Financial Aid and Student Account Policies

Financial Good Standing

At The Chicago School, a student is in financial good standing when they have no outstanding financial obligation to the institution. This means that all owed balances are paid in full, and/or the student is current on a valid Chicago School payment plan. 

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). The NASFAA Code of Conduct is posted on The Chicago School website. 

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 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. 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, e.g., childcare or medical expenses not covered by insurance, may request an increase in the cost of attendance budget. Requests 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 semester, a student who earns institutional aid from The Chicago School will have the award credited to their student account. Federal Direct Loan funds are typically transmitted to the school via Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT). 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 The Chicago School is required to complete an entrance counseling session prior to the release of funds. Loan entrance counseling is completed online. Refunds through direct deposit or checks are made available automatically to students within 14 calendar days of the credit occurring on the student’s account. Refund checks will be automatically mailed to a student at address on file with The Chicago School. Authorization to retain a credit balance on the student account is available through Financial Aid or Student Accounts. If a check is returned in the mail and a second mailing attempt is unsuccessful, the check will be voided and the funds returned to the lender.

AAS-N and VN: Payment Periods and Disbursement Procedure

Federal financial aid including Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Direct Stafford Loans, and Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans will be disbursed to a student in two or more payments depending on the number of academic years required by the student’s academic program. 

For a VN student, the first payment period begins at the start of a program and ends at the halfway point of the academic year. For AAS-N students, the payment period begins at the beginning of each semester and ends at the end of each semester. A student must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) in order to receive federal financial aid.

Maintaining and Re-establishing Financial Aid Eligibility

A student must maintain satisfactory academic progress per the 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 SAP standards. 

Minimum Application Requirements

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

1. Complete the FAFSA. The Chicago School’s school code is B07022.
2. Review and approve financial aid on the Community Website.

A student borrowing loans at The Chicago School for the first time must also complete these requirements.

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

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

Financial Aid Eligibility for Repeated Courses

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 a payment period. Typically, a student may be eligible to earn financial aid on a course for two attempts only.

A student who fails a course on the first attempt and passes it on the second attempt may be eligible to earn financial aid on a third attempt under the Repeating a Course  policy. 

State-Specific Financial Aid Resources for Online Campus Students

A Washington State resident seeking information about student loan repayment or seeking to submit a complaint relating to student loans or the student loan servicer should visit the Washington Student Achievement Council website or contact the Student Loan Advocate.

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 The Chicago School generally requires fulltime enrollment. Enrollment requirements for other assistance programs such as outside scholarships and private student loans 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 Academic Program Lead if a fellowship is discontinued due to unprofessional behavior.

A student who enrolled in the MS Clinical Psychopharmacology program in fall 2017 or after is eligible for the Fellowship in Clinical Psychopharmacology. This fellowship was created by The Chicago School 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 their overall financial aid package. This may affect loan amounts, work study, and/or other financial aid eligibility.

Grants

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

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

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

Scholarships

Scholarships offered or administered by The Chicago School 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

The Chicago School offers special tuition rates to qualified students. Click here for more information.

The Chicago School 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, who are unofficially withdrawn, or who are dismissed. A student who wishes to withdraw from the institution is required to notify their Student Support Counselor or complete the withdrawal form on the student portal. 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 and who withdraws from the institution is subject to the Return of Title IV Funds policy. The amount of financial aid to be returned is based on the percentage of enrollment completed for the term/semester and the amount of financial assistance considered earned. The Chicago School and the student are both responsible to return unearned funds to the appropriate and applicable Title IV program(s) in the order of Direct Unsubsidized, Direct Subsidized, Parent or Graduate PLUS, PELL, and SEOG. It is recommended that a student who receives financial aid contact 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 the school, the student must 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 the school.

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

Payment Plans and Tuition Reimbursements

The Chicago School offers three 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.

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. All payment plans are scheduled with a due date on the 15th of each month. No service charges are applied for this 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 posted to the student’s account. A late payment fee will be charged monthly until the balance is paid or until the 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 their 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 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 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 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.

The Tuition and Fee Schedule is posted 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 with a tuition reimbursement plan under which payment is dependent upon earning a grade or completion of a course.

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

The balance due must be paid by the end of the second week of the next term/semester, regardless of whether the student has received the employer reimbursement or grades have been received. A registration hold and late fees will be issued to the student’s account if payment in full has not been made by the payment plan due date. Final grades for a term/semester in which a student has an outstanding financial balance will be withheld until the financial balance for the term/semester is paid.

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

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 best. The Chicago School reserves the right to deny a student 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 earning a grade and/or completion of a course and is payable directly to The Chicago School. A payment plan may be set up according to the employer policy.

