Financial Information

For tuition information for South University’s online programs, please see the South University - Online Programs  section of the catalog.

For tuition information for The Art Institute Campuses, please see The Art Institute Campuses - Financial Information  section of the catalog.  Policies applying to The Art Institute Campuses may differ from those pertaining to South University campuses and South University - Online Programs.

Tuition (On-Campus Programs)

Changes in tuition and fees become effective fall term and apply to all students unless otherwise specified. In-state and out-of-state tuition are the same. Tuition and fees are subject to change at the end of any term. Unless otherwise stated, the cost of books, lab coats, and other miscellaneous expenses are not included in tuition or fees.

Tuition for the Doctor of Ministry degree program is as follows: $5,320 per quarter for 10-18 credit hours, $4,205 per quarter for 5-9 credit hours, and $2,470 per quarter for 1-4 credit hours.

Tuition for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree program is as follows: $6,050 per quarter for 8-12 credit hours, $5,140 per quarter for 5-7 credit hours, and $2,525 per quarter for 1-4 credit hours.

Tuition for the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program, effective June 2016, will be $12,045 per quarter. Tuition for the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program, effective June 2013 is $11,135 per quarter. Tuition does not include text books ($650 average per quarter) or a $1,000 nonrefundable acceptance fee, which is applied to tuition for the first quarter upon enrollment. Pharmacy students taking 16 hours or more are considered full time students and tuition will be based on the “per quarter” rate. Students taking less than 16 hours or who are remediating courses will be charged on a per quarter hour rate. The per quarter hour $1,210 (The maximum quarterly tuition is $12,045). Students are required to purchase a laptop computer.

Tuition for the Master of Business Administration (after the completion of the Doctorate of Pharmacy degree program) is as follows: $7,110 per quarter for 10-18 credit hours, $5,640 per quarter for 5-9 credit hours, and $3,300 per quarter for 1-4 credit hours.

Tuition for the Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Business Administration and Post Graduate Certificates in Nursing degree programs are as follows: $6,945 per quarter for 8-18 credit hours, $4,070 per quarter for 5-7 credit hours, and $2,525 per quarter for 1-4 credit hours.

Tuition for the Master of Medical Science in Anesthesia Science degree program, effective June 2016, will be $9,590 per quarter. Tuition effective June 2015, is 8,960 per quarter. Tuition does not include a $500 nonrefundable acceptance fee, which is applied to tuition for the first quarter upon enrollment. The tuition cost is for a full-time course load and does not include expenses for such required items as lab coats (approximately $30), textbooks (approximately $2,000), stethoscope and chest pieces (approximately $100), and laboratory fees of $100 per quarter of laboratory coursework. Anesthesiologist Science students are not eligible for part-time enrollment.

Tuition for the Master of Science in Physician Assistant is $8,395 per quarter, effective January 2016. Tuition in this program, effective January 2015, is $7,920 per quarter. Tuition does not include a $500 nonrefundable acceptance fee, which is applied to tuition for the first quarter upon enrollment. This is for a full-time course load and does not include expenses for such required items as uniforms (approximately $40), textbooks (approximately $2,800), and professional instruments (approximately $1,000). Students pay a $75 lab fee per quarter in the didactic phase. Students are required to purchase a laptop computer. Students are also required to purchase eCLAS (Fees are $75 for year 1 and $75 for year 2) clinical tracking software for the Savannah program and Typhon (one-time fee of $80) clinical tracking software for the Tampa Program.  PA students are not eligible for part-time enrollment.

Tuition for the Accelerated Master of Business Administration and the Accelerated Master of Business/Healthcare Administration degree program: $10,295 per quarter.

Tuition for the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Master of Arts in Professional Counseling degree program is as follows: $6,835 per quarter for 10-18 credit hours, $5,420 per quarter for 5-9 credit hours, and $3,175 per quarter for 1-4 credit hours.

Tuition for the Master of Science in Accounting, Master of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Science in Information Systems, Master of Science in Leadership, Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Health, and the Master of Science in Public Relations degree programs including prerequisite courses is as follows: $6,835 per quarter for 10-18 credit hours, $5,420 per quarter for 5-9 credit hours, and $3,175 per quarter for 1-4 credit hours.

Tuition for the Master of Science in Nursing degree non-nurse practitioner specializations is as follows: $6,835 per quarter for 8-18 credit hours, $4,745 per quarter for 5-7 credit hours, and $3,175 per quarter for 1-4 credit hours.

Tuition for the Master of Science in Nursing degree nurse practitioner specializations is as follows: $6,835 per quarter for 8-18 credit hours, $4,745 per quarter for 5-7 credit hours, and $3,175 per quarter for 1-4 credit hours.

Tuition for the RN to Master of Science in Nursing degree non-nurse practitioner specializations is as follows: $6,835 per quarter for 8-18 credit hours, $4,745 per quarter for 5-7 credit hours, and $3,175 per quarter for 1-4 credit hours.

Tuition for the RN to Master of Science in Nursing degree nurse practitioner specializations is as follows: $6,835 per quarter for 8-18 credit hours, $4,745 per quarter for 5-7 credit hours, and $3,175 per quarter for 1-4 credit hours.

Tuition for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program (professional level) is as follows: $7,950 per quarter for 10-18 credit hours, $6,360 per quarter for 5-9 credit hours, and $3,285 per quarter for 1-4 credit hours. There is a $500 nonrefundable acceptance fee which is applied to tuition for the first quarter upon enrollment.

Tuition for undergraduate programs in Allied Health Science, Business, Criminal Justice, Graphic Design, Health Science, Healthcare Management, Information Technology, Legal Studies, Medical Assisting, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Paralegal Studies, Physical Therapist Assistant, Psychology, Public Relations and RN to BSN programs is as follows: $5,555 per quarter for 10-18 credit hours, $4,385 per quarter for 5-9 credit hours, $2,290 per quarter for 1-4 credit hours, and $400 per quarter credit for more than 18 hours.

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Fees

Application Fee

South University does not charge application fees for any of its programs.  However, some programs (Pharmacy (PharmD), Physician Assistant (MS), and Anesthesia Science (MMSc)) utilize external application processing services and students may be charged a fee for using these services.  Students should contact the admissions office at their desired location to determine if this applies to their program.  Please see the Appendix  for specific contact information.

Acceptance Fee

There is a non-refundable $500 acceptance fee for those applicants accepted into Anesthesiologist Assistant and Physician Assistant programs.

There is a non-refundable $500 acceptance fee for those applicants accepted into the BSN degree program. The acceptance fee does not apply to the RN to BSN degree program.

The non-refundable acceptance fee for applicants accepted through the General Admissions Procedure into the Pharmacy program is $1000.

