Refund Policy

Late payment penalty

1.5% per month (18% annual rate) on past-due balances; maximum late fee $125 per term. Assessed only on unpaid institutional balances and does not compound. Course access may be administratively suspended until the account is current.

Returned payment fee

$35 per occurrence (e.g., insufficient funds, declined card).

1. Purpose

This Refund Policy establishes the institution's commitment to providing an equitable prorated refund process for all students and to complying with applicable federal regulations and state requirements, including federal refund guidelines for students receiving federal financial assistance and the refund standards set forth in Commission Rule 6E-1.0032(6)(i), F.A.C.

2. Policy Statement

The institution shall maintain and follow an equitable prorated refund policy for all students. Refund calculations will be applied consistently and fairly, regardless of program, funding source, or student classification, in accordance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.

The institution will comply with:

• Federal refund and return requirements applicable to students receiving Title IV federal financial aid.
• The minimum refund guidelines established under Commission Rule 6E-1.0032(6)(i), Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).
• All other applicable federal, state, and accrediting body requirements.

3. Prorated Refunds

A. Withdrawal Date Determination

The withdrawal date will be determined based on the institution's official withdrawal procedures. The effective date of withdrawal will be used to calculate any applicable refund.

B. Refund Calculation

Refunds will be calculated on a prorated basis according to the portion of the academic term completed by the student, consistent with applicable state requirements.

C. Institutional Charges

Institutional charges eligible for refund consideration may include tuition and applicable fees as defined in the student enrollment agreement. Non-refundable fees, if any, will be clearly disclosed in advance in accordance with applicable regulations.

4. Federal Financial Aid Compliance

The institution does not participate in federal financial aid programs (Title IV). Requirements for return of Title IV funds and related federal refund calculations do not apply. Refunds are determined solely under this refund policy and applicable state standards.

5. State Minimum Refund Requirements

The institution shall meet or exceed the minimum refund standards established under Commission Rule 6E-1.0032(6)(i), F.A.C., and will apply refund calculations consistent with those standards in all applicable cases.

6. Refund Processing

Approved refunds will be processed within a reasonable timeframe following determination of eligibility. Refunds will be issued using the original method of payment when possible, or as otherwise permitted by regulation.

7. Policy Availability

This Refund Policy shall be:

• Published in the institution's catalog or student handbook,
• Made available to all students prior to enrollment,
• Accessible upon request.

8. Review and Updates

This policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure continued compliance with federal regulations and state requirements and may be updated as necessary.

Noeton International Christian University is committed to providing fair and transparent refund policies that comply with state regulations and accreditation standards. This refund policy applies to all students enrolled in degree programs at the institution.

Purpose of This Policy

This policy is designed to:

• Provide clear guidelines for tuition and fee refunds
• Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations
• Protect both students and the institution
• Maintain transparency and fairness in financial transactions
• Support students who experience unexpected circumstances

Scope of Policy

This policy applies to:

• Tuition for all degree programs (Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral)
• Application fees
• Graduation fees
• Other institutional fees as specified

Note: This policy does not apply to transcript fees, which are non-refundable once transcripts have been issued.

Christian Values and Financial Stewardship

As a Christian theological institution, Noeton International Christian University is committed to biblical principles of integrity, fairness, compassion, and stewardship in all financial matters. This refund policy reflects our commitment to treating students with dignity and respect while maintaining responsible stewardship of institutional resources that support our mission of providing quality theological education.

Our approach to refunds is guided by Christian values of:

• Integrity: Honest and transparent financial transactions that honor both students and the institution
• Fairness: Equitable treatment of all students with consistent application of policies
• Compassion: Recognition that students may face unexpected circumstances requiring special consideration
• Stewardship: Responsible management of resources to sustain the institution's mission and serve future students
• Service: Commitment to serving students with excellence and care in all financial matters

This policy balances our responsibility to students with our responsibility to maintain the financial stability necessary to fulfill our mission of equipping individuals for faithful and effective ministry.

Refund Eligibility

Students who withdraw from courses or from the institution may be eligible for tuition refunds based on the date of withdrawal and the percentage of the course term completed. Refunds are calculated from the official withdrawal date, not the last date of attendance.

