Policies

Applications for admission are accepted throughout the year. There are six (6) enrollment terms per calendar year. Applicants are urged to apply in a timely manner for the desired enrollment term/session; especially if prospectus is an F-1 applicant. See Academic Calendar for deadlines and due dates.

An articulation agreement benefits the student who wishes to transfer into or out of IAU. Factors of the institution evaluated may include but is not limited to approvals and accreditation, the program curricula, and courses. IAU has entered into an articulation or transfer agreements with the following colleges or universities.

• Advanced College, South Gate, CA
• Lincoln University College, Malaysia
• Veritas International University, Santa Ana, CA
• Western Covenant University, Los Angeles, CA
• William Woods University, Fulton, MO
• Yuin University, Compton, CA

IAU classes are taught in English. An applicant must demonstrate proficiency in his/her ability to read, write and speak English. If English is not the applicant’s native language, or if an applicant has not had his/her secondary education taught in English, s/he will be required to provide proof of English Proficiency. English proficiency may be demonstrated by one of the following ways:

1. A passing Standardized English Proficiency Exam score. View the English Proficiency PDF for more information.
2. High School Diploma. For undergraduate applicants only, provide evidence of a high school diploma completed at an appropriately accredited / recognized high school where the medium of instruction is English.
3. Completed 24 credit hours in English. For undergraduate or graduate degree applicants, provide a transcript indicating completion of at least 24 semester, or 36 quarter hours of credit from an appropriately accredited institution where the language of instruction was English with an average grade of “C” or higher or “B” or higher, respectively. Units from English language training institutions do not count towards this requirement.
4. Completed Degree from a U.S. Institution. Provide a transcript indicating completion of degree from an appropriately accredited college or university.

IAU will consider awarding credit for standardized tests for specific academic disciplines. Students who obtain the credit-granting score required can earn credits and course exemptions. The institution establishes standards that are recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE). IAU grants a credit on standardized exams for undergraduate credit only. The maximum amounts of transfer credit that may be granted are detailed below.

Program Maximum: SEC Units Awarded
Associate Degree: 45
Bachelor Degree: 90
Master Degree: 0
Doctor Degree: 0

The number of credit accepted, as Standardized Exam Credit, will be determined after an evaluation of the number of credit hours earned per course and of the similarity between the IAU courses and those courses required from the issuing institution. Official exam scores must be sent from crediting exam center. Some standardized exams accepted include:

• Advanced Placement Program (AP)
• College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP)® - IAU CLEP College Code: #2641
• DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)
• Excelsior College Examinations (ECE)
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Advanced Subject Tests
• New York University (NYU) Proficiency Testing in Foreign Languages
• Thomas Edison College Examination Programs (TECEP)

IAU will consider awarding credit from other institutions to transfer students as determined by the Office of Admissions, Chief Academic Officer, or qualified faculty member. To transfer to IAU, an applicant must file an application for admission, satisfy all admission requirements, and submit original transcripts from all post secondary institutions attended. Credit earned for courses for which a grade of “C” or higher will be considered for transfer. IAU considers the accredited status of the transferring institution as a major factor, but not the sole determinant of the transfer decision. There is no age limit to the academic credit which has been completed. The Office of Admissions has the sole discretion to award transfer credits. If a student wishes to ask for reconsideration of this decision, they may contact the Office of Admissions. The maximum amounts of transfer credit that may be granted are detailed below.

Program: Maximum TRC Units Awarded
Associate Degree: 45
Bachelor Degree: 90
Master Degree: 6
Doctor Degree: 30

Reasons for refusal of transfer credits:

1. The course is either not comparable to the academic objectives of IAU.
2. The course level is not the same level to apply toward the degree. For example, a student is trying to apply credit from a lower division course (100-499) toward an upper division course (500+).
3. Students are trying to transfer in duplicate content.

