Illinois

Elgin | Freeport

Authorization

Illinois locations are authorized by the Illinois Board of Higher Education to offer degree programs.

Illinois was approved as a SARA member state on July 31, 2015. Columbia College was approved as a SARA institution on February 26, 2015 and can offer distance education programs to students in the state of Illinois.

Location Contact Information

Columbia College - Elgin

John Schwarm, Area Director
1700 Spartan Drive, E205, Elgin, IL 60123-7193
elgin@ccis.edu
Phone: (847) 214-7197
Fax: (847) 214-7003

Columbia College - Freeport

Debra Hartman, Assistant Vice President
2998 West Pearl City Road, Freeport, IL 61032-9341
freeport@ccis.edu
Phone: (815) 599-3585

Provost

Dr. Sandra Hamar, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
1001 Rogers Street Columbia, MO 65216
provost@ccis.edu
Phone: (573) 875-7500
Fax: (573) 875-7445

Students Costs

For 2024-2025 tuition and charges, please visit the Tuition Rates and Payment Policies   page in the catalog.

Tuition Refunds

Students with financial aid who drop or withdraw from a course(s) need to be aware that their financial aid could be affected. Refunds shall be made within 30 days of the date that Columbia College determines that the student has withdrawn.

The Tuition Rates and Payment Policies  catalog page details the standard payment policy, tuition refunds, and other pertinent information that students should be aware of. 

General Student Grievance Policy

To view the entire policy, please visit the General Student Grievance Policy section of the Columbia College Policies website.

The Student Conduct  section of the catalog details information regarding the student grievance process, student code of conduct, overview of the conduct process, as well as other pertinent information that students should be aware of.  

• Complaints about sex discrimination, harassment and/or retaliation are handled in accordance with the College’s Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Policy and corresponding procedures.
• Complaints about discrimination, harassment and/or retaliation, not based on sex, are handled in accordance with the College’s Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy and corresponding procedures.
• Complaints related to the ADA/Section 504 accommodation process or related to the implementation of approved reasonable accommodations are handled in accordance with the College’s ADA/Section 504 Grievance Policy.

Further Complaint Resolution

On occasion, students may believe that these administrative procedures have not adequately addressed their concerns and or circumstances related to alleged violations of state consumer protection laws, that include but are not limited to fraud and false advertising; alleged violations of state laws or rules relating to the licensure of postsecondary institutions; and complaints relating to the quality of education or other state accreditation requirements.

Complaint process information is provided below for students who wish to address their concerns to the appropriate agency.

• The Illinois Board of Higher Education complaint policy is available at: https://complaints.ibhe.org/.
• The Higher Learning Commission complaint process.
• Students in distance education programs or courses should reach out to the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) at (573) 751-2361 or review the MDHE complaint process.

State Regulatory Agency Contact Information

VA Statement

Columbia College Illinois locations have been approved by the state of Illinois, Department of Veterans Affairs, State Approving Agency to train veterans and other eligible persons under the benefits of Title 38, United States Code (38 U.S.C. 3671 [a] and 3672 [a]).