Financial Policies

Method of Payment

Students have access to a variety of financing options when attending NCU and should consult with their Enrollment Specialist or Financial Aid representative for assistance in determining which options are appropriate for their circumstances. These financing options are described in the Financial Aid and Financial Information sections of this Catalog and include:

• Self-Pay
• Federal Student Aid Loans and Grants
• Private Loans
• Internal and External Scholarships
• Veterans Educational Benefits, including the Yellow Ribbon Program
• Military Tuition Assistance
• Tribal Funding
• Employer Tuition Assistance
• Employer Vouchers
• Northcentral University Payment Plans

Students may also find additional information about financing their education at NCU at http://www.ncu.edu/northcentral-admissions/financing.

Statement of Financial Responsibility

Students are required to maintain current credit card and/or eChecking account information on file in their student records. Payment information, including the methods of payment listed in this Catalog, is used to secure payment for all current and future fees and tuition charges incurred by the student. Students also agree to NCU’s Attendance and Continuous Enrollment policy, which enrolls students into courses on a scheduled timeline. Students authorize the University to charge their account on record for all applicable fees and tuition charges for each subsequent course without further authorization.

If a student obtains a loan to pay for an educational program, the student will have the responsibility to repay the full amount of the loan plus interest, less the amount of any refund. If the student has received federal student financial aid funds, the student is entitled to a refund of the moneys not paid from federal student financial aid program funds.

Meeting Financial Obligations

The University considers all financial obligations payable immediately, unless otherwise stated. Upon completion of the degree program, any outstanding financial balance is due and payable immediately. NCU withholds certificates, diplomas, and transcripts and prohibits participation in the graduation ceremony and/or the conferring of a degree until all unpaid financial accounts have been satisfied.

Personal Responsibility

It is the personal responsibility of each applicant and student to determine how to pay for his or her education.

NCU expects applicants and students to actively search for the best funding option(s) available through review of all available information on the NCU Web site at www.ncu.edu. The University, through its numerous partnerships, agreements with corporations, businesses, educational organizations, the U.S. military, and other agencies, offers tuition benefits to employees or those entities. NCU staff will assist students in clarifying eligibility for any funding option offered by the University. It is the sole responsibility of the individual applying to NCU to ensure and confirm his or her eligibility for any funding options prior to enrollment and first course request.

After enrolling, if a student becomes aware of a tuition benefit that reduces the student’s financial liability, the student will need to notify the University by e-mail or in writing. Submit tuition benefit inquiries to the Financial Services Office at financialaid@ncu.edu. After a review and approval of the written request, NCU will adjust the student’s tuition rate. The postmark date or e-mail receipt date of final supporting documentation shall be the effective date of change.

NCU does not accommodate requests from students for retroactive consideration.

Forbearance and Deferment Options

NCU is proud of its ability to provide accredited bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in an online environment at a highly competitive price. Students and prospective students seeking financial relief while continuing their education should contact Student and Financial Services team or their lenders to discuss forbearance or other deferment options.

Forbearance may be granted at the lender’s discretion for a variety of other reasons. The terms and conditions of forbearance are determined by each individual lender and may vary from student to student based upon loan indebtedness, past payment history, or other factors deemed appropriate by the lender.

There are several deferment options including active military, public service, economic hardship, and others. These deferment options do not require school certification.

NCU recommends that students and prospective students address their forbearance or deferment needs with their respective lender(s) to clarify the eligibility requirements for forbearance or deferment.

Default of Financial Obligation

If the student’s financial obligations are in default (defined as not paying a financial obligation within 30 days of the due date), NCU may declare the entire balance due without further notice and require full payment immediately. Failure to pay the unpaid balance within 10 days may result in any or all of the following:

• Denial of registration, transcripts, diplomas, grades, and graduation
• Assignment of the account for collection
• Reporting the delinquent account status to a credit bureau
• Financial dismissal from the University

In the event an account is delinquent, NCU as well as outside agencies working on its behalf have the right to communicate with the student via email and/or cell phone regarding an outstanding balance. When an account is turned over for collection, the student is obligated to pay NCU’s collection expenses. If a lawsuit or other action is filed, litigation falls under Arizona state jurisdiction and the student agrees to pay NCU’s attorney’s fees as fixed by the trial court. If any party appeals any part of the trial court’s decision, the student promises to pay NCU’s attorney’s fees for the appeal as fixed by the appellate court.