The acceptance fees for these programs will be applied to the student’s first quarter tuition payment. If an applicant accepted into the Pharmacy or Anesthesiologist Assistant programs encounters circumstances that prevent their matriculation, any amount paid by the applicant that is above the nonrefundable application fee and acceptance fee will be refunded.

Anesthesiologist Assistant Lab Fee

There is a $100 lab fee charged for each quarter of laboratory coursework (total of $400).

Auditing Fee

Audited courses are subject to the same tuition and fees as courses taken for credit. Refer to the Tuition section. Requirements for auditing are published in the Academic Affairs  section of this catalog.

Credit by Examination Fee

A fee of $400 will be collected for each examination given to a student who desires to earn credit as outlined in the Credit by Examination section of this catalog. No fee is charged for keyboarding and word processing examinations.

Diploma Fee

Each student is entitled to have one official diploma sent to them upon graduation. Students may request duplicate diplomas for a fee of $75 each. Diplomas will not be issued to any student who has a balance with the University.

Graduation Fee

A graduation fee of $125 will be collected from each candidate for graduation and is due and payable the quarter in which the candidate is to graduate. If the candidate is to receive a second degree at the same graduation ceremony, an additional fee of $50 will be charged. The fee will be $95 for a second degree awarded at a subsequent graduation ceremony.

Membership Fees

Students enrolling in the Physician Assistant Studies program will incur a one-time fee for membership in the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). The fee of $75 is subject to change. Students in the Physical Therapist Assistant program may become student members of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) for a yearly fee of $80.00 plus any state chapter dues. Students enrolling in the Anesthesiologist Assistant program are eligible to join the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) as a student member for $25 per year, which includes the monthly journal Anesthesiology, newsletters, and free admission to the annual meeting. Students are also eligible to join the Anesthesiologist Assistant professional organization the American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants (AAAA) for a fee of $100, which is good for the entire time in the program.

Nurse Entrance Examination Fee

Applicants for the Nursing programs (excluding the RN to BSN degree program) are required to take an entrance examination (TEAS). The fee for this test is $55 and must be paid upon registration for the test.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Entrance Exam Fee

Applicants for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program are required to take an entrance examination (TEAS V). The fee for this test is $16 and must be paid upon registration for the test.

Physician Assistant Lab Fee

There is a $75 clinical lab fee charged for each quarter of didactic coursework ($375 total).

Physical Therapist Assistant Entrance Exam Fee

Applicants for the Physical Therapist Assistant program are required to take an entrance examination (TEAS V). The fee for this test varies up to $55 and must be paid upon registration for the test.

Readmission Fee

Any student who has not been in attendance at South University for one year or longer will be assessed a $50 readmission fee.

Student I.D. Replacement Fee

Photographs for student IDs are taken during orientation and student IDs are issued to new students during their first week of classes. There is no charge for the initial student ID. Students who lose their IDs may obtain a replacement through the office of the dean of student affairs for a charge of $10 per occurrence.

Transcript Fee

Each student is entitled to have one official transcript forwarded to another institution. The charge for additional copies is $10 each. Requests for transcripts should be submitted to the administrative office at the applicable campus.  Academic transcripts will not be issued to any student who has an outstanding balance with the University.

Doctor of Occupational Therapy Degree Program

Students enrolled in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program should be aware that throughout the process of their graduate education they will incur additional expenses beyond the normal tuition and book fees. Such expenses include travel to/from West Palm Beach, Florida for their On Campus Intensives (OCI), as well as, course materials and equipment, such as, the Clicker Technology device used to authenticate course attendance and validate course learning.  Please refer to the OTD Student Manual (General Expenses for the On Campus Intensives-OCIs), for a general overview as to the additional expenses while attending the mandatory OCIs.

Additional Costs:

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Doctor of Business Administration Residency Fee (online only)

All Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) students in the online program are required to participate in two residencies as part of the completion requirements for the program. A Residency fee of $1,100 is assessed for each residency.

Doctor of Pharmacy Degree Program

Application Fee

Individuals seeking admissions to the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program must apply through PharmCAS, the organization that processes centralized applications to schools of pharmacy in the U.S. Information on the PharmCAS application fee and process can be found at www.pharmcas.org. Each applicant must also complete a School of Pharmacy supplemental application and submit that application directly to the School of Pharmacy. No fee waivers will be granted. Any student who pays this fee but does not enroll within one calendar year will be reassessed the fee upon reapplication.

School of Pharmacy Acceptance Fee

There is a nonrefundable $1,000 acceptance fee for applicants accepted into the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program. The acceptance fee will be applied to the student’s first quarter tuition payment. If an applicant accepted into the School of Pharmacy encounters circumstances that prevent their matriculation, any amount paid by the applicant that is above the nonrefundable application fee and acceptance fee will be refunded.

Payment of Tuition and Fees

All charges are due and payable on or before the start date of each quarter. For students in online programs, all charges are due and payable on or before the start date for each course. Circumstances which prevent a student from adhering to these dates should be discussed with the business office. Students attending school under a grant or loan should confer with the director of financial aid concerning the payment of fees; students attending school under the G.I. Bill can discuss payment of school fees with the director of financial aid. Failure to make proper payments, unless otherwise cleared with the business office, will result in dismissal from the University. Grades will not be issued, degrees granted, or academic transcripts furnished until all financial obligations have been satisfied and all university property returned.

Please visit our Student Consumer Information page to find the average time to completion for continuously enrolled students for each credential level offered. This data is available at the average credit load, full-time or at full load. Changing programs, beginning programs at the mid-term start date, taking remedial courses, taking time off from coursework, registering for fewer hours or unsuccessful attempts at course completion will increase the total length of the program and overall cost of education from what is disclosed. Transfer credits awarded toward your program will likely decrease the overall length and cost of education.

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Institutional Refund Policy

Refund of Tuition

Tuition charges are based on the total number of credit hours for which a student is enrolled on the first day of classes (as listed in the University calendar), regardless of program. Refunds or tuition adjustments will be awarded according to the following guidelines:

1. If circumstances prevent matriculation before a student begins attending the University, all tuition charges will be reversed and any payments made will be refunded. A tuition adjustment results when a student officially changes enrollment status (full-time to part-time, part-time to less than part-time or part-time to full time) during the drop/add period. No adjustment will be made for students dropping individual classes after the drop/add period.
2. Richmond and Virginia Beach Virginia campuses only: Rejection: An applicant rejected by South University is entitled to a refund of all monies paid. Three-Day Cancellation: An applicant who provides written notice of cancellation within three (3) business days, excluding weekends and holidays, of executing the enrollment agreement is entitled to a refund of all monies paid. Other Cancellations: An applicant requesting cancellation more than three (3) days after executing the enrollment agreement and making an initial payment, but prior to the first day of class is entitled to a refund of all monies paid, less a maximum tuition fee of 15% of the stated cost of the course or $100, whichever is less. A student applicant will be considered a student as of the first day of classes.

