Policy II: Enrollment Policy
Admission
NCIS requires each institution to have in place admissions policy that identifies all requirements that a prospective student must meet prior to enrolling in, and beginning, a specific program of study. Required documents must be maintained in each student’s file.
Divisional Certificate:
NACCAS recognizes several division equivalent certificates:
- Early Childhood
- Primary/Elementary
- Middle School
- Secondary/Senior/High School
Homeschooling
Though homeschooled students are not considered to have school diploma or equivalent, they are eligible for admission into a NCIS-accredited school, if the school’s policy so states, and if their Early Childhood Education was in a home school that state law treats as a home or private school. Some states issue a division completion credential to homeschoolers. If this is the case in the state where the student was homeschooled, she/he must obtain this credential in order to be eligible for enrollment.
Proof of Age
\Proof of age may be documented by various means, including, but not limited to, birth certificate, driver’s license, government-issued identification, birth registration, passport, etc.
Ability-To-Benefit
A student who is beyond the age of compulsory education, lacks a high school diploma or its equivalent, and has the ability to benefit from the education or training offered at an institution.
For schools that accept ability-to-benefit students, the school must maintain documentation of the results of each student’s test for verification that the student has achieved a passing score. Information on the third- party test administrator also must be maintained.
2. Admissions of Ability-To-Benefit Students - In order to be admitted on the basis of his or her ability to benefit, a student shall complete either:
a. prior to admission, complete a nationally recognized, standardized, or industry developed test that measures the applicant's aptitude to successfully complete the program or course to which he or she has applied, or
b. For courses and/or programs of 600 hours or more, after enrollment, satisfactorily complete 6 credit hours or 225 clock hours, as applicable.
The institution must also maintain the name and address of the test administrator who administers the test and any identifier assigned to the test administrator by the test publisher or the state
Admission Agreement Requirements and Checklist
A contractual relationship exists between an institution and its applicant or student. The terms of such agreement are considered to be of substantial importance and should be clearly understood by all concerned parties. An institution is required to utilize a written enrollment agreement clearly outlining the obligations of the institution and the student, including details of the institution’s refund policy, and to provide a copy of the fully executed agreement to the enrollee prior to starting classes. Any changes to terms of the enrollment agreement must be acknowledged by both parties by signature or initialing the changes
It is not necessary for the various elements to be stated in jargons or listed in any particular sequence, as long as the overall document conveys the terms of the agreement in a manner that can be easily understood.
Required Elements
1. Title – Identified as a contract or enrollment agreement.
2. Institution – Name and address of the institution to be attended.
3. Student – List the name of the student enrollee.
4. Course and/or Program(s) – Program title(s) as identified in the catalog.
5. Length of Course and/or Program –
a. Total number of clock hours, credit hours, or competencies in each course and/or program
b. Number of clock hours, credit hours, or competencies accepted by the institution as transfer or re-entry for the student
c. Number of clock hours, credit hours, or competencies being contracted with the student
d. Approximate number of weeks or months required for completion of the clock hours, credit hours, or competencies being contracted with thestudent
6. Cost –
a. Tuition – Total tuition for the course.
b. Books and Supplies – Must be actual cost to the student.
c. Fees – Must be separately identified (e.g. registration fee, laboratory fee, activity fees, locker fee, etc.).
d. Other Costs – All other costs and charges must be identified (e.g. extra instructional charges, penalty charges, uniforms, etc.).
e. Payment – Methods and terms of payment of monies owed to the institution must be identified.
7. Starting Date – Scheduled class starting date.
8. Calculated Completion Date
9. Class Schedule – For clock hour programs, identify whether the student is full time or part time and the actual hours per week the student is scheduled to attend.
10. Termination by Institution – Grounds for termination by the institution and applicable administrative fee.
11. Refund Policy – Must comply with the NCIS Withdrawal and Settlement Policy and Checklist and any state or federally mandated policies.
12. Graduation Requirements – List any special conditions or requirements.
13. Employment Assistance – A clear statement that the institution does not guarantee employment.
A description of the extent and nature of employment assistance.
14. Acknowledgement – Acknowledgement that signers have read and received a copy of the contract.
15. Applicant Signature – Date and signature of the applicant (and/or parent or other sponsor, if the applicant is below legal age).
16. Institution Signature – Acceptance date and signature of appropriate institution official.
17. Other Elements – Other elements required by various governmental bodies (such as state licensing and approval agencies).
18. Conditional Elements – The enrollment agreements (contract) must also disclose and outline any other conditions, circumstances, or qualifications imposed by the institution.
19. The contract must be in the language in which the program will be taught.
