March 26, 2020 (6:55 p.m.)

This update only applies to students who are new starts, re-entered or transferred—either programs or campuses.

We are committed to helping you begin your educational journey at Rasmussen College and are taking steps to ensure—to the greatest extent possible—that events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic do not hinder that goal. We understand that you may have questions about the upcoming Spring Quarter 2020, and we hope that this message will answer many of them as we approach the start of the new term.

Rasmussen College has been an innovator in higher education for over 120 years, and a leader in online education for almost 20 years. We are well prepared and stand ready to support you with a host of proven online student resources. Your choice to pursue your educational goals at Rasmussen College puts you on a solid path forward, because we are prepared to meet today’s challenges and to support you throughout your educational journey.

With that in mind, Rasmussen College has made some decisions related to the application and enrollment phases of the admissions process. The goal of these changes is to streamline the entrance and acceptance policy and process so you can begin your educational journey with as little difficulty as possible in light of current events. Please review the remainder of this update carefully to ensure you understand how these changes will affect you.

Your Admissions Advisor will be reaching out soon to review this information with you. In the meantime, if you have questions, please reach out to them directly to discuss them. You may also send questions to [email protected].

We look forward to welcoming you to the Rasmussen College community. Most importantly, we wish each of you the best and hope that you and your families remain safe and healthy.

Revisions

The Revisions Clause of the enrollment agreement you signed states that Rasmussen College reserves the right to add, withdraw, terminate or revise any course, program of study, provision or requirement for enrollment and/or graduation, student service, educational activity, or campus operation or location.

To help you start your educational journey, Rasmussen College is invoking this right as it applies to the requirements for enrollment for the April 6, 2020, start date; this update serves as your notice. As described in detail below, we have revised the requirements for enrollment.

Current Requirements for Enrollment

According to the Rasmussen College Course Catalog, acceptance at Rasmussen College is conditioned upon the following requirements for enrollment:

1. Complete an application and enrollment agreement.
2. Complete an attestation of high school graduation or equivalency; and, if required, submit high school verification documentation, including international high school documentation.
3. Complete the Rasmussen College entrance placement assessment, if applicable to program of enrollment.
4. Complete a non-cognitive assessment (known as Smarter Measure), if applicable to program of enrollment.
5. Complete an experiential online orientation, unless exempted.
6. Submit immunization records, if required by state and/or program of enrollment.
7. Submit to and pass a background check, if required by program of enrollment.
8. Submit official transcripts, if applicable to program of enrollment.
9. Any other program-specific admissions requirements as listed in the Rasmussen College Course Catalog, including, but not limited to, submission of health physical records, basic life support and automated external defibrillation certification, proof of professional licensure, letters of reference, certified driving records, and written autobiography; and completion of program-specific entrance examination, psychological evaluation and program-specific orientation.

An applicant must complete the requirements for enrollment to meet the definition of a regular student in an eligible program to receive federal student aid funds.

Modified Requirements for Enrollment

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rasmussen College has decided that for applicants with an enrollment agreement effective for the April 6, 2020, start date, acceptance at Rasmussen College is conditioned upon the following requirements for enrollment to meet the definition of a regular student in an eligible program to received federal student aid funds:

1. Complete an application and enrollment agreement.
2. Complete an attestation of high school graduation or equivalency; and, if required, submit high school verification documentation, including international high school documentation.
3. Complete the Rasmussen College entrance placement assessment, if applicable to program of enrollment.
4. Complete a non-cognitive assessment(known as Smarter Measure), if applicable to program of enrollment.
5. Complete an experiential online orientation, unless exempted.
6. Submit immunization records, only if required by the applicant’s state.
7. Complete programmatic orientation, if applicable to program of enrollment

An applicant must complete the requirements for enrollment to meet the definition of a regular student in an eligible program to receive federal student aid funds

What This Means to You

Rasmussen College is not revising the requirements for enrollment for applicants for the Physical Therapist Assistant Associate’s degree, Law Enforcement Academic Certificate, Law Enforcement Skills Certificate, or Law Enforcement Associate’s degree programs due to regulatory and/or accreditor requirements. For all other students, the following applies:

Application and Enrollment Agreement. Based on where you are in the progress of your enrollment, you have already met this requirement.

Attestation of High School Graduation or Equivalency. When completing your application, you filled out the High School Diploma or Equivalent Data section, which included a signed attestation that the information you provided was true and correct to the best of your knowledge. However, if Rasmussen College has any reason to believe that the information provided was not accurate, or if Rasmussen College finds any conflicting information, then the College must evaluate the validity of the high school completion.

While you may begin attending on April 6, 2020, you will not be able to receive an acceptance letter or meet the definition of a regular student in an eligible program to receive federal student aid funds until any conflicts are resolved. Depending on the individual circumstances, this may include, but is not limited to, providing official high school transcripts, having international transcripts evaluated for U.S. equivalency, or providing a secondary school completion credential for homeschooling.

If this requirement is not met by July 13, 2020, you will not have met an admissions requirement of Rasmussen College and maybe subject to dismissal.

