Fees

Basic fees for August 2000 are explained below. Fees are reviewed on an annual basis and are subject to change without notice. All fees are in US Dollars.

Day Program

Full-Time Students (9 or more semester hours)
Fees per semester

Each semester's fees are due in full at the time of registration. Arrangements may be made to use a deferred payment plan (refer to deferred payment plan section).

Part-Time Students (8.9 or fewer semester hours)

Other Fees

Explanation of Tuition and Fees

Tuition

The basic charge for general instructional, general institutional, student services, library, and plant operations. Tuition covers but a portion of these costs, which also are supported by generous gifts, grants and endowment income.

Room and Board

Covers the cost of residence hall operations, repairs and maintenance, utilities, contractual food service operations, etc.

Part-time Student Tuition and Fees

Cover a portion of the expenditures as listed above for full-time students.

Audit Fee Per Semester Hour

A reduced rate of tuition designed for students and members of the community who merely wish to take a course without credit. The audit fee per semester hour enables an undergraduate to sit in on as many class periods as the student desires in any lecture course on the campus. Prior permission of the instructor is required and students will participate to the extent determined by the instructor. Audit students will not receive a grade or credit for the course.

Late Registration Fee

A special handling charge for students who register after the prescribed period each semester.

Overload Fee

The full-time tuition at Columbia College is predicated on a certain number of courses, available classroom space and an average student semester hour load which permits graduation within eight semesters of full-time attendance. Students who enroll for more than 18 semester hours per semester are normally required to pay the additional per semester hour fee.

Transcript Fee

A charge for processing a request for a certified transcript copy and mailing to prospective employers and graduate schools.

Graduation Fee

A charge for graduation processing.

Policies on Payments, Credits, and Refunds

When a student is accepted for admission, the student, parents, or guardians accept Columbia College's payment conditions. If any part or all of a financial aid package is reduced or eliminated, the balance created by the change is payable immediately. Degrees, transcripts, and letters of honorable separation are withheld from students who have not settled their financial obligations to the college, including, if applicable, all collection fees, attorney fees, and court costs.

Any student account that remains unpaid at the end of the semester will be submitted to an outside agency or attorney for collection assistance. The standard collection charge can exceed 50% of the original amount owed. This charge will be added to the principal balance of the student's account to cover collection agency and/or attorney fees.

All students are responsible for notifying the Registration Office when a change of address has occurred.

No student may complete registration for any subsequent term if an unpaid balance remains on account.

Upon receipt of a letter of acceptance from the Admissions Office, a deposit of $100 is required by May 1 before the fall semester of initial enrollment or by December 15 prior to the Spring semester of initial enrollment. The deposit is non-refundable after May 1 or December 15 respectively. This deposit is applied to the student's semester charges and assures the privilege of pre-registration for classes offered the succeeding semester. If housing contracts are returned with the deposit, room is also assured.

Payment

Upon registration, all students are required to pay the entire balance of their accounts (after financial aid awards are considered) by either full payment or through the deferred payment plan. A $25 late registration fee is charged to all students registering on or after the first day of classes.

Deferred Payment Plan

If a student needs to pay educational expenses in installments, a deferred payment plan may be requested. A $50 handling charge is added for this service.

The procedure for the deferred payment plan is the following: the balance owed to the College, less awarded financial aid, is divided into four equal payments. The first payment is due when the student registers. The second payment is due on or before September 30. The third on or before October 30, and the fourth on or before November 30. In the spring, the first payment is due when the student registers. The second is due on or before February 28, the third on or before March 30, and the fourth on or before April 30.

Add/Drop from Individual Courses

Financial liability for the semester is assessed from the time of initial enrollment in the course(s). If students subsequently change their schedules by dropping a course(s), they remain financially liable for the course(s), laboratory fees, and overload tuition fees. If students subsequently add courses and this creates an overload for the semester, additional overload tuition fees are assessed and are payable at the time of registration for the overload.

Cancellation of Registration

All financial charges are dropped if written notification of registration cancellation is received by the Registration Office prior to the first day of classes. Deposits are nonrefundable after May 1 before the fall of initial enrollment, or December 15 before the Spring of initial enrollment.

Total Withdrawal From College

After classes begin, tuition and room charges are determined as follows if the student completes the total withdrawal process from Columbia College:

If a student is removed from the residence hall, tuition and room charges are reduced according to the schedule listed above. Board charges are reduced at the rate charged per day for the days remaining.

For students who are recipients of federal Title IV student aid, refunds will be made in accordance with regulation 34 CFR 668.22. A current schedule is available in the Financial Aid and Business Offices and in the Financial Aid portion of the course catalog.

Students receiving financial assistance should be aware that their financial aid package could be affected, should they elect to drop/withdraw from a course(s). For additional information, please refer to the Financial Aid portion of the catalog.

The $100 deposit is nonrefundable after May 1 before the fall of initial enrollment or December 15 before the Spring of initial enrollment, and no reduction of charges will be made for laboratory/course fees, etc.

Some students must withdraw from a course(s) due to unforeseen, unexpected circumstances beyond a student's control and prevent continued attendance in all classes (death of an immediate family member; a change in the student's employment, and mental or physical illness befalling the student or member of his/her immediate family). Mere inconvenience, discomfort with the academic workload, or minor schedule changes in employment are not sufficient to meet the definition of extraordinary, mitigating or extenuating circumstances. Columbia College will assist students who must withdraw due to extraordinary circumstances with options regarding the proration of tuition, room and board. Columbia College reserves the right to require additional documentation and /or supporting evidence any time a refund or partial refund is requested by a student.