Withdrawal Procedure: A student choosing to withdraw from the school after the commencement of classes is to provide notice in writing or in person to the Office of the Registrar. The notice must include the expected last date of attendance and be signed and dated by the student. A student will be determined to be withdrawn from the institution if the student violates the schools published attendance policy. All refunds must be submitted within forty-five (45) calendar days after receipt of a written request or the date the student last attended classes, whichever is sooner.

Tuition Refunds will be Determined as Follows:

3. Accelerated Graduate Programs, Atlanta, Austin, Columbia*, High Point, Montgomery, Novi, Orlando, Savannah, Tampa, and West Palm Beach campuses:

Tuition Refunds will be Determined as Follows, based on the week in which the student withdraws:

*Columbia campus only: For students attending the University for the first time and who withdraw from the institution, a prorate refund calculation shall be applied up to 60 percent point in time of that initial term. Prorated refund is a refund for a student of not less than that portion of tuition, fees, and other charges assessed the student equal to the portion of the period of enrollment for which the student has been charged that remains on the last day of attendance by the student, rounded downward to the nearest ten percent of that period, less any unpaid charges owed for the period of enrollment for which the student has been charged that remains on the last day of attendance by the student, rounded downward to the nearest ten percent of that period, less any unpaid charges owed for the period of enrollment for which the student has been charged, and less an administrative fee not to exceed the lesser of five percent or one hundred dollars.

Withdrawal Procedure:  To withdraw officially from the institution, students must contact the office of the registrar to provide notification of their intention to withdraw. A student will be determined to be withdrawn from the institution if the student violates the University’s published attendance policy in all their classes. All refunds must be submitted within thirty (30) calendar days of the determination of the withdrawal date.

4. Ohio campus:

Students who apply for enrollment into the Cleveland campus but are rejected or provide written notice of cancellation within five (5) calendar days of executing the enrollment agreement are entitled to a refund of all monies paid.  An applicant requesting cancellation more than five (5) calendar days after executing the enrollment agreement and making an initial payment but prior to the first day of class is entitled to a refund of all monies paid.

Withdrawal Procedure: The University requests that a student choosing to withdraw from the school after the commencement of classes is to provide notice in writing or in person to the Office of the Registrar. The notice must include the expected last date of attendance and be signed and dated by the student. A student will be determined to be withdrawn from the institution if the student violates the University’s published attendance policy. All refunds will be submitted within thirty (30) calendar days of the determination of the withdrawal date. Refunds are calculated based on the student’s last date of attendance or participation in an academic activity.

Refunds for Tuition and Refundable Fees will be determined as Follows:

5. South University, Online Programs:

Student Right to Cancel/Buyer’s Right to Cancel:

If circumstances prevent matriculation before a student begins attending South University, all tuition charges will be refunded.

Students in South University’s online programs who drop before the start date of the course will receive a 100% refund of the total cost of tuition for the course. Tuition refunds after the start of a course are based on weekly attendance. Fully online students must contact their Academic Counselor to officially withdraw from school. A student will be determined to be withdrawn from the institution if the student violates the University’s published attendance policy in all their classes. All refunds must be submitted within thirty (30) calendar days of the determination of the withdrawal date.

5 and 5.5 Week Course

• Students who withdraw from their course during week 1 will receive a 75% tuition refund.
• Students who withdraw from their course during week 2 will receive a 50% tuition refund.
• Students who withdraw from their course during or after the 3rd week will receive a 0% tuition refund.

10 and 11 Week Course

• Students who withdraw from their course during weeks 1 and 2 will receive a 75% tuition refund.
• Students who withdraw from their course during weeks 3 and 4 will receive a 50% tuition refund.
• Students who withdraw from their course during or after the 5th week will receive a 0% tuition refund.

Iowa State Refund Policy

Students taking online courses from their home state of Iowa who withdraw from their course(s) will receive a prorated course refund based on their official last date of attendance (LDA). Tuition charges are based on the total number of credit hours for which a student is enrolled on the first day of classes (as listed in the University calendar), regardless of program. Refunds or tuition adjustments will be awarded according to the following guidelines:

1. If circumstances prevent matriculation before a student begins attending the University, all tuition charges will be refunded.
2. Students who drop before the start date of the course will receive a 100% refund of the total cost of tuition for the course. Tuition refunds after the start of a course are based on weekly attendance. 

3. For a student 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, the student shall have the following withdrawal options:

1. Withdraw from the student’s entire registration and receive a full refund of tuition and mandatory fees.
2. Make arrangements with the student’s instructors for course grades, or for incompletes that shall be completed by the student at a later date.  If such arrangements are made, the student’s registration shall remain intact and tuition and mandatory fees shall be assessed for the courses in full.
3. Make arrangements with only some of the student’s instructors for grades, or for incompletes that shall be completed by the student at a later date.  If such arrangements are made, the registration for those courses shall remain intact and tuition and mandatory fees shall be assessed for those courses.  Any course for which arrangements cannot be made for grades or incompletes shall be considered dropped and the tuition and mandatory fees for the course refunded.

Maryland State Refund Policy

The Maryland State Refund Policy applies to students who are residents of Maryland. Refunds are made within 60 days from the date of withdrawal or termination. A Maryland student that withdraws or is terminated after completing only a portion of a course, program, or term within the applicable billing period is as follows:

New Mexico Refund Policy

The New Mexico State Refund Policy applies to students who are residents of the state of New Mexico who withdraw from all courses from South University online programs.

Any student signing an enrollment agreement or making an initial deposit or payment toward tuition and fees of the institution shall be entitled to a cooling off period of three business days from the date of agreement or payment or from the date that the student first visits the institution, whichever is later.  During the cooling off period, the agreement can be withdrawn and all payments shall be refunded. Evidence of personal appearance at the institution or deposit of a written statement of withdrawal for delivery by mail or other means shall be deemed as meeting the terms of the cooling off period.

Following the cooling off period but prior to the beginning of instruction, a student may withdraw from enrollment following the cooling off period, prior to submission by the student of any lesson materials and effective upon deposit of a written statement of withdrawal for delivery by mail or other means, and the institution shall be entitled to retain no more$100 or 5% in tuition or fees, whichever is less, as registration charges.

