Consumer Information

SWC offers a wide variety of degree, certificate and transfer programs.

Academic Calendar
Academic Programs

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Acceptable Use Policy - Internet and Other Computer Networks

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 Southwestern College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Our accreditation webpage contains all documentation and reports on the current and past accreditation cycles.

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California law requires that institutions which handle Cal Grants provide links to licensing exam passage rates for certain programs.
California Board of Registered Nursing for ADN Program NCLEX Pass Rates
California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians for VN Program NCLEX pass rates (PDF)
Dental Hygiene Student Success Results

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Current and prior SWC Catalogs can be found on our website and contain important information on applying to the college, registering for classes, academic policies, degree and certificate programs, graduation requirements and general information and data about the college. This page also contains addendum to each catalog.

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The College Navigator includes important data and information for Southwestern College in the following areas:

• General Information
• Tuition, Fees and Estimated Student Expenses
• Financial Aid
• Net Price Calculator
• Enrollment
• Admissions
• Retention and Graduation Rates
• Outcome Measures
• Programs/Majors
• Varsity Athletic Teams
• Accreditation
• Campus Security
• Cohort Default Rates

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 Southwestern College is committed to providing an educational environment that is safe and supportive, and provides an environment of mutual respect and equity for students, staff, and faculty.  Students may file a complaint when they believe a faculty or staff member has violated federal or state law,  or institutional policy.  Individuals are strongly encouraged to make every attempt to resolve matters through the appropriate administrative processes so complaints, grievances or disciplinary matters can be resolved at the campus level.

Academic Complaint 
 

• Grade Changes: The instructor of the course shall determine the grade to be awarded to each student. The determination of the student’s grade by the instructor shall be final in the absence of mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetence. The correction of a grade given, which is requested by a student, shall only be allowed for a request initiated within one year following the end of the term in which it was assigned. Exceptions to the one-year limit on grade changes may be requested by petition of the student in extenuating circumstances. A formal written petition must be submitted to Admissions and Records. Extenuating circumstances are verified cases of accident, illnesses, or other circumstances beyond the control of the student.
   
• Grade Disputes : The removal or change of an incorrect grade from a student’s record shall only be done pursuant to Education Code Section 76232, or by an alternative method that ensures that each student shall be afforded an objective and reasonable review of the requested grade change. Since the procedure requires that the student first request a grade change from the instructor, provisions shall be made to allow another faculty member to substitute for the instructor if the student has filed a discrimination complaint, the instructor is not available or where the College District determines that it is possible that there may have been gross misconduct by the original instructor. In the case of perceived mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetence, the student may pursue a grade grievance (see (BP/AP 5530- Student Rights and Grievances). (BP/AP 4231 Grade Changes for full procedure).

Academic Accommodations due to Disability - Complaints under Section 504 and/or Americans with Disabilities Act are made to the Section 504 Coordinator in Office of Student Services. Students are encouraged to start the process with their DSS Specialist, and if it is not resolved at this level, it moves to the DSS Director. If the issue it cannot not resolved at that level, it will be forwarded to the Dean of Student Services/5043 Coordinator. Please see Board Policy No, 5140, Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities for more information.

Accreditation -  Southwestern College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC). Accredited colleges are recognized by the United States Department of Education (DOE) as providing educational programs, services, and training that meet acceptable levels of quality. For questions or comments related to accreditation at Southwestern College, please contact Silvia Cornejo, Accreditation Liaison Officer, at scornejo@swccd.edu or (619) 482-6337. Students and members of the public who desire to file a formal complaint to the ACCJC about Southwestern College can view complaint requirements and processes at the following Complaint Process webpage. The ACCJC is located at 10 Commercial Blvd, Ste 204, Novato, CA 94949, and can be contacted by phone at (415) 506-0234.

