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  Oct 04, 2024
 
Palo Alto College Schedule/Catalog 2016-2017 
    
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Palo Alto College Schedule/Catalog 2016-2017 [Archived Catalog]

Tuition & Refunds


 

 

 

Residency

Students verify and establish residency based on the answers they provide to the core Residency questions on the ApplyTexas application. Students may be contacted by the college in the Alamo Colleges District for additional residency documentation. Residency status can only be changed prior to the census date.

  • In-District Bexar County Resident: A Texas resident who has lived in Texas for the past twelve (12) months and resides in Bexar County.
  • Out-of-District Student: A Texas resident for the past twelve (12) months who does not reside in Bexar County.
  • Out-of-State Student: A U.S. citizen who has not lived in Texas for the past twelve (12) months.
  • Out-of-Country Student: A non-U.S. citizen who is not a resident alien.

Preferred documentation for in-district classification:

  • TX ID or Driver’s License
  • Current lease or proof of ownership of real property

Other acceptable documentation:

  • Utility or telephone bill
  • Voter registration card
  • Pay stub
  • Bank statement
  • Documentation from social service agency indicating receipt of services in Bexar County
  • Other documentation may be presented and accepted at the discretion of the college’s Residency Determination Official

Active Duty Military, Reserves, Texas National Guard and Family Members

Active duty military and members of the Texas Reserves or Texas National Guard, as well as their spouses and/or dependent children, stationed in Texas can qualify for in-state tuition and fees provided a Military Verification form is completed and signed by the service member’s Commander, Personnel Officer, or other designated representative. The Military Verification form must be submitted at least once per academic year.

Veterans and Family Members

For veterans who are not Texans, Texas Senate Bill 297 expands in-state tuition and fees benefits to military veterans and their spouses and children without regard to the length of time they have resided in Texas, if the person files with the institution a letter of intent to establish residence in Texas and resides in Texas while enrolled in the institution and the person is:

  • eligible for benefits under the federal Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 or any other federal law authorizing educational benefits for veterans
  • the spouse of a person who is eligible for such benefits, or
  • a child, including a stepchild, of a person who is eligible for such benefits who is 25 years of age or younger on the first day of the semester or other academic term for which the person is registering (excepting a child or stepchild who suffered from a severe illness or other debilitating condition that affected the person’s ability to use the benefit before reaching the age of 25, as ruled upon by the THECB to be granted additional time to use the benefit).

Tuition Reimbursement/Rebate Policy

Under Section 54.0065 of the Texas Education Code, students graduating from a Texas public baccalaureate-granting university may be entitled to a partial tuition rebate.

Eligible students must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Must have enrolled for the first time in an institution of higher education in Fall 1997 or later.
  • Must be requesting a rebate for work related to a first baccalaureate degree received from a Texas public university.
  • Must have been a resident of Texas, must have attempted all coursework at a Texas public institution of higher education, and must have been entitled to pay resident tuition at all times while pursuing the degree.
  • Must have attempted no more than three (3) hours in excess of the minimum number of semester credit hours required to complete the degree detailed in the catalog under which they were graduated. Hours attempted include transfer credits, course credit earned by examination, courses dropped after the official Census Date, for-credit developmental courses, optional internship and cooperative education courses, and repeated courses.

Students who are seeking tuition rebates are responsible for enrolling only in courses that will qualify them for the rebates. Courses dropped for reasons that are determined by the institution to be beyond the control of the student shall not be counted.

Payment Plans

Payment Plan deadlines are available online.

Spring Standard Payment Plan - for students not receiving financial aid

Spring Payment Amount Due Plan 1: 16-Week Plan 1: Flex 1 Plan 1: Start II Plan 2: Flex II
1st Payment 34% tuition and fees
+$25 Admin. Fee
Varies based on payment deadline (according to registration date) Varies based on payment deadline (according to registration date) Varies based on payment deadline (according to registration date) Varies based on payment deadline (according to registration date)
2nd Payment 33% tuition and fees 02/9/2017 02/9/2017 02/9/2017 02/16/2017
3rd Payment 33% tuition and fees 03/2/2017 03/2/2017 03/2/2017 03/2/2017

Summer Payment Plans

Summer Payment Amount Due Plan 1: Maymester & Summer I/8 Week Plan 2: Summer II Plan 3: Financial Aid Students Only*
1st Payment $25 down payment + $25 Admin Fee      
2nd Payment 50% tuition and fees
 
Varies based on payment deadline (according to registration date) Varies based on payment deadline (according to registration date) Varies based on payment deadline (according to registration date)
3rd Payment 50% tuition and fees June 15 July 20 June 15

*Financial Aid Payment Plan - for students receiving financial aid but the award amount may not cover all tuition and fees

Note: Military members using military tuition assistance (TA) and military spouses using Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) funding may submit a Deferment Request to be excluded from payment deadline drops until the last payment deadline for the term of intended enrollment. To request the exclusion from being dropped for non-payment, service members and spouses should follow the process outlined below.

