Financial Aid and Student Account Policies

Federal Work Study and Assistantships

A student must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and meet all qualifications set forth in the Federal Student Aid Handbook. A student must apply for Federal Work-Study positions, which are not guaranteed. Information on how to apply for opportunities is available on TCSPP’s website under Financial Aid.

At the beginning of each award year, a student applying for, or already employed in, a Federal Work Study position must submit a Student Employment Eligibility Form online to the Office of Financial Aid for pre-approval. The Student Employment Eligibility Form, once approved, will confirm eligibility and indicate the specific dollar amount that can be earned within that academic year. Eligible first-time students using Federal Work Study must also complete new employee paperwork.

Student Employment

Student Employment provides on and off-campus positions. Many of these positions are paid in part by Federal funding through financial aid. Positions may involve working in an operations area such as student success, admissions, or facilities or within an academic department. Positions typically require 10 to 20 hours of work per week. Position types include:

• Teaching Assistantships
• Faculty Assistantships
• Research Assistantships
• Professional Assistantships
• Community Assistantships

Graduate assistantships offer a student part-time employment opportunities with the school to offset tuition and living expenses. A student is hired based upon their abilities to meet the requirements of the assistantship for which the student is applying. If eligible, a student is paid through the Federal Work-Study program (FWS) monies until those funds are exhausted by the institution. A non-eligible FWS student may also obtain graduate assistantships. A student may not work more than twenty (20) hours per week. A student may hold more than one position on campus so long as cumulative work does not exceed 20 hours per week. However, it is not encouraged that a student holds more than two (2) positions at the school. A student is required to log work hours via the payroll system for the work rendered for each position and comport in a manner consistent with the professional expectation of the student’s degree program. Failure to meet the expectation of an assistantship and or unprofessional comportment may result in referral to the student’s Department Chair for further review.

To apply for any Graduate Assistantship position, a student must file an application found online on TCSPP’s website and submit it to the department offering the assistantship. In addition, the student will complete a Student Employment Eligibility Form online to determine eligibility.  If the student is eligible for federal work-study, the graduate assistantship position will be paid with federal work-study funds. If the student is not eligible for federal work-study, the student will be considered a part-time employee. Faculty Assistants will be paid on an hourly basis for their work. Part-time employee’s earnings are subject to appropriate income tax regulations. An international student in F-1 or J-1 status is eligible to apply for any on campus position that does not require Federal Work-Study eligibility. An international student sponsored in another visa status should consult with the visa sponsor regarding employment.

Because fellowships and scholarships do not constitute employment, a student who has these forms of aid may also hold assistantships up to twenty (20) hours per week.

Teaching Assistantships

Teaching Assistantship (TA) positions are affiliated with a degree program. The primary responsibilities of these positions include assisting faculty members in the delivery of a course through a variety of activities, such as grading papers, presenting in class, hosting discussion groups, answering student questions, distributing class materials, and so on.

A student must have completed the course or its equivalent prior to being eligible to apply for a teaching assistant position. The student should work with the degree program’s administration and human resources to apply for TA positions. TA positions are expected to work no more than ten (10) hours per week, but hours may vary based on the requirements of the course. TAs must coordinate their hours with the supervising faculty member.

Faculty Assistantships

Faculty Assistantships (FA) are positions designed to assist faculty members. In collaboration with Human Resources, FA’s are hired and supervised by program or administrative faculty members. The primary responsibilities of these positions include assisting faculty members in the management of their offices and duties through a variety of clerical (filing, scheduling, typing, photocopying, data entry) and focused research activities (collecting/summarizing articles, gathering information).

Research Assistantships

Research Assistantships are positions that may be affiliated with either a degree program or administrator in a nonacademic area of the school. In collaboration with Human Resources, Research Assistants are hired and supervised by the program faculty or administrator. The primary responsibilities of these positions include assisting faculty members in the design, execution, analysis, and dissemination of scholarly work.

