Tuition & Fees and Refunds

Tuition & Fees

Tuition and fee charges are established by the College’s Board of Trustees and are subject to change at any time by the Board. A student’s tuition is calculated on a per-semester credit-hour basis. Fees may be charged on a per-term, per-course, per-credit-hour, or per-transaction basis, and may vary for full-time and part-time students.

Tuition Residency*

A student’s tuition rate is determined by where that student maintains their home residence. Tuition residency is established for each student as of the date of enrollment, and may change from term to term. Students are required to maintain a current address of residence with the Registrar’s Office.

Based on a student’s home residency, a student is classified into one of the following four categories for the purpose of establishing the appropriate tuition rate:

• Hunterdon/Somerset County resident – an individual who maintains a verifiable residence in either Hunterdon or Somerset County, New Jersey.
   
• Out-of-county resident – an individual who maintains a verifiable residence in New Jersey in neither Hunterdon nor Somerset County (Note: An out-of-county resident who provides written verification, from their employer, of current employment in either Hunterdon or Somerset County receives a $80 per credit hour reduction from the standard out-of-county resident rate).
   
• Out-of-county charge back resident – an out-of-county resident whose home county pays part of the individual’s RVCC tuition through a county charge back arrangement.
   
• Out-of-state resident – an individual who does not maintain a verifiable residence in New Jersey.  

Tuition - Credit Courses*

Early College Program Tuition*

High School students will be charged regular college tuition (Hunterdon/Somerset County or out-of-county, as applicable) and fees for all courses to be taken on RVCC’s main campus.

Concurrent Enrollment Program Tuition*

High school students taking Concurrent Enrollment Program courses offered at their high school are charged $240 in tuition per course, without limit to the number of courses taken in a semester. 

RISE

Incarcerated students will be charged $315 per credit.

Fees - Credit Courses*

(These fees are charged to students who have been accepted into, and are enrolling in, the Automotive Technology degree and Certificate programs.)

(This fee is charged to students who have been accepted into, and are enrolling in, the RVCC Honors College.)

 (This fee is charged to students who have registered for one or more Applied Music Instrument courses.)

(This fee is charged to students who have been accepted into, and are enrolling in, the College’s Nursing program.) 

(This fee is charged to students who have been accepted into, and are enrolling in, the College’s Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.)

(This fee is charged to students who have been accepted into, and are enrolling in, the College’s Environmental Control Technology Certificate Program.)

(This fee is charged to students who have been accepted into, and are enrolling in, the College’s Commercial Energy Management Technology Program.)

(This fee is charge to students who have registered for OTAH 101 Introduction to Occupational Therapy.)

(This fee is charged to students who have registered for ACCT 225 Accounting Systems & Software.)

(eText - Standalone access card for web access for rented books). The Access books are part of program where the course materials are added to the cost of the participating course.  Access prices are listed by course on the College’s website on the Golden Lion Bookstore homepage.

Other Fees (non-refundable)

*The College many change existing fees or add new fees with 30 days notice prior to the start of each semester.

Tuition Waivers*

The College grants tuition waivers for students who meet any of the following criteria. To claim the waiver, a student must register in person and present all required waiver eligibility documentation at the time of registration. Waivers are not applied retroactively to existing registrations. Students with tuition waivers are responsible for all fees and for the costs of all textbooks and other instructional materials associated with the courses for which they enroll.

• Unemployed Students – To be eligible for this tuition waiver, a student must have an Unemployment Certification and must apply for financial aid through the College. Unemployment Tuition Waivers are not applied to the student’s account until all other financial aid for which the student is eligible has been applied.  For Somerset and Hunterdon County residents, waivers will be accepted five business days preceding the start of the semester. For residents of other counties, waivers will be accepted one day before the start of the semester. Out-of-county residents must first apply to their home county college. The Late Registration fee is waived for Unemployment Waiver registrations. All other fees will be charged, when applicable.
• National Guard and National Guard Reserves – To be eligible for this tuition waiver, a student must be a member of the New Jersey National Guard or the New Jersey National Guard Reserves. This waiver is limited to a maximum enrollment of 16 credit hours per semester. All fees will be charged, when applicable.
• Volunteer Firefighters and Volunteer Emergency Medical Personnel – To be eligible for this tuition waiver, a student must be in active service as a volunteer firefighter or as a volunteer emergency medical service worker. The volunteer’s spouse and children are also eligible for this waiver. This waiver is limited to a maximum of $600 per year and a lifetime maximum of $2,400 per family. All fees will be charged, when applicable.
• September 11th Victims and their Families – To be eligible for this tuition waiver, a student must be a child or spouse of a victim of the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.  All fees will be charged, when applicable.  A  death certificate must be presented to receive the waiver.
• Senior Citizens – Raritan Valley Community College recognizes that residents of Somerset and Hunterdon County aged 65 and older would personally benefit from taking a variety of courses at the College and can contribute to a positive experience for other students in the classroom. The College will allow Hunterdon and Somerset County residents aged 65 and older to audit one class each semester, provided that their presence in the course does not deny enrollment to a student registered for credit. Registration may take place during the 5 business days prior to the course start.  Tuition will be waived, the general services fee at $50 per credit will apply, and course books/material are an extra cost.  No course credit is awarded.

* Tuition and fees are subject to change. The College may change existing fees or add new fees with 30 days notice prior to the start of each semester.

Payment & Refunds

Payment - Credit Course

In this section, the term “Payment” means full payment of all tuition and fee charges, or the making of approved payment arrangements, including the notation on the student account of any financial aid funds the student has been awarded.  Payment dates are published for each term on the College’s website.