Rasmussen College Entrance Placement Assessment. Because the Rasmussen College Entrance Placement Assessment is already taken online, there should be no interruption to the completion of this requirement based on the COVID-19 pandemic. Standard exemptions continue to apply as outlined in the Rasmussen College Course Catalog.

Rasmussen College Non-Cognitive Assessment (known as Smarter Measure). Because the Rasmussen College Non-Cognitive Assessment is already taken online, there should be no interruption to the completion of this requirement based on the COVID-19 pandemic. The requirement must be completed by April 3, 2020, to qualify to start on April 6, 2020.

Experiential Online Orientation. Because the Rasmussen College Experiential Online Orientation is already taken online, there should be no interruption to the completion of this requirement based on the COVID-19 pandemic.

While you may begin attending on April 6, 2020, you will not be able to receive an acceptance letter or meet the definition of a regular student in an eligible program to receive federal student aid funds until this requirement is completed. If this requirement is not met by July 13, 2020, you will not have met an admissions requirement of Rasmussen College and may be subject to dismissal.

For Programs Requiring Programmatic Orientation:

Because the programmatic orientation has been moved online for all programs that require a programmatic orientation, there should be no interruption to the completion of this requirement for the April 6, 2020, start date based on the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, if you are allowed to start attending on April 6, 2020, without completing programmatic orientation due to a personal scheduling issue, you will not be able to receive an acceptance letter or meet the definition of a regular student in an eligible program to receive federal student aid funds until this requirement is completed. If this requirement is not met by July 13, 2020, you will not have met an admissions requirement of Rasmussen College and may be subject to dismissal.

For Programs Requiring a Background Check:

In addition to the above information applicable to all students, for those enrolling with a start date of April 6, 2020, in a program requiring a background check for admission (as identified in the Rasmussen College Course Catalog), the background check has been suspended as a requirement for enrollment due to courthouse closures, courthouse delays across the United States, and the closure of fingerprinting vendors. You are able to be accepted to Rasmussen College and meet the definition of a regular student in an eligible program to received federal student aid funds without completing this requirement.

While the background check is no longer a requirement for enrollment, it has been designated an active student requirement prior to the second term of enrollment for the designated programs. If, by July 13, 2020, a background check has not been passed, as determined by Rasmussen College in its sole discretion, then you may be subject to administrative withdrawal and there will be no credit of any tuition and fees incurred and no refund of any financial aid disbursed prior to July 13, 2020.

When completing the background check prior to July 13, 2020, if an adverse decision is made to not allow you to continue into a second quarter of enrollment, you will be allowed to finish your current courses in the Spring Quarter 2020.

When running a background check through Rasmussen College’s third-party vendor, it is likely that you will not be able to continue into a second quarter of enrollment if the background check results show convictions that include, but are not limited to:

• any felony conviction;
• any conviction related to violence (e.g., assault, crimes against a person, battery, domestic abuse/violence, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest);
• any conviction related to drugs (e.g., possession, manufacturing, selling, possession with an intent to distribute);
• any conviction related to theft or fraud (e.g., theft, robbery, shoplifting, larceny, Medicare fraud, obtaining goods by using a false or expired credit card, identity theft, forgery);
• any conviction related to sex crimes (e.g., indecent exposure, sexual battery, prostitution, lewdness, inducement, lewd and lascivious behavior, any conviction resulting in inclusion on the sex offender registry);
• any conviction related to offenses against vulnerable populations (e.g., luring or enticing a child, child abuse, negligent treatment of children/elderly/disabled adult, exploitation);
• multiple DUI/DWI/OWI convictions (or single violations in combination with other related offenses); and/or
• probation violations.

It is also unlikely that you will be able to continue if you have been arrested for and are awaiting the final disposition of any crime, including, but not limited to, those listed above.

When running a background check through the Minnesota Department of Human Services, it is likely that you will not be able to continue into a second quarter of enrollment if you have been convicted of any of the crimes listed in Minnesota Statute § 245C.15.

When running a background check through the Volunteer & Employee Criminal History System at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to meet the Florida statutory definition of a Level 2 background check, it is likely that you will not be able to continue into a second quarter of enrollment if you have been arrested for and are awaiting final disposition of; have been found guilty of, regardless of adjudication; entered a plea of nolo contendere or guilty to; or have been adjudicated delinquent and the record has not been sealed or expunged for, any offense listed in Florida Statute § 435.04.

An enrolling student choosing to start on April 6, 2020, acknowledges and accepts the risk that the background check is now an active student requirement that must be completed by July 13, 2020; and may lead to administrative withdrawal from the College if not completed or if it is not passed. It is also acknowledged and accepted that there will be no credit of any tuition and fees incurred and no refund of any financial aid disbursed prior to an administrative withdrawal caused by a background check.

For Students Enrolling Through Minnesota Campuses:

Please note that this State of Minnesota immunization requirement is different than immunizations required by Rasmussen College’s School of Nursing, which are addressed in a later section.