Professional Assistantships

Professional Assistantships are positions affiliated with the administrative areas of the institution. In collaboration with Human Resources, Professional Assistants are hired and supervised by administrators and staff employed by one of the school’s nonacademic departments or offices. The primary responsibilities for these positions include assisting in departmental operations through a variety of clerical (filing, scheduling, typing, photocopying, data entry), administrative (assist in managing the department or departmental projects), and focused research activities (collecting/summarizing articles, gathering information).

Community Assistantships

Community Assistantships are positions that support Community Service and Community-Based Research projects. In collaboration with Human Resources, Community Assistants are hired and supervised by faculty, administrators, or staff engaged in Community Service or Community-Based Research projects. For Community Service projects, a student works on designated assignments with partner agencies in the community. Common projects include working in literacy, mentorship, outreach, and other human service programs. Community-Based Research involves the generation of scholarship on topics important to the school’s partner agencies. Under faculty leadership, the student seeks to discover new knowledge in order to improve the health and well-being of people in the community. Common Community-Based Research projects include needs analyses, organizational assessments, program developments and evaluations, and critical reviews of literature.

Financial Aid

A student at The Chicago School may fund their academic studies either through self-pay or through using financial aid. Financial aid is money in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, and/or student employment that is used to pay tuition, fees, housing, meals, and other school-related expenses. A course is eligible for financial aid only if it meets a degree requirement as published in the Academic Catalog.

The Office of Financial Aid’s policies and procedures are subject to change based on federal regulations and guidelines or interpretations thereof. Changes will be published. It is the student’s responsibility to remain informed of all changes. The Office of Financial Aid adheres to the guidelines of ethical conduct developed by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).

Determining Amount of Financial Aid

Total financial assistance from all sources cannot exceed the cost of attendance for the period in which an eligible student is enrolled. For Federal Financial Aid, the maximum eligibility for need-based aid is the difference between the cost of attendance and the federally-calculated Expected Family Contribution (EFC) obtained from the FAFSA application. Federal financial aid includes but is not limited to Federal Pell Grant, Federal Direct Subsidized Loan, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, and Federal Work Study. Resources such as outside scholarships and loan programs such as the Direct PLUS Loan for parents or graduate students and other alternative student loans are forms of non-need-based aid and are calculated in conjunction with federal need-based aid. Non-need-based aid may impact a student’s eligibility for need-based aid.

The cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, and average costs of books, supplies, and living expenses. A student with unusual but necessary expenses such as childcare or medical expenses not covered by insurance, for example, may request an increase in the cost of attendance budget. Request must be submitted in writing to the Office of Financial Aid and are reviewed individually. Supporting documentation must accompany these requests. Qualification for a cost of attendance budget increase does not guarantee additional financial aid.

Disbursement of Financial Aid

Each term, a student who earns institutional aid from TCSPP will have the award credited to their student account. Federal Direct Loan funds are typically transmitted to the school via Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT). Refunds through direct deposit or checks are made available to students within fourteen (14) calendar days of the credit occurring on the student’s account or within fourteen (14) calendar days of the student’s endorsement of a paper loan check. A student not enrolled for the number of credit hours that were estimated at the time of financial aid packaging may have funds delayed due to the need to recalculate eligibility.

A student borrowing Federal Direct Loans for the first time at TCSPP is required to complete an entrance counseling session prior to the release of funds. Loan entrance counseling sessions may be completed online. Refund checks will be automatically mailed to a student at address on file with TCSPP. If the check is returned in the mail and a second mailing attempt is unsuccessful, the check will be voided and the funds returned.

Maintaining and Re-establishing Financial Aid Eligibility

A student must maintain satisfactory academic progress per TCSPP’s SAP  policy in order to maintain financial aid eligibility. A student who lost financial aid eligibility may be reinstated by improving their academic standing to meet the minimum standards of SAP. 

Minimum Application Requirements

To be eligible for financial aid, the following requirements must be completed by the student.

1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). TCSPP’s school code is B07022.
2. Review and approve financial aid on myChicagoSchool.

A student borrowing loans at TCSPP for the first time must also complete these requirements.

