In carrying out their assigned responsibilities, officials at the Chattahoochee Valley Community College collect and maintain information about students. Although these records are property of the College, both College policy and federal law accord students a number of rights concerning their records. The Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) establishes the rules and regulations regarding access to and disclosure of student records.

To fulfill FERPA requirements, the College has established policies regarding student records. These policies outline a student’s rights regarding his/her records, where records about the student may be kept and maintained, what kinds of information are in those records, the conditions under which the student or anyone else may have access to information in those records, and what action a student can take if it is believed that the information in his/her record is inaccurate or that the student’s rights have been compromised. Policies and procedures for privacy of student educational records are published by the Admissions Office and are included in the College Catalog and Student Handbook.

The College provides annual notification to students of their rights under FERPA by emailing all enrolled students at their College email at the beginning of each semester, and students are provided an annual notice via the College Catalog and Student Handbook. Students and other interested parties may also obtain a paper copy of information regarding FERPA or the annual notification process by contacting the Admissions Office at 334-291-4996 or the Director of Admissions/Registrar at sanquita.alexander@cv.edu.

Chattahoochee Valley Community College offers activities, programs, and services that promote academic support, leadership, and social and cultural experiences. Information about clubs and organizations, annual college events, and academic support may be found in the College Catalog and Student Handbook and at Student Clubs & Organizations. Inquiries regarding student activities, clubs, and organizations, and academic support may also be directed to the Associate Dean for Student Development and Success, vickie.williams@cv.edu or 334-214-4803.

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) (as amended) prohibits discrimination against any qualified person with a disability regardless of the disability. It is the policy of CVCC that no qualified person with a disability shall be subjected to discrimination because of the disability under any program or activity conducted or sponsored by the College. CVCC seeks to provide accessible, affordable, quality education; promote economic growth; and enhance the quality of life in its service area and beyond. Moreover, the College strives to foster a welcoming environment to all of its students and works in good faith to meet the needs of our students. Information on how to self-disclose a documented disability and request reasonable accommodations along with information about facilities may be found at Disability Services Office and in the College Catalog and Student Handbook. Students may also contact the Associate Dean of Student Development and Success, Vickie Williams, who also serves as the ADA Coordinator at 334-214-4803. The Disability Services Office is located in the Office of Student Development and Success in Wilson Hall.

Student demographic information is published each year in the Chattahoochee Valley Community College Fact Book. Information is also reported to the National Center for Educational Statistics through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). For information about the diversity of the CVCC student body, please refer to the CVCC Fact Book or contact Dr. Rosemary Watkins, Director of Strategic Initiatives at rosemary.watkins@cv.edu.

The tuition and fees schedule is included in the College Catalog and Student Handbook or you may click HERE. For estimated tuition and fees, books and supplies, and other educational expenses use the Net Price Calculator. For additional information, you may also click HERE.

CVCC has a refund policy that stipulates the amount of tuition and fees to be refunded to students who withdraw from classes during a term. The refund policy is published by the Business Office. The refund policy is included in the College Catalog and Student Handbook or you may click HERE. Questions regarding the calculations of refunds should be directed to the Business Office at 334-291-4937.

Effective Summer 2023, CVCC has changed their drop and withdrawal processes to the following.

Starting the day after drop/add period each term/semester, students may withdraw from a class (partial) or all classes (total) using the following steps.

Partial Withdrawal Steps:

1. Meet with your instructor prior to withdrawing from a class.
2. Login to your Pirate Portal.
3. Click on the Student tab
4. Click on “Student Landing Page”
5. Click on “Registration”
6. Click on “Register for Classes”
7. Select the term
8. Click on the class that is to be dropped
9. Click on “Action” and a drop down will appear
   1. During the semester registration until the end of the designated drop/add period, you will select “DW = Web Drop” (You will not be charged for the course).
   2. After the designated drop/add period and until the end of the withdrawal period, you will select “WW = Web Withdraw.”