Third-party billing sources include but are not limited to: 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, 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 30 calendar days of invoicing or else a registration 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. Final grades for a term/semester in which a student has an outstanding financial balance will be withheld until the financial balance for the term/semester is paid.

Out of School Payment Plan

A former student no longer actively enrolled at The Chicago School, e.g., withdrawn, dismissed, or graduated, may owe a balance. If a balance remains on a student’s account, a final statement will be mailed. A student’s diploma will be released after the balance is paid in full. 

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.

If the balance is not paid in full, a payment plan is not set up within 90 days of the last date of attendance, 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 deny or cancel the payment plan option for any individual. 

Refund Policies

A course dropped during the Add/Drop period of the corresponding term/semester will be refunded 100% of tuition and course fees. A course dropped after the Add/Drop deadline will be subject to a partial refund of tuition only, according to the refund schedule below. Adding or dropping a course may change the student’s enrollment status, which could result in changes to financial aid eligibility.

Refund Schedule

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

15-Week Semester

Drop/Withdrawal Refund Schedule

8-Week Term/Semester

Drop/Withdrawal Refund Schedule

Military Refund Policy

U.S. Military personnel, U.S. Military Reservists, or National Guard members who are called into service and, as a result, are unable meet academic requirements prior to the completion of the term/semester will be entitled to receive a full refund of tuition and fees. This policy applies whether the call to service is voluntarily or involuntarily, but it does include active service for training. 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. 

Returning Unearned Tuition Assistance (TA) Funds

The Chicago School returns unearned TA funds on a proportional basis through at least the 60 percent portion of the term/semester for which the funds were awarded. TA funds are earned proportionally during a term/semester, with unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending school.

15-Week Semester

Drop/Withdrawal Refund Schedule

8-Week Term/Semester

Drop/Withdrawal Refund Schedule

State-Specific Refund Policies

Tuition refunds for students who reside in Kansas, Maryland, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, or Wisconsin will be issued in accordance with the policies required by the laws and regulations of those states. Tuition refunds for students enrolled in the AAS-N or VN program in Texas will be issued in accordance with regulations set forth by the Texas Workforce Commission.  However, if the school’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.

Kansas Refund Policy

1. As required by the Kansas Board of Regents, the minimum refund that The Chicago School will pay to a Kansas 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 Kansas 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.

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. The Chicago School will retain, as registration charges, no more than $100 or 5% of tuition and fees, whichever is less. 

3. Tuition and fees. The Chicago School 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.

8 Weeks

Drop/Withdrawal Refund Schedule

Texas Refund Policy

Refund computations will be based on scheduled clock hours of class attendance through the last date of attendance. Leaves of absence and school holidays will not be counted as part of the scheduled class attendance.

1. The effective date of termination for refund purposes will be the earliest of the following:
   1. The last day of attendance, if the student is terminated by the School;
   2. The date of receipt of written notice from the student; or
   3. Ten school days following the last date of attendance.
2. If tuition and fees are collected in advance of entrance, and if after expiration of the 72-hour cancellation privilege the student does not enter school, not more than $100 in nonrefundable administrative fees shall be retained by the School for the entire residence program or synchronous distance education course.
3. If a student enters a residence program and withdraws or is otherwise terminated, the School may retain not more than $100 in nonrefundable administrative fees for the entire program. The minimum refund of the remaining tuition and fees will be the pro rata portion of tuition, fees, and other charges that the number of hours remaining in the portion of the course or program for which the student has been charged after the effective date of the termination bears to the total number of hours in the portion of the course or program for which the student has been charged, except that a student may not collect a refund if the student has completed 75% or more of the total number of hours in the portion of the program for which the student has been charged on the effective date of termination. (Simplified, the refund is based on the precise number of clock hours the student has paid for, but not yet used, at the point of termination, up to the 75% completion mark, after which no refund is due. Form PS-1040 provides the precise calculation.)
4. A student who withdraws for a reason unrelated to the student’s academic status after the 75% completion mark and requests a grade at the time of withdrawal shall be given a grade of “WF” and permitted to re-enroll in the course or program during the 12-month period following the date the student withdrew without payment of additional tuition for that portion of the course or program.
5. A full refund of all tuition and fees is due and refundable in each of the following cases: 
   1. The student is not accepted by the school or cancels enrollment within cancellation timeframes;
   2. The student was solicited or enrolled by an unregistered representative;
   3. The student’s enrollment was procured as a result of any misrepresentation in advertising, promotional materials of the school, or representations by the owner or representatives of the school;
   4. The student was solicited or admitted to an unapproved course of instruction;
   5. The school failed to establish that the admissions requirements were met for a student admitted to the program;
   6. Classes up to the entire program or course, if applicable, were taught by: (a) an instructor that was not approved, qualified, or for whom an application was not submitted properly for approval, as may be required for the course, or (b) a temporary instructor without proper notification to TWC;
   7. Class period(s) that had no instructor;
   8. The course of instruction is discontinued by the school, preventing the student from completing;
   9. The school moves to a location causing hardship for the student in completing training; and
   10. There are other program violations or deficiencies by the school.
6. A full or partial refund may also be due in other circumstances of program deficiencies or violations of requirements for Career Schools and Colleges.

