Cost

Business Regulations

Expenses are charged and payable by the semester since each semester is a separate unit of operation. A student may enroll at the beginning of any semester. Registration at the beginning of each semester is not complete until all fees have been paid, and no student may be admitted to classes without having met financial obligations. All payments are to be made by cash, check, debit card and/or Master/Visa/Discover credit card to the office of Business Affairs. Check-writing privileges will be taken from a student after having had two returned checks written by the student or on his/her behalf. There is a $30 per check charge for any returned check given to the college. Students will be administratively withdrawn from the semester if returned checks for registration related fees are not paid within the specified time as identified in written communication by the Business Office. No student may re-enroll, graduate, or receive a transcript of records until all accounts are settled. The term “account” includes any indebtedness to the college. All fees are subject to change by the Tennessee Board of Regents without notification.

In-State Tuition and Fees – All Students

Current Rates: $107 per semester hour, not to exceed $1,253 per semester (see note below) for the fall and spring semesters. Summer term rate is $107 per semester hour with no maximum limit relative to fee assessment.

Out-of-State Tuition

Please see Guidelines_for_the_Classification_of_Students_for_Fee_Paying_Purposes for definition of Out-of-State Student. Non-residents of Tennessee will pay out-of-state tuition in addition to in-state tuition and fees. Out-of-state tuition is independent of all other charges.

Current Rates: $324 per semester hour, not to exceed $3,750 per semester for fall and spring semesters. Summer term rate is $324 per semester hour with no maximum limit relative to fee assessment.

Students will be classified as resident or nonresident by the department of Admissions for the purpose of assessing tuition charges. The definition of residency, as determined by the Tennessee Board of Regents, will apply. The domicile of a married person shall be determined independent of the domicile of the spouse. The burden of proof pertaining to residence is placed upon the student, including the responsibility of submission of documentation as required by Walters State. A student, once classified as out-of-state, shall continue to be thus classified unless a change of legal residence is established by evidence other than presence as a student.

If there is any question concerning residency at the time of registration, the student may be conditionally admitted and pay in-state fees. The student is required to submit appropriate documentation no later than one week after the end of regular registration. After the documentation is reviewed by the department of Admissions and Enrollment Management the student may be assessed out-of-state tuition at that time.

NOTE: For the 2009-2010 academic year, in-state tuition, out-of-state tuition and fees may be increased. The amount of increase is not known at the time of printing this catalog. Please refer to current Timetable of Classes or contact the Business Office for current fee rates. These rates are set by the Tennessee Board of Regents every year during the June board meeting.

Audit Students

Students enrolling in regular college courses as audits will pay the same fees as those enrolling for credit. Audit students will follow the same procedures for enrollment as other students.

Incidental Fees

Application Fee - A non-refundable fee of $10 must accompany any application to the college for credit courses. This fee is a one-time charge and is not applicable to the registration fee.

Late Registration Fee - $25. This fee will be charged during the entire period of late registration. Non-refundable.

Technology Access Fee - $15 per semester hour to a maximum of $112.50. This fee is subject to the same refund procedures as in-state and out-of-state tuition.

Campus Access and Security Fee - $2 per student per semester.

International Education Fee - $1 per semester hour to a maximum of $12 per semester. This fee is subject to the same refund procedures as in-state and out-of-state tuition. This fee is charged only for fall and spring semesters.

Student Government Activity Fee - $8 per student per semester.

Special Course Fees (Paid to WSCC) Non-refundable.

1. Individual Instruction in Music - Additional charge for individual music instruction shall be as follows: One credit hour course - $45. Two credit hour course - $90.
2. Basic Police Recruit School - A flat charge inclusive of in-state and out-of-state tuition, incidental registration, application, and materials fees assessed for the BPRS school.
3. Culinary Arts Food Consumption - An additional flat fee of $30 per course will be assessed as a special ingredients fee for specific CULN 2990 courses.
4. Regents Online Degree Program Online Course Fee: A $40 per credit hour tuition. Non-refundable. Please refer to the Timetable of Classes.
5. Natural Science Labs - A $15 flat fee will be assessed for all natural science division labs.

Graduation Fee - $25. This fee includes the cost of diploma, cap and gown. This fee must be paid at the beginning of the semester in which a student is scheduled to graduate. This fee is non-refundable and is valid for two semesters.

Diploma Replacement - $20.

