Tuition for all degree students is $5,989.50 per trimester or $17,968.50 for the three trimesters in any twelve-month period. The Institute reserves the right to change tuition and fees at any time. Tuition payments and other financial matters are administered by the Comptroller's office.

Payment of tuition is due, along with the trimester registration form, ON THE 15TH OF THE MONTH PRECEDING THE BEGINNING OF A TRIMESTER. The registration form is combined with the trimester sign-up sheet for courses which is mailed to all students 1-1/2 to 2 months before the beginning of each trimester. For the trimester beginning October 1, tuition is due September 15; for the February 1 trimester, due January 15; for the June 1 trimester, due May 15. Registration forms and tuition must arrive together. No registration will be accepted without tuition.

All tuition payments received after the date due will have a $100.00 late fee added. If tuition, late fee and registration are not received by the date the trimester begins, the student will be dropped. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE. Students are responsible for paying tuition on time, in U.S. dollars, with a check drawn on a U.S. bank, or by international money order. We also accept Mastercard and Visa.

NEW STUDENTS MUST PAY THE FIRST TRIMESTER'S TUITION IN FULL BEFORE TAKING ANY CLASSES. After the first trimester, students may make payment in full or in two equal installments. The first installment is due as detailed above, and the second installment is due on November 15, March 15, or July 15, depending on the trimester. Students who are late paying the second half of the tuition will have the two-payment privilege revoked. Nonpayment of the second half of tuition within the trimester due will result in the student being dropped without credit being given for any work done during that trimester.

Students who plan to change status must so inform the Institute on the trimester registration form. This means changing from full-time to leave of absence status. If a request for leave of absence is made, the TOTAL fee for the period of absence must accompany the request.

Students who wish to start in the Fall trimester may attend the Summer SAR by paying the standard SAR fee. Financial credit will be given if the student starts the immediate Fall trimester.

DISSERTATION/PROJECT/THESIS TRIMESTER
Tuition for the first four trimesters following the passing of the Comprehensive Examination is $2,994.75 per trimester. If additional time is needed, the tuition is $1,497.38 per trimester. During this time the candidate may take courses as desired, unless they are repeats of courses previously taken. Attendance at the Wardell B. Pomeroy Lecture Series will be credited on the candidate's transcript at 2 units only, since written work will have been completed.

The $2,994.75 tuition presumes that all required work has been completed before the student takes the Comprehensive Examination. If the student is allowed to take the examination before finishing all required work, regular tuition will apply for the next trimester and for as long as the student's work is delinquent, unless written permission is given to delay certain work to a specific time.

Tuition covers all courses given during a trimester, but for one time only. Courses may be repeated only with the approval of the course instructor and if space is available. The seven-day summer SAR course may be repeated on a space-available basis for a fee of $250 to cover actual costs.

A student is expected to be continuously enrolled for his/her program of study until all requirements for a degree are completed and the faculty has recommended the granting of a degree. Any exceptions will be subject to the policies listed.

STUDENT REFUND POLICY
The student has a right to a full refund of all charges less the amount of $100.00 for the registration fee, if he/she cancels this agreement prior to or on the first day of instruction.

In addition, the student may withdraw from a course after the instruction has started and receive a pro rata refund for the unused portion of the tuition and other refundable charges if the student has completed 60% or less of the instruction. For example, if the student has completed only 30 hours of a 90-hour course and paid $300.00 tuition, the student would receive a refund of $200.00.

If the student cancels or discontinues a course or educational program, the school will make a full refund of all charges less the $100 registration fee. Any request for a refund is required to be made in writing. Refunds will be paid within 30 days of cancellation or withdrawal.

For prospective students who take and pay for the June SAR and start a program in October, monetary credit will be given for the October tuition.

REFUND POLICY FOR VETERANS
This school has and maintains a policy for the refund of the unused portion of all tuition, fees, and other charges in the event the veteran fails to enter the course or withdraws or is discontinued therefrom at any time prior to completion and provides that the amount charged to the veteran for tuition, fees, and other charges for a portion of the course does not exceed the approximate pro-rata portion of the total charges for tuition, fees, and other charges that the length of the completed portion of the course bears to its total length.