College Police Complaint - Any person who is dissatisfied with police services or has been subjected to or witnessed misconduct by police personnel may initiate a complaint. Complaints may be made by speaking directly with College or Police Administration or by filling out and submitting a College Police Complaint Form. Persons wishing to voice their complaint may contact the Chief of Police or a Police Sergeant by calling (619) 482-6380 or by calling the Office of the Vice President of Business and Financial Affairs at (619) 482-6311. A written complaint can be submitted by mail or dropped off in person and directed to the Chief of Police in Room 105D or the Vice President of Business and Financial Affairs in Room 1652 at Southwestern College, 900 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Gender Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, ans/or Violence Complaint - Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex and/or gender in educational institutions receiving federal funds. Under Title IX , sex discrimination includes, but is not limited to: acts of sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, domestic and/or dating violence, and denial of access based on gender and/or sex.

Student Rights and Grievances - Students may initiate grievance procedures when they believe they have been subject to unjust action or the denial of rights as stipulated in published District policies/procedures, state laws, or federal laws. Such action may be instituted by a student against another student, a staff member, a faculty member, or an administrator. When a student believes an injustice has been done, the student may seek resolution as outlined in  Student Rights and Grievances - Board Policy (BP) 5530  and Administrative Procedure (AP) 5530 

Grade and grading disputes are addressed within this procedure, unless the student is alleging discrimination, harassment, or related retaliation in grading. Students should refer to the “Student Grade Dispute Procedure – Section II.” Follow this link to report a Student Grievance. 

Unlawful Harassment/Discrimination - SWC is committed to providing an academic and work environment free of discrimination & harassment. All complaints of unlawful discrimination or harassment, including disability discrimination and sexual misconduct, are filed with the Human Resources Compliance Coordinator in the Office of the Vice President for Human Resources under Administrative Procedure (AP) 3430 - Prohibition of Harassment & Discrimination. This procedure describes the process for investigation and resolution of complaints of unlawful discrimination, including sexual misconduct, by or against any employee or student. Most complaints, grievances or disciplinary matters can be resolved at the campus level. This is the quickest and most successful way of resolving issues involving a California Community College (CCC). You are encouraged to work through the campus complaint process first before escalating issues to any of the following resources. Issues that are not resolved at the campus level may be filed using the State Complaint Process.

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In order to comply with the federal regulation requiring the development of educational programming to celebrate Constitution Day on September 17th of each year, Southwestern College’s Financial Aid Office provides faculty, students and staff with access to U.S. Constitution Day educational and media resources, lectures and a giveaway of free pocket size U.S. Constitution books. The Constitution Day webpage has information on our most recent celebration.

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SWC complies with U.S. Copyright Law.
SWC Copyright Policy
Information on guidelines for using and creating copyrighted materials.

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Course Repetition and Course Withdrawal information can be found under Board Policy 4225 and Administrative Procedure 4225

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Disability Support Services (DSS) provides the support services for students with disabilities that are mandated by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act at Southwestern College. Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 1990 are civil rights legislation implemented to prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities. These laws give civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities in employment, education, public accommodations, transportation, and telecommunications. This means that while in college both laws guarantee equal opportunity to educational activities for students with disabilities. Operating under these mandates, DSS provides students who qualify with specialized services to support maximum participation in Southwestern College programs and activities.

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Each year, SWC submits a federally mandated Equity in Athletic Report (EAR), which includes demographic, expense and revenue information on its intercollegiate athletic program. Copies of this report are available a the School of Wellness, Exercise Science & Athletics or by accessing Southwestern College's information on the Department of Education's Equity in Athletics website.

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Southwestern College is committed to the protection and confidentiality of student educational records by adhering closely to the guidelines established by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) - a federal legislation established to regulate access and maintenance of student educational records. For additional information and to view a copy of SWC's annual FERPA notification.
More FERPA information can be found at the Department of Education FERPA webpage.

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The U.S. Department of Education has decided to rescind its requirement for colleges to  provide Gainful Employment disclosures, effective July 1, 2020. SWC's has chosen to take advantage of the option for early rescission, and therefore no longer provides these disclosures, effective Fall 2019.

