Southwestern Illinois College is the sixth largest community college in Illinois with campuses in Belleville, Granite City, and Red Bud, plus 20 off-campus sites throughout the district, including Scott Air Force Base and East St. Louis Community College Center. The college offers more than 150 diverse programs that lead to a bachelor's degree or directly to employment. SWIC also offers non-credit programs through Community Education, Programs and Services for Older Persons (PSOP) and Selsius Corporate and Career Training. The college was founded in 1946 as Belleville Junior College, operating under the jurisdiction of Belleville Township High School District 201. More than 60 percent of the 169 students enrolled for its first semseter were World War II veterans who had just returned from service. In 1965, the Illinois General Assembly passed the Illinois Junior College Act, which created community college districts throughout the state. The following year, area residents voted to establish the Class I Belleveille Junior College District 522. Belleville Junior College became Belleville Area College July 1, 1967.