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, which are subject to change without notice. Tuition charges are based on the number of 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 or online.

The following methods of payment are available:

• In person at the Cashier’s Office on the 2nd Floor of the Allman Center on Main Campus
• Full pay online through a student’s MyForysthTech account under Student Finance
• Nelnet Automatic Payment Plan: Set up a payment plan or pay in full for the current semester online via MyForsythTech.

These methods may be subject to limited operation times during registration.

Students may pay by cash, certified checks, cashier’s checks, or VISA, MasterCard, and Discover (credit/debit cards). Personal checks will only be accepted with a numbered, photo identification card (i.e., a valid driver’s license). Starter or counter will not be accepted. 

Cash and credit card payments are accepted at limited locations.  Call the centers for more information.

No person may attend classes unless the registration procedure has been completed, all tuition and fees have been paid, and all debts to the college have been settled.

Students enrolled for 12 credit hours are considered full-time. Students will be charged per credit hour, up to a maximum of 16 credit hours.

Example:
 

Normal tuition rates apply to courses taken at Forsyth Tech. Supply fees are set to meet instructional needs in certain types of courses. Some programs (e.g., credit) require a pre-admission physical examination, which involves an additional cost to the student.

Tuition and Fees for Dual-Enrolled Students
The state of North Carolina pays tuition fees for high school students for fall, spring, and summer semesters.

For the fall and spring semesters, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools pays for its students' books; students enrolled at other high schools must pay for their own books.  For the summer semester, all high school students must pay for their books.

For the fall and spring semesters, Forsyth Tech pays the cost of other fees for high school students taking 8 or fewer credits; high school students taking 9 or more credits must pay for other fees.  For the summer semester, all high school students must pay for other fees.

Residency Determination at Forsyth Tech
Under North Carolina law, each person must be classified as a resident or nonresident for tuition purposes. North Carolina law (General Statute 116-143.1) requires that to qualify as an in-state student for tuition purposes, a person must have established legal residence (domicile) in North Carolina and maintained that legal residence for at least 12 months immediately before enrollment to be considered for classification as a North Carolina resident.

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 before applying to the college.  It is recommended that applicants complete the residency determination well before 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.

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 North Carolina Residency Determination Service (RDS) website for more current details regarding the RDS, processes, and required residency guidelines.

If a student’s residency status changes from what is on file with the college (including a reclassification or appeal), they must notify the college. This includes if they lose or abandon their North Carolina residency while enrolled. To notify us of any changes in residency status, contact the Student Cares Team at info@forsythtech.edu.

Tuition 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.  Forsyth Tech observes this law and waives the needed tuition/fees when the appropriate documentation is provided at registration/payment.

STUDENT FEES
Books and Supplies
The cost of textbooks and supplies is the responsibility of the student, and these items can be purchased at the Forsyth Tech Bookstore located on the lower level of the Robert L. Strickland Center on the Main Campus. 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 via the Bookstore's website.

Campus Access, Parking, and Security Fee (CAPS)
The CAPS fee, once paid, provides students with one parking decal per fiscal year. Additional decals can be purchased for $25 from the Cashier’s Office. All program students are charged $25 per term.  Students taking continuing education classes are charged $5 per class.
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 Campus Police. Otherwise, parking fines should be paid at the cashier's office or by phone at (336) 734-7210.

Digital Content/Electronic Text Fee
Select classes also have fees that allow online access to course materials. To protect students and to ensure their best interests, the U.S. Department of Education published 34CFR668.161-167, which 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.

Lab Fees
Some selected courses charge a lab fee to cover the costs of supplies, software, and materials. These fees range from $15 to $200.

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 deans’ offices, must be completed. A $20 non-refundable fee is charged for each proficiency exam.

Student Activity Fee
All program students are charged $35 per fall term, $35 per spring term, and $17.50 per summer term for a student activity fee. When students pay this fee, they automatically become members of Forsyth Tech’s Student Government Association. These funds are used to support student clubs, 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.

Student Success Fee
All program students are charged $10 per term for a student success fee.  This fee supports administrative and graduation ceremony costs, including student regalia, and other student support initiatives. This fee is not refundable.

TEAS Fee
Students are directed to the Testing Center in the Robert L. Strickland Center on Main Campus. Students can now register and pay online. 

Technology Fee
All program students are required to pay a technology fee each semester/term. The fee is $35 for students enrolled in 1-8 credit hours and $48 for students enrolled in 9 or more credit hours.

Uniforms
The cost of uniforms and other special apparel is the responsibility of the student, and the initial cost of these items varies depending on the specific program. Students should ask their department chair for details on these costs.

Other Fees
No laboratory breakage or property damage fees will be charged to students. However, in the event of breakage or damage resulting from gross negligence or malicious intent, a student will be expected to reimburse the College.