Waiver of Tuition/Fees

In general, NCU does not grant waivers of tuition or fees. However, in the rare instance that a waiver is considered, it must be recommended by the Provost or Senior Director of Student Services and pre-approved by Registrar or the Chief Financial Officer or designee.

If a student would like to request a waiver, a student must submit the request in writing, including the reason or justification. Contact your Academic and Finance Advisor for more information.

Refund Policy

Students have the right to withdraw from a course or the University at any time. NCU team members who receive a request to withdraw from the University will process the request on behalf of the student, using the date they received the request as the Request Date. See Academic & University Policies  for additional information regarding withdrawal from the University.

Students may also be dismissed from the University for Non-Attendance, Non-Payment, lack of Satisfactory Academic Progress, or violation of the Code of Conduct or Academic Integrity policy. See the Administrative Dismissal  policy.

Dismissed or withdrawn students receiving Federal Financial Aid are subject to return of Title IV funds.

If a refund for a non-Title IV payment is required, the amount will be returned to the same source from which the payment was made. For example, if the payment was made by credit card, the refund will go to the same credit card where possible. If the amount cannot be refunded to the original method of payment, a check will be sent to the student using their address of record.

For third party payments, refunds will be sent to the entity who made the payment.

Calculating Refunds

In the event of course drop or withdrawal from the University, refunds are based on amounts already paid by the student and on when the course drop and/or University withdrawal are requested.

• If a student requests to withdraw from the University prior to course registration, pre-paid tuition for courses in which the student is not yet registered is refunded 100%
• If a student requests to drop a course more than 7 days from and including the course start date, it is considered a course withdrawal and full tuition and Course Material Fees are charged
• If the date given in Course Registration Information as the last date to withdraw from a course without academic penalty has passed, the letter grade that was earned at the time of the request to withdraw from the course will be awarded rather than a Withdrawn code
• Students receiving Federal Financial Aid may be subject to return of Title IV funds

Refund Processing Time

Tuition refunds are provided within 30 days of the withdrawal request date or date the course is dropped. The student will be notified if a balance is due to the University.

State-Specific Refund Policies

Alabama Refund Policy

The following refund policy applies to Alabama residents.

1. The student has the right to cancel the Enrollment Agreement within 3 days after entering into it.  If the student has paid any fees or tuition to Northcentral University before cancelling, all monies paid will be refunded. Refunds of all prepaid tuition will also be refunded if the student cancels after the 3 days, but prior to starting the course.
2. A student who has not cancelled within 3 days of enrollment shall be entitled to a pro rata refund of fees or tuition paid if the student withdraws before completing 60% or more of the course.  Refunds shall be paid within 30 days after the date of withdrawal, and the student does not have to request the refund. 
3. After completing 60% or more of the course, the student shall not be entitled to a refund.
4. Refunds shall be paid first to the student’s financial aid sponsors and then to the student. 
5. A full refund is due to students whose contracted educational services are denied by the school as a result of economic or academic fraud as defined in the Code of Alabama  §16-46-1(7) and (8)(1975).

California and Washington D.C. Refund Policy

The following refund policy applies to California and Washington D.C. residents.

Students who cease enrollment at NCU, either through withdrawal or dismissal, will receive a pro-rata refund of tuition if the student has completed 60% or less of the period of attendance. For the purpose of calculating the student’s refund, the student’s withdrawal date is the last day of recorded attendance. The period of attendance is defined as the start date to the scheduled end date of any courses in progress at the time of withdrawal or dismissal. If a student is enrolled in more than one course concurrently at the time of withdrawal/dismissal, each course will be calculated independently. The schedule below shows the refund percentage by day of attendance. Credit balance on the account at the time of withdrawal will be processed within 45 days of the date of withdrawal. 