1. Complete and e-sign the Master Promissory Note (MPN) at studentloans.gov.
2. Complete Entrance Counseling at studentloans.gov.

A student or parents interested in a Direct PLUS Loan must complete a MPN and application. Additional information and requirements are available at studentloans.gov.

Repeating a Course

A repeated course counts toward fulltime or half-time enrollment status only once. A course repeated more than once neither qualifies for financial aid nor is counted in a student’s enrollment status when calculating credit hours to determine financial aid eligibility during that payment period. 

Student Classification

To receive Federal Financial Aid or to defer student loan repayment, a student must be enrolled in a degree or certificate-granting program at least half-time. Eligibility for institutional aid from TCSPP generally requires fulltime enrollment. Enrollment requirements for other assistance programs such as outside scholarships and private student loans can vary and are reviewed on an individual basis, where applicable. See the Student Classification policy for additional information.

Institutional Aid

Fellowships

Fellowships are awarded to an eligible, full or half-time degree-seeking student based on the individual’s potential to meet the requirements of the fellowship being sought. A fellowship is posted directly to a student’s account. Fellowships cannot exceed a student’s cost of attendance as defined by Title IV regulations. Certain fellowships require the completion of an application and are awarded on a competitive basis. Fellowships can be terminated based on unsatisfactory performance in meeting the requirements of the fellowship and/or not maintaining Programmatic Good Standing  as defined by the student’s degree program. The school will not attempt to reclaim monies already credited to a student’s account; however, a student may be referred to the Department Chair if a fellowship is discontinued due to unprofessional behavior.

A student who enrolls in the MS Clinical Psychopharmacology program in fall 2017 or thereafter is eligible for TCSPP’s Fellowship in Clinical Psychopharmacology. TCSPP created this fellowship to recognize students’ pursuit of new and innovative training in the fields of psychology and integrated health care. 

A student who receives outside fellowships will have those awards counted as part of the overall financial aid package. This may affect loan amounts, work study, and/or other financial aid eligibility.

Grants

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology allocates funds for grant aid to support students in degree completion. A limited number of institutional grants are available for students who meet certain criteria. To maintain grant eligibility, a student must remain in Good Standing.

A student who enrolls in the Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology program in spring 2015 or thereafter will be eligible for the Clinical Psychology grant.

An international student who enrolls at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is eligible for the International Student Grant.

Additional information on grants is available from the Office of Admission at 1-800-721-8072.

Scholarships

Scholarships offered or administered by TCSPP are based on merit and/or financial need for fulltime students. Scholarships cannot exceed the student’s cost of attendance as defined by Title IV regulations.

Outside scholarships that are not based on merit or need will be counted as part of the overall financial aid package toward the cost of attendance. Outside assistance may affect loan amounts, work-study, and/or other financial aid eligibility.

Special Tuition Rates

TCSPP offers special tuition rates to qualified students. Click here for more information.

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology participates in Title IV programs including Federal Pell, Federal Direct Loans, Federal Work Study, and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG).

The Office of Financial Aid is required to recalculate financial aid eligibility for students who officially withdraw, are unofficially withdrawn, or are dismissed. A student who wishes to withdraw from the institution is required to notify their Student Support Counselor. If a student does not officially withdraw and fails to register for the upcoming semester, the student will be unofficially withdrawn.

A student who receives Federal Financial Aid funds and completely withdraws from the institution is subject to the “Return of Title IV Funds” policy. The amount to be returned is based on the percentage of enrollment completed for the term/semester and the amount of financial assistance considered earned. The school and the student are both responsible to return unearned funds to the appropriate Title IV program(s) in the order of Direct Unsubsidized, Direct Subsidized, Parent or Graduate PLUS, PELL, and SEOG, where applicable. It is recommended that a student who receives financial aid connect with the Office of Financial Aid prior to withdrawing to determine if they will leave the school with a balance on their student account. If a balance is owed to TCSPP, the student must immediately contact the Office of Student Accounts to make payment arrangements.