Notice:
Complete Withdrawal Form Temporarily Down – Contact Admissions Office to obtain a form

Complete Withdrawal Steps:

1. Meet with your instructor prior to completing the withdrawal form.
2. Complete and submit the Total Withdrawal Form by signing in with your PirateMail account.
3. If you have outstanding debt to the college (Library or Business Office), you will be notified via email by that office to pay the outstanding debt.

Important Notes:

• A withdrawal will not be processed if the student has an outstanding financial obligation to the College.
• Students who completely withdraw from the College will be reviewed by each faculty member.  If determined, they will be contacted by a SENSE (Strategies to Enhance New Student Engagement) Team member for consultation.  Once a SENSE team member has signed off on the withdrawal form, or if determined SENSE is not needed, it will be automatically routed to the Financial Aid Office, Business Office, Library, and lastly to the Admissions Office for processing.
• Final grades are determined according to the date the student withdraws from the course or the College as denoted in the College’s Academic Calendar.
• To receive a grade of “W”, the student must withdraw by the “Last Day to Withdraw” date posted in the College’s Academic Calendar.

Special Populations Important Notes:

• Athletes must receive approval from the Athletic Director in order to withdraw from classes.
• Nursing and Medical Assisting students must adhere to the policies set forth by those programs.
• Scholarship students must adhere to the policies as set forth in the scholarship guidelines.
• High School Dual Enrollment students must withdraw through the Dual Enrollment Coordinator.

NOTE: Students enrolled in the nursing programs must adhere to the policies set forth by that program.

The federal government mandates that students who withdraw from all classes may only keep the financial aid (Federal “Title IV” grant), they have “earned” up to the time of withdrawal. Funds that were disbursed in excess of the earned amount must be returned by the College and/or the student to the federal government. Click HERE for the repayment policy. Information is also available in the College Catalog and Student Handbook. Questions regarding the calculations of refunds may be directed to the Business Office at 334-291-4937.

Information on the College’s academic programs and degree offerings is available in the College Catalog and Student Handbook. For information regarding plans for future programs, contact the Dean of Instruction at 334-291-4946.

College policies regarding credit transfer may be found in the College Catalog and Student Handbook. Students or prospective students with questions regarding transfer of credit may contact Admissions at 334-291-4929 or sanquita.alexander@cv.edu.

It is the policy of CVCC to make its programs and services available to the fullest extent reasonable to students with disabilities. In keeping with that effort, accessibility ramps have been constructed to College buildings, sidewalks, and parking lots. In addition, elevators are available to provide full access to Wallace Hall, Brassell Hall, the Fine Arts Hall, the Instructional and Performing Arts Center, and the Learning Resource Center. A map of the campus is also available here.

A student who needs accessibility assistance or orientation and mobility (O&M) assistance on campus should contact the Associate Dean of Student Development and Success, Vickie Williams, who also serves as the ADA Coordinator, located in the Office of Student Development and Success Wilson Hall at 334-214-4803 or e-mail vickie.williams@cv.edu.

Click Here for Accreditation Information

Recent amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965 include changes in regulation for State Authorization that may impact online, distance, and correspondence education providers. The relevant language includes: If an institution is offering postsecondary education through distance or correspondence education to students in a State in which it is not physically located or in which it is otherwise subject to State jurisdiction as determined by the State, the institution must meet any State requirements for it to be legally offering postsecondary distance or correspondence education in that State. An institution must be able to document to the Secretary the State’s approval upon request. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1001 and 1002)

Chattahoochee Valley Community College is a member of Alabama’s state membership in the National Council on State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA), nc-sara.org/directory. The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement is an agreement among member states, districts and territories that establishes comparable national standards for interstate offering of postsecondary distance education courses and programs. The primary objectives of SARA are to make it easier for institutions to provide online and distance education options to students in other states and to provide basic protections for those students.

Chattahoochee Valley Community College is authorized for operation as a postsecondary educational institution by the Georgia Nonpublic Education Commission.