Transcript Fee - No charge for transcripts provided that requests do not exceed five copies at any one time. Transcripts in excess of five copies issued at any one time will be subject to a charge of $3 each. Non-refundable.

Tests

1. General Educational Development Test (GED) - $65. GED Retest - $11 for each test.
2. Nursing Achievement Tests Nursing Challenge Exam (Contact the Division of Health Programs for a listing of current test fees)
3. Proficiency Examination - $65.
4. American College Test (Residual) - $40.
5. COMPASS Retest - $10.

Walters State reserves the right to add miscellaneous course fees for courses utilizing off-campus facilities such as bowling, aviation, etc.

NOTE: Above incidental fees are subject to change.

Fee Waivers / Discount Programs

1. Tennessee Code Annotated 49-7-113. Disabled and Elderly Persons - Auditing Classes or Enrolling for Credit.
   
   1. 
      
      1. Disabled persons suffering from a permanent total disability which totally incapacitates such person from working at an occupation which brings the person an income, or persons who have retired from state service with thirty (30) or more years of service, regardless of age, or persons who will become sixty (60) years of age or older during the academic quarter or semester and, who are domiciled in Tennessee, may audit courses at any state-supported college or university without paying tuition charges, and some fees; however, this privilege may be limited or denied by the college or university on an individual classroom basis according to space availability. Students are responsible for application fee, late fees, campus access fee, and any special course fees assessed.
      2. The provisions of this section shall not apply at medical schools, dental, or pharmacy schools, and no institution of higher education shall be required to make physical alterations of its buildings or other facilities to comply with this section.
      3. Prior to admittance, the university or college involved may require an affidavit or certificate from a physician or an agency charged with compensating the disabled person or adjudicating the permanent total disability of the person who is requesting admittance to classes, that such person is permanently totally disabled as set forth herein.
      4.  A student who is receiving services under federal or state vocational rehabilitation programs is not eligible for a waiver of tuition and fee benefits under this section.
   2. Subject to the same terms and conditions as provided in subsection (a), disabled persons, as defined in subsection (a), or persons who will become sixty-five (65) years of age or older during the academic quarter or semester, whichever is applicable, in which such persons begin classes and, who are domiciled in Tennessee, may be enrolled in courses for credit at state-supported colleges or universities without payment of tuition charges, student activity fees or registration fees, except that the board of trustees of the University of Tennessee and the Board of Regents of the State University and Community College System may provide for a service fee which may be charged by the institutions under their respective jurisdictions, the fee to be for the purpose of helping to defray the cost of keeping the records of such students and not be exceed seventy dollars ($70) a semester. Students are responsible for application fees, late fees, campus access fee and any special course fees assessed.
      
      At Walters State Community College, disabled and elderly persons will be permitted to enroll only during the late registration period on a space available basis. Documentation of age or disability status must be presented at the time of registration, and the documentation of disability will include a completed Physician’s Certificate of Total Disability form signed by a licensed medical doctor and as well as a statement or affidavit from the agency charged with compensating the disabled person or adjudicating the permanent and total disability of the person requesting admittance to classes.
      
      Additionally, the person will have to satisfy requirements for admission to the college.
       
2. 
   
