Financial Aid and Student Account Policies

Financial Aid

Students at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology may fund their studies either through self-pay or financial aid. Financial aid is any money used to help cover the costs of tuition, room and board, and other expenses. Financial Aid can consist of grants, loans and scholarships a student receives to help bridge the gap between a student’s resources and the amount needed to pay for the cost of attending the school. 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.

Financial Aid Professional Code of Conduct

The Office of Financial Aid supports and adheres to the guidelines of ethical conduct developed by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NAFSAA).

Tuition and Fee Payment

Tuition is due in full for all matriculating students before the last day of the first week of a new semester/term. 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 semester/term. Students may reduce the amount of tuition due the first week of the semester/term by completing a payment plan agreement with a student account advisor prior to the start of the semester/term. 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 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 account advisor or the student will be subject to removal from classes and withdrawal from the school. Students who have been administratively withdrawn for such reasons and who wish to re-enter must first pay all tuition and fees in full before applying for re-admission in accordance with TCSPP’s usual and customary admission policies and procedures. Readmission is not guaranteed.

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

Military Discounts

Active duty personnel of the U.S. Military or National Guard Reserves may be eligible for a 10% tuition discount. Students must identify membership to one of the aforementioned categories at the time of application. Military discounts are applied to future terms only and are not retroactive for current or prior terms. Military personnel must submit a copy of their most recent leave and earnings statement (LES) and a statement from their commanding officer on official letterhead. Students may be required to resubmit documentation annually.

Law Enforcement Discounts

Students employed as Federal, state, or local law enforcement officers may be eligible for a 10% tuition discount. Students must identify membership to one of the aforementioned categories at the time of application. Discounts are applied to future terms only and are not retroactive for current or prior terms. The applicant must submit a copy of his or her current ID and one of the following: a copy of a most recent earning statement or pay stub, a statement from her or his commander/chief on official letterhead, or a statement from human resources attesting to current employment and position. Students may be required to resubmit documentation annually.

Payment Plans and Tuition Reimbursement

The Chicago School offers three possible payment options to assist 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/third-party-based tuition reimbursement/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. Students wishing to pursue a payment plan must have all arrangements completed by the end of first week of the semester/term.

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-Blended programs. All payment plans will be scheduled with a due date of the 15th of each month. There is no service charge for the payment plan option. Students who have not paid their 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 been posted to the student’s ledger. 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. Students who have elected to reduce their student loans to an amount that does not cover their full tuition and fee balance are eligible for payment plans. All payment plans must be pre-approved by the Office of Student Accounts to be valid.

An account is considered to be 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. Currently enrolled students with a valid payment plan and no past due balances will be considered to be in good standing once the first payment on the plan is received and will not be assessed a billing hold or late fee as long as they continue making on-time payments on the payment plan. Students who are five days late in making payments on the payment plan will be assessed a late fee, in accordance with the Schedule of Tuition and Fees, and a hold is placed on the account until their account is paid in full. If tuition is not paid in full by the end of the term, the student will not be able to register for the next term until tuition is paid in full. 

Tuition and Fee Schedule available on the school website.

Deferred Tuition Payment Plan

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

Students are responsible for submitting the Deferred Tuition Payment Plan application each term of enrollment in order to participate. There is an application fee for the Deferred Tuition Payment Plan indicated on the application. The application also 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 or semester, regardless of whether or not the student has received the employer reimbursement or grades have been received. A registration/transcript hold and late fees will be assessed to the student’s account if complete payment has not been made by the deferred tuition payment plan due date.

Student Accounts and Student Services will assist with necessary documentation required for employer or third party reimbursement/assistance purposes.

While students must submit the Deferred Tuition Payment Plan Application no later than the last day of the first week of the semester/term, early submission is the best course of action.

Student Accounts reserves the right to deny participation in the deferred tuition payment plan.

Direct-Bill Payment Plan

Students who are 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 The Chicago School. 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. Students must submit a payment voucher or letter which includes the name of the student and program, amount to be paid, payment method (check or credit card), semester/term for which tuition is to be paid.

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

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

Out of School Payment Plan

Former students who are not active at the institution (that is withdrawn, dismissed, or graduated) may owe a balance depending on the Refund Schedule and timing of their departure. If a balance remains on a student’s account, a final statement will be mailed. Former students may be eligible for an out of school extended payment plan, but missed payments may result in cancellation of the payment plan and prevent the individual from participating in the extended payment plan option in the future.  A service fee will be assessed if a payment plan is established.  Official/unofficial transcripts and diplomas will not be released until the balance is paid in full. If a former student’s account is in good standing and the individual is current on the extended payment plan s/he may receive a transcript. If the balance is not paid in full, a payment plan is not set up within 90 days of the withdrawal date, or the 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 student for a payment plan option.   