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The Chula Vista Adult School, a part of the Sweetwater Union High School District, is the closest official GED Test Center for students who do not have a high school diploma. For more information visit theChula Vista Adult School GED testing website.

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You can view Southwestern College’s retention, completion / graduation, and transfer-out rates by visiting the College Navigator. You can also view completion and transfer rates by visiting the California Community College’s Student Right-To-Know Rate Disclosure website.

For additional data on outcomes for Southwestern College students visit our Office of Institutional Research and Planning’s website

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For information on the procedures in place to ensure that the nature of its educational programs and services misrepresentation.

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Net Price Calculator. It is intended to provide estimated net price information (defined as estimated cost of attendance — including tuition and required fees, books and supplies, room and board (meals), and other related expenses — minus estimated grant and scholarship aid) to current and prospective students and their families based on what similar students paid in a previous year. 

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Students are expected to behave with respect toward their instructors and fellow students. It is every student's right to be treated with respect. Actions which demonstrate failure to respect include:

• Plagiarism
• Posting obscene material to discussion groups or to one's instructor
• Verbal hazing and/or derogatory remarks degrading an individual's gender, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disabled status
• Email flaming
• Privacy infringements

Committing any of these actions may subject the student to disciplinary action.

Note that it is not SWC's intention to limit students' free expression.

Work will be considered obscene if it is determined by SWC that the aesthetic or communicative function of the work in question has been subordinated to a pornographic impulse.

A student who commits an infringement will be subject to the appropriate disciplinary action.

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The Student Activities Office coordinates a wide-ranging variety of  events and programs for students, including Student Clubs and the Associated Student Organization (ASO). 

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 2018-2019  Student Information

Total students - 28,397

Gender	Age	Ethnicity
Male - 43.6%	19 or less - 31.9%	African American - 4.5%
Female - 55.3%	20 to 24 - 31.4%	American Indian/Alaska Native - 0.3%
Unknown - 1.1%	25 to 29 - 12.6%	Asian/Filipino - 10.6%
	30 to 34 - 6.4%	Hispanic - 68.6%
	35 to 39 - 4.5%	Multi-Ethnicity- 4.0%
	40 to 49 - 6.1%	Pacific Islander - 0.4%
	50+ - 6.1%	Unknown - 1.4%
	Unknown - 0.02%	White Non-Hispanic - 10.2%

(Source: Southwestern Community College District Data Warehouse, 2019)

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The SWC Bookstore provides textbook information (including ISBN and retail price, when available) for courses listed in the course schedule each semester. This information can be accessed through MySWC or at the SWC Bookstore's website. At the main webpage,  click on "Find Your Textbooks", then enter the term, department, course, and section, then press "Generate Your Booklist". A customized list of required or optional textbooks for each course and section will appear, with including information the author, title, edition, ISBN, and price.

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Transfer of Credit and Articulation Agreements with the California State University system, the University of California system and Alliant University, Azusa Pacific, Capella University, FIDM, National University, NewSchool of Architecture and Design, Point Loma Nazarene University, the University of San Diego and the University of Southern California.

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Southwestern College encourages eligible students to register to vote. Students may register to vote by completing the California Online Voter registration process. Students wishing to register via voter registration card may pick one up in the Cesar Chavez Student Services Building.

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The Southwestern College Police Department is entrusted with the responsibility of serving the campus communities with skillful, dedicated, and compassionate constitutional policing and public safety services. We are committed to achieving excellence through professional and unbiased law enforcement services to our students, staff, faculty as well as the surrounding community by treating everyone with dignity and respect and performing our duties in line with the college community’s values and priorities. We value the civil rights guaranteed to all persons by the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California and recognize the importance of procedural justice in our operations.

The College Police Department is staffed with personnel to provide law enforcement and public safety services from the hours of 5am though 12:00am, Monday through Saturday except for holidays and designated academic breaks. Dispatchers are available to answer your calls and inquiries. In response to a call for service, the College Police will take the required action, either dispatching an officer to a campus location or asking the informant or victim to report to the College Police office at Room 105D to receive services or file a crime or incident report.