  • Register for classes
  • Submit the Tuition and Fees Payment Deferment Request to your installation’s Alamo Colleges District representative prior to the subsequent payment deadline
  • Apply for Military Tuition Assistance (TA) or Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA)
  • Monitor your registration status and alert the installation representative of any changes
  • Submit the approved TA / MyCAA funds documentation prior to the last payment deadline of the semester start

For additional information email dst-military@alamo.edu or visit www.alamo.edu/military

Tuition Waivers

In the Spring of 2014, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 1210. It went into effect Fall 2014. This law now requires students who receive specific tuition exemptions or waivers to meet two new requirements: 1) maintain a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) and 2) excess hour limit provision in order to continue to receive this benefit. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board indicated this law affects a number of exemption and waiver programs. 

Common exemptions or waivers that are subject to the new law include:

  • Adopted
  • Deaf or blind
  • Firefighters taking Fire Science courses
  • Hazelwood exemptions (all Hazelwood waivers except for child/spouse of a deceased veteran)
  • Highest-ranking high school scholar
  • Peace officer
  • Senior citizen
  • Foster Care Exemptions are currently exempt from the GPA evaluation.

Hazlewood Program for Texas Veterans

The Hazlewood Act (Texas Education Code 54.203) provides education benefits to honorably discharged or separated Texas veterans and their dependent children and spouses by exempting those veterans from the payment of tuition and certain fees at state colleges.

New provisions, authorized in Texas Senate Bill 93, known as the “Hazlewood Legacy Act,” remove certain residency restrictions and permit eligible veterans to assign their unused hours to their children. Student Veterans are encouraged to check the Texas Veterans Commission website for the most current information for Military and Veterans. Students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress as outlined by the institution. (See Financial Aid-12)

Eligible veterans:

  • Those who, at the time of entry into the U.S. Armed Forces:  
    • Are Texas residents,
    • Designated Texas as Home of Record, or
    • Entered into the service in Texas.
  • Have served at least 181 days of active military duty, as indicated as “net active service” (the sum of 12(c) and 12(d) on the DD214),
  • Have received an honorable discharge or separation or a general discharge under honorable conditions,
  • Have no federal veteran’s education benefits, or have federal veterans education benefits dedicated to the payment of tuition and fees only; such as Chapter 33, for term or semester enrolled that do not exceed the value of Hazlewood benefits (Pell and SEOG Grants are not relevant),
  • Are not in default on a student loan made or guaranteed by the State of Texas, and
  • Enroll in classes for which the college receives tax support (i.e., a course that does not depend solely on student tuition and fees to cover its costs), unless the college’s governing board has ruled to let veterans receive the benefit while taking non-funded courses.

If the conditions listed above are met, the applicant must submit the following to the Veterans Affairs Office:

  • A letter from the DVA in Muskogee, Oklahoma, stating that the applicant has no further educational entitlement under the G.I. Bill if the veteran has served since 9/11; and
  • A copy of the applicant’s DD214 (member copy #4) showing “Character of Discharge.”

The applicant may enroll in non-credit courses if these conditions are met. A copy of the application is available online at tvc.texas.gov.

A person who received an exemption before the 2011-2012 academic year continues to be eligible for the exemption provided the person:

  • Entered military service in Texas (regardless of whether the veteran was a U.S. citizen or legal resident at the time)
  • Declared Texas as the person’s home of record, or
  • Would have been determined to be a resident of Texas for purposes of provisions concerning tuition rates at the time the person entered the service.

Children of certain members of the U.S. armed forces - including stepchildren, adopted children, and persons claimed as dependents on a federal income tax return for the preceding or current year - who qualify for tuition and fee exemption must be residents under provisions relating to tuition rates on the date of their registration.