   1. State Employee Fee Waivers - Employees of the state of Tennessee and members of the General Assembly may be eligible to enroll in one course per term on a space available basis without the payment of tuition, student activity fees, technology access fees, international education fee and RODP on-line course fee. State employees are responsible for the campus access fee and any special course fees, such as music, culinary arts, etc. Course enrollment will be permitted on a “space available” first-come-first-serve basis. State employees may not register or turn in the fee waiver form until the date indicated in the current Timetable of Classes. An original form must be completed and submitted each semester. Employer certification should not be obtained before the following dates each semester: July 1 for Fall, November 1 for Spring, and April 1 for Summer. Forms for each semester must be received in the Business Office by the end of the second week of the semester. Employees having questions concerning this process should contact the office of Business Affairs. Questions pertaining to the fee waiver program for state or retired state employees may be directed to the Human Resources Department.
   2. Employees of Tennessee Board of Regents System and the University of Tennessee System Utilizing a PC 191 - Employees of the TBR System of the University of Tennessee System may be eligible to enroll for one course per term for credit on a space available basis without the payment of tuition, student activity, technology access fees, and international education fee. Employees are responsible for the campus access fee, special course fees, such as music, culinary arts fees, and RODP on-line course fee. Employees using a fee waiver to obtain one free course per term may not register or turn in a fee waiver form until the date specified in the Timetable of Classes. The fee waiver forms must be presented to the office of Business Affairs at the time fees are paid. An original form must be completed and submitted each semester. Employer certification should not be obtained before the following dates each semester: July 1 for Fall, November 1 for Spring, and April 1 for Summer. Forms for each semester must be received in the Business Office by the end of the second week of the semester. Employees having questions concerning this process should contact the office of Business Affairs.
3. Fee Discounts for Dependents of Certified Public School Teachers or State Employees - Children under the age of 24 whose parent is employed as a full-time state licensed teacher in any public school in Tennessee, a full-time employee of the State of Tennessee or deceased state employee may be eligible for a 25 percent discount of applicable registration related fees per semester. Fee discounts described herein are also available for children of retired state employees meeting a minimum specified service requirement or of state employees killed on the job or in the line of duty. Certification of eligibility to receive the discount must be provided to the college each semester. An original form must be completed and submitted each semester. Employer certification should not be obtained before the following dates each semester: July 1 for Fall, November 1 for Spring, and April 1 for Summer. Forms for each semester must be received in the Business Office by the end of the second week of the semester. Questions pertaining to participation in this program should be directed to the office of Business Affairs.
   
   All fees, waivers and discounts are subject to change by policy of the Tennessee Board of Regents without prior notice.
    
4. Eligibility for Deferment of Payment of Tuition and Fees by Certain Eligible Students Receiving U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Other Governmentally Funded Educational Assistance Benefits
   Service members, veterans and dependents of veterans who are eligible beneficiaries of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits or other governmentally funded educational assistance, subject to the conditions and guidelines set forth in Tennessee Code Annotated 49-7-104 as amended, may elect, upon formal application, to defer payment of required tuition and fees until the final day of the term for which the deferment has been requested. Application for the deferment must be made no later than 14 days after the beginning of the term, and the amount of the deferment shall not exceed the total monetary benefits to be received for the term. Students who have been granted deferments are expected to make timely payments on their outstanding tuition and fees balance once education benefits are being delivered, and eligibility for such deferment shall terminate if the student fails to abide by any applicable rule or regulation, or to act in good faith in making timely payments. This notice is published pursuant to Public Chapter 279, Acts of 2003, effective July 1, 2003.

Third Party Authorizations

If a third party or outside entity is paying tuition, fees, books, etc. on behalf of the student such as Voc Rehab, WIA, police department, TRA contract, etc., the Business Office must receive the authorization of payment a minimum of two days prior to the fee payment deadline as published in the current Timetable of Classes. This will allow the Business Office appropriate time to apply payment to the student’s account to insure that a student’s schedule is not deleted for non-payment of fees.

If the third party or outside entity has not previously been associated with Walters State Community College, the entity must submit a 1099 form to the Business Office no later than one week prior to the fee payment deadline. All new entities must be established in our computer system before any payments can be applied.

If you have questions, please contact the Business Office on the Morristown Campus at 423-585-2616.

Refunds

Students are to assume full responsibility for specific course selections and the institution assumes no responsibility for refunding in situations whereby class conflicts or errors in scheduling occur.
Refund procedures for in-state, out-of-state tuition, the technology access fee and the international education fee are as follows:

1. Situations which may result in an adjusted cost and a corresponding refund:
   1. Dropping a course(s) which results in a class load of fewer hours and results in a lower cost.
   2. Withdrawing from the college.
   3. Cancelled classes by WSCC. Not subject to prior notification.
   4. Called to active military duty or National Guard service during the term.
   5. Death of a student during the term.
2. Fee adjustment calculation (cost adjustments):
   1. Fees are adjusted 100% up to the first day of the semester.
   2. Fees are adjusted 100% due to cancelled classes.
   3. Fees are adjusted 100% due to withdrawals as a result of being called to active military duty or National Guard service during the term.
   4. Fees are adjusted 100% due to the death of a student during the term.
   5. Course(s) dropped or student withdrawals during the 1st and 2nd refund periods may result in an adjusted cost. (See chart above for refund dates and deadlines.)
   6. Costs are re-calculated based on adjusted enrollment:
      1. Courses still enrolled are charged 100% for all required costs plus
      2. 25% or 75% of costs associated with course(s) dropped and the dates the course(s) were dropped.
   7. A refund is the difference between the cost of originally enrolled hours and the adjusted cost as calculated in #6 above.
   8. Refunds will only occur if the newly re-calculated costs are less than the original charges/costs.
   9. Not all drops/withdrawals will result in a fee adjustment.