Columbia College recognizes that individuals serving in both guard and reserve units may be in need of tuition refunds or credits if called to active service. Columbia College will assist students called to active military service with options regarding their registration in classes including, but not limited to, course work completion, tuition refunds, or tuition credits.

Evening Campus

Tuition and Fees

All fees are subject to change without notice.

Seniors, within 24 hours of graduation, may request a one session overload (9 semester hours during the fall or spring semesters, 10-12 semester hours during the summer session) at a rate of $195 per semester hour for all hours enrolled. For additional details, refer to the overload policy on page 88.

A $25 late registration fee is charged to all students registering on or after the first day of classes.

Policies on Payments, Credits, and Refund

When a student is accepted for admission, the student, parents, or guardians accept Columbia College's payment conditions. If any part or all of a financial aid package is reduced or eliminated, the balance created by the change is payable immediately. Degrees, transcripts, and letters of honorable separation are withheld from students who have not settled their financial obligations to the College, including, if applicable, all collection fees, attorney fees, and court costs.

No student may complete registration for any subsequent session if an unpaid balance remains on account.

All students are responsible for notifying the Registration Office when a change of address has occurred.

Any student account that remains unpaid at the end of the term will be submitted to an outside agency or attorney for collection assistance. The standard collection charge can exceed 50% of the original amount owed. This charge will be added to the principal balance of the student's account to cover collection agency and/or attorney fees.

Payment

Upon registration, all students are required to pay the entire balance of their accounts (after financial aid awards are considered) by either full payment or through the deferred payment plan.

Deferred Payment Plan

If a student needs to pay educational expenses in installments, a deferred payment plan may be arranged. The procedure for the deferred payment plan is the following: the balance owed to the college, less awarded financial aid, is divided into two equal installments. The first payment is due when the student registers. The second payment is due on or before the final class meeting as stated in the academic calendar or before registering for a subsequent session.

At the end of each eight week session a 1% finance charge will be assessed against the outstanding balance of the student's account.

Students with Stafford/SLS Loans are required to sign a deferred payment contract during the time of the pending loan.

Civilian Tuition Assistance (CTA) Two payment plans are available for students who receive employer tuition assistance. Students should check with their employers to determine which plan is appropriate for them.

1. Direct Billing: Students may register for classes and have tuition charges billed directly to their employer if a letter from the employer authorizing such an arrangement is on file in the Business Office.
2. Reimbursement: Students are required to follow the college's regular payment procedures and then receive reimbursement from their employer according to their employer's guidelines.

Military Tuition Assistance (MTA) Students are required to present an approved MTA form at the time of registration. Students are personally responsible for any tuition not paid by MTA and are required to follow regular payment procedures for this portion of fees.

V.A. Benefits Students are required to comply with established payment procedures. Difficulties because of problems receiving V.A. checks may be discussed with the Director of Business Services.

Dropping a Class

Financial liability is assessed at the completion of the drop period for each session (see Changes in Registration). If students drop a class prior to the end of the drop period, they do not incur financial or academic liability. If students drop a class after the drop period, they are financially liable for the full amount of tuition. No reduction of charges is made for laboratory/course fees, etc.

Withdrawal from College

After classes begin, tuition and room charges (if applicable) are determined by the following schedule, should the student complete a total withdrawal from Columbia College:

Board charges are reduced at the rate charged per day for the days remaining.

For students who are recipients of federal Title IV student aid, refunds will be made in accordance with federal regulation 34 CFR 668.22. A current schedule is available in the Financial Aid and Business Offices and in the Financial Aid portion of the course catalog.

Students receiving financial assistance should be aware that their financial aid package could be affected, should the student elect to drop an individual course. For additional information, please refer to the Financial Aid portion of the catalog.

Columbia College recognizes that individuals serving in both guard and reserve units may be in need of tuition refunds or credits if called to active service. Columbia College will assist students called to active military service with options regarding their registration in classes including, but not limited to, course work completion, tuition refunds, or tuition credits.

Business Office Hours

This schedule reflects office hours while classes are in session. Otherwise, the office closes at 5:00 p.m. Offices close at 5:00 p.m. during Intersessions.

Notice to All Day & Evening Students

Timely tuition/fee payment is essential. The College is willing to arrange an individually appropriate payment plan. If charges are not met, however, the College will pursue the steps necessary for resolution. Be advised of consequences of the following actions:

Failure to return financial aid award acceptance by announced deadlines.

• Money will be given to another student immediately.

Failure to make initial payment for semester/session tuition.

• Course registration is invalidated.
• Course spaces may be given to another student.
• Campus services will not be available.

Failure to meet appropriate payment dates.

The total bill becomes due immediately. An administrative fee of $25 will be charged for processing a late registration. Any collection or legal fees incurred in collecting an account will be the responsibility of the student/parent. The privilege of deferred payments in subsequent semesters may not be permitted.

Outstanding balance from a previous semester.

Until the balance is paid, the student will not be allowed to:

• Register for any subsequent semester.
• Obtain a transcript of academic work.
• Apply for a residence hall room.
• Participate in graduation ceremonies.