MISSION VIEJO : District to Increase Cost of Transcripts

Citing increased production and mailing costs, Saddleback Community College District officials have decided to begin charging more for issuing some transcripts and for other services performed by its admissions and records office.

Under the proposal, which takes effect July 1 both at Saddleback and Irvine Valley colleges, students and graduates will still be allowed two free copies of their transcripts during their lifetime, but subsequent copies will cost $3 instead of the $2 that has been charged since 1983.

The district will also begin charging students and graduates $3 to verify their attendance at the colleges to an employer, government agent, insurance broker or others who inquire. That service is now performed at no charge.

Also, the district will begin offering an “emergency transcript service” that will allow students to receive copies of their records within two hours for $5.

College officials said they do not know how much they spend each year issuing transcripts.

Orange County’s other three community college districts each charge $2 per transcript. For emergency transcripts, Rancho Santiago Community College District charges $5 and Coast Community College District charges $4. North Orange Community College District does not provide that service.

None of the other districts charge to verify attendance.