If a student’s tuition is paid either by a third party or by a scholarship or grant, any refund due will be issued directly to the third party or returned to the scholarship/grant program unless otherwise directed by the third party.

Iowa Refund Policy

The following refund policy applies to Iowa residents.

1. The student has the right to cancel the Enrollment Agreement within 3 days after entering into it.  If the student has paid any fees or tuition to Northcentral University before cancelling, that will be refunded within 10 days.
2. A student who has not cancelled within 3 days of enrollment shall be entitled to a pro rata refund of fees or tuition paid if they did not complete 60% of the course(s).  An Iowa resident who withdraws from the University receives a tuition reduction equal to 90% of the tuition charged for the dropped course(s), multiplied by the pro rata amount not attended through the 60% mark.  For example:                        

   Tuition Cost per course	# of weeks in course	# of total days in course	# of days for 60%	# of days completed	Re-Calculated Tuition if less than 60%	Days Remaining to 60%	% remaining to 60%	Minimum refund
   $    2,063.00	8	56	34	10	$                1,856.70	24	70%

3. Refunds shall be paid within 45 days after the date of withdrawal, and the student does not have to request the refund. 
4. After completing 60% or more of the course, the student shall not be entitled to a refund.
5. Exception:  An Iowa resident who withdraws from the University during a course(s) due to physical incapacity receives a reduction of tuition charges proportionate to the number of days in the course that the student did not complete.  The University reserves the right to request documentation of physical incapacity. Course drop fees do not apply to Iowa resident students who withdraw from the University.
6. Refunds shall be paid first to the student’s financial aid sponsors and then to the student.
7. A student’s date of withdrawal is the last date the student participated in a course. 

Military Deployment

An Iowa resident who is a member, or the spouse of a member if the member has a dependent child, of the Iowa national guard or reserve forces of the United States and who is ordered to state military service or federal service or duty has the following options:

i. Withdraw from the student’s entire registration and receive a full refund of tuition and mandatory fees.

ii. Make arrangements with the University for a course grade, or to complete coursework at a later date, for all or a portion of the courses in which the student was enrolled at the time of withdrawal.  The student will be charged tuition and mandatory fees in full for any course(s) for which the University assigns a grade or that the student will complete at a later date.  Any course(s) for which arrangements cannot be made for grades or incompletes is considered dropped and the University will fully refund tuition and mandatory fees for that course(s).

A student must provide a copy of military orders, a letter from his/her commanding officer, or other documentation to support the student’s request.  Students that elect to complete a course(s) at a later date should refer to the University’s Military Leave of Absence policy.

Kansas Refund Policy

The following refund policy applies to Kansas residents.

Students who complete 25% or less of a course and withdraw shall be eligible for a pro rata refund. The completion percentage shall be based on the total number of calendar days in the course and the total number of calendar days completed. After a student has attended at least 25% of the course, tuition and fees shall not be refundable.

Maryland Refund Policy

The following refund policy applies to Maryland residents.

The minimum refund that Northcentral University shall pay to a Maryland student who withdraws or is terminated after completing only a portion of a course is as follows:

Oregon Refund Policy

The following refund policy applies to Oregon residents.

The minimum refund that Northcentral University shall pay to an Oregon student who withdraws or is terminated after completing only a portion of a course is as follows:

Wisconsin Refund Policy

The following refund policy applies to Wisconsin residents.

1. The student has the right to cancel the Enrollment Agreement within 3 days after entering into it.  If the student has paid any fees or tuition to Northcentral University before cancelling, that will be refunded within 10 days.
2. A student who has not cancelled within 3 days of enrollment shall be entitled to a pro rata refund of fees or tuition paid if the student withdraws before completing 60% or more of the course.  Refunds shall be paid within 40 days after the date of withdrawal, and the student does not have to request the refund. 
3. After completing 60% or more of the course, the student shall not be entitled to a refund.
4. Refunds shall be paid first to the student’s financial aid sponsors and then to the student.
5. A student’s date of withdrawal is the last date the student participated in a course. 

California Student Tuition Recovery Fund

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 residency program, if the student enrolled in the institution, prepaid tuititon, and suffered and 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, you 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. 

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 are 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 noncollection 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.