An institution of higher education must refund to a student who becomes eligible for an exemption in that semester and who has paid the tuition and other fees for that semester the amount of the tuition and fees paid by the student in the amount of the exemption.

Combat Exemption for Children of Military Service Members

Important Notice!

Funding to award Combat Exemptions to eligible students for the 2016-2017 academic year is not available. Check all College for Texans for information on other student financial assistance for military members and their families.


Tuition Schedule*

Fall 2016 Tuition Schedule* (effective only through December 10, 2016)

 

Texas Residents

Non-Texas

Semester Hours

In-District*

Out-of-District*

Non-Resident/International*

1 $504.00 $1,231.00 $2,321.00
2 $504.00 $1,231.00 $2,321.00
3 $504.00 $1,231.00 $2,321.00
4 $504.00 $1,231.00 $2,321.00
5 $504.00 $1,231.00 $2,321.00
6 $504.00 $1,231.00 $2,321.00
7 $570.00 $1,418.00 $2,690.00
8 $630,00 $1,599.00 $3,053.00
9 $691.00 $1,781.00 $3,417.00
10 $752.00 $1,962.00 $3,780.00
11 $813.00 $2,144.00 $4,143.00
12 $873.00 $2,327.00 $4,507.00
13 $933.00 $2,508.00 $4,870.00
14 $994.00 $2,690.00 $5,233.00
15 $1,054.00 $2,872.00 $5,597.00
16 $1,115.00 $3,053.00 $5,960.00
17 $1,176.00 $3,235.00 $6,323.00
18 $1,236.00 $3,417.00 $6,686.00
19 $1,297.00 $3,598.00 $7,051.00
20 $1,358.00 $3,780.00 $7,414.00
21 $1,418.00 $3,962.00 $7,777.00

*Tuition and fees are subject to change by the Texas State Legislature and the Alamo Colleges District Board of Trustees.

Effective Spring 2017*

  • $86 per SCH for In-District*
  • $233 per SCH for Out-of-District*
  • $453 per SCH for Non-Resident*

(SCH-Semester Credit Hours)

Out of District Tuition Rates

Effective Fall 2017, the Board approved lowering the tuition rate for out-of-district students to 2.35 times the in-district student rate. The purpose of this action is to rebalance the tuition rate for out-of-district students effective Fall 2017. No change in tuition rates was recommended for in-district and out of state/international students.

New Fast Completion Incentive Plan

  • 2 year completion: up to six (6) SCH in Summer FREE, if earned 24 SCH combined Fall and Spring
  • 3 year completion: three (3) SCH in Summer FREE, if earned 18 SCH combined Fall and Spring

Free hours must be taken in the Summer term immediately following the Fall and Spring terms that qualified the student for the Fast Completion Incentive Plan.

Effective Spring 2017: Tuition Schedule for Fall, Spring and Summer Sessions*

 

Texas Residents

Non-Texas

Semester Hours

In-District*

Out-of-District*

Non-Resident/International*

1 $86 $233 $453
2 $172 $466 $906
3 $258 $699 $1,359
4 $344 $932 $1,812
5 $430 $1,165 $2,265
6 $516 $1,398 $2,718
7 $602 $1,631 $3,171
8 $688 $1,864 $3,624
9 $774 $2,097 $4,077
10 $860 $2,330 $4,530
11 $946 $2,563 $4,983
12 $1,032 $2,796 $5,436
13 $1,118 $3,029 $5,889
14 $1,204 $3,262 $6,342
15 $1,290 $3,495 $6,795
16 $1,376 $3,728 $7,248
17 $1,462 $3,961 $7,701
18 $1,548 $4,194 $8,154
19 $1,634 $4,427 $8,607
20 $1,720 $4,660 $9,060
21 $1,806 $4,893 $9,513

*Tuition and fees are subject to change by the Texas State Legislature and the Alamo Colleges District Board of Trustees.

Twenty-seven (27) Hour Rule Special Tuition

Students taking in excess of 27 hours of Developmental Education courses will be charged an additional rate of $118.00 per hour for In-District and $176.00 per hour for Out-of-District. Any student currently enrolled as of the official census date who subsequently enrolls in a Flexible Entry class within the same semester will be assessed tuition as though another class is being added to the student’s current load.

Three-Peat (Third Attempt) Tuition

Students registering for a course for the third time will be charged the non-Texas rate of $384.00 per hour.

