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Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: When all of the paperwork is turned in, how long will it take to start the class?

  A: Assuming the paper work is complete and accurate and that we have the textbook in our library we can enroll students with a start date about 2 to 4 weeks out from the date we processed the paper work. This allows time for registration, course material to be printed and shipping of material to the facility.

  To admit a new student we need the Student Admissions Application Form and self-pay indicating payment and certificate of study the inmate student will focus on prior to release.

• Q: Do you offer print-based correspondence coursed that do not use the internet?

  A: Yes, the Rio Salad College Incarcerated Distance Learning Program is a print-based correspondence course. Assignments are sent to your instructor through United States Mail.

• Q: Is there a program guide that explains each major and/or career path?

  A: The purpose of the IRE Scholarship program is to help students earn a certificate prior to release. A certificate or degree from Rio Salado College, an accredited college, can help student employability upon release.

  All certificate programs have an associate component to the program of study that can be completed after earning the certificate. Certificates offered in the print based program are listed below:

  • Workforce Development and Community Re-Entry (13 credits)
  • Proctor not needed
  • May be best for students between 1 to 2 years left in sentence
  • Addictions and Substance Use Disorder Level I (21 credits)
  • Proctor not needed
  • May be best for students with 2 or more years left in sentence
  • Addictions and Substance Use Disorder Level II (18 credits)
  • Proctor not needed
  • May be best for students with 2 or more years left in sentence
  • Certificate in General Business (21 credits)
  • Best for students who have taken CIS105, meet ENG101 and other prerequisites
  • May be best for students with 3 or more years left in sentence
  • Organizational Management (18 credits)
  • Best for students who have taken CIS105, meet ENG101 and other prerequisites
  • May be best for students with 3 or more years left in sentence

  Time frame provided to complete the certificate is dependent on courses the student has previously taken, the number of classes a student takes per semester and courses transferred in from another academic institution.

  After completing the certificate component of a degree and if the student has time and funds available, we suggest the student focus on the associate component or the general studies portion of the degree.

  Attached with this email is a list of our Program Check sheets and Course Descriptions.

• Q: How will the placement tests for English and Math happen?

  A: Because the focus is on certificate prior to release, placement test are encouraged after completing the certificate. After completing the certificate or a semester prior to taking a class that requires a placement test submit the attached Accuplacer test request form and the IRE-DL staff will process the test request.

  In the case of the two certificates below, the student can take one or two courses then take the Writeplacer to place in to an ENG course.

  • Certificate in General Business (21 credits)
  • Best for students who have taken CIS105, meet ENG101 and other prerequisites
  • May be best for students with 3 or more years left in sentence
  • Organizational Management (18 credits)
  • Best for students who have taken CIS105, meet ENG101 and other prerequisites
  • May be best for students with 3 or more years left in sentence

  
  

• Q: How long before a student can register for another class?

  A: A full-time student schedule is 12 credits or more per semester. Students can take one class or as many classes as can be funded, the student feels capable of completing and the corrections facility allows.

  A student should be prepared to study at least 3 hours for each credit. For example a 3 credit class would be about 9 hours of study time a week.

• Q: How long is each individual class?

  A: Classes range from 14 to 16 weeks, however classes are self-paced and students can move ahead in course work to complete assignments ahead of schedule.

• Q: Will the students have access to the internet, if they need to do research, etc.?

  A: Access to the internet is dependent on the correctional facility the student is located. Most department of corrections locations do not have access to the internet.

• Q: Will the students have tutors to help them with their work?

  A: Our program is dependent on the tutors that are available at the corrections facility the student is located. Students are encouraged to write letters to their instructor and the Incarcerated Re-Entry Distance Learning department with specific questions they have about assignments. Include first name last name, student identification number, course information, and specific information on the assignment such as: Assignment name, the page number of textbook or course material etc.

• Q: Is there a description of the classes?

  A: Yes, please see the IRE Course Description Exam Textbook Info Document

• Q: What certificate programs do not require proctor testing?

  A: Workforce Development and Addictions and Substance Abuse Certificate. Once the certificate is completed, the courses for the associate degree component of these programs may require proctor testing.

• Q: Are the courses offered through the Rio Salado College, Incarcerated Re-Entry Distance Learning Program accredited and transferable to a university?

  A: Rio Salado College is an accredited college and maintains active transfer partnerships with regionally accredited colleges and universities.