A student may withdraw after beginning instruction or submitting lesson materials, effective upon appearance at the institution or deposit of a written statement of withdrawal for delivery by mail or other means. The institution shall be entitled to retain, as registration charges, no more than $100 or 5% of tuition and fees, whichever is less. Additionally, institutions are eligible to retain tuition and fees earned at a pro-rata amount according to the following schedule, based on the date of student withdrawal as a percentage of the enrollment period for which the student was obligated:

Upon request by a student or by the department, the institution shall provide an accounting for such amounts retained within five business days of the request.

Tuition and fee refunds will be made within thirty (30) calendar days of the institution receiving written notice of a student’s withdrawal or of the institution terminating enrollment of the student, whichever is earlier.

Ohio State Refund Policy                                          

Residents of Ohio who apply for enrollment at South University but are rejected or provide written notice of cancellation within five (5) calendar days of executing the enrollment agreement are entitled to a refund of all monies paid.  An applicant requesting cancellation more than five (5) calendar days after executing the enrollment agreement and making an initial payment but prior to the first day of class is entitled to a refund of all monies paid.

The University requests that a student choosing to withdraw from the school after the commencement of classes is to provide notice in writing or in person to the Office of the Registrar. The notice must include the expected last date of attendance and be signed and dated by the student. A student will be determined to be withdrawn from the institution if the student violates the University’s published attendance policy. All refunds will be submitted within thirty (30) calendar days of the determination of the withdrawal date. Refunds are calculated based on the student’s last date of attendance or participation in an academic activity.

Refunds for Tuition and Refundable Fees will be determined as Follows:

Oregon State Refund Policy

The Oregon State Refund Policy applies to students who are residents of Oregon.  Students who drop before the start date of the course will receive a 100% refund of the total cost of tuition for the course. Tuition refunds after the start of a course are based on weekly attendance.  A student will be determined to be withdrawn from the institution if the student violates the University’s published attendance policy.  All refunds will be submitted within thirty (30) calendar days of the determination of the withdrawal date.

5 and 5.5 Week Courses

• Students who withdraw from their course after attending week 1 will receive a 75% tuition refund.
• Students who withdraw from their course after attending week 2 will receive a 50% tuition refund.
• Students who withdraw from their course after attending week 3 will receive a 25% tuition refund.
• Students who withdraw from their course during or after the 4th week will receive a 0% tuition refund.

10 and 11 Week Courses

• Students who withdraw from their course after attending week 2 will receive a 75% tuition refund.
• Students who withdraw from their course after attending week 4 will receive a 50% tuition refund.
• Students who withdraw from their course after attending week 6 will receive a 25% tuition refund.
• Students who withdraw from their course during or after the 7th week will receive a 0% tuition refund.

Wisconsin State Refund Policy

The Wisconsin State Refund Policy applies to students who are residents of the state of Wisconsin who withdraw from all courses from South University. The enrollment agreement is a legally binding contract upon acceptance of the student by the school unless the student cancels the enrollment agreement within 3-business days of acceptance by the school day cancellation period.

A student who withdraws or is dismissed after the three-business day cancellation period, but before completing 60% of the potential units in the current enrollment period, shall be entitled to a pro rata refund, as calculated below, less any amounts owed by the student for the current enrollment period. Pro rata refund shall be determined as the number of units remaining after the last unit completed divided by the total number of units in the enrollment period, rounded downward to the nearest ten percent. Pro rata refund is the resulting percent applied to the total tuition and other required costs paid by the student for the current enrollment period.

The school will make every effort to refund prepaid amounts for books, supplies and other charges unless the student has consumed or used those items and they can no longer be used or sold to new students, or returned by the school to the supplier.

The school will issue refunds within 40 days of the effective date of termination. A written notice of withdrawal is not required. The student is considered withdrawn from the school if the student fails to attend classes, utilize instructional facilities, or submit lessons, without providing an explanation to the school regarding the inactivity for 15 days.

No refund is required for any student who withdraws or is dismissed after completing 60% of the potential units of instruction in the current enrollment period unless a student withdraws due to mitigating circumstances, which are those that directly prohibit pursuit of a program and which are beyond the student’s control.

Cancellation Privilege:

A student shall have the right to cancel enrollment for a program not exempted until midnight of the third business day after written and final receipt of notice of acceptance from the school;

The student will receive a full refund of all money paid if the student cancels within the three-business-day cancellation period; the student accepted was unqualified and the school did not secure a disclaimer; the school procured the student’s enrollment as the result of false representations in the written materials used by the school or in oral representations made by or on behalf of the school. The school will issue refunds within 3 days of cancellation.

Adjustments of the Tuition and Fee Charges before Attending Any Units of Instruction but After the 3 - Day Cancellation Period:

100% refund less a one-time application fee of $50.

Adjustment of Charges after Completing:

As part of this policy, the school may retain a one-time application fee of no more than $50.

6. The Art Institute of Dallas, The Art Institute of Fort Worth, The Art Institute of Charlotte and The Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham campuses:

Refund Policy Prior to Class Start

Applicants may cancel their enrollment in person or in writing before the beginning of classes. An applicant not requesting cancellation before the scheduled starting date indicated on his or her Enrollment Agreement will be considered a student.

1. All monies paid by applicants will be refunded if they are not accepted for admission.
2. The applicant may cancel the contract and receive a full refund of all monies paid if cancellation is requested by the applicant prior to the beginning of classes or within five (5) business days after signing the enrollment agreement, whichever is later, and making an initial payment.
3. For The Art Institute of Charlotte, if the student has not visited The Art Institute prior to enrollment, all tuition and fee monies paid by applicants will be refunded if requested within three (3) business days after their first tour of The Art Institute and inspection of equipment or if requested within three (3) business days of the student’s attendance at the regularly scheduled orientation program for their starting date, whichever is sooner.
4. Refunds will be made within thirty (30) calendar days after the applicant’s/student’s request to cancel application or within thirty (30) calendar days after his/her first scheduled class.
5. Applicants who postpone starting school after the original start date noted on the Enrollment Agreement are required to reapply and will be subject to the tuition, fees and other conditions on the revised Enrollment Agreement.