Annual Security Report (ASR)
Daily Crime Log

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The Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act, or Campus SaVE Act (SaVE), is a 2013 amendment to the federal Jeanne Clery Act. SaVE was designed by advocates along with victims/survivors and championed by a bi-partisan coalition in Congress as a companion to Title IX that will help bolster the response to and prevention of sexual violence in higher education. President Obama signed the measure into law as part of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 on March 7, 2013. The SaVE webpage has more information on the Campus SaVE Act, including how to report a sexual assault, the Sexual Assault Victim Bill of Rights, the definition of Consent, and Checklist for Prevention.

Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex and/or gender in educational institutions receiving federal funds. Under Title IX, sex discrimination includes, but is not limited to: acts of sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, domestic and/or dating violence, and denial of access based on gender and/or sex. Read more on the US Department of Education website: U.S. Department of Education and Office of Civil Rights

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Southwestern College is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace for staff, faculty and students. Policy 5003 states that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in all buildings, property, facilities, service areas and centers of the District and all employees are required to comply with this policy as a condition of continued employment. Any employees violating this policy will be subject to disciplinary action which may include termination. All employees receive a copy of this policy and are notified of the consequences of non-compliance. 

Drug Free Environment and & Drug Prevention Program - Board Policy (BP) 3550 and Administrative Procedure (AP) 3550
2016-18 DAAPP Biennial Report (PDF)

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 Southwestern Community College District is committed to a safe educational and work environment for all students and staff, as well as community members. Emergencies can occur and it is the District’s policy to provide timely notification of risks and dangers to students, faculty, and staff members. An emergency is an immediate threat to the health and safety of students or employees. 

Emergency Response/Evacuation
District Emergency Operations Plan
Timely Warning & Emergency Notification

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SWC is committed to providing an academic and work environment free of discrimination & harassment. All complaints of unlawful discrimination or harassment, including disability discrimination and sexual misconduct, are filed with the Human Resources Compliance Coordinator in the Office of the Vice President for Human Resources under Administrative Procedure (AP) 3430 - Prohibition of Harassment & Discrimination. This procedure describes the process for investigation and resolution of complaints of unlawful discrimination, including sexual misconduct, by or against any employee or student. 

Prohibition of Harassment & Discrimination - Board Policy 3430 and Administrative Procedure 3430

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Students enrolled in nursing or allied health course clinical requirements in a healthcare setting (acute care, ambulatory setting, pre-hospital setting or long-term care) in the San Diego region must meet the San Diego Consortium regulations regarding completed immunizations. These immunizations are required to protect all patients but especially the immune-compromised patients from contacting illness or disease from the students. Students in programs other than nursing or allied health are not required to provide proof of vaccination or immunization. For more information see vaccination requirements for students.

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Institutions are required to disclose their contract to this third party service provider -View SWC contract, Student Account Data and Contract Monetary Consideration, Compliance Handbook and Due Diligence Attestation with BMTX, Inc. at Southwestern College Client Contracts & Profile SWC's.
Find more information here: https://disbursements.bmtx.com/refundchoices/  

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The cost of attendance (COA) is not the bill that students get from their college; it is the total amount it will cost  to go to college each year. The COA includes tuition and fees; on-campus room and board (or a housing and food allowance for off-campus students); and allowances for books, supplies, transportation, loan fees, and, if applicable, dependent care. It can also include other expenses like an allowance for the rental or purchase of a personal computer, costs related to a disability, or costs for eligible study-abroad programs.

Cost of Attendance 

Southwestern College’s Financial Aid Office understands that the pre-determined budgets used for commuter and off-campus
students may not include all reasonable budget expenses actually incurred by students. Students may request the
inclusion of additional budget items  by submitting a Budget Appeal Form to see if they can qualify for additional aid. Please consult the Financial Aid Office for more information. 

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Southwestern College participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. In this program, the US Department of Education lends the money directly to students at the student’s school through an authorized federal servicer.  The Direct Loan webpage has extensive information about Southwestern College's Direct Loan program. 

