added online coursework, students can finish the same hours and the same course rigors with half the time or less being spent in the classroom.

        Dual Credit Opportunities for High School Students

        Carl Sandburg College works cooperatively with the high schools within the Sandburg district who wish to provide college-level courses for their students. Dual credit allows eligible students to receive both high school and college credit for successfully completing college-level courses. These college courses may be offered at the high school location, online, or the student may attend at one of the Carl Sandburg College campuses. Students must have the permission of the high school and obtain sufficient scores on a placement test to enroll in college courses. For detailed information, please contact the Welcome Center 309-345-3500 or welcomecenter@sandburg.edu.

        Sandburg Partnership Agreements/Guaranteed Admission Agreements

        C.A.R.E.E.R. PROGRAM (FORMERLY CHARGE BACKS)

        Carl Sandburg College participates in the Comprehensive Agreement Regarding the Expansion of Educational Resources (C.A.R.E.E.R.), which is an agreement signed by all of the Community Colleges districts in Illinois (as of March 2017). Under the terms of the agreement, students may take advantage of career and technical education (CTE) programs at any other Illinois Community College if the program is not offered in their home district. The students benefit by paying the resident tuition and fee rates, despite living outside the Community College district. for additional information and to complete the necessary paperwork, please contact Lynn Schwab at 309.341.5225 or lschwab@sandburg.edu.