• Q: What should I consider when selecting a certificate?

  A: Complete these steps:

  1. Educational policy at your facility
  2. Time left in sentence to earn a certificate or degree
  3. How many classes can be funded in a semester
  4. Prerequisites for the class. Please review the program check sheets for the prerequisites.

  
  

• Q: How do I start taking classes with the Rio Salado College, Incarcerated Re-Entry Distance Learning Program?

  A:

  1. Complete the Student Admission Application form
  2. Submit a method of payment. Make sure to include a signature from the facility authorizing you to take classes. If the student will use tribal funding or some other form of funding provide the contact
     Self-Pay Form - In State
     Self-Pay Form - Out of State
  3. Have the educational contact at your facility contact Rio Salado College Incarcerated Re-Entry and complete the proctor testing form.
     Incarcerated Re-Entry
     Tel: 480-517-8345 | Fax: 480-517-8119 | incarcerated.reentr@riosalado.edu
     2323 W. 14th Street Tempe, AZ 85281 | www.riosalado.edu

  
  

• Q: How can I pay for classes?
  

  A:

  1. We can accept payment for tuition, fees and books through direct bill through Native American Tribes, Veterans Education Benefits and non-profit groups interested in funding a student’s education. We also accept credit card payments from family members.
  2. To pay using Veterans Education Benefits, please use these forms
  3. Self-Pay form can be used for credit card payment, tribal funding payment or payment from 3rd party
     Self-Pay Form - In State
     Self-Pay Form - Out of State
• Q: Can I use Veteran Education Benefits to pay for classes through the Rio Salado College Incarcerated Re-Entry Distance Learning Program?

  A:

  1. Please use the Veterans Education Benefits to apply.
  2. It will take approximately 4 to 6 weeks to process the applications. At that time, you will receive a letter from the VA that will have a Certificate of Eligibility or a denial letter. Please forward to IRE a copy of the Certificate of Eligibility from the VA and the Rio Salado College Veterans Services Request for Benefits Form. For out of state students, the VA chapter 33 benefit will only pay in state tuition rate, however Rio Salado College will charge the out of state tuition rate of $216 a credit hour, which means you will be responsible for the difference.
  3. Please indicate if another academic institution is the parent school, i.e. you are pursuing a degree with another school and only taking supplemental classes with Rio Salado. Rio Salado Veterans Services will need to contact the Veterans Services Office and have them send us a "parent school letter (aka 315 letter)". This letter authorizes Rio Salado to certify you as a guest, essentially saying that the course does apply to the chosen degree at the parent school. We can then certify your benefit with a note that you are also an incarcerated student. The VA will then send the tuition and fees only directly to the school.
  4. If you have not used VA benefits before and are applying for the first time, please submit the following: Form 22-1990 Application for VA Benefits for the VA.
  5. Please also submit the DD214 form to expedite processing the VA benefit request.
  6. If you have used VA benefits before and still have remaining eligibility, please complete the Form 22-1995: Change of Program/Place of Training for the VA.
  7. Incarcerated Re-Entry (IRE) will forward the Veterans Services Request for Benefits Form to our Coordinator for Veterans Services.
  8. The Student Admission Application Form is used to admit the student to Rio Salado College.
  9. The Military Transcript Request Form is used to request evaluation of Military Transcripts

  
  

• Q: What should a student do if materials arrive late?

  A:

  1. The instructors teaching for Rio Salado College, Incarcerated Re-Entry Distance Learning Program are aware that materials and assignments may arrive late. We consider the courses open entry and open exit to allow for delay in mail.
  2. b. While enrolled, students need to stay in communication with their instructor and the Incarcerated Re-Entry Distance Learning department.
     1. Incarcerated Re-Entry Distance Learning Program
     2. 2323 W. 14th Street Tempe, AZ 85281
     3. Tel: 480-517-8345 incarcerated.reentr@riosalado.edu
• Q: How much time should I expect to wait?

  A:

  1. Prison Time: It may take 2 to 4 weeks longer for mail to be delivered within the prison system, depending how large the facility or system is. If the student inmate has moved within the unit, outside the unit or to a new facility, or other factors that occur in a prison environment.
  2. In addition to operating in Prison time, assignments are sent through three mail systems (Department of Corrections/Federal Bureau of Prisons, Rio Salado and United States Postal Service [USPS]).
• Q: If I have a question about my grade or course progress whom should I contact?