Appeal the decision to reject transfer credits:
If the student decides to appeal the transfer credit denial decision, their first step is to reach out to the admissions representative. The admissions representative will assist the student by providing a timeline and instructions for submitting the documentation necessary to evaluate the student’s decision and begin the appeal process. Students would contact a representative via admissions@iaula.edu and include “TRC Appeal” in the subject line. Be sure to include the following in the body of the email:

1. Student’s full name
2. Date of birth
3. Phone
4. F-1 Transfer - provide SEVIS ID

If an applicant completed his/her coursework at a foreign (outside of the U.S.) institution, s/he will need to provide an official evaluation of the academic credentials. Transcripts not in English must be evaluated by an appropriate third party and translated into English or evaluated by a trained transcript evaluator fluent in the language on the transcript. In this case, the evaluator must have expertise in the educational practices of the country of origin and include an English translation of the review.

Course-By-Course Report: If an applicant wants to receive transfer credit for coursework completed at a foreign (outside of the U.S.) institution and/or show the equivalent CGPA, s/he will need to submit a professional course-by-course English-translated evaluation of the coursework.

General Report: For purposes that require showing evidence of an earned degree, a professional General Report English-translated evaluation of the degree is acceptable.

IAU recommends a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member (www.NACES.org) or other reputable foreign credential evaluation agency. For a list of NACES approved agencies, go to www.naces.org. In the event that applicants cannot obtain official copies due to circumstances, notarized (or otherwise certified) copies of academic documents are acceptable.

Full-time students are required to enroll full-time for each mandatory Spring and Fall trimester. F-1 students are required to enroll full-time in the Summer trimester if it is the initial enrollment term.

Full-time enrollment is defined as:
Undergraduate: 12 units per mandatory trimester.
Graduate: 9 units per mandatory trimester.

No graduate entrance examinations are required at the time of admissions for graduate programs.

If an applicant is applying for an undergraduate degree program and has no prior post-secondary coursework completed, the applicant must provide evidence of a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED).

An applicant who does not have a high school diploma or GED may demonstrate eligibility for entry into those undergraduate degree programs if the applicant achieves acceptable scores on the Ability-To-Benefit (ATB) Examination. Passing the ATB exam does not take the place of having a high school diploma or GED for those programs that require a diploma or GED for admission purposes. List of Approved Ability-To-Benefit Approved Exams.

IAU recommends computer and internet skills sufficient to effectively participate in IAU's learning model and conduct research at the appropriate level. Applicants must complete the Skills Assessment on the Application for Admissions.

Undergraduate Level: A maximum of 75% of the credits required may be awarded for a combination of transfer credit and standardized exam credit.

Master Level: No more than 20% of graduate semester units or the equivalent in other units awarded by another institution may be transferred for credit toward a Master's degree.

Doctorate Level: A maximum of 30 units of graduate semester units or the equivalent in other units awarded by another institution may be transferred for credit toward a Doctoral degree.

For campus and F-1 students, IAU holds mandatory New Student Orientations (NSO). NSO is a required program for all new campus students. IAU’s staff are knowledgeable about all the resources students will need as a new student. They will help students with orientation, registration, academic policies, IAUonline, and any questions along the way. Campus students who are unable to attend NSO shall be administratively withdrawn from the program.

Attendance in the New Student Orientation (NSO) is mandatory for all new Campus-Hybrid and F-1 students. Failure to attend NSO will result in automatic cancellation of enrollment. IAU provides a “make-up” NSO solution for Campus-Hybrid and F-1 students who missed the mandatory NSO. Such students are required to pay the applicable Online NSO fee in order to participate in the Online NSO. The Online NSO fee payment must be received no later than the first Monday of Week 1. Students are required to submit the payment receipt. REG will notify SSP to cancel the program if the applicable fee is not received by the Monday of Week 1.

IAU is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment in accordance with its Christian principles and morality. IAU does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, veteran status, ancestry, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, advancement of its personnel, scholarship and loan programs, and other IAU administered programs and activities. Please note, however, that IAU reserves the right to refuse admission to anyone that IAU believes does not meet its academic standards.

All degree applicants must matriculate into an academic program. No non-program applicants shall be accepted.