Refund Schedule

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/Dropping courses may change the enrollment status, which may result in changes to financial aid.

*The study abroad program fee for courses is 100% non-refundable past the Add/Drop period. The field experience fee is determined on an individual basis.

15-week Term

Drop/Withdrawal Refund Schedule (15 weeks)

9-week Term

Drop/Withdrawal Refund Schedule: (9 weeks)

7-week Term

Drop/Withdrawal Refund Schedule: (7 weeks)

The refund schedule week begins on Monday and ends on Sunday. With questions on the refund policy, contact the Office of Student Accounts.

Institutional Withdrawal

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology participates in the Title IV programs including Federal Direct Stafford Loans and Federal Work Study.

The Office of Financial Aid is required to recalculate financial aid eligibility for students who withdraw from the institution, are administratively withdrawn, or are dismissed. Students who wish to withdraw from the institution are required to notify the Office of Student Services. If a student does not formally withdraw through the Office of Student Services, and fails to register for the upcoming term he/she will be administratively withdrawn.

Students who receive financial aid funds and completely withdraw from the institution are subject to the “Return of Title IV Funds” policy. The amount to be returned is based on the percentage of enrollment completed for the semester and the amount of financial assistance considered earned. The school and the student are both responsible to return unearned financial aid assistance to the appropriate Title IV program(s). It is recommended that students who receive financial aid meet (in person or via conference call) 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 the result of this meeting is that a student will owe a balance to The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, the student must immediately contact the Office of Student Accounts to make payment arrangements. 

When a recipient of Title IV grant or loan assistance withdraws from an institution during 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.

Determination of Institutional Withdrawal Date

For official withdrawals, a student’s withdrawal date is:

• The date the student began the withdrawal process
• The date the student officially notified the school, in writing, of his/her intent to withdraw, or
• Any earlier or later date which the school documents as the last date of academically related activity by the student

For unofficial withdrawals, a student’s withdrawal date is:

• The midpoint of the payment period or period of enrollment, or
• Any earlier or later date which the school documents as the last date of academically related activity by the student.

An academically related activity includes, but is not limited to, an exam, attending class, submitting a class assignment or attending a formal study group that is arranged by the school.

A student who takes an approved Leave of Absence (LOA) after the Add/Drop deadline of a semester is considered to have withdrawn in terms of financial aid and Return of Title IV policies. The student’s withdrawal date is the date the school determines the student began the Leave of Absence. Students who take a Leave of Absence are subject to the same policies as a student who withdraws. Please refer to the Institutional Withdrawal section for details.

Determining Amount of Aid

Total financial assistance from all sources cannot exceed the school’s cost of attendance for the period in which an eligible student is enrolled. For Federal aid, the maximum eligibility for need-based aid, such as a Subsidized Stafford Loan, Federal Work-Study, and institutional aid, is determined by the difference between the cost of attendance at The Chicago School and the federally calculated Expected Family Contribution (EFC) obtained from the FAFSA application. Resources such as outside scholarships and certain loan programs such as the Unsubsidized Stafford loan, GraduatePLUS loan or alternative student loans are forms of non-need-based aid and are calculated in conjunction with federal need-based aid. Non-need-based aid can impact a student’s eligibility for need-based aid.

Cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, and averages of books, supplies, and reasonable cost of living expenses. Students with unusual but necessary expenses such as childcare, medical expenses not covered by insurance and so on., are reviewed individually upon the student’s written request to the Office of Financial Aid. 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, scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships from The Chicago School will be credited to the student’s account. Federal Stafford student loan funds are normally 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. Students not enrolled for the number of credit hours that were indicated on their financial aid application may have their funds delayed due to the need to recalculate their eligibility. Students borrowing Federal Stafford Loans for the first time at The Chicago School are required to complete an entrance counseling session prior to the release of these funds. Loan entrance counseling sessions may be completed online. Refund checks that are not picked up within two (2) weeks of the issue date will be automatically mailed to student at the current address on file. If the check is returned in the mail, the check will be voided and the funds will be returned to the lender.

