(1) Pre-Enrollment Checklist: Prior to
signing an enrollment agreement, institutions shall require an institution
representative and the prospective student to sign and date a pre-enrollment
checklist using a form provided in the Initial Authorization Application. The
document must clearly indicate that it is the pre-enrollment checklist, include
the full and correct name and address of the authorized location, and, if
multiple pages, be paginated using the format "__ of __ pages." The checklist
shall include, at a minimum, affirmations that the student:
(a) Toured the institution virtually or
in-person (not applicable to institutions that deliver all instruction through
distance learning);
(b) Received an
institution catalog and all addendums and attachments referenced therein. If
the catalog and addendums/attachments are provided electronically understands
that the student may request a hard copy of any of the documents at any
time;
(c) Was given the time and
opportunity to review the institutional policies in the catalog;
(d) Knows the length of the program for
full-time and part-time students in academic terms and actual calendar
time;
(e) Has been informed of the
total tuition and other fees of the program;
(f) Has been informed of the estimated cost
of books and any required equipment purchases such as a computer, specialized
tools, or art supplies;
(g) Has
been given a copy of the institution refund policy;
(h) Has executed a Transfer of Credit
Disclosure Statement in compliance with T.C.A. §
49-7-144 and understands the
specific limitations should the institution have articulation
agreements;
(i) Has been given the
address and telephone number of Commission staff along with a statement that
reads: "Any person claiming damage or loss as a result of any act or practice
by this institution that may be a violation of the Title 49, Chapter 7, Part 20
or Rule Chapter
1540-01-02 may file a complaint
with the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, Division of Postsecondary State
Authorization after exhausting the grievance process at the
institution.";
(j) Has received the
most recent withdrawal, completion, and placement data as calculated by the
Commission by including in the checklist:
1.
For institutions previously authorized by THEC and under new ownership:
(i) The following statement: "For the program
entitled, (program name), I have been informed that, for the July (year)/June
(year) period, the withdrawal rate is (percent)%, the completion rate is
(percent)%, and the in-field placement rate is (percent)%. Detailed statistical
data for this program may be viewed by going to
http://www.tn.gov/thec/bureaus/student-aid-and-compliance/postsecondary-state-authorization.html."
or
(ii) A copy of the institution's
most recent Annual Performance Report created by Commission staff and posted on
the Commission's website.
2. For institutions that are currently
authorized by THEC but zero students were enrolled in the program the previous
fiscal year, the following statement: "Understands that withdrawal, completion,
and placement information is not currently available because the program has
had zero students enrolled in the previous fiscal year. This information will
be provided by THEC approximately one year after the institution reports
enrollment for this program."
3.
For institutions that are offering a new program or institutions that are not
currently authorized by THEC, the following statement: "Understands that this
is a new program and placement, completion and withdrawal information will be
provided by THEC approximately one year after the institution begins offering
the program."; and
(k)
Has received and understands the institution's cash discount policy (applicable
only to those institutions that have a cash discount policy).
(2) Enrollment Agreement:
Institutions enrolling an individual in a course or program shall require an
institution representative and the prospective student to sign and date an
enrollment agreement prior to the student attending one (1) session of class,
turning in one (1) assignment, or receiving one (1) distance learning lesson,
whichever occurs first. The document must clearly indicate that it is the
enrollment agreement (not an application for admissions), and, if multiple
pages, the pages of the enrollment agreement shall be paginated using the
format "__ of __ pages."
(a) The enrollment
agreement shall include, at a minimum:
1. The
full and correct name and address of the authorized location of the
institution;
2. The name, address,
and social security number or unique student identification number of the
student;
3. The date training is to
begin and program length;
4. If
students have the option to attend part-time, full-time or part-time status of
the student;
5. The projected date
of completion;
6. The program name
as approved by the Commission;
7.
The total cost of the program, including itemized costs for tuition and other
fees, as defined in Rule .03(37) and (57) of these rules, along with an
indication of which fees are optional and which fees are program related or
post-completion related, for example, third-party testing fees;
8. Cancellation and refund policy;
9. Verification that by signing the agreement
the student understands the student's right to receive an exact signed copy of
the agreement,
10. Verification
that by signing the agreement the institution understands its obligation to
immediately provide the student an exact signed copy of the
agreement;
11. A guarantee of
tuition cost for twelve hundred (1200) contact hours or twelve (12) months from
the time of enrollment; programs less than twelve hundred (1200) contact hours
must have a set total tuition; and
12. The following statement: "The (name of
institution) is authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. This
authorization must be renewed each year and is based on an evaluation of
minimum standards concerning quality of education, ethical business practices,
and fiscal responsibility."
(b) Institutions that enroll students in
individual courses may modify the pre- enrollment checklist or enrollment
agreement as appropriate, but should strive to make as few modifications as
necessary.
(3) Transfer
of Credit Disclosure Statement: Prior to signing an enrollment agreement and
the pre-enrollment checklist, institutions shall require the student to
complete a Transferability of Credit Disclosure Statement.
(a) The written statement must be:
1. A stand-alone document containing no other
disclosures;
2. Contain a space for
the prospective student to initial and date; and
3. Printed in type not less than sixteen (16)
point font; and
4. Contain the
exact language in T.C.A. §
49-7-144(b)(2),
except that institution offering contact hours only may substitute the word
contact for credit.
(b)
Institutions shall post the disclosure on its website, but the language does
not have to be in at least sixteen (16) point font.