The transferability of credits a student earns at International American University is at the complete discretion of an institution to which a student may seek to transfer. Acceptance of the credits, certificate, or degree earned at IAU is also at the complete discretion of the institution to which the student may seek to transfer. If the credits, certificate, or degree that a student earns at this institution are not accepted at the institution to which the student seeks to transfer, the student may be required to repeat some or all of their coursework at that institution. For this reason, a student should make certain that their attendance at IAU will meet their educational goals. This may include contacting an institution to which the student may seek to transfer after attending IAU to determine if their credits, certificate, or degree will transfer.

An official transcript is an original one that is sent directly to IAU from the issuing institution. It must bear the college seal, date, and an appropriate signature. Scanned or photos copies are not considered official.

Note: In extreme situations where an original official transcript cannot be obtained, notarized copies are permissible. Consult with an IAU admissions advisor.

A Program Completion Plan (PCP) shall be completed for all applicants who have been accepted to an academic program at IAU. The PCP shall indicate the program requirements required to complete the program. Also, indicated on the PCP is any credit awarded. Credit awarded may be in the form of transfer credit (TRC), standardized exam credit (SEC), or Waived courses, as indicated. Any credit awarded may reduce the length of time, as well as cost to complete the program. Applicants are required to review the PCP carefully. Once the enrollment agreement is signed, the PCP is locked and the student is bound to those program requirements. However, IAU can award TRC for courses taken after a student signs the enrollment agreement with the submission of original transcripts and a TRC Evaluation Fee. See current Schedule of Fees.

The admission policy at IAU is designed to select a qualified and diverse student body. With open enrollments, IAU does not reject applicants based on limited enrollment caps. IAU strives to admit students that, beyond meeting the IAU’s eligibility requirements, demonstrate high academic achievement and exceptional personal talent, and that encompasses the broad diversity of the current global business environment. These select applicants are the ones who would contribute positively to IAU's dynamic learning environment and would make the most of their educational and professional opportunities and networks.

If a student fails to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, s/he may be placed on Academic Probation (AP). The conditions of a student's AP may:

1. Require the student to raise his/her CGPA by a set deadline.
2. Require the student to take courses during non-mandatory trimesters.
3. Restrict the student's travel privileges.
4. Revoke the student's CPT privileges.

Failure to meet the conditions of a student's AP may result in administrative withdrawal from the program.

An annual vacation is a trimester spent during a student's program of study that does not require registering for a full course of study. F-1 students may also choose to travel outside the U.S. during annual vacation trimester. F-1 students must seek approval from P/DSO prior to travel outside of the United States and must obtain endorsement Form I–20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.”

Pursuant to 8 C. F .R §214.2(f), IAU permits eligible F-1 students to have an annual vacation only once per year and the student must intend to enroll for the trimester following annual vacation. An annual vacation is authorized only during the Summer trimester. F-1 students are ineligible to take an annual vacation during the mandatory trimesters (Spring and Fall). In addition, an annual vacation shall not be warranted for F-1 students entering the Summer trimester as their initial/first trimester.

A P/DSO shall determine annual vacation eligibility prior to authorizing annual vacation. F-1 students must have completed at least one trimester of full-time enrollment or authorized reduced course load. An annual vacation length cannot exceed the time beyond the Summer trimester. F-1 students may not register for the following trimester due to “financial hold”. As such, those students are ineligible for annual vacation.

F-1 students with a pending petition for reinstatement have no annual vacation benefit. If USCIS approves the petition for reinstatement, affirming that there was no violation of F-1 student status, the student may use the time while the petition was pending toward establishing eligibility for annual vacation. A school break (e.g., Spring or Fall break) when school is not in session does not constitute annual vacation.

F-1 students shall be deemed in violation of their non-immigrant status by taking annual vacation inconsistent with 8 CFR 214.2(f)(5)(iii) and its interpretation.

Classroom-Hybrid and F-1 students require physical attendance and active participation to pass a course successfully. Students must make every attempt to be in class during all class meetings. Attendance is strictly monitored. Students may not miss 50% of class sessions or they shall be administratively withdrawn from that course and automatically receive an “F”. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP). See SAP policy.

