Adjustment of Tuition

For students reducing their credit hours or officially withdrawing from the College, all or a portion of their refundable tuition may be credited to their account according to the Tuition/Fee Adjustment Schedule published each semester in the Student Handbook. You can check the dates here in the Student Handbook. The portion (percentage) is an adjustment to the tuition and fees the student is assessed for the semester, not a refund of what the student has already paid. Students must complete the drop/withdrawal process prior to the posted deadlines to qualify for a reduction in amounts owed. Registration fees are only adjusted if the student reduces hours or withdraws through the 100 percent refund period.

Nonattendance does not constitute withdrawal. Students must withdraw from the College prior to the stated deadlines if they decide not to attend. Students who do not submit a drop request or drop the course(s) online may have a financial obligation to the College regardless of attendance.

If a credit balance remains after all tuition and fees due are deducted from any payments that have been applied, the balance will be returned to the student automatically.

 

Tuition/Fee Adjustment Appeals

Tuition Appeals are for students who are requesting a refund, credit, or balance waiver of their tuition and/or fees due to extenuating circumstances that occurred during a given term. Students who wish to appeal their tuition adjustments (or lack thereof) must complete and submit an online Refund Request Form that must include reasons and supporting documentation the student feels he or she is entitled to a refund. 

The Refund Committee will consider requests for adjustments to tuition charges when a student can document extenuating circumstances such as:

• Student Illness: A note from your physician or medical provider on their letterhead indicating the dates you were unable to attend class. The note must be signed by your physician or medical provider. Excuse slips, copies of invoices, confirmations, statements of insurance payments, etc. are not acceptable documentation.
• Illness of immediate family member: A student’s spouse, children (son or daughter), and parents are immediate family members for purposes of this appeal. A note from your family member’s physician or medical provider on their letterhead indicating the dates of illness. The note must be signed by the physician or medical provider.
• Death of immediate family member: Submit a death certificate, obituary or death notice. Documents must clearly indicate the relationship of the deceased to the student. A student’s spouse, children (son or daughter), and parents are immediate family members for purposes of this appeal.
• Military deployment: A copy of the official deployment/reactivation notice. Deployment and reactivation dates must be within the semester you are appealing.
• Change in employment: beyond the student’s control that prevents the student from attending the classes for which he/she is registered. A letter from your employer on company letterhead indicating the reason and date of the change in work schedule.
• Verifiable Institutional Error: Provide a detailed account of the problem and relevant documents on College letterhead from the College Office involved or advisor indication that incorrect information was given by a College representative.

The College is a state agency; therefore, all tuition adjustments must be substantiated and are subject to review by the State of Louisiana Office of the Legislative Auditor. The following are reasons for denial of a refund:

• Non-attendance or dropping course(s) without sufficient justification and/or unsupported or substantiated reasons;
• Denial of or late application for federal financial assistance after a promissory note has been signed;
• Dropping disallowed credit courses by students on academic probation or suspension (It is the student’s responsibility to know his or her academic status and the classes in which he or she is eligible to enroll before registering.); and/or
• Discontinued enrollment in Term AB program due to insufficient grade.

If financial aid or the term identified in this appeal was received, submission of a tuition/fee adjustment appeal could impact the student’s financial aid status and result in money owed. It is recommended that the student discuss these implications with the Financial Aid Office before submitting an appeal. If a student is a recipient of Veteran’s Benefits, it is important for the student to discuss the appeal with the Veteran’s Educational Benefits certifying officials in the Office of the Registrar before proceeding with the request.

Students should be advised that submission of a tuition appeal does not exempt the student’s account from the assessment of collection and/or financial penalties. Tuition and fees should be paid when due.

Refund requests are forwarded to the Refund Committee, which consists of representatives of the Registrar’s Office, Admissions Office, Office of Student Financial Assistance, and the Accounting Department, as well as appointed academic staff representatives. Fall Semester refund requests must be received by the end of the following summer session. Spring Semester refund requests must be received by the end of the following fall semester. Summer Session refund requests must be received by the end of the following spring semester.

Committee Decision: The Committee Chair will notify the student of the Refund Committee’s decision. A student may make a final appeal to the Vice Chancellor for Business and Administrative Affairs or designee within 30 days of notification of the Refund Committee’s decision.