Wisconsin Refund Policy

A Wisconsin student enrolled in a program with the Online Campus 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.  

Study Abroad and Field Experience Program Fees

The study abroad program fee for courses is 100% non-refundable past the Add/Drop deadline of the term I/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 a program agreement with their academic department, regardless of when the student may drop the course or withdraw from the program.

Student Employment

Student Employment provides on and off-campus assistantship opportunities for students. Many of these positions are paid in part by financial aid funding. Other positions are funded fully by the school. Assistantship positions may involve working in an operations area such as academic affairs, admissions, or facilities or working for a faculty member within an academic department. Assistantships typically require 10 to 20 hours of work per week.

A student is hired based upon their abilities to meet the requirements of the assistantship for which they apply. A student may not work more than 20 hours per week. A student may hold more than one position on campus so long as their cumulative work hours do not exceed 20 hours per week. However, it is not encouraged that a student holds more than two positions at the school.

To apply for an assistantship position, a student must file an application with the department offering the assistantship. If hired, the student is required to log work hours in the human resources information system. It is expected that a student assistant will comport themselves in a manner consistent with the professional expectations of their degree program. Failure to meet the expectation of an assistantship and/or unprofessional comportment may result in referral to the student’s Academic Program Lead for further review.

Because fellowships and scholarships do not constitute employment, a student who has these forms of aid may hold an assistantship and work up to 20 hours per week.

Federal Work Study (FWS)

A student eligible for Federal financial aid may be paid for assistantship work through the FWS program. A student must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and meet all qualifications set forth in the Federal Student Aid Handbook. The student must apply for FWS positions, which are not guaranteed.

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

College Work Study (CWS)

A student who is not eligible for federal work study funding may be eligible to apply for a CWS assistantship. If hired, the student will be considered a part-time employee. 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.

Assistantship Positions

Student assistantships include the following position types:

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

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). Faculty Assistants are paid on an hourly basis. 

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.

Student Reimbursement

If a student is approved to spend money on behalf of the institution for school business, the reimbursement process will be managed through the student 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 Fees

Tuition and fees are 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 to pay tuition in full and has completed all financial aid paperwork required prior to the start of the term/semester. A student may reduce the amount of tuition due the first week of the term/semester by completing a payment plan agreement with Student Accounts 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 the student is past due on a planned payment or the balance remains unpaid.

The Tuition and Fee Schedule for all programs is posted on the school website.

During any phase of an academic program, a student whose account is delinquent must make satisfactory arrangements for payment with Student Accounts. In accordance with the Returning Students  policies, a former student who wishes to return to The Chicago School must first pay outstanding tuition and fees in full before applying for reentry or readmission.

The Chicago School reserves the right to prohibit student engagement in any of the following activities until tuition and fees are paid in full:

• 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
• Have final grades posted for the term/semester in which a balance is owed.

If a student’s practicum or internship is affected by a delinquent account, the student must notify the site supervisor and meet with a representative of the Office of Placement and Training to develop a plan to ensure that all clinical and professional responsibilities are addressed.

A student who wishes to review The Chicago School’s Guaranty Bond may request to do so through the Chief Operating Officer.

Military Benefits

The Chicago School is authorized to award military benefits to eligible students. Information on the benefit programs available at the school is posted to the Community Website.

A qualified student is permitted to participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which they provide a certificate of eligibility for benefits under chapter 31 or chapter 33 and ending on the earlier of the following dates:

• The date on which payment from VA is made to the school.
• Ninety days after the date the school certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility. 

A qualified student facing delayed disbursement funding from VA under chapter 31 or chapter 33 will not be penalized by the school. A student will not incur delayed disbursement-related late fees, will not be denied access to courses, libraries, or other institutional facilities, and will not be required to borrow additional funds to cover their financial obligations while awaiting disbursement from VA.

AAS-N and VN Programs

The AAS-N and VN programs total cost includes tuition, books, supplies, immunizations, physical examination, and two sets of scrubs.