Refund Schedule

Tuition refunds are calculated based on the following schedule:

Calculation Method (Pro-Rata Basis)

Refunds are calculated on a pro-rata basis, meaning the refund amount is proportional to the remaining instructional time in the course. The calculation is based on the percentage of the course term completed at the time of official withdrawal. The course term is measured from the official course start date to the official course end date. For courses with non-standard terms, the refund percentage is calculated based on the actual course duration.

This pro-rata approach ensures fairness: students receive refunds for instructional time they did not receive, while the institution retains payment for services already provided. This method aligns with accreditation standards and reflects our commitment to fair and transparent financial practices.

Multiple Course Withdrawals

If a student withdraws from multiple courses, each course is evaluated separately for refund eligibility. The refund percentage for each course is calculated based on the withdrawal date for that specific course.

Application Fee

The $50 application fee is non-refundable. This fee covers the cost of processing applications and evaluating credentials, regardless of the admission decision or whether the student enrolls.

Graduation Fee

The $150 graduation fee is refundable only if:

• The student withdraws their graduation application before the graduation processing deadline
• The student does not meet graduation requirements and the fee was paid in error
• The institution cancels the graduation ceremony or degree conferral

Once graduation processing has begun or the degree has been conferred, the graduation fee is non-refundable.

Transcript Fee

The $20 per copy transcript fee is non-refundable once transcripts have been issued. If a transcript request is cancelled before processing, the fee may be refunded at the discretion of the Registrar's Office.

Other Fees

Other institutional fees are generally non-refundable unless otherwise specified in writing or required by state or federal regulations. Students should contact the Business Office for specific information about refund eligibility for other fees.

Official Withdrawal

To be eligible for a refund, students must officially withdraw from courses or the institution through the proper channels. Simply ceasing to attend classes does not constitute official withdrawal and will not result in a refund.

How to Withdraw

Students may withdraw by:

1. Online: Through the student portal using the withdrawal form
2. Sending a written withdrawal request to the Registrar's Office
3. Written Request: Submitting a signed withdrawal form to the Registrar's Office

Withdrawal Date

The official withdrawal date is the date on which the institution receives the student's written or electronic withdrawal request. This date is used to calculate refund eligibility, not the last date of attendance or the date the student stopped participating in coursework.

Institutional Withdrawal

The institution may administratively withdraw students for reasons including:

• Non-payment of tuition or fees
• Academic dismissal
• Disciplinary action
• Failure to meet enrollment requirements

In cases of institutional withdrawal, refund eligibility is determined based on the date of the administrative withdrawal action, following the same refund schedule as voluntary withdrawals.

Calculation Process

Refunds are calculated by the Business Office based on:

• The official withdrawal date
• The percentage of the course term completed
• The amount of tuition paid for the course(s)
• Any outstanding balances or obligations to the institution

Refund Amount

The refund amount is calculated as follows:

Refund Amount = (Tuition Paid × Refund Percentage) - Outstanding Balances

Outstanding Balances

Before a refund is issued, any outstanding balances owed to the institution will be deducted from the refund amount. This includes:

• Unpaid tuition or fees from previous terms
• Library fines or other charges
• Other outstanding institutional obligations
• Other institutional debts

Financial Aid

Noeton International Christian University does not participate in federal Title IV financial aid programs. Students are responsible for all tuition and fees through direct payment or approved payment plans.

Note: If the institution becomes accredited in the future and begins participating in financial aid programs, refund calculations for financial aid recipients will be subject to federal and state regulations regarding return of Title IV funds, which may differ from the standard refund policy outlined here.

Processing Time

Refunds are processed within 30 days of the official withdrawal date, provided all required documentation has been submitted and there are no outstanding issues. Processing may take longer during peak periods or if additional verification is required.

Refund Method

Refunds are typically issued using the same method as the original payment. However, students may request an alternative refund method that better suits their needs. The institution will accommodate reasonable refund method requests when possible.

