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:

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 $15 to $20. 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 $65 fee is charged per test.

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.
• CAPS fee (College Access, Parking and Security (CAPS) Fee)

$25 per semester for curriculum classes

$5 per occupational extension class taken (some exceptions do apply)

Once the fee is paid a student may receive one free decal per fiscal year.  Additional decals may be purchased for an additional $25

Specific rules governing parking are issued with each vehicle registration and may also be found in the current issue of the Student Academic Planner.

Refund Guidelines

Tuition Refunds:

1. A refund shall not be made except under the following circumstances:
   1. A 100 percent refund shall be made if the student officially withdraws prior to the first day of class(es) of the academic semester or term as noted in the college calendar.  Also, a student is eligible for a 100 percent refund if the class in which the student is officially registered is cancelled due to insufficient enrollment.
   2. A 75 percent refund shall be made if the student officially withdraws from the class(es) prior to or on the official 10 percent point (census date) of the class. The date for individual’s classes can be found at https://coursedrop.forsythtech.edu.
   3. For classes beginning at times other than the first week (seven calendar days) of the semester a 100 percent refund shall be made if the student officially withdraws from the class prior to the first class meeting.  A 75 percent refund shall be made if the student officially withdraws from the class prior to or on the 10 percent point of (census date) the class.
   4. A 100 percent refund shall be made if the student officially withdraws from a contact hour class prior to the first day of class of the academic semester or term or if the college cancels the class.  A 75 percent refund shall be made if the student officially withdraws from a contact hour class on or before the 10th calendar day (census date) of the class.
2. To comply with applicable federal regulations regarding refunds, federal regulations supersede the state refund regulations stated in this Rule.
3. 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.
4. For a class(es) which the college collects receipts which are not required to be deposited into the State Treasury account, the college shall adopt local refund policies.  (The State refund policy is followed.)

 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; and

Other fees, such as parking fee, student activity fee, and malpractice insurance fees are non-refundable.  If you drop all classes before the beginning of the semester the activity fee will automatically refund.  The census date (10 percent point) of each class section may vary and may be obtained by visiting https://coursedrop.forsythtech.edu.  No refunds will be given to students who drop a section after the census date of the section.

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

• Students passing proficiency examinations for courses they have registered and paid for are eligible for tuition refunds if the course is dropped prior to the semester or prior to the 10 percent point (census date) of the class after the semester starts.
• Tuition refunds are not transferable to other individuals.
• Tuition cannot be held from one semester to a future semester.

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.