Special procedures are in place to allow military reserve and national guard personnel who are ordered to active military service during a semester to receive a refund. A 100 percent refund of in-state and out-of-state tuition, technology access, international education, activity and access fees may be made when a student withdraws from college due to their being called to extended active duty. A copy of the official military orders must be provided with the student’s withdrawal form. Questions pertaining to these procedures may be directed to the vice president for Academic Affairs, the vice president for Student Affairs or the vice president for Business Affairs.

Refunds will be processed as soon as possible at the conclusion of each respective refund period. Refund checks will normally be mailed within a period of two weeks at the close of the specified refund period. All fees except tuition, technology access and international education fees are non-refundable. (Please refer to the current Timetable of Classes published each semester for specific refund periods.)

Bookstore

The college bookstore is operated by Barnes & Noble College Bookstores and is located in Room 124-CCEN. Books, educational supplies, clothing and Walters State spirit items may be purchased from the bookstore.

Hours

Bookstore hours are listed in the current Timetable of Classes.

Refund Policies

Refunds for books and supplies can be made in the Bookstore.

You Must Have a Receipt for a Refund!

• A full refund will be given in your original form of payment if textbooks are returned with a receipt during the first week of class.
• With proof of a schedule change and a receipt, a full-refund will be given in your original form of payment during the first 30 days of classes.
• All medical and specialty reference book refunds will be given in your original form of payment with a receipt within three days of purchase.
• No refunds on textbooks without a receipt.
• Textbooks must be in original condition.
• Shipping and handling charges are not refundable.

Bookstore Website

The Bookstore is on the WEB at: wscc.bncollege.com. Access this site to purchase books or to print a list of textbooks for all classes.

Motor Vehicle Registration and Campus Parking Permit

All motor vehicles used on campus must meet registration requirements of the state of Tennessee and display a current WSCC parking permit. The period for obtaining a campus parking permit begins August 15 of each year. The campus parking permit is valid for one year and may be displayed on any registered vehicle driven. The campus parking permit may be obtained in the Campus Police office, located at the front entrance to the campus, upon providing a valid student I.D. number or tuition fee receipt.

Parking Violation Fines

The fine for parking and registration citations is $15. In cases where students are protesting the citation(s), the protest must be made to the office of the vice president for Student Affairs, Room 100-CCEN, within 10 days after the date of the citation (excluding weekends and holidays).

The fine for parking in areas designated for individuals with disabilities (i.e., wheelchair symbol) will be $100. All fines will be paid in the office of Business Affairs.

The fine for a moving vehicle violation is $15. If the fine is not cleared (paid or protested) within 10 days of the citation date (excluding holidays and weekends), the fine is increased to $20.

The WSCC Traffic Court, comprised of students, will review and judge all student traffic protests. Citations protested before the Traffic Court and not voided by the court must be paid.

Guidelines for the Classification of Students for Fee Paying Purposes

Intent. It is the intent that the public institutions of higher education in the state of Tennessee shall apply uniform rules, as described in these regulations and not otherwise, in determining whether students shall be classified “in-state” or “out-of-state” for fees and tuition purposes and for admissions purposes.

Definitions. Wherever used in these regulations:

1. “Public higher educational institution” shall mean a university or community college supported by appropriations made by the legislature of this state.
2. “Residence” shall mean continuous physical presence and maintenance of a dwelling place within this state, provided that absence from the state for short periods of time shall not affect the establishment of a residence.
3. “Domicile” shall mean a person’s true, fixed, and permanent home and place of habitation; it is the place where the individual intends to remain, and expects to return when leaving without intentions to establish a new domicile elsewhere.
4. “Emancipated person” shall mean a person who has attained the age of 18 years, and whose parents have entirely surrendered the right to the care, custody, and earnings of such person and who no longer are under any legal obligation to support or maintain such deemed “emancipated person”.
5.  “Parent” shall mean a person’s father or mother. If there is a non-parental guardian or legal custodian of an unemancipated person, then “parent” shall mean such guardian or legal custodian; provided, that there are not circumstances indicating that such guardianship or custodianship was created primarily for the purpose of conferring the status of an in-state student on such unemancipated person.
6. “Continuous enrollment” shall mean enrollment at a public higher educational institution or institution of this state as a full-time student, as such term is defined by the governing body of said public higher educational institution or institutions, for a normal academic year or years or the appropriate portion or portions thereof since the beginning of the period for which continuous enrollment is claimed. Such person need not enroll in summer session or other such inter-sessions beyond the normal academic year in order that enrollment be deemed continuous notwithstanding lapses in enrollment occasioned solely by the scheduling of the commencement and/or termination of the academic year, or appropriate portion thereof, of the public higher educational institutions in which such person enrolls.