When a student who receives Title IV grant or loan assistance withdraws from the institution during the payment period or period of enrollment in which the recipient began attendance, the institution must determine the amount of Title IV grant or loan assistance that the student earned as of the student’s withdrawal date. This may result in the student owing a balance to TCSPP.

A student’s withdrawal date is determined in accordance with the Withdrawal  policy.

Payment Plans and Tuition Reimbursements

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology offers three (3) possible payment options to assist active students. The standard In-Term Payment Plan is designed for all students. Two additional options, Deferred Tuition Payment Plan and the Direct-Bill Payment Plan, are available for students who receive employer or third-party-based tuition reimbursement or assistance. There is no interest fee; however a late payment fee is incurred when payments are not made on time and will be charged monthly until the payment plan is current. A student wishing to pursue a payment plan must have all arrangements completed by the end of the first week of the term/semester. The school offers an Out of School Payment Plan for former students.

In-Term Payment Plan (Standard)

Available through the Office of Student Accounts, the In-Term Payment Plan allows a student to pay an outstanding tuition balance in up to four monthly installments per semester or two installments per term for online programs. All payment plans will be scheduled with a due date on the 15th of each month. There are no service charges for the payment plan option. A student who has not paid the full tuition or signed a payment plan by the end of the first week of classes will be assessed a late fee, unless the unpaid balance is due to approved financial aid funds that have not yet posted to the student’s account. A late payment fee will be charged monthly until the balance is paid or payment plan is current. A registration hold will be placed on the account until the account is made current. A student who elects to reduce the student loans to an amount that does not cover the full tuition and fee balance is eligible for payment plans. All payment plans must be pre-approved by the Office of Student Accounts.

An account is considered delinquent if the student has an outstanding balance for tuition or fee payments and is not participating in an approved payment plan. A late payment fee will be charged monthly until the balance is paid in full. A student with a valid payment plan and no past due balance is considered in good standing once the first payment is received. The student will not be subject to a billing hold or assessed a late fee as long as the student continues making on-time payments on the payment plan. A student who is five (5) days late in making a payment on the payment plan will be assessed a late fee and will have a hold placed on the account until the account balance is paid in full. If tuition is not paid in full by the next registration period, the student will not be permitted to register for the next term/semester.

Tuition and Fee Schedule available on the school website.

Deferred Tuition Payment Plan

A student receiving employer-based tuition reimbursement may be eligible to participate in the Deferred Tuition Payment Plan. An eligible student must be in good financial standing with the school. This plan is for a student who has tuition reimbursement plans for which payment is dependent upon a grade or completion of a course.

The student is responsible for submitting the Deferred Tuition Payment Plan application each academic year of enrollment in order to participate. The application fee for the Deferred Tuition Payment Plan is indicated on the application. The application requires a copy of the employer’s tuition reimbursement policy and a signed letter verifying the amount of the student’s reimbursement eligibility and any restrictions.

The balance due must be paid by the end of the second week of the next term/semester, regardless of whether or not the student has received the employer reimbursement or grades have been received. A registration and transcript hold and late fees will be issued to the student’s account if complete payment has not been made by the deferred tuition payment plan due date.

The Office of Student Accounts will assist with necessary documentation required for employer or third party reimbursement or assistance purposes.

While a student must submit the Deferred Tuition Payment Plan application no later than the last day of the first week of the term/semester, early submission is the best course of action. The Office of Student Accounts reserves the right to deny participation in the Deferred Tuition Payment Plan.

Direct Bill Payment Plan

A student who is eligible for partial or full-tuition payment by a third-party source may apply for the Direct Bill Payment Plan. A Direct Bill Payment Plan is not contingent upon a grade and/or completion of a course and is payable directly to TCSPP. A payment plan may be set up according to the employer policy.

Third-party billing sources may be: an employer, scholarship foundation, government (such as Americorps or Upward Mobility program) or military tuition assistance. A student must submit a payment voucher or letter that includes the name of the student and program, amount to be paid, payment method (check or credit card), and term/semester for which tuition is to be paid.