Tuition for Additional Classes

Any student currently enrolled as of the official Census Date who subsequently enrolls in a Flexible Entry class within the same semester will be assessed tuition and fees as though another class were being added to the student’s current load.

Student Activity Fee

Additionally, a Student Activity Fee of $1.00 per credit hour is assessed to all students.

Campus Access Fee

A Campus Access Fee of $25.00 per semester is assessed to all students with a maximum of $50.00 per academic year, which is non-refundable.


Tuition Refund Schedule

(Subject to change without notice)

Students officially dropping or withdrawing from courses at any of the colleges in the Alamo Colleges District will have their tuition calculated according to the following schedules:

Fall and Spring Semesters (16 Week Sessions)

100% Prior to the first class day* of semester
70% During class days* one (1) through fifteen (15)
25% During class days* sixteen (16) through twenty (20)
0 After the twentieth (20) class day*

Six Week Summer Sessions

100% Prior to the first class day* of semester
70% During class days* one (1) through five (5)
25% During class days* six (6) through seven (7)
0 After the seventh (7) class day*

Eight Week Summer Sessions and Flex Terms

100% Prior to the first class day* of the semester
70% During class days* one (1) through eight (8)
25% During class days* nine (9) through ten (10)
0 After the tenth (10) class day*

Open Entry/Open Exit

100% Prior to the first class day* of the semester
70% During class days* one (1) through eight (8)
25% During class days* nine (9) through ten (10)
0 After the tenth (10) class day*

* “Class day” is the State of Texas term of art referring to the calendar days that classes generally meet, i.e., Monday-Friday.

Refunds

Refunds for other non-standard length courses shall be made based on the Refund of Tuition table provided by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). Refunds are dependent on students having paid more than the minimum required tuition and having paid their tuition in full. Students are responsible for reimbursements to companies or agencies that have financially assisted them with their tuition.

Refunds for students on the Payment Plan will be applied to the balance due, as stated in the Installment Plan Contract. All academic calendar days are considered for refund purposes, not only the days the student attends class.

No refund is possible after the designated deadline, except in extraordinary circumstances and if approved by the Alamo Colleges District. Tuition paid by a credit card will be refunded back to the credit card.

A request may be made to the college for a refund after the end of a semester. To be considered, a request for a refund must be made within one year, the same time frame for requesting a change of grade, and must include documented proof.

Reasons for a refund after the semester has ended are:

  • Illness and/or hospitalization (student or immediate family member)
  • Death (student or immediate family member)
  • Extenuating circumstances, to include institutional error, with the approval of the VPSS

Actions to be taken by the college may vary based on the policies in effect on the date of the withdrawal.

Federal regulations governing financial aid programs require Student Financial Services to put into place policies and procedures that may impact whether or not a student is eligible for a refund as described above. (See Financial Aid .)

Refunds are issued through the RefundSelect program; students can choose the method that is best for them.  Visit Alamo Colleges District Business Office Refunds for Information on the Refund Options, Refund Schedule, New Cash Management Rules and the Heartland Payment Services Contract. Students are responsible for verifying mailing address and phone number in ACES. Financial Aid refunds are processed weekly throughout the year as student applications are processed and awarded.


