Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for your interest in getting started at Black Hawk College. We hope this website is a useful resource for you as you navigate the college application process.

Here you will find answers to some of the questions that students frequently ask us. If you have questions that are not answered here or elsewhere on our website, please contact us.


Admissions

You must bring a signed permit from a Black Hawk College advisor, or a copy of your ACT or SAT report to the test. If you do not have documentation with you at the time of the test you will be required to take the ENTIRE test. If you haven’t had your ACT or SAT scores sent to Black Hawk College, you will need to do so. To request an additional score report, go to ACT’s web page at www.act.org or SAT’s web page at www.sat.org and have one sent to:

Enrollment Services, Black Hawk College, 6600 34th Ave., Moline, IL 61265

or

Enrollment Services, Black Hawk College – East Campus, 26230 Black Hawk Road, Galva, IL 61434

Some students may be exempt from parts of the ACCUPLACER test under two conditions:
– Students who have taken the ACT or SAT test within the past two years and scored appropriately in the individual English, Reading or Math tests do not have to take the corresponding ACCUPLACER test:

  • ACT 19 or higher in English score, or SAT 480 or higher in Reading/Writing score, exempts you from the ACCUPLACER writing test.
  • ACT 19 or higher in Reading score, or SAT 480 or higher in Reading/Writing score, exempts you from the ACCUPLACER reading test.
  • ACT 22 or higher in Math, or SAT 530 or higher in Math, exempts you from the ACCUPLACER pre-algebra test, however you are required to take the ACCUPLACER Algebra test.

– Students who have completed courses, or taken a placement test such as ASSET or ACCUPLACER at another college or university may be exempt from portions of the ACCUPLACER test. These students should first see an advisor or counselor before taking the ACCUPLACER test. Documentation is required and must be reviewed by an advisor to determine which portions of the ACCUPLACER test are needed for course placement. You will need to bring an unofficial copy of your college transcript or ASSET/ACCUPLACER scores when you come to the Advising Center to see an advisor. Without documentation, students will be required to take the entire ACCUPLACER test for course placement. Placement test scores from other colleges and universities that are not ASSET or ACCUPLACER scores cannot be used for course placement at Black Hawk College.

You are encouraged to review and study for ACCUPLACER testing. For sample tests and more information of topics that are covered in the ACCUPLACER test, where you will find sample ACCUPLACER test questions.

You may take the ACCUPLACER test free of charge one time per academic year (Sept. 1 – Aug. 31). If you wish to retake (second attempt) any part of the Accuplacer test during the same academic year, there is no charge. If you wish to take an additional retake (third attempt) during the same academic year, there is a fee of $15 per individual subject test or $30 for two or more subjects.

For dual credit, grades appear on your Black Hawk College transcript after you complete the course.  Use the credits at Black Hawk College or transfer them to another college or university.  Dual credits also generate credits towards your high school diploma requirements.

For articulated credit, grades are recorded at your request after you complete the course(s) with an A or B grade and attend Black Hawk College.

Category: Admissions

Submit an Enrollment Verification Request to Enrollment Services.

Category: Admissions

To get an unofficial copy of your transcript, print it from myBlackHawk. If you need to have an official transcript sent, order it online. Click here to request your transcript.

Category: Admissions

Common Questions

Submit your address change via your myBlackHawk e-mail account or come to Enrollment Services and complete a Student Change of Address Form (PDF).

The Disability Services Office has a wide range of services to assist students with documented disabilities.

Yes! Through dual credit, your student can earn credit at Black Hawk College while still in high school.

Yes! Students have access to free tutoring – both online and in person.

Yes! Because of our vast academic offerings and affordable cost, Black Hawk College is a great place for students to explore and discover who they want to be and what they want to do in life. Our Career Services Center can help students learn about the world of work and determine how their talents and interests intersect career options. Additionally, students can talk to the Advising Center to establish their educational and career goals.

The amount students pay to attend Black Hawk College depends upon their eligibility for state and federal grants and loans, scholarships and college work-study. The Financial Aid Office can help students fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and answer any cost-related questions.

Yes! Students can transfer to four-year colleges and universities seamlessly. We recommend that students meet with an academic advisor each semester to make an educational plan. Following the plan ensures that students are taking the proper courses to achieve their academic goals.

Follow our Registration Checklist to learn about applying, financial aid, taking the ACCUPLACER placement test, meeting an advisor, attending orientation and registering and paying for classes.


Frequently asked questions about financial aid and loans

The loan application is available once registration opens. In order to have your loan application processed by the payment deadline, submit your loan application and any financial aid requirements by:

  • Fall semester: July 1
  • Spring semester: Dec. 1
  • Summer semester: May 1

Visit bhc.edu/loans for additional information.

As stated in Federal Loan Guidelines, the actual loan amount you are eligible to receive for an academic year is determined by your school. Loan eligibility at Black Hawk College is determined on a case-by-case basis as authorized under 34 CFR 685.301(a)8 of the Higher Education Act. Maximum annual loan amounts are not guaranteed.