Students who are Georgia residents wishing to file a complaint should follow the complaint process outlined in the College’s Student Handbook. If, after exhausting all available institutional processes, a student still wishes to file a complaint, they may do so in writing at 2082 East Exchange Place, Tucker, GA 30084, or online at the Georgia Nonpublic Education Commission website: https://gnpec.georgia.gov/student-resources/student-complaints.

A student complaint refers to a specific event, activity or occurrence within the scope of the authority of the College administration or faculty about which an individual has a specific concern. Students may refer to the College Catalog and Student Handbook for additional information on how to file an informal or formal complaint and a grievance and students refer to the Student Complaint and Grievance Policy Manual.

Complaints Related to Academic Matters: Complaints involving academic disputes must follow the academic policies of the college found in the Student Handbook and College Catalog.

Student Complaints Related to Disability: Students with complaints related to a disability are encouraged to report incidents in writing within ten (10) working days of the occurrence of the event prompting the complaint. Complaints related to a disability should be reported to Vickie Williams, Associate Dean of Student Development and Success, who also serves as the ADA Coordinator, located in the Office of Student Development and Success in Wilson Hall. Students may also contact Associate Dean Williams at 334-214-4803 or email vickie.williams@cv.edu or file a complaint online by clicking here.

Title IX (Sexual Misconduct) Complaints: Any student who has a complaint against a student or a member of the College faculty, staff, or administration concerning sexual harassment (Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, as amended) or has knowledge of any conduct constituting sexual harassment in an educational program or activity of the College or which occurred on property owned by the College or controlled by the College should report the complaint to the campus Title IX Coordinator, Ms. Vickie Williams, Associate Dean of Student Development and Success, located in the Office of Student Development and Success in Wilson Hall. Any individual may report a sexual harassment incident to Title IX Coordinator in person, by email, by telephone, or in writing. Students may contact Associate Dean Williams at 334-214-4803 or email vickie.williams@cv.edu. The complaint may also be submitted online here.

Other Types of Student Complaints. Students with complaints related to any other matter are encouraged to report concerns in writing to the Associate Dean of Student Development and Success within ten (10) working days of the occurrence of the event prompting the complaint. Student Complaint Form

A student who submits a written complaint to the appropriate college official and who is not informed of a satisfactory resolution or Plan of Resolution of the complaint within ten (10) business days of the complaint then has the right to file a grievance with the Associate Dean of Student Development and Success within fifteen (15) business days. Grievance Procedure Forms are available online and in the Office of Student Development and Success and the Office of the Dean of Students and Campus Services. 

The written grievance statement will include at least the following information:

• Date the original complaint was reported,
• Name of person to whom the original complaint was reported,
• Facts of the complaint, and
• Action taken, if any, by the receiving official to resolve the complaint.

The grievance statement may also contain other information relevant to the grievance that the Grievant wants considered by the Associate Dean of Student Development and Success.

In 2015, the Alabama Legislature vested oversight of the state’s public two-year institutions of higher education (known as the Alabama Community College System (ACCS)) with the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees. The Alabama Legislature further directed the Board of Trustees to delegate to the System’s Chancellor the authority to act and make decisions concerning the management and operation of the community and technical colleges. The Chancellor is assisted in these duties by the staff of the System Office, formerly known as the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education. Consumer and student complaints that are not resolved at the institutional level are thus arbitrated at the state level by the ACCS System Office.

