Foothill College Refund Policy: A Comprehensive Guide

Navigating the financial aspects of college can be complex. This article provides a detailed overview of Foothill College's refund policies, covering tuition, fees, and other related expenses. Understanding these policies ensures students can make informed decisions about their enrollment and finances.

Tuition and Fees

All students at Foothill College pay $31 per unit, but this fee is subject to change based on California legislative action. In addition to tuition, students may encounter several other fees:

Campus Center Use Fee: An additional fee for using the Campus Center.
On-Campus Parking Fee: For students who park their vehicles on campus.
Lab Course Fees: Some courses may require additional lab fees.
Student Body Activities Fee: A voluntary fee that supports student activities.
VTA SmartPass Fee: Provides unlimited rides on VTA buses and light rail.
Health Services Fee: Supports health services for students.
Student ID Card Fee: $10, supports many services, activities, and discounts, such as free dental services, recreation room and movie tickets.
Health Services Fee: $20, paid by all students and provides health services.
SmartPass Fee: $7.75/$6.75/$5.75; provides students with unlimited rides on VTA buses and light rail for the duration of each quarter in which enrolled. SmartPass Clipper Card is $7.75 for full-time students who are enrolled in 12 or more units; $6.75 for part-time students who are enrolled in 6 to 11.5 units; and $5.75 for the students who are enrolled in fewer than 6 units.

A detailed breakdown of all fees is available online at foothill.edu, and all fees are subject to change.

Refund Policy for Tuition and Fees

Foothill College maintains a specific refund policy for tuition and fees, which is available at the Admissions & Records Office and the Bookstore for book purchases. According to the Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board Policy 4190, a community college district shall not refund any enrollment fee paid by a student for program changes made after the first two weeks of instruction for a primary term-length course, or after the 10-percent point of length of the course for a short-term course, unless the program changes are a result of action by the district to cancel or reschedule a course or to drop a student pursuant to Title 5, section 58106(g) where the student fails to meet a prerequisite.

Key Points:

Deadline for Refunds: For quarter-length classes, a student can request a refund if the classes are dropped by the deadline. In most cases, the deadline is the second Friday of the quarter or the first Friday of Summer Session. However, this date varies by course and term.
Exact Drop Dates: Exact drop deadline dates for each course are posted in MyPortal. Students are responsible for reviewing exact drop dates.
Program Changes: Refunds are not typically provided for program changes made after the first two weeks of instruction for a primary term-length course, or after the 10-percent point of length of the course for a short-term course.
District Actions: Refunds may be issued if the district cancels or reschedules a course.
Prerequisite Non-Compliance: Refunds may be issued if the district drops a student for failing to meet a prerequisite, pursuant to Title 5, section 58106(g). Many courses require that you complete prerequisites in order to enroll. All courses listed with a prerequisite have a registration block. To enroll in a course without completing the listed prerequisites, students can download the Prerequisite Clearance Form at foothill.edu/reg/forms.html or obtain it in person at the Admissions Office. Complete the form and attach the required documentation as stated on the form. Submit the form to the Admissions & Records Office prior to the first day of the quarter to allow the form to be processed before attempting to register. Information is available online at foothill.edu/reg/prereqs.html.

Financial Aid and Refunds

Financial aid eligibility is typically based on financial need-the difference between what you and your family are expected to contribute and the total cost of attendance. However, not all programs are need-based. Your eligibility is determined by the information you provide through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application, along with any additional documentation required by Foothill College.

Read also: Affording Foothill College

Title IV Funds

Students who withdraw from the college - on or before 60 percent of the quarter is completed - may be required to repay Title IV funds. Students who receive all F’s, W’s, EW's, FW’s or NP’s may also be subject to repayment requirements.

