Refund Policy for Tuition Payments

Payments for tuition and fees will be refunded as follows:

·Credit card payments will be refunded to the credit card in which the charge originated.

·Check payments are subject to a 10-busines day processing period and will be refunded via a check payable to the student.

·Cash, money orders, and traveler's/cashier's checks will be refunded via a check payable to the student.

Refund Policy for Tuition & Fees AR 2.2.10

A. Refund Policy for Credit Classes

Students who officially withdraw from credit classes (in fall, spring, or summer) within the withdrawal deadlines listed below will receive a 100% refund for tuition, class and registration processing fees. Deadlines that fall on a weekend or a college holiday will advance to the next college workday except for classes 1-9 calendar days in length or as specified by the college. Calendar days include weekdays and weekends. Refer to individual colleges for withdrawal and appeal processes.

*Course fees and registration processing fees will be refunded only if the student qualifies for a 100% refund.

All refunds and deposits that may be due a student will first be applied to debts owed to the college.

Refunds for students receiving federal financial assistance are subject to federal guidelines.

B. Refund Policy for Non-Credit Classes
Unless otherwise specified, students must drop non-credit classes prior to the course start date to be eligible for a 100% refund.

C. Canceled Classes
When a class is canceled by the college, a 100% refund will be made.

D. Students withdrawing from a college or from courses for one of the following reasons must submit a Refund Appeal Expection Request to request a refund:

• A student with a serious illness, verifiable by a doctor's written statement that the illness prevents the student from attending all classes for the semester. The doctor's statement must be on file with the college before a refund can be given.
• Serious illness or death of a family member that prevents the student from attending all classes for the semester. Appropriate documentation must be provided before a refund can be given.
• Death of a student. Appropriate documentation must be provided before a refund can be given.
  

Requests for a total withdrawal from a college or courses for one of the above reasons may result in a prorated refund of tuition, provided courses have not been completed.

A student in the Armed Forces or the Arizona National Guard who is called to active duty and assigned to a duty station, verifiable by a copy of the orders, will be allowed to withdraw and receive a 100% refund of tuition, provided courses have not been completed.

Refund Appeal Exception Request Process

It is the responsibility of our students at Estrella Mountain Community College to be aware of the refund policy as stated (AR2.2.10) in the college catalog and in the class schedule. Refund deadlines are based on the official start date of the class and the duration of the class. The refund deadline does not change if a student enrolls after the class has started.

After the deadline, you may request a refund if you are unable to complete a class/semester for reasons beyond your control, such as a medical emergency, family death or military commitments. The following reasons are NOT valid reasons to request a refund beyond the deadline: a change in work schedule, child care or semester workload or for failing a course.

Students who may be experiencing academic difficulty in a course are encouraged to seek assistance with the instructor or through other student services available on campus. Students who may be experiencing difficulty with an instructor should follow the Instructional Grievance policy as listed in the college catalog.

In order to review your circumstances, the following items are required. All three items listed below MUST be submitted at the same time.

1. Download the Refund Appeal Exception Request Form.

Download Refund Appeal Expection Request Form

2. Complete Refund Exception form and provide a written explanation of the circumstances for requesting a refund beyond the deadline date.

3. Attach documentation to support your request (i.e. medical documentation completed by a physician, copy of military orders, copy of a death certificate or other death notice, etc.

4.  Submit completed Refund Exception form and documentation to Enrollment Services in Komatke Hall B.

Incomplete or undocumented requests will not be reviewed. If your request is approved it may not relieve you of your financial obligation and may affect financial aid or veteran's educational benefits.

All items must be attached to the Refund Appeal Exception Request and be submitted to Enrollment Services. Written notification of the decision will be mailed to your address of record. Student is responsible for updating their address via My.maricopa.edu student center. Allow three weeks for processing.

The Refund Appeal Exceptions Appeals committee does not review tuition refund exceptions when the basis of the appeal is related to the academic delivery, instructor conflicts, grading, or any academically related request for refund exception. Any and all academic grievances must follow the Instructional Grievance Process the steps are described in the college catalog under Policies.

INSTRUCTIONAL GRIEVANCE PROCESS (AR 2.3.5 & Appendix S-6)
A student who feels that he or she has been treated unfairly or unjustly by a faculty member with regard to academic process such as grading, testing or assignments, has the right to appeal according to the approved procedures. The appeal process for grades expires one year from the date the grade was issued.

College Catalog available at: http://www.estrellamountain.edu/catalog/