Financial Aid Eligibility Factors

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): The Chicago School’s school code is B07022.
2. Complete the Financial Aid Institutional Application electronically.
3. Review and approve financial aid on ePortal.
   Steps 4 and 5 are only required for students borrowing loans for the first time.
4. Complete and e-sign Stafford Master Promissory Note (MPN) at studentloans.gov  
5. Complete Entrance Counseling at studentloans.gov

Students interested in the Grad PLUS loan must complete a MPN and application. Additional information and requirements are available at studentloans.gov. 

Enrollment Level

To receive Federal student 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 scholarships or fellowships from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology generally requires full-time enrollment. Enrollment requirements for other assistance programs, such as outside scholarships and private student loans, can vary and are reviewed on an individual basis as applicable. (See the “Full- and Part-Time Enrollment Status ” grid in Academic Policies and Procedures for additional information.)

Repeated Courses

Repeated courses are financial aid eligible and will count toward full-or part time enrollment status only once. Courses repeated more than once will neither qualify for financial aid nor be counted as a part of a student’s enrollment status. Some courses may be taken multiple times and are not considered a “repeated course” for purposes of this policy (dissertation, thesis, directed study projects). Please see the Repeated Courses Exemption List  for details. Questions regarding financial aid eligibility for a specific course number should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid prior to registration.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress in order to maintain financial aid eligibility. (See the “Satisfactory Academic Progress ” section in Academic Policies and Procedures for additional information.) 

Scholarships and Fellowships

Scholarships

Scholarships offered or administered by The Chicago School of Professional Psychology are based on merit and/or financial need for full-time 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, or other financial aid eligibility.

Fellowships

Fellowships are awarded to eligible, full- or part-time degree-seeking students based on their potential to produce research and provide service consistent with the requirements of the fellowship to which they are applying. In return for their research and/or service, students may be awarded a tuition reduction that is posted directly to their student account. Fellowships cannot exceed the student’s cost of attendance as defined by Title IV regulations. Fellowships require the completion of an application, and they are awarded on a competitive basis. Stipends are awarded over the course of the academic year, with 40% allocated at the beginning of the fall term and again at the beginning of the spring term and 20% at the beginning of the summer term. Fellowships can be terminated based on unsatisfactory performance in meeting the requirements of the fellowship and/or not maintaining satisfactory performance as defined by the student’s program of study. The school will not attempt to reclaim monies already credited to students’ accounts; however, students may be referred to their Department Chair/Lead Faculty if the fellowship is discontinued due to unprofessional behavior.

Students who receive outside fellowships will be counted as part of the overall financial aid package toward the cost of attendance. This may affect loan amounts, work-study, and/or other financial aid eligibility. 

Federal Work-Study and Assistantships

Students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and meet all qualifications set forth in the Federal Student Aid Handbook. Students 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 students 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 through the Federal Work Study Coordinator. Please see the Student Employment Handbook for further details regarding Federal Work Study eligibility.

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 affairs, 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 students part-time employment opportunities with the school to offset tuition and living expenses. Students are hired based upon their abilities to meet the requirements of the assistantship for which they are applying. If eligible, students are paid through the Federal Work Study program (FWS) monies until those funds are exhausted by the institution. Non-eligible FWS students may also obtain graduate assistantships. Students may not work more than twenty (20) hours per week. Students may hold more than one position on campus so long as their cumulative work does not exceed 20 hours per week. However, it is not encouraged that students hold more than two (2) positions at the school. Students are required to submit a time sheet online for the work rendered for each position and comport themselves in a manner consistent with the professional expectation of their degree program. Failure to meet the expectation of an assistantship and or unprofessional comportment may result in referral to the student’s Department Chair/Lead Faculty for further review. All positions must abide by the GAP employee guidelines published in the Graduate Assistantship Handbook.

To apply for any Graduate Assistantship position students must file an application found online though TCSPP’s website and submit it to the Office of Financial Aid. In addition, students will complete a Student Employment Eligibility Form online to determine eligibility.  If the student is eligible for a federal work study position, the teaching 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. International students are eligible to apply for any on campus position that does not require Federal Work Study eligibility

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

Teaching Assistantships

Teaching Assistantship (TA) positions are affiliated with an academic 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.

Students must have completed the course or its equivalent prior to being eligible to apply for a teaching assistant position. Students should work with their academic 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 that can 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 an academic 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, students work on designated assignments with partner agencies in the community, and are required to meet regularly on campus for professionally led, self-reflection seminars to heighten their awareness of community needs and civic responsibility. 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, students seek 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.