You currently viewing the 2023 - 2024 Academic Catalog/Student Handbook. The current catalog is located here.

Tuition, Fees and Parking

Tuition Fee Basis

Forsyth Tech receives funds from local, state and federal sources. North Carolina law (General Statute 115D) establishes the community college system’s tuition and fees and the charges are subject to change without notice. Tuition charges are for credit hours enrolled, and the tuition rate per credit hour applies to all regularly enrolled students.

In-State Tuition:

$76.00 per semester hour

Out-of-State Tuition:

$268.00 per semester hour

Tuition and Fees for Credit Students

All tuition and fees are due and payable at the Cashier’s Office. The following methods of payment are available:

  1. In person at the Cashier’s Office (2nd Floor), Allman Center, Main Campus - Limited payment options and times are available at the Grady Swisher Center, Mazie Woodruff Center, Northwest Forsyth Center, The Transportation Center,  and the Stokes County Center.
  2. Nelnet Automatic Payment Plan and Full Payment Option (Payment Plan not available summer semester) – Set up payment plan or full pay current semester online. See the blue payment icon on our website home page or access through Techlink by selecting My Forsyth Tech.

Note: Methods 1 and 2 may be subject to limited operation times during registration.

Students may pay by cash, certified checks, cashier’s checks or VISA and MasterCard (credit/debit cards). Personal checks will only be accepted with a numbered, photo Identification Card (example: a valid driver’s license). Starter or counter will not be accepted.  Please note: Cash and MasterCard/Visa payments are only accepted at limited locations.  You may call the centers for more information.

No person may attend classes unless the registration procedure has been completed, all tuition and fees paid and all debts to the college settled. Students enrolled for 12 credit hours are considered full-time. Students will be charged per credit hour up to 16 credit hours.

Example:

Hours taken

In-State

Out-of-State

10

$760

$2,680

12

$912

$3,216

14

$1,064

$3,752

16+

$1,216

$4,288

Normal tuition rates apply to courses taken in the Learning Center. Supply fees are set to meet instructional needs in certain types of courses. Some programs (credit) require a pre-admission physical examination that involves additional cost to the student.

Residency Determination at Forsyth Tech

In 2013, the North Carolina General Assembly (SB 402) instructed the educational entities in North Carolina to work collaboratively to create a centralized process for determining residency for the purpose of tuition and administration of state financial aid. These entities included the University of North Carolina General Administration (UNCGA), the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), the North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (NCICU), and the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA).

As a result of the legislative directive, College Foundation, Inc. (CFI) was selected to develop and administer the statewide Residency Determination Service.

Forsyth Tech implemented the Residency Determination Service (RDS) on February 6, 2017.    All individuals applying to Forsyth Tech after February 6, 2017 will be required to complete the online residency determination prior to applying to the college.  It is recommended that applicants complete the residency determination well in advance of the semester they wish to start.  Upon completion of the residency determination, students will be issued a Residency Certification Number (RCN) which will be utilized at all colleges in NC.

Forsyth Tech will continue to work with students who have business sponsorships, are using military benefits or other exceptions allowed by the state.  All other residency determinations will be made by CFI and not Forsyth Tech.

The Residency Determination Service will provide separate processes to reach a residency classification. Most students will only be required to complete the Initial Consideration process. The Reconsideration and Appeal processes are for those students who experience a change in circumstances (Reconsideration) or who have not had a change in status and believe their residency classification is incorrect (appeal).

All students, parents, faculty, staff, and constituents of the North Carolina Community College System should refer to the Residency website at www.ncresidency.org  for more current details regarding the North Carolina Residency Determination Service, processes and required residency guidelines.

Waivers

State law and other State Board of Community Colleges regulations (G. S. 115D-5, 23 NCAC 2D.0202, "Curriculum Tuition Waivers"; 23 NCAC 2D.0203, "Extension Programs Extension Registration Fee Waivers."), provide for the waiver of tuition and registration fees to certain groups of students.  FTCC observes this law and waives the needed tuition/fees when the appropriate documentation is provided at registration/payment.

Student Fees

Student Activity Fee

All program students are charged $35 per semester/term (Fall & Spring only) for a student activity fee. When students pay this fee, they automatically become members of Forsyth Tech’s Student Government Association. Though called an “activity fee,” these funds are used to support student clubs and social activities, student publications and student government expenses. For a more detailed list of the expenses covered by these fees, see the Student Life section of this catalog. This fee is not refundable.

Lab Fees

Some selected courses charge a lab fee for supplies, software and materials. These fees range from $15 to $200.

Technology Fee

All program students are required to pay a technology fee each semester/term. The fee is $30 for students enrolled in one to 11 credit hours and $48 for students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours.

Books and Supplies

The cost for textbooks and supplies is the responsibility of the student, and these items may be purchased at the Forsyth Tech Bookstore (lower level), Technology and Student Services Building, Main Campus. There is also another bookstore located at the Northwest Forsyth Center to cater specific programs based there.  The cost of books and supplies varies from program to program each semester. Students may wish to attend the first class before purchasing texts and materials. Books may be purchased online at this Web site -http://www.bkstr.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?catalogId=10001&langId=-1&demoKey=d&storeId=10882

Digital Content/Electronic Text Fee

Select classes also have fees that allow online access to course materials. In an effort to protect students and to ensure their best interests, the U.S. Department of Education published 34CFR668.161-167 that requires colleges to provide students the ability to opt-out of course fees associated with books and online access to course material(s). Students will have until the seventh day from the start of class to opt-out if choosing to purchase their access through a different source.