Those enrolling through campuses located in the State of Minnesota completed the Immunization Record for Students Attending Post-Secondary Schools in Minnesota form as part of your enrollment document packet. If there is any conflicting information or if the form needs to be signed by a medical provider or signed by a notary, depending on your choices, then it must be completed by May 21, 2020, to ensure compliance with Minnesota Statute § 135A.14.

While you may begin attending on April 6, 2020, you will not be able to receive an acceptance letter or meet the definition of a regular student in an eligible program to receive federal student aid funds until this requirement is completed. If this requirement is not met by May 21, 2020, you will not have met an admissions requirement of Rasmussen College and may be subject to dismissal.

For School of Nursing Programs Originally Requiring Immunization, Health Testing, and BLS-AED Certification:

In addition to the above information applicable to all students, for those enrolling with a start date of April 6, 2020, in the Practical Nursing Diploma, Professional Nursing Associate’s degree, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (A-BSN Entrance Options) degree programs, the School of Nursing immunization, health testing and BLS-AED certification requirements have been suspended as a requirement for enrollment due to government-imposed mandates and physician-recommended guidelines to delay elective medical procedures. You are able to be accepted to Rasmussen College and meet the definition of a regular student in an eligible program to received federal student aid funds without completing these requirements.

While the immunization, health testing and BLS-AED certification requirements are no longer requirements for enrollment, they have been designated an active student requirement prior to the second term of enrollment for the designated programs. If, by July 13, 2020, the requirements have not been completed as described below, then you may be subject to administrative withdrawal and there will be no credit of any tuition and fees incurred and no refund of any financial aid disbursed prior to July 13, 2020.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella; Varicella; Hepatitis B. By July 13, 2020, you must receive the first dose of each of the MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B vaccine series or provide a positive antibody titer. Documentation must conform to the documentation standards listed in the School of Nursing Handbook.

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis. By July 13, 2020, you must receive the Tdap vaccine. Documentation must conform to the documentation standards listed in the School of Nursing Handbook.

Influenza. Students starting on April 6, 2020, are exempt from receiving the 2019-2020 influenza vaccine if it has not already been received to date. All active students in the above-identified programs will be required to receive the 2020–2021 influenza vaccine by October 1, 2020, to be eligible for clinical placement in the Fall Quarter 2020.

Tuberculosis Testing. By July 13, 2020, you must complete tuberculosis testing in one of the four available methods listed in the School of Nursing Handbook.

BLS-AED Certification. By July 13, 2020, you must complete one of the certifications listed in the School of Nursing Handbook specific to your campus of enrollment. Rasmussen College will not be modifying its certification requirements to accept any different certification course from another provider.

Physical. By July 13, 2020, you must complete the physical using the College-issued physical form.

An enrolling student choosing to start on April 6, 2020, acknowledges and accepts the risk that the submission of the indicated immunization, health testing and BLS-AED certification requirements are now an active student requirement that must be submitted by July 13, 2020; and failure to submit the necessary documentation may lead to administrative withdrawal from the College. It is also acknowledged and accepted that there will be no credit of any tuition and fees incurred and no refund of any financial aid disbursed prior to an administrative withdrawal caused by a failure to submit the indicated immunization, health testing and/or BLS-AED certification documents.

For Programs Originally Requiring an Official Transcript:

Nursing Licensure. In addition to the above information applicable to all students, for those enrolling with a start date of April 6, 2020, in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSNEntrance Option) degree program and the Master of Science in Nursing degree program, a verified registered nurse license is required. Since this information is available online through the Nursys® or State Board of Nursing website there should be no interruption to verification of this requirement based on the COVID-19 pandemic.

While you may begin attending on April 6, 2020, you will not be able to receive an acceptance letter or meet the definition of a regular student in an eligible program to receive federal student aid funds until this requirement is submitted. If this requirement is not met by April 13, 2020, you will not have met an admissions requirement of Rasmussen College and may be subject to dismissal.

Official Transcripts. In addition to the above information applicable to all students, for those enrolling with a start date of April 6, 2020, in any Bachelor Completer program (as designated in the Rasmussen College Course Catalog), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN Entrance Option) degree program, Paralegal Certificate program, and any Master’s degree program, the official college transcript(s)requirement has been suspended as a requirement for enrollment due to delays in the release of college transcripts by closed colleges and universities. You are able to be accepted to Rasmussen College and meet the definition of a regular student in an eligible program to received federal student aid funds without completing this requirement with the submission of an unofficial transcript or unofficial grade report.

The submission of an official transcript(s) has been designated an active student requirement prior to the second term of enrollment for the designated programs.

An enrolling student choosing to start on April 6, 2020, acknowledges and accepts the risk that the submission of an official transcript is now an active student requirement that must be submitted by July 13, 2020; and that failure to submit the necessary official transcript(s) may lead to administrative withdrawal from theCollege. It is also acknowledged and accepted that there will be no credit of any tuition and fees incurred and no refund of any financial aid disbursed prior to an administrative withdrawal caused by a failure to submit official transcript(s).