Refundable Fees Paid by All Students

Student Activity Charge:  
  Per credit hour $1.00

Other Refundable Fees

  Auditing Fee $65.00
  Instructional Materials $42.00-$150.00 per class
   
Reimbursable Courses  
Special Program Tuition * (per semester unless otherwise stated):  
COLLEGE PROGRAM TUITION
SPC Air Conditioning $250.00
SPC Aircraft Technology $250.00 to $1,000.00
SPC Automotive Collision $200.00
SPC Automotive Technology $200.00
PAC Aviation Technology-Pilot $295.00 to $36,000.00
SPC Bio-Medical Equipment Technology $110.00
SAC Communication Design $  60.00
SPC Computer Maintenance Technology $100.00
SPC Construction Technology $150.00
PAC Cosmetology $300.00
SPC Culinary Arts/Baking and Pastry $200.00
SAC Dental Assistant/Lab Technician $580.00
NVC Digital Media $  60.00 to $180.00
NVC Digital Video & Cinema Production $  60.00 to $240.00
SPC Diesel Technology $325.00 to $600.00
SPC Electrical $250.00
SAC Fire Science $1,100.00
SPC Health Information Technology $500.00
SPC Histology $700.00
SPC Invasive Cardio Vascular $700.00
SPC Manufacturing Engineering Technology $200.00
SPC Medical Laboratory Technician $700.00
SPC Nursing - PN $700.00
SAC Nursing - RN $900.00
SPC Occupational Therapy Assistant $700.00
PAC Oil and Gas $300.00
NVC Personal Fitness Training $400.00 to $600.00
SPC Physical Therapist Assistant $700.00
SPC Plumbing $125.00
SPC Radiography $700.00
SPC Respiratory Care $700.00
SPC Sonography $700.00
SPC Surgical Technology $700.00
PAC Veterinary Technology $300.00
SPC Vision Care Technology $700.00
SPC Welding $100.00 to $300.00
All Colleges Students Exceeding125% of Degree Program $  40.00 per hour
 All Colleges Music-Two-Semester Credit Hour Private Music Lesson $150.00
 All Colleges Music-One-Semester Credit Hour Private Music Lesson $  95.00
     
International Student Insurance Fees:  
  Per Semester, Fall or Spring $340.00
  Summer and Mini Semester $38.00
     

*Special program tuition is estimated based on a normal progression by a full-time student. This tuition can vary based on the chosen course schedule and length of program. The special program tuition is usually assessed to courses that are required in the program or capstone course. At the completion of the program, each student will pay the same amount regardless of when required courses are taken.

Non-Refundable Fees

     
Examination Fees:  
  Advanced Standing Examination Fee $58.00 per credit hour
  THEA (TASP) Alternative (Accuplacer & ASSET) $32.00
  Accuplacer Re-Test $12.00
  TSI $32.00
  TSI Re-Test $12.00
  CLEP $20.00
  Correspondence Examination $20.00
     
  Returned Check/ACH Return Fee $35.00
     
  *College Prep Fee (per instructional hour) $3.00
     
 Parking:  
 

CAMPUS ACCESS FEE: The Alamo Colleges District recognizes that ALL students need access to all five colleges, the community centers and the District offices. Therefore, beginning Fall 2013 all Alamo Colleges District students will pay a Campus Access Fee at a rate of $25.00 per semester not to exceed $50.00 per year. The access fee provides:

  • Access to all campus facilities
  • A VIA bus pass for students who ride the VIA bus after registration has been completed and payment has been made
  • A safe environment and continuous security

PARKING DECALS: Parking decals are not required for students.

PARKING GARAGE: Each time students use a parking garage they will pay a $1.00 usage fee.

   
Campus Access Fee   $25.00 per semester - $50.00 (maximum)
Parking Fines:  
  If paid within 10 days $16.00
  If not paid within 10 days $21.00
  If not paid within 20 days $27.00
     
Returned Check/ACH Return Charge: $35.00
     
Library Fines:  
  Books per day/per book (10 days max) $0.10
  Reserved Books per day/per book (10 days max) $0.50
     
Installment Payment Plan:  
  Administrative Set-Up Fee, per semester $25.00
  Late Fee, per each late payment $10.00
     
Study Abroad Administrative Fee: $200.00
Foreign Student Application Fee: $100.00
*New Transfer/Transient Evaluation Fee: $100.00
     
**Diploma (Duplicate) $25.00
     
**Transcripts (first copy at no charge)  
  Mailed $10.00 per each additional copy mailed
  Electronic $5.00 per each additional electronic copy
  Express — within 24 hours First transcript in a single transaction: $35.00
Same transaction additional transcripts $10.00
   
**ID Card Duplicate/Replacement (first card at no charge) $10.00
   
Scobee Planetarium Admission Varies
   
Workshop Fees: A fee is charged for workshops organized for special groups that may or may not carry semester credit hours.
The amount of the fee, which is in addition to the required tuition, is announced at the time of the workshop.

Continuing Education Tuition and Fees Schedule

Reimbursable Courses $2.90-$28.00 per Instructional Hour
Non-Reimbursable Courses Market Based
Apprenticeship Training $2.80 per Instructional Hour
Contract Courses Market Based
   
Special fees may be charged depending on the course. All continuing education courses will fully recover direct and indirect costs. Continuing education classes that have been advertised or are related to existing contracts and grants may not reflect this increase until a future quarter or the expiration of the contract or grant.
   
Community Service Program $1.50-$3.50 per Instructional Hour