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

There are four methods for a refund:

1. Via Bankmobile (Set up a Vibe account or direct deposit) 
2. If the student paid by credit card, the refund will post back to the card.
3. If the student requesting the refund is under the age of 18, they will receive a paper check.
4. If the student paid for a non-credit course via cash or check, they will receive a paper check.

A 100% refund may be given if the student officially withdraws before 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.

After a course begins, a 75% refund may be given if the student officially withdraws from a credit-bearing Curriculum course or non-credit Occupational Extension course(s) before or on the official census date of the section. Please visit Course Schedules and search for a specific section to find its census date. The College shall not provide a refund after the start of a course section that begins and ends on the same calendar day.

No refunds will be given to students who withdraw from a section after the section's census date.

The refund policy listed above does not apply to courses with a prefix of CSP or SEF.  A student enrolled in a CSP or SEF course may receive a full tuition fee refund by officially withdrawing from the course at least one working day (24 hours) before the first class meets. Additionally, online Continuing Education courses follow a Course Drop Date instead of the Census Date.

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 a student drops all classes before the start of the semester, the activity fee will be automatically refunded.

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 (before 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.

Reminders about registration:

• Do not sign up for more classes than needed with the intent of dropping some after attending the first day of class.
• Check the 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, ensure you have sufficient time between classes to travel between campuses.
• If you need to drop a section and add another section 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 they both have the same number of credit hours, will not result in you owing additional money.
• Ask questions and carefully examine your schedule. Failing to assume responsibility for your schedule could result in unwanted financial penalties.

For more information about refunds, visit the Cashier’s Office at Main Campus or call (336) 734-7210.

Forsyth Tech delivers refunds through BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. For more information, visit the BankMobile Disbursements website.

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 taking place outside the state of North Carolina that make it impossible for them to complete their course requirements.

ACCIDENT INSURANCE
Accident insurance covering the hours 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 STUDENTS ENROLLED IN CERTAIN PROGRAMS
Certain programs require students to purchase annual liability insurance before engaging in lab or clinical practice. The cost of the insurance varies according to the credit program and insurance carrier. Liability insurance fees are not prorated. Annual liability insurance coverage runs for one year from the date of purchase. 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 Campus Police. Otherwise, parking fines should be paid at any of the cashiering sites.

The CAPS (College Access, Parking, and Security) fee, once paid, will provide students with one (1) parking decal per fiscal year.  Additional decals may be purchased for $25 at the Cashier’s Office. Decals can be picked up at the Campus Police office. For more information about parking, visit the Parking & Safety FAQ webpage. 

SPONSORED STUDENT PROCEDURES
Sponsored students are required to complete this procedure each semester.  Please note that if the sponsor does not pay, then the student will be responsible for the charges on their account.

Sponsored students (those who have an agency paying their tuition) must follow these procedures:

• Register for classes through the normal registration process
• Bring an authorization Letter to the Business Office on the Main Campus for Curriculum classes or West Campus for Continuing Education classes, or verify that a copy has been sent to the Business Office by the sponsor.
• Sponsored students enrolled in Curriculum classes must visit the Cashier's Office on Main Campus or email the documentation to Cashiers@forsythtech.edu to transfer charges. This is not an automatic process and must be completed by the payment deadline; otherwise, classes will be dropped.
• Students cannot have an outstanding financial obligation to the College
• If there are any schedule changes, students must return to the Cashier's Office to clear their account balance. Classes will be purged if there is any remaining balance.
• If the student decides to drop a class or classes, then they must drop the class(es) online via the Online Course Withdrawal form before the 10% point of class (census date).
• If the College cancels a class, then the student will be refunded 100% of the class fee.

For questions about sponsored students in Curriculum courses, email Tonya Atkins at tatkins@forsythtech.edu or call (336) 734-7537.  For questions about sponsored students in Continuing Education courses, please email sponsorships@forsythtech.edu or call (336) 734-7537.

Business Sponsored Student Procedures
Pursuant to NCGS § 115D-39(a), North Carolina law provides a special benefit to employers choosing to pay the full cost of an eligible student/employee's community college tuition.  The employer is granted the in-state tuition rate, even when the student/employee does not meet the general requirements for in-state tuition.  The law requires the student/employee to work at the employer's North Carolina business location.  The burden of proof is on the student/employee to establish that the business is a legitimate North Carolina business approved by the North Carolina Secretary of State. 

Beginning with the 2016 fall semester, Forsyth Tech will require the following to be processed as a business-sponsored student:

• Request for the in-state rate must be on the company's letterhead
• A copy of the employee's pay stub
• The completed company sponsorship form.  Stop by the Cashier's Office, Admissions, or the Records Office to obtain a copy.