IAU is proactive in dealing with issues of cheating and plagiarism. Faculty members are encouraged to discuss with students the importance of academic ethics and the formulation of one's own intellectual material. It is also the policy of IAU to impose sanctions on students who cheat or plagiarize. Students are expected to be honest in meeting the requirements of courses in which they are enrolled. Cheating or plagiarism is dishonest, undermines the necessary trust upon which relations between students and faculty are based, and is unacceptable conduct. Students who engage in cheating or plagiarism will be subject to academic sanctions, including a lowered or failing grade in a course, and the possibility of additional administrative sanctions, including probation, suspension, or expulsion.

Minimum Completion Time: Students must be enrolled for a minimum of two (2) academic trimesters to complete a certificate, undergraduate degree, or master degree program. Doctoral programs must be completed in no less than three years from the date of initial enrollment.

Maximum Completion Time: Students are required to complete a degree program within 150% of the standard time of completion from the date of initial enrollment.

F-1 Completion Time: F-1 students are required to complete their enrolled academic program within the standard time of completion. Students who need additional time to complete their academic program can refer to the F-1 PROGRAM EXTENSION policy.

Under exceptional circumstances a course substitution from the prescribed curriculum may be permitted. Course Substitution refers to the completion of a course in place of a required course when a clear relationship exists between the two, sharing content and/ or spirit of the curriculum requirement. Substitutions may not be made across unrelated academic disciplines. Course substitution applies only to courses taken at IAU.

In terms of credit units, Course Substitution(s) may be warranted when credit units of substitute courses are equal or higher than the required course. The course substitution is not applicable when equivalencies or changes are indicated in the IAU Catalog.

Course Substitution shall not be processed if the substitute course is required by the prescribed program curriculum. Course Substitution approval is at the discretion of the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) whose determination is made periodically or as needed (See Course Substitution & Equivalencies).

Student Support advisor is responsible for checking course substitution eligibility based on the Course Substitution & Equivalencies. If a course substitution eligibility is not previously determined, Student Support advisor must seek approval from the CAO prior to completing the Course Substitution form. Pertinent offices shall be notified about the updates.

Students are limited to a maximum of three (3) course substitutions for each program of study in which they are enrolled. Course Substitution is reversible if no longer applicable. Course Substitution(s) does not constitute a Repeat Course (See Repeat Course Policy) and are ineligible for Grade Replacement (See Grade Replacement Policy).

An F-1 student cannot register for less than 3 units in the first session of a trimester. Further, it is not recommended that a student (F-1 & non F-1) enroll in more than 9 units per session. The course load may be challenging. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.

It is an integral part of the teaching responsibility of the faculty to provide careful evaluation, timely assignments, and appropriate grades for each enrolled student. In the absence of compelling reasons, such as a mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetence, the grade determined by the instructor of record is to be considered final. Final course grades must be inputted by the course instructor in myIAU and submitted to the Office of Academic Affairs no later than one week after the session has ended.

Students who have questions regarding their grade who believe the grade awarded is demonstrably improper by reason of capricious or arbitrary grading should confer directly with the instructor of the course within two weeks of receiving the final grade. Complaints after two weeks are not entertained. Students who are unable to arrive at a mutually agreeable solution may file a final appeal with the Chief Academic Officer. The Chief Academic Officer has the final decision to either change the grade or keep the grade "as is".

Student performance in courses is indicated by one of following grades. Effective Spring Session 1, 2016, grades which carry point value, and which are used in determining the grade point average (G.P.A.), are as follows:

Grades NOT used to compute grade point average:

• SEC = Standardized Exam Credit
• Withdrawn = Withdrawn Course
• Repeat = Repeat Course

Grades prior to the implementation date (Spring Session 1, 2016) remain as they are recorded using the regular letter grades A, B, C, and D have the suffix plus (+) or minus (-) included to distinguish higher and lower performances within each of these letter grades. The letter grade F does not include the plus/minus distinction.