Default Refund Methods:

• Credit Card Payments: Typically refunded to the original credit card, but students may request alternative methods
• Electronic Payments: Typically refunded via electronic transfer to the original account, but students may request check or other methods
• Check Payments: Refunded by check mailed to the address on file, or students may request electronic transfer
• Cash Payments: Refunded by check mailed to the address on file, or students may request electronic transfer

Alternative Refund Methods: Students may request alternative refund methods, including:

• Electronic transfer to a different bank account (with proper verification)
• Check mailed to a different address (with proper verification)
• Credit to student account for future tuition (for students continuing their studies)
• Other methods as approved by the Business Office

Requesting Alternative Methods: To request an alternative refund method, students should contact the Business Office at the time of withdrawal or within 5 business days of the withdrawal date. Alternative methods may require additional verification and processing time. The institution reserves the right to approve or deny alternative refund method requests based on security, verification, and operational considerations.

Address Updates

Students are responsible for maintaining current address information with the institution. Refund checks will be mailed to the address on file at the time of withdrawal. If a refund check is lost or not received, students must contact the Business Office within 90 days to request a replacement.

Notification

Students will receive written notification of the refund amount and processing timeline via email or mail after the withdrawal has been processed. This notification will include:

• The refund amount
• The calculation method used
• The expected processing timeline
• Contact information for questions

Medical Withdrawals

Students who must withdraw due to serious medical conditions or emergencies may be eligible for special consideration. Medical withdrawals require documentation from a licensed healthcare provider. The institution will review medical withdrawal requests on a case-by-case basis and may provide refunds beyond the standard schedule when circumstances warrant.

Military Deployment

Students who are called to active military duty may be eligible for special refund consideration in accordance with state and federal regulations. Students should contact the Registrar's Office immediately upon receiving deployment orders to discuss withdrawal and refund options.

Death of Student

In the event of a student's death, the institution will work with the student's family or estate to process appropriate refunds. Full refunds of tuition and fees may be provided for the term in which the death occurred, subject to verification and documentation.

Institutional Errors

If a student is withdrawn or experiences financial issues due to institutional error, the institution will correct the error and provide appropriate refunds or adjustments. Students should contact the Registrar's Office or Business Office immediately if they believe an institutional error has occurred.

Course Cancellation

If the institution cancels a course after enrollment, students will receive a full refund of tuition paid for that course. The institution will make every effort to notify students of course cancellations as early as possible and may offer alternative course options when available.

Christian Compassion and Flexibility

As a Christian institution, Noeton International Christian University recognizes that students may face unexpected circumstances that affect their ability to continue their studies. Our commitment to Christian compassion means we seek to care for students in times of difficulty while maintaining responsible stewardship of institutional resources.

While we must maintain consistent policies for fairness and compliance, we are committed to working with students who face genuine hardships. The institution may provide refunds beyond the standard schedule when circumstances warrant, reflecting our Christian values of compassion, mercy, and care for individuals. Students experiencing extenuating circumstances should contact Student Services to discuss their situation and explore available options.

Biblical Foundation: Our approach to special circumstances is grounded in biblical principles of caring for those in need (Matthew 25:35-40), showing mercy (Luke 6:36), and treating others as we would want to be treated (Matthew 7:12). We seek to balance compassion with responsible stewardship, recognizing that both are important aspects of Christian faithfulness.

Appeal Process

Students who believe their refund calculation is incorrect or who have extenuating circumstances not covered by this policy may appeal the refund decision. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Business Office within 30 days of receiving the refund notification.

Appeal Requirements

Refund appeals must include:

• A written statement explaining the basis for the appeal
• Supporting documentation (medical records, military orders, etc.)
• The specific refund amount or adjustment requested
• Contact information for follow-up

Appeal Review

Appeals are reviewed by the Business Office in consultation with the Registrar's Office and other relevant departments. The review process is conducted with care, fairness, and respect for the student's situation, reflecting our Christian commitment to treating each person with dignity. The review process typically takes 15-30 business days. Students will receive written notification of the appeal decision, including the rationale for the decision.

Appeals are considered prayerfully and with attention to both the student's circumstances and the institution's responsibility for stewardship. Decisions are made with the goal of honoring both the individual student and the broader mission of the institution.

External Complaints

If a student is not satisfied with the appeal decision, they may file a complaint with:

• Florida Commission for Independent Education (CIE) - for complaints regarding institutional operations
• Accrediting agencies (once the institution is accredited)
• Other appropriate state or federal agencies

Contact information for external complaint procedures is available through Student Services.