Refund Policy After Class Start

In the event of withdrawal by the student or termination by The Art Institute during any quarter of study:

1. Prepaid tuition and fees for any period beyond the student’s current quarter will be refunded in full.
2. The student may officially withdraw from school by notifying the Office of the Registrar in person or in writing. The termination date will be the student’s last date of attendance.  If the student stops attending without notifying the Office of the Registrar, The Art Institute shall determine the date of withdrawal. This determination date will be considered the notification date for refunding purposes. Refunds due shall be paid within thirty (30) calendar days of the notification date, unless the student is withdrawing at the end of the quarter.
3. Refunds for a student notifying The Art Institute prior to the end of a quarter that he/she will be withdrawing at the end of that quarter will be paid within thirty (30) calendar days of the last day of that quarter.
4. For a student who attended a previous quarter of study and did not indicate that he/she was not returning, refunds will be made within thirty (30) calendar days of the first scheduled day of class in the quarter in which the student was expected to return. 
5. The refund shall be paid to the student, unless payment to a lender or other entity is required by the terms of a student financial aid program in which the school participates.
6. In the event of a fully documented extreme illness or personal emergency that makes it impractical for the student to complete the program, The Art Institute may modify the tuition refund policy as deemed appropriate to the circumstances.
7. In the event The Art Institute cancels or changes a course or program of study in such a way that a student who had started the program or course is unable to complete it, The Art Institute will refund all monies paid by the student for the course or program within thirty (30) calendar days.
8. A separate lease agreement and refund policy exists for students who lease housing accommodations arranged by The Art Institutes. The Art Institutes reserve the right to apply any student payment, or any refund due a student, to any student financial liability.
9. Each academic quarter is eleven (11) weeks in duration. The calculation of refunds is based upon the last day of attendance within the quarter. Any portion of a day’s attendance is considered a full day of attendance for refund purposes.
10. Session II academic terms are approximately five and one-half weeks in duration. The calculation of refunds is based upon the last day of attendance within the term. Any portion of a day’s attendance is considered a full day of attendance for refund purposes. Information in the catalog or student handbook will apply except for the following changes specific to Session II courses:  The add/drop period is two days from the start of Session II courses and financial aid eligibility may change if the student drops or adds one or more courses. Please see your Financial Aid Officer before dropping or adding a course.
11. As allowed under federal, state, and accreditation agency rules, the refund policy may be changed. Students will be notified approximately sixty (60) days in advance of any changes.

Adjustment of Charges for the Quarter or Courses Delivered in Session I or in Session II

The Art Institutes of Dallas and Fort Worth:

In accordance with The Art Institutes of Dallas and Fort Worth refund policy, in the event of withdrawal by the student, or suspension or termination by The Art Institute:

1. Refer to the Kits, Components of the Kits, Books, or Supplies Return Policy below.
2. In the event of withdrawal or suspension or termination from school, The Art Institute will retain earned tuition and fees for the quarter and mid-quarter starts as follows, based on the week in which the student withdraws:

Refund Policy for Oklahoma Residents at The Art Institutes of Dallas and Fort Worth:

1. For first quarter students who terminate within the first week of training, the school will retain no more than 10% of the contract price of the course plus a $100 administrative fee, but no more than a total of $350.
2. For a student terminating training after completing the first week but within the first 25% of the program, the tuition and fees retained by the school shall not exceed 25% of the contract price of the program plus $150.
3. For a student terminating training after completing over 25% up through 50% of the program, the tuition and fees retained by the school shall not exceed 50% of the contract price of the program plus $150.
4. A student completing more than 50% of the program is not entitled to a refund of any tuition.
5. In case of a student’s prolonged illness or accident, death in the family, or any other circumstances that make it impractical to complete the course, that school shall make settlement, which is reasonable and fair to both.
6. In all other respects and circumstances, the refund policy set forth above applies to Oklahoma students.

The Art Institutes of Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham:

In accordance with the North Carolina Administrative Code for The Art Institutes of Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham, if a student withdraws from school, The Art Institute will earn tuition and fees as follows, based on the student’s last day of attendance:

Quarter Starts:

First 25% of the quarter in calendar days - 25%
After the first 25% of the quarter in calendar days - 100%

Mid-Quarter Starts:

Week One                            25%
Week Two                            50%
Week Three                         75%
After Week Three              100%

Refund Policy for Online Course Withdrawal

Students who withdrawal from a Session I or Session II online course after the add/drop period are treated the same as if they withdrew from an on-ground course. Session II courses begin approximately the day after the Session I courses end, and run approximately five and one-half weeks. The ending date of the second session may not coincide with ending date of the on-ground courses.

Refund Calculations After Class Start

If there is additional money to be refunded from federal funds after calculating the Return of Title IV formula and the refund policy, the refund will be made to the student or, with the student’s authorization, to the federal loan program(s) in the following order, up to the amount received for the term of withdrawal:  Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans, Federal Subsidized Direct Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal PLUS Loans and Alternative Loans. If there is an additional credit balance made up of non-Title IV funds, it will be refunded in the following order, up to the amount received for the term of withdrawal:  Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans, Federal Subsidized Direct Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal PLUS Loans, Alternative Loans, other loans, other aid (if required), and student.

Kits, Components of the Kits, Books, or Supplies Return Policy

For The Art Institutes of Dallas and Fort Worth:  If kits, components of the kit, books, supplies, or uniforms, are returned to the Supply Store in resalable, completely unused condition within twenty-one (21) calendar days of withdrawal, a credit will be given. Students who leave school during the first three weeks of the mid-quarter session may return the starting kit and/or individual components of the starting kit within ten (10) calendar days of the last date of attendance in the mid-quarter session.

For The Art Institutes of Charlotte and Raleigh Durham:  Students who leave school during the first three weeks of the session may return the starting kit and/or individual components of the starting kit within ten (10) calendar days of your last date of attendance. If kits, components of the kit, books, or supplies are returned to the bookstore in re-salable condition, a credit will be given.

All refunds and return of funds will be made within thirty (30) calendar days of the date the student notifies The Art Institute of the withdrawal.

Examples of the calculations for these policies are available in the Student Accounting Office.

Official and Unofficial Withdrawal

To officially withdraw, the student will need to notify the Office of the Registrar in person or in writing.  The registrar will assist the student to complete the withdrawal process and will determine the last date of attendance and the date of determination.  The date of determination would be the earlier of the date the student begins the school’s withdrawal process or the date the student provides notice.  For students who unofficially withdraw, the Registrar will determine the last date of attendance using attendance records.  The refund policies shall apply in the event that a student withdraws, is suspended, or is terminated from school.

A student who withdraws from a program before the end of week 9 for an 11 week term (before the end of week 4 for a 5.5 week term) will be assigned a “W” code for each course within that quarter. To withdraw from a program, a student must notify the Registrar’s Office. Every course for which a student receives an “F”, a “UF”, or a “W” grade/code must be repeated and completed with a passing grade in order to graduate. The original grade/code and the subsequent passing grade(s) will remain on the record for reference purposes. However, when a course is successfully repeated, only the passing grade will be computed in the grade point average. Tuition is charged for repeated courses.

When a final course grade has been established and recorded in the student record, the grade may not be changed without approval by the Academic Director or Chair and the Dean of Academic Affairs. Withdrawals and failed courses can affect the student’s Incremental Completion Rate and ability to succeed.