For Pass/Fail courses, student performance is indicated by one of following grades. Grades which carry point value, and which are used in determining the grade point average (G.P.A.), are as follows:

Letter Grade: Grade Points
Pass: 4.00
Fail: 0.0
Satisfactory Progress: Does Not Impact CGPA

"Satisfactory Progress" is only applicable to students who are near the end of the DBA Program. DBA Comprehensive Exams and Projects may take longer than one session to complete. Student CGPAs should not be negatively affected if the students are making satisfactory progress as determined by their instructor/mentor.

At the end of each session, notification of the student's academic standing and report of grades achieved are provided to each student via myIAU. Grades are normally provided within one week following the completion of the course.

Students who do not demonstrate significant activity in any course in IAUonline within the first 4 weeks may receive an “F” for the course. “Significant activity” shall be determined by the course instructor. Students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

Students are expected to meet all deadlines relative to discussions and assignments. Entertaining late work is totally at the discretion of the instructor. Each instructor can establish his/her own policy on late work. The general institution policy on late work is that submissions will receive a 10% deduction for each day late and all work after the third day will receive a zero. It is incumbent on each student to plan for potential absences during the semester. The generally acceptable reason for late work is hospitalization with documentation. Work requirements, vacations, family problems, etc. are not generally acceptable excuses.

Failed Internships Courses: Students who show more than three (3) FAILS for internship courses will no longer be eligible for any future internship courses.

Probation & CPT: F-1 students who do not maintain the minimum CGPA for their enrolled program may not be eligible to register for CPT.

For the first session or trimester, students are only permitted to enroll in no more than 13 units. Thereafter, the maximum course load for all students in good standing is 9 units per session or 18 units total per trimester. Exceptions to this policy warrants substantial cause and must be approved by the Program Chair or CAO.

F-1 students are required to complete their programs within the standard program length. F-1 students are expected to accomplish their educational objective by the program end date indicated on the Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility. However, F-1 students may be granted program extension under compelling academic or medical reasons such as:

• Change of major or research topic
• Unexpected research problems
• Documented illness

Prior to granting extension, a DSO shall evaluate and determine F-1 students’ continuous progress toward earning a degree and maintenance of status. Delays caused by academic probation or expulsion are not acceptable reasons for a program extension.

Repeat Course policy refers to the successive attempts of a course with the same code, title, and content of the initial attempt except when equivalencies or changes have been indicated in the IAU catalog. Course Substitution(s) does not constitute a Repeat Course. See COURSE SUBSTITUTION policy.

Undergraduate students may repeat any course two times (maximum of three attempts per course) for credit completed with a Fail grade or letter grade below a C. Graduate students may repeat any course two times (maximum of three attempts per course) for credit completed with a Fail grade or letter grade below B. If a student cannot successfully complete a course by the last permitted attempt, the student must be advised and seek approval from the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) or respective program chair to continue in the enrolled program. There is no foreseen limitation on the maximum number of attempts within the length of the program for internship courses, comprehensive examinations, and doctoral projects provided that it does not violate any other institutional policies. Course attempt(s) resulting in Satisfactory grade “S” or Withdrawal mark “W” constitutes a Repeat Course.

Standard tuition fees are applicable. Students are required to pay for the additional tuition fee for all repeated course(s) at the tuition rate stated in the signed Enrollment Agreement. The repeated courses will affect the total tuition for the program originally stated in the Enrollment Agreement.

All attempts of a given course will appear on the transcript with the grade(s) and the corresponding units. Initial and subsequent grades will be automatically computed into the student’s GPA and units earned. Repeated courses may be used for Grade Replacement. Repeating a course, by no means, guarantees approval for Grade Replacement. The Grade Replacement process is not automatic. After a course repetition is completed, students must initiate the process. See GRADE REPLACEMENT policy. This policy does not imply a guarantee that openings will be available in courses if and when students wish to retake them.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is defined by three things:

1. Achieving and maintaining a required Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.0 for undergraduate students and 3.0 for graduate students.
2. Completing a minimum of 67% of courses attempted per trimester.
3. Completion of a program in no more than 150% of the set program length. Please note that I-20 students must complete in 100% of the set program length.