Rules for Determination of Status

1. Every person having domicile in this state shall be classified “in-state” for fee and tuition purposes and for admission purposes.
2. Every person not having domicile in this state shall be classified “out-of-state” for said purposes.
3. The domicile of an unemancipated person is that of the parent(s).
4. The domicile of a married person shall be determined independent of the domicile of the spouse.

Out-of-State Students Who Are Not Required to Pay Out- of-State Tuition

1. An unemancipated, currently enrolled student shall be reclassified out-of-state should the parent(s), having theretofore been domiciled in the state, remove from the state. However, such student shall not be required to pay out-of-state tuition nor be treated as an out-of-state student for admission purposes so long as enrollment at a public higher educational institution or institutions shall be continuous.
2. An unemancipated person whose parent is not domiciled in this state but is a member of the armed forces and stationed in this state or at Fort Campbell pursuant to military orders shall be classified out-of-state but shall not be required to pay out-of-state tuition. Such a person, while in continuous attendance working toward the degree for which the person is currently enrolled, shall not be required to pay out-of-state tuition if the parent(s) thereafter is transferred on military orders.
3. A person, who is not domiciled in Tennessee, but has a bona fide place of residence in a county which is adjacent to the Tennessee state line and which is also within a 30 mile radius (as determined by THEC) of a city containing a two-year TBR institution, shall be classified out-of-state, but admitted without out-of-state tuition. The two-year institution may admit only up to three percent of the full-time equivalent attendance of the institution without out-of-state tuition. (THEC may adjust the number of non-residents admitted pursuant to this section every three years.) See T.C.A. 49-9-102)
4. Part-time students who are not domiciled in this state but who are employed full-time in the state, or who are stationed at Fort Campbell pursuant to military orders, shall be classified out-of-state but shall not be required to pay out-of-state tuition.
5. Military personnel and their spouses stationed in the State of Tennessee who should be classified out-of-state in accordance with other provisions of these regulations will be classified out-of-state but shall not be required to pay out-of-state tuition. This provision shall not apply to military personnel and their spouses who are stationed in this state primarily for educational purposes.
6. Dependent children who qualify and are selected to receive a scholarship under the Dependent Children Scholarship Act (TCA 49-4-704) because their parent is a law enforcement officer, fireman or emergency medical service technician who was killed or totally and permanently disabled while performing duties within the scope of their employment shall not be required to pay out-of-state tuition.

Presumption. Unless the contrary appears from clear and convincing evidence, it shall be presumed that an emancipated person does not acquire domicile in this state while enrolled as a full-time student at any public or private higher educational institution in this state, as such status is defined by such institution.

Evidence to be Considered for Establishment of Domicile. If a person asserts that domicile has been established in this state, the burden of proof lies with that person. Such a person is entitled to provide to the public higher educational institution by which the person seeks to be classified or reclassified in-state, any and all evidence which the person believes will sustain the burden of proof. Said institution will consider any and all evidence provided to it concerning such claim of domicile but will not treat any particular type or item of such evidence as conclusive evidence that domicile has or has not been established.

Appeal. The classification officer of each public higher educational institution shall be responsible for initially classifying students “in-state” or “out-of-state”. Appropriate procedures shall be established by each institution by which a student may appeal the initial classification.

Effective Date for Reclassification. If a student classified out-of-state applies for in-state classification and is subsequently so classified, in-state classification shall be effective as of the date on which reclassification was sought. However, out-of-state tuition will be charged for any quarter or semester during which reclassification is sought and obtained unless application for reclassification is made to the admissions officer on or before the last day of registration of that quarter or semester.

Effective Date. These regulations supersede all regulations concerning classification of persons for fees and tuition and admission purposes previously adopted by the Tennessee Board of Regents, and having been approved by the governor, became effective July 1, 1983.