  A:

  1. While enrolled, students need to stay in communication with their instructor and the Incarcerated Re-Entry Distance Learning department.
     1. Incarcerated Re-Entry Distance Learning Program
     2. 2323 W. 14th Street Tempe, AZ 85281
     3. Tel: 480-517-8345 incarcerated.reentr@riosalado.edu
  2. As per the course syllabus, students need to keep a copy of everything that they submit. That way, if your work is lost, you can submit your copy for grading. If you don’t receive your graded assignment or quiz results within two or three weeks after submitting it, please contact IRE and or your instructor. You must complete all assignments in the course to receive a passing grade. It is possible that when sending assignments through three mail systems (Department of Corrections/Federal Bureau of Prisons, Rio Salado and United States Postal Service (USPS)) an assignment may get lost in transit. If an assignment is lost in transit, it is the student’s responsibility to re-submit the course work.
• Q: What policies does the Rio Salado College Incarcerated Re-Entry Distance Learning Program follow?

  A:

  1. Rio Salado College Student Policies
  2. Maricopa Administrative Regulations
  3. We also follow State, Federal and Private Department of Corrections or State Hospital Policies: depending where the student is located.
     In-state: Arizona Department of Corrections Orders, specifically Chapter 900, Inmate Programs and Services, DO910
  4. Federal Bureau of Prisons policy
  5. The forms used by the IRE-DL program will also describe the process and policy followed for the process described in the form.
• Q: How much is tuition?

  A:

  1. In State tuition is $85 out of state tuition is $215 a credit hour
  2. There is a $15 registration fee and a $15 course material fee
• Q: Does a student have to pay both fees for each class they register?

  A:

  1. The $15 Course Material Fee is charger per class
  2. The $15 registration fee is charged per semester
• Q: What is included with course materials?

  A:

  1. Welcome packet with labels to send assignments to your instructor
  2. Course Material (some assignments can be completed using the course material)
  3. Possibly a textbook
• Q: What do I do if I move to a new facility?

  A:

  1. Continue with the course the best you can with the materials you have.
  2. Send a letter to your instructor and the Incarcerated Re-Entry Distance Learning Program letting us know you moved to a new facility.
     1. In this letter let us know if you were moved with or without your course material and when you think you might get your materials.
     2. Also provide a contact if you have one at your new facility.
  3. Incarcerated Re-Entry Distance Learning Program:
     1. 2323 W. 14th Street Tempe, AZ 85281
     2. Tel: 480-517-8345 incarcerated.reentr@riosalado.edu
• Q: What do I do if course materials arrive late?

  A:

  1. Continue with the course.
  2. Send a letter to your instructor and the Incarcerated Re-Entry Distance Learning Program letting us know materials arrived late.
     1. In this letter let us know what if any course material you may have.
     2. Also provide a contact if you have one at your new facility.
  3. Incarcerated Re-Entry Distance Learning Program:
     1. 2323 W. 14th Street Tempe, AZ 85281
     2. Tel: 480-517-8345 incarcerated.reentr@riosalado.edu
• Q: What do I do if I do not receive feedback from my instructor?

  A:

  1. Distance Learning students send assignments through three mail systems (Department of Corrections/Federal Bureau of Prisons, Rio Salado and United States Postal Service (USPS)). It may take 2 to 8 weeks for an assignment to be delivered between student and instructor.
  2. Make note of the date assignments were sent and contact the Incarcerated Re-Entry Distance Learning Program with the date assignments were sent.
     1. Please note that if an assignment was sent in under 8 weeks, the assignments may still be in transition between facility and the instructor.
     2. 2323 W. 14th Street Tempe, AZ 85281
     3. Tel: 480-517-8345 incarcerated.reentr@riosalado.edu
• Q: What information should be included with my letters to my instructor or the Incarcerated Re-Entry Distance Learning Program

  A:

  1. First and last name
  2. Student Identification Number assigned by Rio Salado College
  3. Department of Correction number or federal bureau of prison number
  4. Course Prefix and Number and Extension of the course. For Example ASD100-24095
• Q: Can someone contact Rio Salado College on my behalf to get information on the progress of my class?

  A: Yes. Please fill out the FERPA form indicating who we can release information.