Official Withdrawals: The date used to determine that a student withdrew is not necessarily the same as a student’s official withdrawal date. A student’s withdrawal date is used to determine the percentage of the payment period or period of enrollment completed and, therefore, the amount of aid a student has earned.
Unofficial Withdrawals: Occur when there is no notification or official withdrawal by the student. The withdrawal date is based on the date that the college becomes aware that the student has ceased attendance. If the student does not officially drop classes and receives a combination of W, EW, FW, F or NP grades for all courses in a term, it will be considered an unofficial withdrawal, even if the student was enrolled in the course for the entire term.
Percentage of Funds Earned: Percentage of Title IV funds that the student earns based on withdrawal date depends on classes the student is enrolled in.

Financial Aid Programs

Foothill College offers a variety of financial aid programs to assist students with their educational expenses:

Federal Pell Grants: Awarded to undergraduates based on financial need. This is free grant aid that ranges up to $7,395. A portion of a student's Pell Grant is typically available for use at the Foothill College Bookstore in advance of the term.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG): This federal program may be an option if you have exceptional financial need and apply early. You must also be eligible for a Pell Grant.
Federal Work Study (FWS): If you have financial need and want to cover part of your educational expenses through employment, Federal Work Study (FWS) may be an option. You can work up to 19 hours per week. However, you must be enrolled in a minimum of six units to be eligible for FWS.
Direct Loans: As a first-year undergraduate, you may be able to borrow up to $3,500 subsidized per year. As a second-year undergraduate, you may be able to borrow up to $4,500 subsidized per year. For the dental hygiene bachelor’s degree program, you may be able to borrow up to $5,500 subsidized per year. Additional Unsubsidized Direct Loans may also be available annually.
Cal Grant: Covers fees for bachelor's degree programs typically at the UCs, CSUs, private institutions, and select community colleges in California. This award may not be used to pay for community college fees, except in the case of the Foothill College dental hygiene bachelor’s degree program differential fees. California community college awards are up to $1,648 per year (subject to state changes).
Cal Grant B or C: This state award is a supplement for those students awarded a Cal Grant B or C and who are enrolled between 12-15+ units. With each full-time payment of a Cal Grant, a student is eligible to receive a supplemental payment of up to $4,000 annually if in 15+ units from the Student Success Completion Grant.
Chafee Grant: This federal program, administered by the California Student Aid Commission, offers up to $5,000 of college and vocational school financial aid to youth aging out of a foster care program.
California College Promise Grant (CCPG): Waives per-unit tuition for qualifying students. Requires FAFSA, Dream Act, or CCPG application annually. If you are a CCPG recipient, you may qualify for EOPS services.
Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS): This state-funded program has been established to encourage the enrollment, retention and graduation/university transfer of students affected by language, social, economic and educational disadvantages who otherwise might not attend college. EOPS offers support services which include textbook assistance, dedicated counseling, tutoring, campus tours of four-year universities, a laptop loan program and computer lab, transfer assistance to facilitate the successful completion of academic, career and/or personal goals, and more.
Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE): An EOPS supplemental program, Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) provides additional support to EOPS participants who are Temporary Aid to Needy Family (TANF) recipients with young children to help meet their unique educational needs.
Foothill College Promise Program: First-time, full-time students are eligible to have the cost of tuition and fees waived for their first two years at Foothill College through the Foothill College Promise Program. No separate application is required - just apply for admission and complete the program requirements listed at foothill.edu/promise. Additional benefits may apply as well.
Scholarships: Nearly $400,000 in campus and local scholarships are awarded annually to Foothill students. Scholarships, which vary in amount, are considered academic gifts and do not need to be repaid. They’re generally based on academic standing, financial need, potential progress in major fields of study, and/or college or community activities. Scholarships are included as resources for students receiving financial assistance.

Refund Policy for Instructional Materials Fees

In some courses, there may be an instructional materials fee. These fees, detailed in the online class schedule, reflect the actual cost for materials, meaning that the cost is usually lower than if you were to purchase the same items separately. Unless there’s an issue of health or safety, you can either pay the fees to the college or provide your own materials of equal quality.