The maximum annual amounts a student may request are:

 Grade Level Credit Hours Earned (degree-applicable) Base Loan   + Additional Unsubsidized
 Year 1  0 – 29 credit hours   $3,500 $2,000 (dependent) $6,000 (independent)
 Year 2  30+ credit hours  $4,500 $2,000 (dependent) $6,000 (independent)

In addition, lifetime limits and prior student loan debt may restrict the amount of student loans that can be borrowed.

Approximately 10% of eligible students borrow at Black Hawk College. Of those who do borrow, the 2020-21 average federal student loan debt at time of graduation was $9,258.

We recommend students use the Federal Student Aid Repayment Calculator and the Mapping Your Future Debt/Salary Wizard to understand the long-term costs of borrowing and their anticipated ability to repay their student loans. For additional information, visit studentaid.gov/loans.

Loan applications take approximately two weeks for processing after receiving all required documents, learn more about loan applications here. This may increase to three or more weeks during peak registration periods (the time between payment deadline and the start of the semester). Loans will be processed in the order they are received. After submitting the loan application and all requirements, students should monitor their myBlackHawk email for status updates.

Refunds are processed by the Bursar’s Office once a credit balance is created on your billing account. Refunds will be available approximately 14 days AFTER the credit balance is created. To avoid delays, students who anticipate receiving a refund should log into their account on www.refundselection.com to select a refund preference as soon as possible.

Students should ALWAYS contact the Financial Aid Office BEFORE changing their schedule (adding or dropping classes) to determine how changes will impact their costs and financial aid.

Financial aid is based on attendance for the entire semester. If you drop ALL of your classes before 60% of the semester is complete, federal regulations require schools to recalculate your financial aid eligibility (including student loans) to determine how much was “earned”. Based on the last date of academic activity or participation, your financial aid will be adjusted accordingly, which may mean repaying some or all of your financial aid.

In addition, students are expected to complete 67% of their attempted coursework (see Satisfactory Academic Progress). Withdrawing from coursework may negatively impact your eligibility to continue receiving financial aid in the future.

You must cancel any pending loans at Black Hawk College and contact your new college to determine what requirements you need to complete.

Loan borrowers are required to participate in Federal Loan Exit Counseling after graduating, withdrawing, or dropping to less than 6 credit hours, even if they intend transfer to another institution. Black Hawk College will email a notification with Exit Counseling information to your student email and personal email provided on that year’s FAFSA. (If no FAFSA was submitted, the personal email listed with the college will be used.)

A loan servicer is a company that handles the billing and other services on your federal student loan. The loan servicer will work with you on repayment plans and loan consolidation and will assist you with other tasks related to your federal student loan. It is important to maintain contact with your loan servicer. If your circumstances change at any time during your repayment period, your loan servicer will be able to help.

Students should update their contact information with Federal Student Aid (FSA) at studentaid.gov/login to ensure their loan servicer has updated information.

Your Loan Servicer will contact you concerning repayment. You may also access your loan servicer information, as well as your loan history, on the National Student Loan Data System.

Repayment begins 6 months after graduating, withdrawing, or dropping to less than 6 credit hours. Additional information is available through Federal Student Aid: Understanding Repayment and Federal Student Aid: How to Repay Your Loans.

If you don’t make your student loan payment or make your payment late, your loan will be considered delinquent and may eventually go into default. If you default on your student loan, that status will be reported to credit bureaus, and your credit rating and future borrowing ability will be damaged. In addition, legal action can be taken to require payment through garnishment of wages and withholding of tax refunds.

In addition, students with a defaulted loan will lose eligibility to receive any additional federal or state financial aid.

Once registration opens, students can submit a BHC Loan Application (and all other requirements) at bhc.edu/loans.

In order to have your loan application processed by the payment deadline, submit your loan application by:
Fall semester: July 1
Spring semester: December 1
Summer semester: May 1

For general student loan information, please refer to Federal Student Aid: Student Loans.


Placement Testing

You must bring a signed permit from a Black Hawk College advisor, or a copy of your ACT or SAT report to the test. If you do not have documentation with you at the time of the test you will be required to take the ENTIRE test. If you haven’t had your ACT or SAT scores sent to Black Hawk College, you will need to do so. To request an additional score report, go to ACT’s web page at www.act.org or SAT’s web page at www.sat.org and have one sent to:

Enrollment Services, Black Hawk College, 6600 34th Ave., Moline, IL 61265

or

Enrollment Services, Black Hawk College – East Campus, 26230 Black Hawk Road, Galva, IL 61434

Some students may be exempt from parts of the ACCUPLACER test under two conditions:
– Students who have taken the ACT or SAT test within the past two years and scored appropriately in the individual English, Reading or Math tests do not have to take the corresponding ACCUPLACER test:

  • ACT 19 or higher in English score, or SAT 480 or higher in Reading/Writing score, exempts you from the ACCUPLACER writing test.
  • ACT 19 or higher in Reading score, or SAT 480 or higher in Reading/Writing score, exempts you from the ACCUPLACER reading test.
  • ACT 22 or higher in Math, or SAT 530 or higher in Math, exempts you from the ACCUPLACER pre-algebra test, however you are required to take the ACCUPLACER Algebra test.