The student has a right to a full refund of all charges less the amount of $10.00 for the registration fee if he/she cancels this agreement prior to or on the first day of instruction.

OTHER COSTS
Students need to plan for such costs as travel and housing while in residence at the Institute. There will also be additional costs for books, videotapes and other learning resources as desired by the student. The Institute will plan with the student on developing access to resources.

Although the Institute does not have student housing, staff will work with entering students to find housing for the first time they are in San Francisco. A listing of hotels and residence inns near the Institute is available.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE
Students enrolled in the Institute are entitled to one trimester leave of absence at a tuition of $800.00 prior to the time of taking the Comprehensive Examination (for degree students) and prior to completion for certificate students. No consecutive leaves are allowed unless arranged at the time of admission. Students who arrange to take additional leaves will pay $2,000.00 per trimester. For degree students, NO LEAVE MAY BE TAKEN AFTER COMPREHENSIVES HAVE BEEN PASSED. Request for leave of absence is made on the trimester registration form and must be received with the leave of absence fee at the time tuition is due. Students on leave of absence will be considered "non-students" for that trimester and no faculty time will be available to them. The library will be open to students on Leave but they may not check out books or videos. Any reports turned in while on Leave will be put on hold until the student registers for full-time again.

Exceptions to the above policy are: reasons of serious illness or serious illness in the student's immediate family or need for maternity / paternity leave. Unpaid emergency leave must be applied for in writing and accompanied by a letter from a physician.

Students who drop out of the academic program and then reapply for admission will reenter under the terms of the new catalog and be required to add one full trimester to the number of trimesters required by their original Memorandum of Understanding. To be readmitted, the student must fill out a new application, submit the application fee, and update his or her resume to cover the time which has passed since withdrawal.

INDIVIDUAL CONSIDERATION
It is necessary for the Institute to have general procedures which students will follow. However, the Institute is aware of the needs of individuals and will make every effort to work with a student on the basis of his/her unique situation.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
The Institute's grievance procedures are available to students who believe the Institute has acted unfairly toward them or has failed to follow its stated policies. Before students can file a grievance, they must take the preliminary step of negotiation with a faculty member. If no resolution can be reached by negotiation, the student may file a formal grievance with the chairperson of the Faculty Council or with the student representative. Please refer to the handbook.

TRANSCRIPTS AND STUDENT RECORDS
The registrar's office maintains all graduate records, copies of papers and projects, performance evaluations, and records of courses completed. Transcripts are updated at the end of each trimester. Students may have access to their own records as needed, as may members of the faculty. Student files are not accessible to any other person unless the student so requests in writing.

POLICY CHANGES
The Institute reserves the right to change or modify academic, administrative and financial policies as necessary, while recognizing its obligation to give students adequate notice of any changes. Any questions about any of the above must be submitted in writing.

STUDENT SERVICES
The majority of the learning resources used by the Institute students are available only at the Institute. A special orientation and training for students is necessary so that they can take advantage of what is available. Four methods are used:
1. An initial orientation when students first enter.
2. A 300-page standard operating manual is provided.
3. A special session for new students with older students is scheduled.
4. A student services director is available at the Institute.

STUDENT TUITION RECOVERY FUND (STRF)
The Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) was established by the legislature to protect any California resident who attends a private postsecondary institution from losing money if tuition was prepaid and the student suffered a financial loss as a result of the school closing, failing to live up to its enrollment agreement, or refusing to pay a court judgement.

To be eligible for STRF, the student must be a "California resident" and reside in California at the time the enrollment agreement is signed or when lessons are received at a California mailing address from an approved institution offering correspondence instruction. A student who is temporarily residing in California for the sole purpose of pursuing an education, specifically one who holds a student visa, is not considered a "California resident."

To qualify for STRF reimbursement the student must file a STRF application within one year of receiving notice from the Bureau that the school is closed. If no notice is received from the Bureau, the student has 4 years from the date of closure to file a STRF application. If a judgement is obtained the student must file a STRF application within two years of the final judgement.

It is important to keep copies of the enrollment, financial aid papers, receipts or any other information that documents the monies paid to the school. Questions regarding the STRF may be directed to the

Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education
400 ‘R’ Street, Suite 5000
Sacramento CA 95814-6200
916-445-3427
www.bppve.ca.gov