ADMISSIONS

SCCO is a private, non-profit, independent, educational institution that does not seek, nor receive any direct government funding for its operations. Tuition and fees, however, cover less than half of the total operating expenses of the College. The balance of operating expenses are covered by contributions from individuals, alumni, corporations and foundations, as well as endowment income, investment income, and income derived from College clinics.

WICHE and Contract Students

The College is a participant in the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) Student Exchange Program. Applicants from the participating states (Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming), are encouraged to contact the Certifying Officer in their home state for information on applying for certification. In most cases, the deadline for certification application is October 15, of the year preceding admission; however, some state deadlines and requirements may vary. For more information or questions, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 303.541.0270.

Students certified and funded by a state contract will pay the regular tuition less the amount of the actual contract. The entire amount of the contract support, when received, will be credited to the student's account during the Winter and Spring Quarters.

Certified WICHE students admitted to SCCO are expected to comply fully with all of the requirements of the state providing his/her contractual support. If a student decides not to adhere to all of his/her state's contractual requirements in effect at the time of admittance, then the student becomes liable for all normal tuition charges. Should a state legislature discontinue or modify the terms of a contract or their state's participation in the WICHE program, the College will hold the student responsible for the cost of his/her education, equivalent to the charges paid by other students. For more information about WICHE, go to http://www.wiche.edu.

WICHE students obtaining military or other federal scholarships are required to reimburse WICHE.

Fees

Other Costs - estimates for books, instruments, equipment, supplies, and clinic uniforms
for each of the four professional years are listed below.

SCCO Standard Budget

Estimated total cost for four years of optometric education, including living costs = $199,456.

While the occasion has not previously presented itself, the Board of Trustees of the Southern California College of Optometry does reserve the right to change the tuition and fees or to establish additional fees for special features or services if deemed necessary.

Payment Policies

Payment Procedures
Full tuition and fees are due and payable prior to the start of each quarter. Interest will be charged on outstanding balances. A student may not proceed from one academic year to the next without having fully paid the previous year's tuition and fees. Any exceptions must have prior approval of the administration. It is the student's responsibility to make the necessary arrangements for tuition and fee payments on a timely basis so as not to impede his/her academic progress. Advance payment of tuition and fees may be made by mail or in person at the SCCO Campus Store. Tuition paid by third parties is billed annually at the beginning of the academic year.

Tuition Prepayment Policy
Any student wishing to prepay his/her tuition for one, two, or three years beyond the current year's tuition may prepay his/her future tuition at the current year's tuition rate provided the full payment for the current year and for each subsequent year(s) is received by the Comptroller no later than thirty (30) days following the opening of the school year. Future annual tuition increases will not be charged to those students who have elected to fully prepay their future tuition.

Any student who is dismissed or officially withdraws from the program, as per the requirements stated in the SCCO Catalog, will have his/her prepaid tuition returned, except for the current year's tuition, which will be refunded as per the policy stated in the current college catalog.

Late Payment of Tuition Fee
A late tuition payment fee of $25 per quarter will be charged to any student who has not paid his or her tuition and fees in full within ten (10) days of the due date set by the College Controller.

Delinquent Accounts
All unpaid balances of any kind against a student's account must be paid in full each quarter before final examinations can be taken, college credits transferred, transcripts sent, or graduation can occur. A service charge of 1.5% will be made each month on any outstanding balance. Students whose accounts are delinquent are subject to suspension from the College. Under no circumstances may a student graduate who has an unpaid balance of any amount.

Tuition Refund Policy
For official withdrawals, tuition refunds will be pro-rated at intervals of two (70%), three (50%), four (30%), and five (10%) weeks from the date the quarter begins. A withdrawal is considered official when written notification has been received by the Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs stating the student's intention to withdraw from the program.

Return of Title IV Funds
The 1998 Reauthorization, section 484B, requires federal aid recipients to "earn" most of the aid they receive by staying enrolled in college at least half time. Students who withdraw prior to completing 60% of the quarter for which they received federal student aid may be required to return some of the aid they were awarded. SCCO will restore to the appropriate federal fund source a proportional share of institutional charges that the borrower has paid. This "return of Title IV aid" will reduce the outstanding loan balances. If there is an amount still owed to the government after SCCO returns funds, the student will be responsible to return portions of unearned funds. If you are entitled to a refund from the College, any refund will be first applied to your obligation to return "unearned" aid before you receive money back. Thus, portions of institutional refunds may be applied on your behalf to your outstanding Direct Loan and Perkins Loans and not actually refunded directly to you. Non-federal aid is not included in the calculation. Students whose Title IV aid consists only of Federal Work-Study (FWS) earnings are not included in the calculation.