Uniforms

The cost for uniforms and other special apparel is the responsibility of the student, and the initial cost of these items varies for certain programs. Students should ask their department chairperson for details on these costs.

Other Fees

No laboratory breakage or property damage fees will be charged to students. However, in case of breakage or damage due to gross negligence or maliciousness, a student will be expected to reimburse the College.

Graduation Fee

Curriculum students do not pay a graduation fee. Adult High School and HSED students pay a $10 graduation fee for each diploma and/or certificate. This fee is not refundable.

Transcript Fee

A $3 fee is charged for each transcript requested. If purchased electronically, there are additional processing fees.

Proficiency Exam Fee

A student may take a proficiency exam for a given course only once in a 12-month period. A Request for Proficiency Exam Form [located in the dean’s office(s)] must be completed and a $10 to $15 nonrefundable fee is charged for each proficiency exam.

TEAS Fee

There is an academic assessment for students desiring admission to a health technology program.  A $58 fee is charged per test.

Refund Guidelines

To request a tuition fee refund, you must officially withdraw from a class by submitting a Course Drop Request (for degree seeking or special credit programs) or Request for Refund form (if registered for a continuing education course).   Refunds are generally mailed at the end of each month.

  • A 100 percent refund may be given if the student officially withdraws prior to the first day of a specific course. If Forsyth Tech cancels a course, any portion of tuition that the student paid for the canceled course will be refunded in full.
  • A 75 percent refund may be given if the student officially withdraws from the course(s) prior to, or on, the official census date of the course. Please visit Course Schedules - Forsyth Tech and search for your specific course to find the census date.
  • Dropping on or after the first day of class will result in a 25% tuition refund penalty.
  • No refunds will be given to students who drop a section, after the census date of the section.

Please Note: If a course contains the pre-fix of SEF, the above refund policy does not apply.  You may receive a full tuition fee refund by officially withdrawing from the course one working day (24 hours) before the first class meets. Also, Continuing Education courses that are online, follow a Course Drop Date instead of the Census Date.

Additional Information regarding this policy:

  • Student activity fees, Malpractice Insurance and CAPS fees will be refunded when courses are canceled, and students are not registered in any other course. If you drop all classes before the beginning of the semester the activity fee will automatically refund.
  • Students passing proficiency exams for courses they have registered and paid for are not eligible for tuition refunds.
  • Tuition refunds are not transferable to other individuals.
  • Late tuition refund requests will not be considered.
  • Tuition cannot be held from one semester to a future semester.
  • Where a student, having paid the required tuition for a semester, dies during that semester (prior to or on the last day of examinations of the college the student was attending), all tuition and fees for that semester may be refunded to the estate of the deceased.

Military Tuition Refund.  Upon request of the student, each college shall:

Grant a full refund of tuition and fees to military reserve and National Guard personnel called to active duty or active-duty personnel who have received temporary or permanent reassignments as a result of military operations then taking place outside the state of North Carolina that make it impossible for them to complete their course requirements.

The college refund policy is established by state legislative action and therefore, is subject to change without prior notice to students. 

Detailed NC Community Colleges refund policy can be found on https://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/search/content/refund

It is very important that you ask questions, examine your schedule carefully, and please TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for your schedule!

  • Check campus location where your classes are offered- be sure it is where you want to be.
  • If you schedule classes on more than one campus– make sure you have time between classes to travel between campuses.
  • If you need to DROP and ADD during the schedule adjustment period, you must do so in one registration session. That is the only way, your new class, and your old class (if the number of credit hours is the same) will not result in you owing the additional money.
  • Please make sure to ask questions and carefully examine your schedule. Failing to assume responsibility for your schedule could result in unwanted financial penalties.

Important Notes:

Do not sign up for more classes than wanted with the intent to drop some after attending the first day of class.

Refund questions can be addressed to Cashier’s Office at main campus on (336)734-7210.

Forsyth Tech delivers your refund with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. If you are new to this service, you may have questions. For more information visit the BankMobile Disbursements website.

Accident Insurance

Accident insurance covering the hour’s students are in school, on field trips or participating in student activities is provided to all full-time and part-time students. Student insurance is furnished by Forsyth Tech as a service to students, but it is not meant to replace students’ personal coverage.

Liability Insurance for Health Students

All health students must purchase annual liability insurance before engaging in lab or clinical practice. The cost for the insurance varies according to the credit program and insurance carrier. Liability insurance fees are not prorated. Annual liability insurance coverage runs from fall semester up to the next fall semester, for health students who enter or re-enter during a fall semester. For health students who enter or re-enter during a spring semester, the annual liability insurance coverage runs from spring semester up to the next spring semester. This fee is not refundable.

Parking

Visitors are welcome on the campus of Forsyth Tech. Campus signs indicate designated visitor parking areas. Any visitor receiving a ticket while parked in a designated visitor parking area should return it to the person or office visited. Otherwise, parking fines should be paid at any of the cashiering sites.

Students planning to park on campus are required to purchase a $35 parking permit/decal at the time of registration. This fee is not refundable. Parking permits are valid from July 1 to August 31 the following year. Specific rules governing parking are issued with each vehicle registration and may also be found in the current issue of the Student Academic Planner.