Step 1: Get Prepared | Step 2: Nursing Start Overview (if applicable)
Get Prepared
Congrats on taking the first steps towards your education goals. Have you received your approval email from Guild? If not, don’t worry, you should receive an email within 7-10 days of submitting your Guild application.
If you have received your approval email, double congratulations! Here are your next steps in completing the Rio Salado application:
1 — Make sure you’re eligible
Check to make sure you're eligible for your company's education benefit, right up to the first day of classes. Go to the Guild home page and check your eligibility status in the upper right-hand corner. For more information about eligibility, contact Guild support.
2 — Complete the Rio Salado College admissions application
Complete Rio Salado’s application online. The entire process will take around 10-15 minutes to complete. There are a few important steps to follow to ensure a seamless process:
Be sure to choose the same program you selected on the Guild application. This will ensure your tuition will be covered by your employer.
When completing the application, use the exact name you provided in your Guild application. This will allow us to identify you as an approved Guild student.
Have a government-issued ID available as part of the application process.
Make sure to write down your MEID, student ID and maricopa email address for reference. Once you are admitted, you will need to set up Duo two-factor authentication to access Maricopa student systems. Two-factor authentication is a required security measure to protect your account, and needs to be established by you (the student) using your MEID@maricopa.edu email address and phone number. Go to: www.maricopa.edu/duo to learn how to get started and for more information on Duo security requirements.
While you do not need to complete the application in one session, you must complete it within 48 hours. Otherwise, you will have to start over from the beginning.
If you need assistance with your application, a Rio Salado Success Coach is available to help you. They will answer any questions you might have about Rio and your selected program, and can even walk you through the application. You can contact a Rio Salado Success Coach by email: Guild@riosalado.edu or by phone 480-384-9835 between 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Arizona time.
To get started, follow the enrollment steps using our Step-by-step guide to Enrollment (Spanish version) and watch our easy step-by-step on how to complete the admission application.
Rio Admissions Application Part 1
Rio Admissions Application Part 2
Rio Admissions Application Part 3
3 — Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Gather important documents and complete your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online. The Federal School Code for Rio Salado is 014483. Follow the detailed instructions provided by the Federal Student Aid office. Based on the information you provided in the FAFSA, you may be offered awards which you can accept or decline.
Per the Employer policy, each student enrolling in a program that is eligible for federal financial aid may be required to complete one or more of the following items before initial program enrollment and annually thereafter: FAFSA, financial aid packaging / awarding process, accept any grant aid awarded. If any grants are accepted they will be applied to tuition and mandatory fees before employer payment. If you have questions regarding your Employer education benefit policy, please consult Guild support. If you have questions about financial aid, please contact your learning provider's financial aid office.
4 — Request transcripts
If you have taken college classes before, you may be able to apply previous college credits to your new program so you don’t have to start from scratch. Rio Salado needs an official transcript to complete an evaluation of potential transfer credits.
If you have previous education outside of the U.S. (i.e., foreign credentials), there are extra requirements to complete to enroll at Rio Salado.
A foreign credential evaluation of your transcripts by a NACES member agency is required. The evaluation must be sent directly to Rio Salado from the credential agency. Please review Rio Salado's policy for international transcripts:
An English translation of your non-English transcripts is required.
Confirm requirements with Rio Salado's Admissions Department before paying out of pocket for an evaluation or translation.
If you need more help with the foreign credentials process, please review this article. You can also message Guild Support or call 1-800-985-4027 (Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. MT).
You can submit your official transcripts for transfer credit evaluation (for program seekers only) directly from the issuing institution to:
Rio Salado College
Admissions, Records, & Registration/Transcript Processing
2323 W. 14th St.
Tempe, AZ 85281
Note: Student-submitted copies will be considered unofficial. If your official transcripts are being sent electronically from a third party company, please have them directed to records@riosalado.edu. Unofficial transcripts for prerequisite review may be submitted to the Prerequisite Verification Request Form or sent directly to your assigned advisor for unofficial evaluation.
Acceptable transcripts include:
It may take 1-2 months for transcripts to arrive at Rio Salado, so order them as soon as possible. In many cases, you will not need to wait for your transcripts to arrive to start your program. Speak to a Rio Salado Success Coach for more information.
5 — Register for class with your Rio Salado Success Coach
Schedule a meeting with your Rio Salado Success Coach to select the courses you'll take during your first term. Your Success Coach can help you make the best decisions based on your program and needs. They can help prepare you for your courses, discuss course materials, and review available resources such as tutoring, instructional helpdesk, 24/7 Ask a Librarian, disability services, and more.
You can later work with your Academic Advisor to create an individualized program plan that supports your academic journey.
Please note that you must start your courses within the first 7 weeks of the term’s start date.
6 — Textbooks and materials
Check if your course requires any textbooks, as some Rio classes do not require the purchase of additional books or materials. Check the syllabus or Rio’s Bookstore for each course and section to find out what you need. If you do purchase your textbooks, make sure to keep your receipts - you may need them for returns or reimbursement by your employer.
7 — Get ready for class
Rio Salado College provides many resources to set you up for success in your program.
Try our RioLearn demo
Learn tips and tools on how to navigate the student portal
Connect with students, instructors, and staff through RioConnect online community
Sign up for a free, non-credit New Student Orientation
Access to many student support services and more
8 — Start class
Login to your RioLearn student portal and attend class within the first three days of your course start date. During that window, you will need to complete the syllabus acknowledgment, syllabus quiz, and/or your first assignment or be automatically dropped for non-participation. You got this!
Timeline for Funding
You can learn more about the timeline of Tuition Assistance Funding by clicking here https://guild.force.com/helpcenter/s/article/How-Tuition-Assistance-works. You'll also want to ensure you are tagged as a Guild student with the school and ensure you continue to meet your employer's eligibility requirements.