Textbook Affordability

Foothill College recognizes that textbook affordability directly impacts student access and successful learning. Foothill College makes every reasonable effort to determine that the textbook information listed online is accurate. However, textbook editions and ISBNs are subject to change without notice by either the instructor or publisher.

Options to Reduce Textbook Costs:

Purchase Used Textbooks: The Foothill College Bookstore provides a large selection of used textbooks at up to 25 percent off the new textbook price.
Rent Textbooks: With a valid OwlCard, you can rent textbooks from the Foothill College Bookstore.
Swap Books: Buy and sell your used books directly with other students. Listings for the student-run book exchange are free to review.
Sell Your Books During Book Buyback: The Foothill College Bookstore buys back titles that instructors have requested for the following quarter at up to 50 percent of the new price. Thousands of other titles may be bought back each quarter for wholesale value, up to 40-percent cash back. Buyback operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tax Credit: Textbooks and course materials are now eligible for a tax credit under the American Opportunity Tax Credit.

Additional Considerations

Financial Planning: It’s important for you to financially plan your education.
Allied Health Programs: For students enrolled in allied health programs (paramedic, dental hygiene, etc.), special fees, lab fees, tooling, and other related costs may be added to the normal cost of attendance.
Student Grievances: Students who feel their rights or privileges as a student have been violated can file a grievance. This procedure is for student grievances only. Persons with complaints regarding students should refer to Administrative Procedure 5510: Student Code of Conduct and Administrative Procedure 5520: Student Due Process & Discipline. The deadline for filing a grievance is ten business days from the date of the alleged grievance, or from the date the student knew or should have known of the basis for the grievance, whichever is later.

Academic Policies

Foothill College has established various academic policies to support students in achieving their educational goals:

Read also: Foothill College Requirements

Academic Standing: A student's academic standing is determined by their grades and progress toward their educational objectives. There are several levels of probation: basic, moderate, severe, pre-dismissal, and dismissal. Students are responsible for monitoring their grades to ensure that they remain in good standing at each college. Scholastic dismissal will be noted permanently on a student's transcript.
Academic Renewal: Students must consult with a counselor before petitioning for Academic Renewal. After obtaining the counselor's signature, the completed Petition for Academic Renewal form is submitted to the Admissions and Records Office.
Adding and Dropping Classes: The deadline to add and drop classes may vary per course. For a 12-week course, consult MyPortal.fhda.edu. Students must inform both the instructor and Admissions & Records Office (Room 8101) if they stop attending.
W-Marks: Students cannot drop after the eighth week for a 12-week course. There is a limit of three W-marks. If you have questions or concerns about W-marks, schedule a meeting with a Foothill counselor at 650.949.7423 or foothill.edu/counseling.
Academic Integrity: Academic integrity means honesty and responsibility in scholarship. Violations may face judicial action, up to the possibility of suspension from the college.
Attendance: Regular and punctual attendance is an integral part of the learning process.
Auditing Classes: A number of Foothill classes are available for audit.
Class Cancellation: Classes may be canceled when enrollments are lower than planned.
Transcripts: Students who have attended foreign institutions must have their transcripts evaluated by a foreign evaluation service. The Admissions & Records Office forwards transcripts at your request. Transcripts given directly to you may be classified as unofficial.
Grading System: Foothill gives final examinations in all courses. The college uses a plus/minus grading system. Students may enroll in a class with a Pass/No Pass option instead of a letter grade. No more than 16 units of P-graded courses from this category can be submitted to the Admissions Office.

Student Conduct and Due Process

Foothill College is committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all students. The college has established policies and procedures to address student conduct and ensure due process.

Student Conduct: Foothill College expects students to study and work in an atmosphere of mutual respect and trust. The college has specific procedures to resolve student complaints of sexual harassment and discrimination.
Disciplinary Actions: Disciplinary actions for violations of college policies may include requiring the completion of a rehabilitation program.
Due Process: Various policies and college groups work to assure students' due process. Students are encouraged to review the Foothill College Student Conduct & Due Process Booklet, available online at fhda.edu.

Read also: Campus Guide

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