For the purpose of determining a refund, a student is deemed to have withdrawn from a course of instruction when any of the following occur:

1. The student notifies The Art Institute of withdrawal or of the date of withdrawal.
2. The Art Institute terminates the student’s enrollment in accordance with institutional policies.
3. The student exceeds the number of absences allowed and must be withdrawn from the last class remaining on his/her program of study. The date of withdrawal shall be deemed the last date of recorded attendance.
4. All refunds and return of funds will be made within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of determination.

Non-Payment of Charges

Non-payment of tuition, housing, and/or other charges due to The Art Institute will result in the student being obligated for additional interest charges, collection agency fees, and legal fees. We also reserve the right to report your failure to pay amounts to one or more national credit bureau organizations and not release your academic transcript until all your debts to us are paid in full.

Interest on Outstanding Balances                          

Students who have entered into a retail installment contract with the school may be subject to interest being charged. Please reference the retail installment contract and disclosure documents to understand the interest rate that will be charged and how interest charges are computed.

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Return of Title IV Funds

On-Campus Programs and Term-Based Online Programs

In compliance with Federal regulations, the school will determine how much Federal student financial assistance the student has earned or not earned when a student who is a Title IV recipient withdraws from school.

The school will calculate the percentage and amount of awarded Federal student financial assistance that the student has earned if the student withdraws up through the 60 percent point of the term or session if the student is only attending a session. If the student has completed more than 60 percent of the term or session the student earns 100 percent of the Federal student financial assistance.

The amount earned will be based on the percentage of the term that was completed in days up to and including the last date of attendance. To calculate the amount earned, the school will determine the percentage by dividing the number of calendar days completed in the term up to and including the last date of attendance by the total number of calendar days in the term. If there is a scheduled break of five or more days, it will reduce the term length and if the scheduled break is before the student’s last date of attendance, it will also reduce the calendar days completed.

If the student received more than the amount of Federal student financial assistance earned, the difference will be returned to the Federal student financial assistance programs from which funds were received in the following order: Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans, Federal Subsidized Direct Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loans, Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. Funds will be returned to the aid source within forty-five (45) calendar days of the date that the school determines that the student has withdrawn.

If more Federal student financial assistance has been earned than has been received, the student may be eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement. The school will notify the student of any post-withdrawal disbursement loan funds for which the student may be eligible and what steps need to be taken for the Federal financial assistance funds to be received.  The student or parent, in the case of the Federal PLUS Loans, needs to provide permission before any loan funds may be disbursed on the student’s account or disbursed to the student or parent. However, the school may automatically use all or a portion of the post-withdrawal disbursement of grant funds for tuition, fees, and room and board charges (as contracted with the school), and, with the student’s authorization, the school may automatically use the grant funds for other educationally-related charges.  Any balance of grant funds that may be available will be offered the student.

If Federal student financial assistance funds need to be returned, the institution must return a portion or all of the unearned funds equal to the lesser of:

• The institutional charges multiplied by the percentage of the unearned Federal student financial assistance funds; or
• The entire amount of unearned funds.

If there are remaining unearned Federal financial aid funds to be returned, the student must return any loan funds that remain to be returned in accordance with the terms and conditions of the promissory note. If the remaining amount of funds to be returned includes grant funds, the student must return any amount of the overpayment that is more than half of the grant funds received. The school will notify the student as to the amount owed and how and where it should be returned.

If students are only scheduled to attend Session I or Session II, the Return of Title IV Funds calculation as described will be applied to the applicable Session attended using the session start and end dates.

Non-Term Based Online Programs

In compliance with Federal regulations, the school will determine how much Federal student financial assistance the student has earned or not earned when a student who is a Title IV recipient withdraws from school.

The school will calculate the percentage and amount of awarded Federal student financial assistance that the student has earned if the student withdraws up through the 60 percent point of the payment period. If the student has completed more than 60 percent of the payment period, the student earns 100 percent of the Federal student financial assistance.

When a student withdraws from the payment period, the amount of federal financial aid assistance the student earned is determined by a specific for­mula. Scheduled breaks of at least five consecutive days and days in which the student was on an approved leave of absence are excluded from this calculation. Generally, a payment period consists of 18 credits. If the student received less assistance than the amount the student earned, the student may be able to receive those additional funds as a post-withdrawal disbursement. If the student received more assistance than the amount the student earned, the excess funds must be returned by the University and/or the student. The excess funds could result in an overpayment. The amount of assistance the student earned is determined on a rate-of-progression basis. When the student completes more than 60 percent of the payment period, the student earns all the assistance scheduled for that payment period.

If the student received more than the amount of Federal student financial assistance earned, the difference will be returned to the Federal student financial assistance programs from which funds were received in the following order: Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans, Federal Subsidized Direct Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loans, Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. Funds will be returned to the aid source within forty-five (45) calendar days of the date that the school determines that the student has withdrawn.

If more Federal student financial assistance has been earned than has been received, the student may be eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement. The school will notify the student of any post-withdrawal disbursement loan funds for which the student may be eligible and what steps need to be taken for the Federal financial assistance funds to be received.  The student or parent, in the case of the Federal PLUS Loans, needs to provide permission before any loan funds may be disbursed on the student’s account or disbursed to the student or parent. However, the school may automatically use all or a portion of the post-withdrawal disbursement of grant funds for tuition, fees, and room and board charges (as contracted with the school), and, with the student’s authorization, the school may automatically use the grant funds for other educationally-related charges.  Any balance of grant funds that may be available will be offered the student.

If Federal student financial assistance funds need to be returned, the institution must return a portion or all of the unearned funds equal to the lesser of:

• The institutional charges multiplied by the percentage of the unearned Federal student financial assistance funds; or
• The entire amount of unearned funds.

If there are remaining unearned Federal financial aid funds to be returned, the student must return any loan funds that remain to be returned in accordance with the terms and conditions of the promissory note. If the remaining amount of funds to be returned includes grant funds, the student must return any amount of the overpayment that is more than half of the grant funds received. The school will notify the student as to the amount owed and how and where it should be returned.

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Loan Disbursement Information

(Online Programs)

The first payment period will be delivered on or after the start date of the course, depending upon completion of the financial aid paperwork .The second payment period will be delivered once a student has successfully completed the first payment period and the student has begun the second payment period of the Academic Year, which is defined as the time of certification of Title IV funds.

Grades of W, WF, I, or F do not count toward successfully completed courses. Grades of D that do not count towards successful completion of required major course and thus must be repeated, also do not count toward successfully completed courses. In addition, students who are required or choose to repeat courses in which they earned a grade of C will not have the repeated course counted toward successfully completed courses.

