Refund
Can a school dictate that it will not offer a refund once 75% of course or program is complete (provided there are no instructional violations)?
Daniel,
The TWC refund policy specifically states that no refund is due after the 75% completion mark. This should be clearly explained in the school catalog and enrollment agreement. If the school chooses to follow a more generous (to the student) refund policy, this too must be clearly defined. In any event, any new or revised refund policy of an institution should be reviewed by compliance personnel and/or legal counsel prior to submission to TWC for review/approval.
JP Mehlmann
What about if the student withdraws after 75% completion mark and the school discountinues the program? Is the school responsible to issue a refund if the student wants to come back and the program does not exist?
Jorge,
No- the school would not be required to make such a refund. If your school plans to discontinue a program, be sure to review the TWC CSC regs, and notify them first. If you teach-out the existing students (or have a CSC-approved teach-out with another school) then you would not have a refund liability for students who previously dropped. Also suggest you have a plan for referring reenter candidates to another school.
JP Mehlmann
If a student has completed 75% of a class and is not due a refund, does that change the attendance policy for that student? Would a student who exceeded 20% absence still be dropped in the final week of class?
David,
Good question. Please see the TWC Rules Section 807.241 which includes: (d) No provision in this subchapter shall require a school to terminate the enrollment of a student for lack of attendance at a point at which a refund would not be due.
Therefore the student need not be dropped if they exceed 20% absence in the final week as long as your refund policy dictates no refund at that point.
JP Mehlmann