All vouchers or letters must be submitted to the Office of Student Accounts no later than the end of the first week of each term/semester. The student is responsible for establishing a secured payment method by the first week of the term/semester for the remaining balance not being paid by the third-party source.

Payments are due from the third-party source within thirty (30) calendar days of invoicing or else a registration and transcript hold and a late fee will be applied to the student’s account. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all required documents are received by the third party and that payment is submitted in a timely manner.

Out of School Payment Plan

A former student no longer actively enrolled with the institution (inclusive of withdrawn, dismissed, or graduated) may owe a balance. If a balance remains on a student’s account, a final statement will be mailed. The former student may be eligible for an Out of School Payment Plan, but missed payments may result in cancellation of the payment plan and prevent the former student from future participation in this payment plan option. A service fee will be assessed if a payment plan is established. Official and unofficial transcripts and diplomas will not be released until the balance is paid in full. If the balance is not paid in full, a payment plan is not set up within 90 days of the withdrawal date, or the former student is past due on a payment plan, the balance will be sent to a collection agency. The institution reserves the right to cancel or not qualify a former student for a payment plan option.

Refund Policies

Courses dropped during the Add/Drop period will be refunded 100% of tuition and course fees. Courses dropped after the Add/Drop period will be subject to a partial refund of tuition only, according to the refund schedule below.* Please note that adding or dropping courses may change the enrollment status, which may result in changes to financial aid.

The refund schedule week begins on Monday and ends on Sunday. Contact the Office of Student Accounts with questions.

*The study abroad program fee for courses is 100% non-refundable past the Add/Drop deadline of the on-ground semester, even if the study abroad course is scheduled to run in the second term of the semester, i.e. fall II, spring II, summer II. The field experience fee is 100% non-refundable after the student signs the international fee agreement, regardless of when the student may drop the course or withdraw from the program.

15-Week Semester

Drop/Withdrawal Refund Schedule

12-Week Semester

Drop/Withdrawal Refund Schedule

8-Week Term (Online)/Semester(On-Ground)

Drop/Withdrawal Refund Schedule

Military Refund Policy

Active duty personnel of the U.S. Military or National Guard called into service prior to the completion of the term/semester, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, but not including active service for training, will be entitled to receive a full refund of tuition and fees. This same consideration may be available to spouses and dependents of active duty military personnel. A student who is drafted and must report for active duty during a term/semester is entitled to receive a full refund of tuition and fees. All refunds are subject to the presentation of official documentation. In the event a student receives any Title IV Federal Aid for education expenses, the institution will return those funds to the Department of Education. In those instances, if the student received funds in addition to those for tuition and fees, the student will be subject to the repayment of those funds. A student who volunteers for military service will be subject to the school’s standard Refund Schedule. 

State-Specific Refund Policies for Online Students

Tuition refunds for students enrolled in online programs who reside in Maryland, New Mexico, Oregon, or Wisconsin will be issued in accordance with the policies required by the laws and regulations of those states. However, if TCSPP’s refund policy is more beneficial to those students, it will follow its refund policy and provide for refunds of tuition as provided in that policy.

Maryland Refund Policy

1. As required by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, the minimum refund that The Chicago School will pay to a Maryland student who withdraws or is terminated after completing only a portion of a course, program, or term within the applicable billing period is as follows:

2. A refund due to a Maryland student will be based on the date of withdrawal or termination and paid within 60 days from the date of withdrawal or termination.
3. This refund policy must be disclosed to students upon enrollment, and documentation verifying student refunds in accordance with this policy must be maintained.

New Mexico Refund Policy

1. Cooling off period. A student is entitled to a three day cooling off period after making an initial deposit or payment toward tuition and fees.During the cooling off period all payments shall be refunded. Evidence of personal appearance at the institution or deposit of a written statement of withdrawal for delivery by mail or other means shall be deemed as meeting the terms of the cooling off period.

2. Registration charges. A student may withdraw after beginning instruction or submitting lesson materials, effective upon appearance at the institution or deposit of a written statement of withdrawal for delivery by mail or other means. TCSPP will retain, as registration charges, no more than $100 or 5% of tuition and fees, whichever is less. 

