Tutoring

Appointments are encouraged since sessions fill up quickly. However, you can just stop in and see if a tutor is available.

If you are scheduled for a session, your attendance is expected. If you are unable to attend your scheduled session please call us as soon as possible. If you do not contact us, you may be removed from future scheduled sessions so a student waiting can get in.

Sessions start on the hour and last 50 minutes.

You can schedule two appointments a week, per class. You can also schedule as many one-time appointments as you’d like.

You can expect your tutor to be knowledgeable in the subject area, trained, and have resources available to help guide your session. Their main goal is to help you become a more confident student. Your tutor will ask you questions and give examples or alternatives that will help you to understand the subject matter better. They won’t do your homework for you – success is ultimately up to you!

Tutoring is held in the Tutoring Center (located in the ERC Library). You will be assigned a table number and can simply go to the table when your session is ready to begin.

There may be as many as three students and one peer tutor in each tutoring session. English sessions may have two students. All students will be enrolled in the same course.

If you have questions between scheduled appointments, you can always stop in and see if a tutor is available. Otherwise, there are other resources on campus: the Math Lab, Writing Center, and our online tutoring service Upswing.

One-on-one sessions can be scheduled for those with special needs. If that is the case, the student needs to go through the Disability Service’s office (next door to the Tutoring Center) and discuss the appropriate accommodations.

Tutors have gone through the class, earned and A or B, been recommended by a professor, and been trained through our certified program.

• To tutor during the fall or spring semester, you must be registered for at least six credit hours that semester.
• You may not audit these hours or take them pass/fail.
• If you drop below six credit hours, your employment will be immediately terminated.
• You do not need to be registered to tutor during the summer semester as long as you are registered for at least six credit hours in the fall semester or can provide evidence of transferring to another institution.
• You do not need to qualify for financial aid to work as a tutor, but you must have a complete financial aid file which begins with submitting the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).  For information regarding the status of your financial aid file, please contact Financial Aid at (815) 921-4150 or visit them on the second floor of the Student Center.

Please contact Career Services for further information regarding eligibility requirements for on-campus student employment.

In addition, peer tutors must: 

• have and maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.00;
• be referred by a faculty member or instructor;
• complete a standard interview with the Tutor Supervisor
• You must participate in a training program prior to tutoring.  This training program, which is nationally certified, is held prior to the beginning of the fall and spring semesters.
• You will be required to attend monthly tutor meetings scheduled throughout the semester. These meetings are designed as a part of on-going training for certification requirements. The meetings are held on a Fridays, 2-3 p.m. Since absences from tutor meetings may result in denial of semester raises or the ability to meet certification requirements, you will be given an opportunity to make up the meeting if you are unable to attend.

Your work hours will be scheduled around your classes.  The Tutor Supervisor will try but may not be able to honor requests about the number of work hours and/or your preferred work schedule.

Tutors are paid minimum wage, which is currently $8.25/hour.