At the end of each mandatory trimester, any student who fails to meet SAP is subject to the following:

1. If a student fails to maintain SAP, the student will be placed on Academic Probation. The student will be advised and may be required to meet with an academic adviser in person. Failure to meet with an adviser may result in being administratively withdrawn from the program.
2. If a student fails to maintain SAP for a second consecutive mandatory trimester, the student stays on Academic Probation. The student will be advised and will be required to meet with an academic adviser in person. Failure to fulfill the conditions of her/his Academic Probation may result in being administratively withdrawn from the program. Failure to meet with an adviser may result in being administratively withdrawn from the program.
3. If a student fails to maintain SAP for a third consecutive mandatory trimester, the student may be administratively withdrawn from the program.

Students, who are at risk of being administratively withdrawn, or who have already been administratively withdrawn from the program due to failure to maintain SAP, may petition for academic re-eligibility by seeking counsel with the Chief Academic Officer or Director. The student must be able to demonstrate that the circumstance(s) that caused the inability to meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements has been resolved or no longer exists. This is handled on a case-by-case basis.

Satellite Teaching Sites will comply with local, state and federal regulations and accreditation standards. IAU's Satellite Teaching Sites will offer no more than 49% of the courses required to complete any academic program. The remaining 51%+ of courses required to complete any academic program will have to be taken at the Main Campus. The maximum number of units a student can take at IAU's Satellite Teaching Sites for each program is as follows: ASBA 27 units, BBA 57 units, MBA 15 units, DBA (w/o pre-requisites) 24 units, DBA (w/pre-requisites) 30 units.

Discussion Questions (DQ) are graded within 4 days. Multiple-choice examinations are auto-graded by IAUonline instantly. Written assessments for courses are more complex shall be graded and returned to students typically within 10 days. This will allow faculty ample time to review, critique, and provide constructive feedback.

Students who withdraw between weeks 1-2 shall receive no mark on their transcript. Students who withdraw between weeks 3-6 shall receive a “W”. Students who withdraw between weeks 7-8 shall receive an “F”. Applicable refund policies shall apply.

F-1 students may not withdraw from classes if it jeopardizes full-time enrollment, as required by law. However, F-1 students who must withdraw from courses due to academic or medical reasons or leave of absence (LOA) are required to meet with an academic advisor to properly reduce course load (RCL) and are subject to the terms aforementioned. See RCL and LOA policy.

Maximum Withdrawals (W's): A maximum of 25% Withdrawals (W's) may appear on the student's transcripts. More than 25% W's on transcripts will result in the student being administratively withdrawn from the enrolled program.

Chargebacks, also referred to as transaction disputes, normally incur a fee for the merchant. If there is a chargeback request and the student does not agree to make a payment to IAU, then the request is not cancelled within chargeback investigation time period by the merchant. Any payment or receipt may be cancelled depending on the result of the chargeback. The student is responsible for any fee that occurs due to the chargeback transaction.

An enrollment agreement must be signed for the entire program enrolled. The student’s enrollment is official upon signing the enrollment agreement. Campus and online students may submit scanned/emailed copies of the enrollment agreement. F-1 students shall execute the enrollment agreement upon arrival to the IAU campus.

Students who are placed on Financial Suspension will have their myIAU account placed on a financial “hold”. A student whose account is on “hold” will not receive any administrative or academic services. Services withheld may include, but is not limited to, class registration, changing status, and requesting copies of the Form I-20. Students must resolve their financial account with the Office of Accounting to be removed from the financial “hold”.

A student may be placed on Financial Suspension for failure to pay the tuition and fees as agreed to in the enrollment agreement or payment plan. A student who is placed on Financial Suspension for more than 60 days may be administratively withdrawn from IAU. F-1 students who have been administratively withdrawn from IAU may have their SEVIS record terminated.