The ACCS is committed to respecting and supporting the work of its member institutions and to providing a quality educational experience for all students. The objective of the student complaint process is to ensure that the concerns and complaints of students are addressed fairly and are resolved promptly. The Alabama Community College System requires each institution to establish its own procedures to address student grievances and complaints. A student must exhaust his/her rights under the institution’s official complaint/grievance policy before advancing any complaint to the System Office of Alabama Community College System. Students may file consumer/student complaints with the Alabama Community College System by following these procedures:

1. If, after exhausting all available institutional processes, a student’s complaint remains unresolved, the student may appeal to the Alabama Community College System using the System’s official Student Complaint Form, which is contained in this document and also available online at the ACCS website (www.accs.cc). Students may submit completed complaint forms by printing the form, signing it, and then either (1) scanning it and e-mailing it to complaints@accs.edu or (2) mailing it to:
   • Alabama Community College System
   • Attention: Office of the Vice Chancellor for Instructional and Student Services
   • P.O. Box 302130
   • Montgomery, AL 36130-2130
2. The Vice Chancellor for Instructional and Student Services or an appropriate administrator designated by the Vice Chancellor will investigate the complaint within 30 days of receipt.
3. The institution which is the subject of complaint has 30 days to provide a written response to questions and/or concerns raised during the investigation. Such response may or may not contain a resolution.
4. The Vice Chancellor or designated administrator will adjudicate the matter and write a report or letter to the institution and student detailing corrective action, if any is necessary, or stating that the school has no violation of policies.
5. If corrective action is needed the institution will have 30 days to comply or develop a plan to comply with the corrective action.
6. The System Office will monitor the institution’s compliance to ensure the completion of any required corrective action.

Information about College policy related to the use of copyrighted material, including peer-to-peer file sharing, may be found at College Catalog and Student Handbook. Please be advised that students may be charged with a violation of the Student Code of Conduct for copyright infringement, and copyright infringement is a federal offense punishable by law, and students and employees can be held accountable for violations of College policy and state and federal laws.

The Career Services Center, operated by the SENSE Program, is available to assist all students with transfer and career transitions. Specific services include career interest inventories, internship opportunities, and information on in-demand jobs. The Career Exploration Services will also provide career fairs, visits with local businesses, speakers and community engagement opportunities to enhance personal and professional development. Workshops on career readiness, resume building, interviewing skills, professionalism and work ethic as well as leadership are topics explored in the Center. All of these efforts work collectively to create strong outcomes and futures for CVCC students. To learn more about the SENSE program, visit the Career Services Center or the SENSE staff in Owen Hall Suite 101. Job Placement Students and alumni seeking help with job placement are also encouraged to visit the SENSE Office located in Owen Hall Suite 101. Listings of part-time and full-time positions are available in the SENSE Program.

Pirates Book Pack Information.

Please click here to visit the CVCC Bookstore.

Please click here for the latest CVCC Catalog and Student Handbook.

The primary purpose of student financial assistance programs at Chattahoochee Valley Community College is to assist students with meeting the cost of their education. All students are encouraged to apply. Information regarding financial aid programs is included in the College Catalog and Student Handbook and at Financial Aid. Individuals may also contact the Executive Director of Student Financial Services and Title IV Compliance, Melissa Creasy at melissa.creasy@cv.edu.

For Institutional Financial Aid Professionals:

An institutional financial aid professional is expected to always maintain exemplary standards of professional conduct in all aspects of carrying out his or her responsibilities, specifically including all dealings with any entities involved in any manner in student financial aid, regardless of whether such entities are involved in a government sponsored, subsidized, or regulated activity. In doing so, a financial aid professional should:

• Refrain from taking any action for his or her personal benefit.
• Refrain from taking any action he or she believes is contrary to law, regulation, or the best interests of the students and parents he or she serves.
• Ensure that the information he or she provides is accurate, unbiased, and does not reflect any preference arising from actual or potential personal gain.
• Be objective in making decisions and advising his or her institution regarding relationships with any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid.
• Refrain from soliciting or accepting anything of other than nominal value from any entity (other than an institution of higher education or a governmental entity such as the U.S. Department of Education) involved in the making, holding, consolidating or processing of any student loans, including anything of value (including reimbursement of expenses) for serving on an advisory body or as part of a training activity of or sponsored by any such entity.

Disclose to his or her institution, in such manner as his or her institution may prescribe, any involvement with or interest in any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid.