– Students who have completed courses, or taken a placement test such as ASSET or ACCUPLACER at another college or university may be exempt from portions of the ACCUPLACER test. These students should first see an advisor or counselor before taking the ACCUPLACER test. Documentation is required and must be reviewed by an advisor to determine which portions of the ACCUPLACER test are needed for course placement. You will need to bring an unofficial copy of your college transcript or ASSET/ACCUPLACER scores when you come to the Advising Center to see an advisor. Without documentation, students will be required to take the entire ACCUPLACER test for course placement. Placement test scores from other colleges and universities that are not ASSET or ACCUPLACER scores cannot be used for course placement at Black Hawk College.

You are encouraged to review and study for ACCUPLACER testing. For sample tests and more information of topics that are covered in the ACCUPLACER test, where you will find sample ACCUPLACER test questions.

You may take the ACCUPLACER test free of charge one time per academic year (Sept. 1 – Aug. 31). If you wish to retake (second attempt) any part of the Accuplacer test during the same academic year, there is no charge. If you wish to take an additional retake (third attempt) during the same academic year, there is a fee of $15 per individual subject test or $30 for two or more subjects.


Transfer FAQs

Completing an AA or AS degree has the benefit of program and/or course equivalency agreements which have been negotiated with four-year colleges and universities that allow you to transfer as a junior.

AA degree completion also fulfills the lower division general education requirements of many transfer schools.

The AS degree includes slightly more math and science requirements than the AA does. In most cases, students transferring to an Illinois four-year college or university will complete lower division general education courses after transfer (one additional course in Humanities or Fine Arts and one additional course in Social and Behavioral Sciences).  Some schools automatically evaluate an AS course-by-course (including Augustana College).  If you are unsure which degree is best for your plans, select the AA and then talk with your advisor.

The AAS degree prepares students for immediate employment following program completion. The AAS emphasizes field-specific training combined with about a semester of general education courses.  Students in AAS and career Certificate programs who think they may want to transfer should talk with their advisor about selecting general education courses. See the transfer checklist and planning guides at Transfer from Career Programs.

Category: Transfer FAQs

Both degrees require 60 credits to complete, but there are slight differences. The AA includes the complete IAI General Education Core Curriculum. While the AS has a slightly higher math and science course requirement, students have the option to take a couple of additional courses at BHC or after transfer (to an Illinois institution) if they want to also complete the IAI GECC.

Check with a Black Hawk College advisor to see if the AA or AS best meets your transfer goals.

Category: Transfer FAQs

Use the Course Transfer Tables & Transferology to learn how a course will transfer. If you don’t see your transfer school listed, contact the registrar at your transfer school or contact a Black Hawk College advisor at ADVQC@bhc.edu for assistance.

Category: Transfer FAQs

You can begin your education with Sample Transfer Plans and discuss your goals with a BHC advisor. Since major requirements vary from one transfer school to another, you should select a transfer school as soon as possible. We recommend having a short list of transfer schools by the time you complete 30 credits.

Category: Transfer FAQs

Most colleges and universities will allow you to transfer at least 60 community college semester hours and some BHC transfer partners will accept more credits. It’s important to learn not only how many credits will transfer but how many will be applied to your major requirements. All transfer schools have a “residency” requirement too, meaning minimum hours must be earned at their institution (many require 30 hours, some more and some even fewer). Discuss your transfer school ideas with your BHC advisor to decide when it’s best to transfer and Explore Colleges and Universities.

Category: Transfer FAQs

Apply up to one year in advance of the term you plan to transfer. Most colleges and universities have application deadlines by which the admission application and all supporting documents (transcripts, essay, etc.) must be submitted. The deadline is often two to five months prior to the start of the term you start, but some schools allow students to apply as late as a few weeks before classes begin. Waiting is not recommended though – apply early! Also check when your transfer school needs your financial aid information.

Category: Transfer FAQs

Most colleges and universities determine your eligibility for admission based on your college record once you’ve earned a specified number of college credit hours (usually 12-30 hours).  If you transfer with fewer credits, you will be asked to follow freshman admission requirements including providing your high school transcript.

Category: Transfer FAQs

After you apply to your transfer school you should send any supporting documents required such as your college transcripts. Follow directions on the transfer school’s checklist.  You should also complete financial aid and scholarship applications and begin making housing arrangements if you will be living away from home. Note when you are expected to attend orientation, register and pay for classes, and move to the campus.

Category: Transfer FAQs

Complete the FAFSA and any school-specific scholarship applications by the stated deadlines. Earning excellent grades will also improve your chances of earning a merit scholarship, which is automatically awarded based on your grade point average. The higher your GPA, the more money you are eligible to receive. Students who join the Phi Theta Kappa honor society while at BHC may be eligible for additional scholarships.

Look closely at your transfer school’s general financial aid webpage, as well as their transfer admissions page and the department pages for your major. Different scholarship opportunities may be shown in all these places. Also ask the admission staff about other sources of funds the college may offer transfer students such as campus visit awards, early FAFSA filer, out-of-state-student award, etc.

Category: Transfer FAQs