IAU accepts electronic funds transfer, cash, credit card, personal or business checks, cashier's check or money order. Returned checks are subject to a returned check fee. If there are technical or situational issues that arise, a student may be restricted to a specific form of payment. To make a payment, click here.

Late payments are subject to a late payment fee. See current Schedule of Fees.

Eligible students may participate in the IAU Payment Plan. A student must come in person to sign the Payment Plan Agreement. After registering for courses. The Tuition Payment Planner is arranged per term.

To be eligible, students must be enrolled full time. Students who are delinquent with two (2) consecutive or five (5) total payments may not qualify for payment plans. If the student already has a Payment plan, it will be cancelled without notification. Exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis with approval from the ACC Supervisor. Failure to comply with policies may result in cancellation of Payment Plan Agreement.

The refund policy for students who have completed 60 percent or less of the period of attendance shall be a pro rata refund. Under this policy, the minimum refund allowed shall be as follows:

“The State of California established the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) to relieve or mitigate economic loss suffered by a student in an educational program at a qualifying institution, who is or was a California resident while enrolled, or was enrolled in a residency program, if the student enrolled in the institution, prepaid tuition, and suffered an economic loss. Unless relieved of the obligation to do so, you must pay the state-imposed assessment for the STRF, or it must be paid on your behalf, if you are a student in an educational program, who is a California resident, or are enrolled in a residency program, and prepay all or part of your tuition. You are not eligible for protection from the STRF and you are not required to pay the STRF assessment, if you are not a California resident, or are not enrolled in a residency program.”

The Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) assessment rate has changed from zero ($0) per one thousand dollars ($1000) of institutional charges to fifty cents ($.50) per one thousand dollars ($1000) of institutional charges. Effective February 8, 2021, all institutions will be required to collect STRF assessments.

It is important that you keep copies of your enrollment agreement, financial aid documents, receipts, or any other information that documents the amount paid to the school. Questions regarding the STRF may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, 2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 400, Sacramento, CA 95833, (916) 431-6959 or (888) 370-7589.

To be eligible for STRF, you must be a California resident or enrolled in a residency program, prepaid tuition, paid or deemed to have paid the STRF assessment, and suffered an economic loss as a result of any of the following:

1. The institution, a location of the institution, or an educational program offered by the institution was closed or discontinued, and you did not choose to participate in a teach-out plan approved by the Bureau or did not complete a chosen teach-out plan approved by the Bureau.
2. You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution within the 120-day period before the closure of the institution or location of the institution, or were enrolled in an educational program within the 120-day period before the program was discontinued.
3. You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution more than 120 days before the closure of the institution or location of the institution, in an educational program offered by the institution as to which the Bureau determined there was a significant decline in the quality or value of the program more than 120 days before closure.
4. The institution has been ordered to pay a refund by the Bureau but has failed to do so.
5. The institution has failed to pay or reimburse loan proceeds under a federal student loan program as required by law, or has failed to pay or reimburse proceeds received by the institution in excess of tuition and other costs.
6. You have been awarded restitution, a refund, or other monetary award by an arbitrator or court, based on a violation of this chapter by an institution or representative of an institution, but have been unable to collect the award from the institution.
7. You sought legal counsel that resulted in the cancellation of one or more of your student loans and have an invoice for services rendered and evidence of the cancellation of the student loan or loans.

To qualify for STRF reimbursement, the application must be received within four (4) years from the date of the action or event that made the student eligible for recovery from STRF. A student whose loan is revived by a loan holder or debt collector after a period of non-collection may, at any time, file a written application for recovery from STRF for the debt that would have otherwise been eligible for recovery. If it has been more than four (4) years since the action or event that made the student eligible, the student must have filed a written application for recovery within the original four (4) year period, unless the period has been extended by another act of law. However, no claim can be paid to any student without a social security number or a taxpayer identification number.”

All students pay per unit rate tuition based on how many course units they take each trimester. It is the policy of the institution to collect all tuition and other fees from a student at the time of course registration