Principles of Excellence

Offcanvas

Some text as placeholder. In real life you can have the elements you have chosen. Like, text, images, lists, etc.

President Obama signed Executive Order 13607 on April 27, 2012. This Executive Order establishes Principles of Excellence for Educational Institutions serving service members, veterans, spouses and other family.

Rio Salado College is dedicated to upholding these principles as we serve you.  Our institution has signed its affirmation, and demonstrates its commitment to them in the following ways:

  • Personalized Information Regarding Program Costs
  • Notice of Financial Aid Eligibility

    • All students who are eligible to receive Federal military and education benefits may qualify for other sources of financial aid including federal Pell Grants, federal Supplemental Grants, federal student loans, private scholarships, institutional scholarships and grants. 

      Each financial aid award is evaluated using federal eligibility criteria, and is based on the student’s completion of the FAFSA.  To learn more about this process and Rio Salado College’s notification procedures, please visit the website of the Financial Aid Office. 

  • Institutional Integrity and Program Integrity

    Rio Salado College adheres to the standards of 2011 Program Integrity Rules established by the U.S. Department of Education. These standards are also incorporated into the Principles of Excellence. They include:

    • Misrepresentation: Rio Salado College strives to provide students with relevant information about its academic programs. The college abides by the U.S. Department of Education’s guidelines against institutional misrepresentation.   
    • Recruiting Practices: As one of the ten Maricopa Community Colleges, the staff of Rio Salado College is prohibited from receiving incentive compensation related to any activities associated with recruiting or enrolling students into any academic program. 
    • State Authorization:  the college abides by federal and state requirements associated with State Authorization, and makes available a state-specific program availability tool outlining which of the institutions academic programs are currently available for students residing out of state. To view a list of academic programs in the state where you reside, click the drop down box and select your current state of residence.
  • Accreditation and New Course and Program Offerings
    • Rio Salado College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).  All new academic programs and substantive changes to existing academic programs are first vetted through Rio Salado College and the Maricopa Community College District. Once the institutional approval for new academic programs takes place, it is the college’s standard operating practice to secure the approval of both The Higher Learning Commission and the U.S. Department of Education before making new certificate programs generally available to the public. When required, substantive changes made to its academic programs are submitted to HLC and the U.S. Department of Education for review and approval.
  • Accommodating of Service Requirements
    • As outlined in the Institutional Refund Policy (AR 2.2.10.D): A student in the Armed Forces or the Arizona National Guard who is called to active duty and assigned to a duty station, verifiable by a copy of the orders, will be allowed to withdraw and receive a 100% refund of tuition, provided courses have not been completed.
    • A student in the Armed Forces who is called to active duty and assigned a duty station, verifiable by copy of the orders, will be allowed to re-enter his/her academic program of study at soonest cohort option or next available semester block.
  • Institutional Refund Policy
  • Educational Plans for Students Using Federal Military and Veterans Educational Benefits
    • To ensure that Federal military and veterans educational benefits are providing service members, veterans, spouses, and other family members have access to educational plans, Academic Advising is required.
    • Each student’s educational plan, known at Rio Salado College as a program checksheet, is securely housed in RioCompass

 To schedule a meeting with your advisor, please contact, Military Advisement.

  • Designated Points of Contact for Academic and Financial Advising
    • Academic Advising may include access to information about academic planning, career planning, disability resources and personal counseling services.
      • Military Advisement 2323 W. 14th St., Tempe, AZ 85281 Local Phone: 480-517-8590 Toll Free Phone: 800-517-8590 Fax: 480-517-8185
    • Financial Advising may include providing resources on payment options, and counseling on loan repayment (through the Financial Aid Office and in our New Student Orientation NS0101 course). For more information contact the Veterans Services Office:
      • Veterans Services Office 2323 W. 14th St., Tempe, AZ 85281 Local Phone: 480-517-8153 Toll Free Phone: 800-517-8153 Fax: 480-517-8185

GI Bill registered trademarkGI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site.