Understand your current loan amounts - all federal student loans obtained by a student or parent are reported to and tracked on the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). NSLDS loan records are accessible to all authorized NSLDS users, including schools, student loan guaranty agencies, lenders, federal agencies, and other authorized users. Student and parent loan borrowers may view their federal loan information at StudentAid.gov, by logging in using their federal log in and PIN.  

Repayment of Loans - It is important for borrowers to understand the future financial burden of repaying student loans. StudentAid.gov offers an online Repayment Estimator, that allows students to view repayment estimates based on actual loan amounts or on potential loan amount. 

The Direct Loan Policy has information on the types of loans available,  eligibility, loan limits, loan interest rates and origination fees,  loan approval and disbursements, and the impact of leaving school and/or dropping below half time. Please read this information carefully before deciding to whether or not to take out a Direct Loan. 

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Most recently reported Cohort Fiscal Year: 2019

Numerator: 10

Denominator: 234

3 Year Official Cohort Default Rate: 4.2%

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Campus-Based Funds Policy (PDF)
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) and Federal Work Study (FWS) Policy (PDF)

Financial Aid Policy and Procedure Board Policy 5130 and Administrative Procedure 5130

Return of Federal Financial Aid (Title IV) Policy (PDF)
Federal law requires that if you received a federal grant and then drop or withdraw from ALL of your classes prior to the 60% point of the semester or if you fail to begin a late start class you may have to repay funds. Note: The earlier that you drop or withdraw, the more money you may have to pay back.
•If you receive Loan money and withdraw, you will pay back the money according to the Federal guidelines of the loan program.
•If you receive Federal Work Study money and withdraw, you do not owe anything back. You will get to keep any salary you have earned.
•If you are enrolled in short term classes without being enrolled in full semester classes and/or you withdraw or fail to attend those classes, you may be subject to the Return of Title IV calculation.

Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (PDF)
Federal regulations require that colleges set standards that students must meet in order to be eligible for financial aid and to keep it from one academic year to the next. Even if you have never applied for or received financial aid, your overall history in college will be reviewed before you are awarded financial aid to make sure you are meeting these standards. To be eligible for aid, you must comply with all standards regarding maximum timeframe, completion rate and cumulative GPA.

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A person employed in a financial aid office who serves on an advisory board established by a lender or group of lenders cannot receive anything of value from the lender but can receive reimbursement for reasonable expenses associated with participation. A school must report annually to ED any such reasonable expenses paid or provided to any employee who is employed in the financial aid office or who otherwise has responsibilities with respect to education loans or other financial aid of the institution.
The report must include the following: 

• the amount of each specific instance of reasonable expenses paid or provided;
• the name of the financial aid official, other employee, or agent to whom the expenses were paid or provided;
• the dates of the activity for which the expenses were paid or provided; and
• a brief description of the activity for which the expenses were paid or provided.

Southwestern College has no such reimbursements to report.

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2022-2023  Student Information (latest for which data is compiled)

Total students - 30,608

Number of Pell Grant Recipient

Recipients ethnicity	Number
African-American	4.94%
American Indian/Alaskan Native	0.17%
Asian	1.83%
Filipino	6.27%
Hispanic	75.99%
Multi-Ethnicity	3.45%
Pacific Islander	0.34%
Unknown	1.23%
White Non-Hispanic	5.78%

Total Grant Recipient: 6,795

(Source: California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office Management Information Systems Datamart)

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The Student Financial Aid Handbook (PDF) contains important information for students applying for and receiving financial aid. Information in the handbook includes:

• Types of financial aid assistance available to students
• Student eligibility requirements and applying for Financial Aid
• Requirements for verification of information and notification of awards
• Withdrawal from courses and Return to Title IV (R2T4)
• Satisfactory Academic Progress
• Disbursement schedule and process
• Loans - entrance/exit counseling, loan terms and conditions
• Cost of Attendance 
• California College Promise Grant 2019-2020 Income Standards
• Student Rights and Responsibilities
• Other resources and programs available to student

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