Chattahoochee Valley Community College participates in the Federal Student Loan Program (Direct Loans). Federal Direct Loans consists of subsidized, unsubsidized and PLUS loans. Information about student loans may be viewed here. CVCC adheres to and follows federal regulations pertaining to the Federal Direct Student Loan program.

Click here for additional information.

There are many private education loan programs available through a variety of private lending institutions and banks. Private loans are designed to be similar to government-sponsored educational loans, often allowing in-school deferment of payments. However, private lenders will perform credit and eligibility checks before granting the loans. Often, a cosigner is required. Interest rates are higher than the government-sponsored educational loans, but still may be a better option than other kinds of loans available to the student.

CVCC does not have a preferred lender but will offer a list of neutral private education lenders that have previously negotiated loans with students attending CVCC. CVCC will not deny or otherwise impede the borrower’s choice of lender or delay loan certification for borrowers who choose a lender not included on the list.

Students will need to contact the lenders directly in order to obtain any additional information and to apply for a private education loan. Financial Aid will process a loan with any private/alternative lender. Although some private lenders are much better than others in processing loans when interacting with Financial Aid, the office cannot promote one lender over another. Financial Aid suggests students begin with a lender of their choice and explore lenders on their own.

Students have the right to know the following information regarding financial aid at Chattahoochee Valley Community College:

• Available financial aid programs;
• Available educational programs and services;
• Cost of attendance for programs;
• Application process for all financial aid programs, including deadlines;
• Selection process of financial aid recipients;
• Process to appeal decisions made by Financial Aid staff members;
• College process to determines financial need;
• How and when students will receive financial aid funds;
• Chattahoochee Valley Community College refund policy;
• Job description and rate of pay for any job assigned under the Federal Work-Study program;
• College process for determination of student “Satisfactory Academic Progress” (SAP) and possible outcomes.

 Students have the following responsibilities:

• Completing applications correctly and on time.
• Reading and understanding all materials sent from the Financial Aid Office and other agencies.
• Keeping copies of all documents submitted to the Financial Aid Office.
• Knowing and complying with the rules governing financial aid received.
• Providing all documentation and information requested by the Financial Aid Office.
• Registering for the number of hours required for financial aid disbursement.
• Maintaining satisfactory academic progress.
• Using financial aid only for expenses related to attending Chattahoochee Valley Community College.
• Checking College student e-mail account for financial aid information.
• Keeping e-mail and mailing addresses up to date with the College and other financial aid agencies.
• Informing the Financial Aid Office of all colleges attending or previously attended.

On November 5, 2000, Congress passed the College Scholarship Fraud Prevention Act to enhance protection against fraud in student financial assistance. According to the Federal Trade Commission, perpetrators of financial aid fraud often use luring lines to sell their scholarship services. Students should avoid any scholarship service or website which asserts any of the following statements:

• “This scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”
• “You can’t get this information anywhere else.”
• “I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.”
• “We’ll do all the work.”
• “This scholarship will cost some money.”
• “You’ve been selected by a ‘national foundation’ to receive a scholarship” or
• “You’re a finalist” in a contest you never entered.

If you believe you have been the victim of scholarship fraud and wish to file a complaint, or want more information, call 1-877-FTC-HELP or visit ftc.gov/scholarshipscams.

Please click the link below to read about Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations.
Federal_Student_Financial_Aid_Penalties_for_Drug_Law_Violation

The Chattahoochee Valley Community College maintains annual information (Report on Measures of Student Success) regarding its graduation, transfer-out and retention rates for first-time full-time entering freshmen. While many students enter the College with varying educational goals, the College is required to disclose information for first-time full-time entering freshmen who are certificate or degree-seeking undergraduates and have completed their programs within 150% of the normal time for graduation. Graduation, transfer-out and retention rates are reported to the Department of Education through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data regarding the College’s graduation, transfer-out and retention rates are also available in the Report on Measures of Student Success. Students may also request a copy of the report by contacting the Director of Strategic Initiatives at 334-214-4816 or rosemary.watkins@cv.edu.