3. Tuition and fees. TCSPP will retain tuition and fees earned and state gross receipts taxes at a pro-rata amount according to the following schedule:

4. Tuition/fee refunds must be made within 30 calendar days of the institution receiving written notice of a student’s withdrawal or of the institution terminating enrollment of the student, whichever is earlier.

5. Upon request by a student or the department, the institution shall provide an accounting for such amounts retained under this standard within five workdays.

Oregon Refund Policy

Courses dropped during the Add/Drop period will be refunded 100% of tuition and course fees.  Oregon students who withdraw from a course after the Add/Drop period are eligible for a partial refund through the middle week of the applicable term/semester.

Refunds are based on unused instructional time and are prorated on a weekly basis as detailed below.

15 Weeks

Drop/Withdrawal Refund Schedule

12 Weeks

Drop/Withdrawal Refund Schedule

8 Weeks

Drop/Withdrawal Refund Schedule

Wisconsin Refund Policy

A Wisconsin student enrolled in an online program will receive a full refund of all money paid if:

1. The student cancels enrollment within the three business day cancellation period under EAB 6.04;

2. The student accepted, was unqualified, and the school did not secure a disclaimer under EAB 9.04;

3. The school procured the student’s enrollment as the result of any false representations in the written materials used by the school or in oral representations made by or on behalf of the school.

Refunds will be made within 10 business days of cancellation. 

A Wisconsin student who withdraws or is dismissed after attending at least one class, but before completing 60% of the instruction in the current enrollment period, is entitled to a pro rata refund, as calculated below:

As part of this policy, the school may retain a one-time application fee of no more than $100.  The school will make every effort to refund prepaid amounts for books, supplies, and other charges.  A student will receive the refund within 40 days of the termination date.  If a student withdraws after completing 60% of the instruction, The Chicago School may refund a pro rata amount if the withdrawal is due to mitigating circumstances beyond the student’s control.  

Student Reimbursement

If a student is approved to spend money on behalf of the institution for school business, TCSPP will manage the reimbursement process using the student’s University account. This process applies to reimbursements to students for all approved expenditures on behalf of a student organization, an academic or operations department, an approved professional development opportunity, or other entity.

A student who has received approval to spend money on behalf of the institution will coordinate with a representative of the approving entity (academic department, student organization, etc.) to complete the Student Reimbursement Form. Receipts for approved purchases must be presented with the request for reimbursement.

Tuition and Fee Payment

Tuition is due in full for all students before the last day of the first week of a new term/semester. This requirement will be waived if a student intends to use financial aid (including loans) to pay tuition in full and has completed all financial aid paperwork required prior to the start of the term/semester. Students may reduce the amount of tuition due the first week of the term/semester by completing a payment plan agreement with a Student Accounts Advisor prior to the start of the term/semester. Accounts with outstanding balances not covered by financial aid or a payment plan will be considered delinquent after the last day of the first week of each term/semester within a five-day grace period. A late payment fee will be charged each month until the balance has been paid or if the student is past due on a planned payment.

Tuition and Fee Schedule available on the school website.

During any phase of the program, a student whose account is delinquent must make satisfactory arrangements for payment with a Student Accounts Advisor or the student will be subject to removal from classes and withdrawal from the school. In accordance with TCSPP’s usual and customary readmission and reentry policies and procedures, a student who has been administratively withdrawn and who wishes to reenter must first pay all tuition and fees in full before applying for readmission or reentry. Readmission or reentry is not guaranteed.

A student with a delinquent account may not register for a subsequent term/semester, attend classes, begin or attend practicum or internship, work with faculty on a dissertation or thesis, defend a dissertation or thesis, or receive a transcript or diploma until all outstanding tuition and fees are paid in full. If a student’s practicum or internship is affected by a delinquent account, the student must immediately notify the site supervisor and meet with the Director of Placement and Training to develop a plan to ensure that all clinical and professional responsibilities are identified and addressed.