Understanding Central Piedmont Community College Tuition and Fees
Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), located in a vibrant city with a large student body of 16,668, offers a wide array of academic programs and resources. With an open admissions policy and a student-faculty ratio of 19-to-1, Central Piedmont provides accessible education with personalized attention. Saving more than $46,000 in tuition and fees over two years by choosing Central Piedmont Community College delivers high quality and great value. This article aims to provide a detailed overview of CPCC's tuition, fees, payment policies, and available financial aid options.
Tuition Rates
Tuition at Central Piedmont is established under the guidance of State Board policy 1E SBCCC 200.1. Tuition is set by the North Carolina State Legislature and is subject to change without notice. It's essential to stay informed about the current rates. As of 2020-2021, the in-state tuition and fees were $2,792, while out-of-state tuition and fees were $8,936. These rates provide a benchmark, but students should always verify the most up-to-date figures on the college's official website.
For students enrolling in college credit curriculum classes, an initial residence classification is made by Residency Determination Services (RDS) upon application to the college. The residence policy is based on North Carolina General Statute 116-143.1. More information can be located at ncresidency.org.
It is the student’s responsibility to supply documenting evidence of residence status if requested and to inform Central Piedmont of any changes in residency determination before the end of the impacted term.
Mandatory Fees
In addition to tuition, students at Central Piedmont are required to pay certain fees. All fees are subject to change, and the full amount you pay may vary based on the courses you take. Even if your tuition is waived, applicable fees must still be paid. Here's a breakdown of some common fees:
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Campus Access, Parking, and Security Fee (CAPS): This fee is charged to students who attend classes and/or labs at any college campus. Revenue collected from CAPS fees is used to pay for campus security, parking lot rental, and maintenance at all Central Piedmont campuses and centers. Students receive a parking permit for access to Central Piedmont parking lots upon payment. With few exceptions, this fee is charged to all students at all campuses, even if you don't drive to campus. This fee applies even if you are enrolled in fully online classes only, or if you are a Central Piedmont student enrolled in classes that meet at area high schools or other locations not owned and operated by Central Piedmont.
Technology Fee: This fee covers investments in technology and equipment needed to provide in-person and online courses.
Student Publications/Activity Fee: This fee supports the Student Life Center and many co-curricular and extra-curricular programs.
Included Course Material (ICM) Fee: The Included Course Material (ICM) program makes digital and printed course materials available to all students in college credit classes. The program ensures that the course materials students need will be available on the first day of class. The fee is included with tuition and fees charged upon registration and can be included in upfront costs for financial aid and tuition payment plans. Students have an option to opt-out if desired.
Lab Fees: Some courses, including online courses, require lab fees, which are used to provide supplies and equipment in the respective programs.
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Student Accident Insurance: Student accident insurance is only required for students enrolled in specific, high risk classes. You will be notified when you register for a class if that class requires that you buy student accident insurance. The plan insures students against loss resulting from accidental bodily injury sustained while participating in or attending specific classes.
Program-Specific Fees: Certain programs may have additional fees. For example, in Mechatronics, a Mechatronics certification fee of $50 is charged to specific courses to cover the cost of the certification exam, which also serves as the students’ final exams. In Cardiovascular Technology, the Cardiovascular Technology Non-Invasive tract program fee is charged to specific courses and covers the cost of a required radiation badge for students. The radiation badge is worn by faculty and students while in the clinical setting to monitor any inadvertent exposure the instructor or student may have had to radiation. Many healthcare programs also have additional costs.
Payment Policies and Refunds
Understanding the payment policies and refund procedures is crucial for managing your finances at Central Piedmont.
Fees are approved by the Central Piedmont Board of Trustees in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 115D-5 and the State Board of Community Colleges.
Fees are non-refundable for curriculum courses, unless the course is canceled by the college or dropped before the first day of the academic semester. Fees are not refunded after the term begins, including during the 75% refund period. Students can opt out of the Included Course Materials program prior to the 10% point of the semester. Please note that the program is “all in” or “all out” for the semester, and students cannot opt out of individual courses. All curriculum student refunds are issued to students' BankMobile accounts or to the credit card used for the original tuition payment.
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Fees are non-refundable for Corporate and Continuing Education courses, unless the course is canceled by the college or dropped before the first day of the academic semester. Fees are not refunded after the term begins, including during the 75% refund period.
All returned checks are subject to a processing fee of $25. This fee also applies to credit card payments not accepted and returned by a financial institution. This fee, along with the original amount of the check or credit card, is due within five (5) business days after official notification from the college. These amounts are payable only by cash or money order at the Business Office on any campus.
The college reserves the right to cancel classes at any time without prior notice.
Third-party billing arrangements for curriculum courses are handled by the Sponsored Programs office. Sponsored students should ensure that the third-party organization submits a letter or authorization to bill before any applicable deadlines. Documentation may be submitted directly to the Sponsored Programs office or to the Business Office on any Central Piedmont campus. Third party billing arrangements for Corporate and Continuing Education are handled by the CCE Accounting department.
Financial Aid and Payment Options
Central Piedmont Community College offers several financial aid options to assist students in funding their education. At Central Piedmont Community College, 59 percent of undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid and the average scholarship or grant award is $3,679.
The Financial Aid Cost of Attendance is an estimate of expenses you can reasonably expect to pay. The Financial Aid Cost of Attendance Estimates are used to determine financial aid eligibility only and do not represent actual student expenses, as these vary based on individual expenses, including housing, food, books, supplies, transportation, and other expenses. The cost of aid for less-than-half-time students was previously limited to allowances for tuition and fees, books, supplies, transportation, dependent care expenses, and (for a limited duration) room and board.
Students are encouraged to explore grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs. The college's financial aid office provides resources and guidance to help students navigate the application process and understand their eligibility.
Additional Expenses
While tuition and fees form the core of educational expenses, students should also be aware of potential additional costs. Cost estimates are intended as a resource. Your actual total costs may vary based on your enrollment, program, and individual need. For instance, the estimated cost for books and supplies is $1,870.
Some programs, such as healthcare and hospitality programs, require additional expenses including uniforms, clinicals, licensure, and certification exams. Program pages will tell you if you have additional expenses.
Voluntary Student Health Plan
The voluntary student health plan offers several benefit options, depending on the needs of the student. Premiums vary per term or year, depending on the selected coverage and payment schedule. Plans are a direct relationship between the student and the insurance provider and are not endorsed by or affiliated with Central Piedmont Community College, the State Board of Community Colleges, or the North Carolina Community College System Office. Qualified students may contact the insurance provider through the student insurance webpage.