As part of the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act, information on the annual participation rates and financing of men’s and women’s sports in intercollegiate athletic programs is available upon request. Interested individuals should click here to review CVCC’s report. Click https://ope.ed.gov/athletics/ for The Equity in Athletics Data Analysis Cutting Tool brought to you by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education.

For specific information about athletically related financial aid and graduation rates for athletics, click below.

Athletically Related Financial and Completion Information

According to institutional data, 97% of the graduates who completed a career technical degree during the 2021-22 academic year are employed or have enlisted in the military. Questions regarding employment percentages may be directed to Bobby Cook, Associate Dean of Workforce and Technical Education at bobby.cook@cv.edu

Students wishing to review available job opportunities can visit the Alabama Career Center located on Chattahoochee Valley Community College campus in Brassell Hall room 132 or call 334-214-4828.

Chattahoochee Valley Community College has articulation agreements with the following four-year institutions:

• Alabama State University
• Auburn University Montgomery
• Columbus State University
• Miles College
• Mississippi State University
• Troy University
• United States Sports Academy

Each year, Chattahoochee Valley Community College prepares a “Jeanne Clery Annual Security Report” and distributes it to the College community. The report, which is issued by October 1, contains detailed information on campus police and safety personnel, drug and alcohol abuse policies, sexual harassment policies, crime prevention, crime prevention tips, information on reporting criminal activity, and timely warnings regarding campus emergencies. The report also includes statistics concerning crimes on campus. Click HERE to review the report.

Chattahoochee Valley Community College does not have a policy regarding vaccinations. All students admitted to Health Science programs are required to be vaccinated to complete clinical hour requirements.

Chattahoochee Valley Community College abides by the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, Public Law 101-226, and such regulations as are issued by the Secretary of Education to carry out the purpose of PL 101-226.

CVCC recognizes that substance abuse is a tragic fact of modern life. Therefore, as part of the orientation program for new students, the College includes drug/alcohol awareness along with other timely topics of concern to college students. CVCC has written policies and alcohol and substance abuse and distributes this information during the aforementioned orientation program to students and through professional development and requirement training for employees. Students and employees who show evidence of a substance abuse or alcohol problem are also referred to community resources for intervention and assistance.

The written materials annually distributed contain the following:

• Standards of conduct that prohibit unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol on its property or as a part of its activities;
• A description of the health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and abuse of alcohol;
• A description of applicable legal sanctions under local, state, or federal law;
• A description of counseling or treatment programs;
• A clear statement and description of the disciplinary sanctions the institution will impose on students and employees.

The College Catalog and Student Handbook contains specific information, policies, and the Student Code of Conduct, which addresses drug and alcohol information outlined above. Resources along with contact information may be located in the Catalog and Handbook, and students may contact the Office of Student Development and Success for additional assistance and referrals. Employees may also contact the Office of Human Resources for assistance and referrals.

This policy prohibits all forms of sexual or gender-based harassment, discrimination, or misconduct, including but not limited to sexual harassment, sexual assault, sex offenses, sexual exploitation, dating violence, stalking, intimate partner violence, and domestic violence. Sex discrimination in any form, including any form of sexual misconduct is contrary to Chattahoochee Valley Community College’s values and is prohibited by College policies as well as local, state and federal laws, and the policies of the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees. These behaviors are harmful to the well-being of our College community, the learning/working environment, and collegial relationships among our students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Any individual who is found to have violated this policy may face disciplinary sanctions up to and including expulsion or termination of employment and referral to law enforcement authorities. The full policy manual can be located HERE.

To register to vote in the State of Alabama, students may complete an online registration at https://www.sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/register-to-vote.

To register to vote electronically in the State of Georgia, students may complete an online registration form at https://registertovote.sos.ga.gov/GAOLVR/welcome.do#no-back-button.