A student may receive subsequent loans once the conditions of the current loan have been met.

NOTE: Once a grade of I is successfully completed for a permanent grade as outlined above, the course will count towards successful

completion. However, no subsequent Title IV certifications can occur until a grade other than I is posted.

Approved Tuition Waiver

(South University, Online Programs)

Students receiving a W for a course will be granted an Approved Tuition Waiver upon return. Any students taking a course within 90 days of receiving a W will be granted an Approved Tuition Waiver as long as they successfully complete the subsequent course following the W grade. Any tuition for the course already paid by the student will be credited toward the student’s account.

Students in term-based programs are not eligible for the Approved Tuition Waiver.

Official Withdrawal Procedure

To withdraw officially from the institution, students must contact the office of the registrar to provide notification of their intention to withdraw in writing. The effective date of the withdrawal cannot be earlier than date of the written contact with the registrar’s office. Fully online students must contact their Academic Advisor to officially withdraw from school.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to those who quality.  Financial aid is the economic assistance available to help students meet the difference between what they can afford to pay and what it actually costs them to go to school. This economic assistance may be in the form of scholarships, grants, work-study programs, or loans.

A financial aid package is a combination of different forms of financial aid that together makes up a student financial aid award. A financial aid package may include grants, loans, or a combination of these two.

A student’s ability to contribute to the cost of his or her education is determined by the use of a needs analysis, which is a consistent, systematic way of measuring the ability of a family to pay for educational costs and its eligibility to receive funds from federal programs. It determines the ability, not the willingness, of a student or family to finance the student’s education. Everyone who applies is treated fairly and equally under this system. In determining how much a student and his or her family can contribute, a number of factors are considered. From these factors, a needs analysis determines how much a student and his or her family can contribute and how much money will be needed to finance the student’s education.

Application Process for Financial Aid

To apply for any form of financial aid at South University, a student must:

1. Apply for admission to the University.
2. Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form is for both in and out-of-state students.

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Student Aid Programs

South University participates in several student aid programs. A brief description of each follows.

Grants

Alabama Student Grant (ASG) (Montgomery campus only)

This Alabama grant program is available to students who are Alabama residents and who are enrolled at least half-time in an undergraduate program of study. Applications are available in the financial aid office.

Alabama Student Assistance Grant Program (ASAP) (Montgomery campus only)

This Alabama grant program provides additional funds to Alabama residents with exceptional need and is awarded by the financial aid office to eligible students who are enrolled at least half-time in an undergraduate program of study and have a federal expected family contribution (EFC) of zero.

Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program (ANGEAP) (Montgomery campus only)

This Alabama grant program is available to Alabama National Guard members. Students submit an application to the Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program Office before August 1st of the academic year for which grant funds are being requested. Students may obtain applications through the financial aid office or the ANGEAP office.

Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant (Savannah campus only)

The Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG) entitles qualified Georgia residents who are full-time students to a tuition grant without respect to age, income, or academic standing. Applications are available from the financial aid office.

Georgia LEAP Grant Program (Savannah campus only)

The Georgia LEAP Grant program provides additional funds to students with exceptional need. Apply through the financial aid office to determine eligibility. GLPG is a grant and requires no repayment.

Access to Better Learning and Education (West Palm Beach campus only)

This Florida grant program is available to students who are Florida residents and who are enrolled full-time in bachelor’s degree programs.

Florida State Assistance Grant (FSAG) (West Palm Beach campus only)

This program is available to fulltime students meeting Florida residency requirements and working toward their first degree.

Federal Pell Grant Program

Federal Pell Grants are based on financial need, as defined by the U.S. Department of Education. To be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, students must: make application each year by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); prove U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status; be able to show graduation from high school or its equivalency; not owe a refund on a federal grant nor be in default on a federal loan; and maintain satisfactory academic progress in school.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOG)

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are for students who demonstrate exceptional financial need (with priority given to Pell Grant recipients). There are a limited number of awards available each year so early application is encouraged. This typically does not have to be repaid.

South University Institutional Grant

The South University Institutional Grant will be offered at $1,000 per quarter. In order to be eligible, students must meet the following requirements:

1. An official nine-month Expected Family Contribution (EFC), as determined by the U.S. Department of Education, based on completion of the applicable Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), of 3500 or higher.
2. Be in their freshman or sophomore years, as defined by grade-level classification.
3. Students are not required to accept any Federal student loans for which they may be eligible.
4. If Federal loans are requested at any time in the freshman or sophomore years, the student’s eligibility for the South University Institutional Grant may be eliminated.
5. If there is a difference (gap) between the direct charges (tuition, books, and required fees) from South University, minus all other aid such as Pell Grants and any state grants, Veterans military benefits or Training Assistance educational benefits, federal, or institutional loans, then:
6. If the unfinanced gap is less than $1,000 per quarter, the South University Institutional Grant will be zero.
7. In no quarter may the student’s aid and educational resources, including the South University Institutional Grant, exceed the student’s direct charges.
8. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress and be in good academic standing.
9. Attend a minimum of 10 credit hours per quarter.

Maintain enrollment status (as defined in #7 above) past the midpoint of the quarter, i.e., after attendance in Session II has been established as appropriate based on the student’s schedule of onground and online classes; the South University Institutional Grant will be disbursed after that determination has been made.

The decision of eligibility by the financial aid office is final.

Loans

Federal Perkins Loan Program

Federal Perkins Loans offer a low 5 percent fixed interest rate and repayment terms may be as long as ten years. Because funds under this program are extremely limited, priority is given to students with the greatest financial need, as determined by the results of the FAFSA. Repayment on the loan generally does not begin until nine months after a student leaves campus or coursework is reduced to less than halftime (or less than 6 credits in a quarter). Only available to returning students.

Federal Direct Loan Program Subsidized

The Federal Direct Subsidized Loan is a fixed interest loan available to students through the federal government. The interest is subsidized by the federal government.  To be eligible, a student must be a citizen or permanent resident alien of the United States and meet other eligibility requirements. Repayment of the loan begins six months after the student’ drops below half time enrollment.

Unsubsidized

The Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is a fixed interest loan available to students through the Federal Government. The interest is not subsidized by the federal government and begins accruing on the date of disbursement.  Students may either pay this interest as it becomes due or let it capitalize on the original loan amount which will increase the overall amount to be repaid by the student. The Unsubsidized Loan repayment begins six months after the student drops below half time enrollment. Dependent students who do not meet the need requirements for a Subsidized Loan will be eligible for unsubsidized loans. Students whose parents are denied a PLUS Loan, may also apply for additional unsubsidized loan amounts, based on the student’s grade level. Please refer to a Student Financial Services professional for additional information.

Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) Loan Program

The Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students is a fixed interest loan available to parents through the Federal Government. The PLUS loan is a credit-based loan available to parents of dependent students. The PLUS loan repayment begins 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed.

Federal Direct Grad PLUS Loan

This loan is for graduate students.The student must have a good credit history. The interest on this loan is not subsidized. 

Plus Loan Borrowing Limits: Parents or graduate students may borrow up to the full cost of attendance minus any financial aid the student receives.

Scholarships

Georgia HOPE Scholarship (Savannah campus only)

This scholarship is available to qualified Georgia residents who graduated from high school in 1996 or later with a minimum 3.00 grade point average. Additional information about eligibility is available from the financial aid or registrar’s office.

Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program (West Palm Beach campus only)

This scholarship program is available to students who have applied before their graduation from high school or GED and are currently enrolled at the University and meet the scholarship criteria.

South Carolina HOPE Scholarship (Columbia campus only)

This scholarship is available to qualified South Carolina residents who graduated from high school in 2002 or later with a minimum of a 3.00 grade point average. Additional information about eligibility is available from the financial aid office.

South Carolina LIFE Scholarship (Columbia campus only)

This scholarship is available to qualified South Carolina residents who meet the eligibility criteria. Information about eligibility requirements is available from the financial aid office.

Veteran Benefits

South University maintains program participation with the Regional Veteran’s Affairs office. Veterans must complete VA paper work and submit a copy of their DD Form 214 for certification. Eligibility is based on program of study and coursework. Please see the South University VA representative for more information.

For students using Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits, any complaint against the school should be routed through the VA GI Bill Feedback System by going to the following link: http://www.benefits.va.gov/GIBILL/Feedback.asp.  The VA will then follow up through the appropriate channels to investigate the complaint and resolve it satisfactorily

Federal Work-Study Program (ground campuses only)

Through the Federal Work-Study program, students have the opportunity to meet part of their expenses by working part-time on or off campus. Students can earn at least minimum wage, and possibly higher for specific positions. A limited number of assignments are available, with priority given to students with the greatest need, as determined by the results of the FAFSA. The Student Financial Services Department has more details. The maximum students can earn through this program is the amount of their unmet need (the difference between expenses and all their resources).

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Jury Waiver and Agreement to Binding, Individual Arbitration

Student and South University irrevocably waive our rights to a trial by jury and agree instead that any and all disputes, no matter how described, pleaded or styled, between me and South University (including its parent and past and present affiliates, employees, agents, and lenders) or related to any aspect of my relationship with or any act or omission by South University (“Claim”) shall be resolved by individual  binding arbitration, conducted by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) under its Commercial Arbitration Rules and applicable Supplementary Procedures for Consumer-Related Disputes (“AAA Rules”) and in accordance with the terms of this Jury Waiver and Agreement to Binding, Individual Arbitration (“Arbitration Agreement”).  Student can obtain a copy of the AAA Rules at www.adr.org or by calling 1-800-778-7879.  This Arbitration Agreement, however, does not modify Student’s right, if any, to file a grievance with any state educational licensing agency or accrediting body.

1. Student is strongly encouraged to first attempt to resolve the Claim by using the General Student Complaint Procedure outlined in the Catalog.  
2. Neither party shall file or maintain any lawsuit in court against the other, and any suit filed in violation of this Arbitration Agreement shall be dismissed by the court in favor of arbitration conducted pursuant to this Arbitration Agreement.  The parties agree that the moving party shall be entitled to an award of costs and fees of compelling arbitration.
3. The arbitration shall take place before a single, neutral arbitrator in the federal judicial district in which Student resides, unless the parties agree otherwise. 
4. Student will be responsible for paying a portion of the AAA filing fee at the time his/her Claim is filed in an amount equal to $200 or the applicable filing fee of the court of general jurisdiction in the district/circuit near me, whichever fee is less.  The parties shall bear the expense of their own attorneys, experts and witnesses, unless the applicable law provides, and the arbitrator determines, otherwise.
5. Student agrees not to combine or consolidate any Claims with those of other students, such as in a class or mass action, or to have any Claims be arbitrated or litigated jointly or consolidated with any other person’s claims.  Further, the parties agree that the arbitrator shall have no authority to join or consolidate claims by more than one person.  I understand that I may opt out of this single-case provision by delivering via certified mail return receipt a written statement to that effect to the Vice President and Senior Counsel of South University /EDMC at 210 Sixth Avenue, Suite 3300 Pittsburgh, PA  15222 within 30 days of my first execution of an Enrollment Agreement.  
6. The Federal Arbitration Act (FAA), including all its substantive and procedural provisions, and related federal decisional law shall govern this Arbitration Agreement to the fullest extent possible.  All determinations as to the scope, enforceability, validity and effect of this Arbitration Agreement shall be made by the arbitrator, and not by a court. However, any issue concerning the validity of paragraph 5 above must be decided by a court, and an arbitrator does not have authority to consider the validity of paragraph 5. If for any reason, paragraph 5 is found to be unenforceable, any putative class or mass action may only be heard in court on a non-jury basis and may not be arbitrated under this Agreement.
7. The arbitrator shall have the power to award any remedy that directly benefits the parties to this Arbitration Agreement (provided the remedy would be available from a court under the law where the Arbitration Agreement was executed) but not the power to award relief for the benefit of anyone not a party to this Arbitration Agreement.
8. Judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. 
9. Notwithstanding any provision in the Catalog or Enrollment Agreement, this Arbitration Agreement shall not be modified except by written agreement signed by both parties.  Any or all of the provisions set forth in this Arbitration Agreement may also be waived by the party against whom the Claim is asserted, but such waiver shall be in writing, physically signed (not merely electronically signed) by the party waiving, and specifically identify the provision or provisions being waived. Any such waiver shall not waive or affect any other portion of the Arbitration Agreement.
10. This Arbitration Agreement shall survive the termination of Student’s relationship with South University.
11. If any part(s) of this Arbitration Agreement are found to be invalid or unenforceable, then such specific part(s) shall be of no force and effect and shall be severed, but the remainder of the Arbitration Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

STUDENT UNDERSTANDS AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT S/HE IS WAIVING HIS/HER RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL, TO ENGAGE IN DISCOVERY (EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THE AAA RULES), AND TO LITIGATE THE DISPUTE OR CLAIM IN ANY COURT. FURTHER, STUDENT UNDERSTANDS AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT S/HE WILL NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE AS A REPRESENTATIVE OR MEMBER OF ANY CLASS ACTION AGAINST SOUTH UNIVERSITY.

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