A student’s registration is not official until payment has been accepted. Payment for early registration for any primary academic term, or any secondary term within that primary term, is due four weeks before the start of the primary term. Unpaid student registrations for any term are subject to possible cancellation after the early registration payment due date for that term.  For registrations processed after the early registration payment due date, payment is due at the time of registration. Payment may be made by cash, check, approved credit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover), or automated clearing house (ACH) transaction. Enrollment in the payment plan and Financial Aid awards are considered payment.

It is the responsibility of the student to withdraw from classes in accordance with the published refund schedule.  Students who neglect to withdraw from their classes, or withdraw after the 100% refund period, will be responsible for the charges remaining on their student account.

Students with outstanding financial obligations to the College are denied registration, grade reports, official transcripts, diplomas, and graduation certification until all financial obligations are satisfied.

Refunds - Credit Courses

The Primary Refund Period is prior to the sixth business day of the semester, or an equivalent prorated period of time in a shorter academic term.  A full refund of tuition and fees will be made to students that complete the proper withdrawal processes. 

The Secondary Refund Period is the sixth through 10th business days of the semester, or an equivalent prorated period of time in a shorter academic term. A 50% refund of tuition only will be made to students that complete the proper withdrawal processes.

No refund is calculated for students that withdraw after the 10th business day of the semester, or an equivalent prorated period of time in shorter academic term.

A student enrolled in a course section that is canceled by the College is given the opportunity to enroll in an alternate course section or to receive a full refund of all tuition, general registration fees, and program related fees associated with the canceled course section.

A student who withdraws from a course section during the Primary Refund Period, and does not simultaneously add another course section, receives a 100 percent refund of all tuition and course or program related fees associated with the course section from which the student withdraws. A student who withdraws from a course section during the Secondary Refund Period, and does not simultaneously add another course section, receives a 50 percent refund tuition only associated with the course section from which the student withdraws. A student receives no refund for a withdrawal processed after the Secondary Refund Period.

If a student withdraws from one course section and simultaneously registers for a second course section during either refund period, the student’s total tuition and fee charges for the term are recomputed on the basis of any change in the student’s total credit hour enrollment resulting from the withdrawal/registration transaction. If appropriate, a refund or an additional charge is processed to the student’s account.

The withdrawal date is determined by the date the withdrawal is processed through the College’s online enrollment system or by the date a withdrawal form is approved and processed in the Enrollment Services Office.

A student withdrawn by administrative action does not receive any refund regardless of the withdrawal date.

All refunds are made by College check, payable to the student, and are mailed to the student at the individual’s official address on file at the College. Any required refund to the student’s source of financial aid will be deducted before the student’s refund is processed. 

Other Costs

Books and materials total approximately $2,400 per year for full-time students. Commuting expenses and the cost of meals for about 30 weeks should be added to obtain an estimated yearly expenditure.

Nursing students are required to purchase their own uniforms.

Fines 

Prior to fall and spring registrations, students who have obligations to the College, such as overdue books, unpaid parking tickets, etc., will be notified by mail. Students must satisfy their obligations to the College at the time of notification. These obligations are checked at registration and students with outstanding obligations are not permitted to register.

Tuition & Refunds - Non-credit

Tuition and fee charges for non-credit courses and programs are listed in the online course schedules.

Payment for courses should be made in full at the time of registration. Unpaid student registrations for any courses are subject to cancellation. Payment is defined as full payment of all tuition and fee charges or making approved payment arrangements.

A student who enrolls in a non-credit course section that is canceled by the College is given the opportunity to enroll in an alternative course section or to receive a full refund or all tuition, registration fees and material fees associated with the canceled course section. A student who withdraws from a course section five or more business days prior to the start of the first class date receives a 100% refund of all tuition and material fees associated with the course. The registration fee is not refunded. After that period, no tuition or fees shall be refunded.

Workforce Development

As part of its commitment to lifelong education, RVCC offers a variety of non-credit continuing education courses and programs for non-academic credit. All relevant College policies and the following specific policies apply to the College’s professional development courses and programs. Individual courses and programs may have additional policies and/or requirements.

Definitions
Payment – Full payment of all tuition and fee charges, or making approved payment arrangements.
Refund Period – Five or more business days prior to the start of the first class date.
Minimum Enrollment Threshold – the minimum number of students required to run the course.

Registration
A student’s registration is not official until payment has been made. Enrollment for specific professional development programs/courses may be open to the general public or may be restricted to specific student populations.

An official Registration Form is required for all continuing education courses. Full payment of all tuition and fees, certification of an appropriate payment waiver, or confirmation of third-party payment must accompany each Registration Form. Incomplete Registration Forms or payments are not processed.

Enrollment Restrictions
The College reserves the right to limit enrollment or to combine/cancel professional development courses/programs as may be necessary. Tuition waivers can only be used after the class meets its minimum enrollment threshold.

When required for specific courses/programs, only students who have passed criminal history background checks, or other required screening procedures, may enroll in certain professional development courses. If a student enrolls in a professional development course that has such a restriction, and the results of a background check or other screening procedure later indicate that the student has a criminal history or other disqualifying condition, the College reserves the right to withdraw the student from the professional development course without refund of tuition or fees.

Specific Workforce Program Fees    
Cosmetology
– Foundations   $8,459 ($8,458 with the addition of MUD Beauty Essentials)
– Advanced       $6,940
        Total          $15,398

Esthetics
– Foundations  $5,126
– Advanced      $3,156
        Total         $8,282

Make-Up Artistry (high school students only)    $6,990

Manual Mill Operator               $7,932
Engine Lathe Operator           $7,932
Manual Machinist                    $11,704
CNC Production Technician    $17,524

Payment Policy
Payment for professional development courses should be made in full at the time of registration. Unpaid student registrations for any course are subject to cancellation.

Registrants receiving State or Federal grants must meet with the appropriate individual in the Workforce Development Division to process grant paperwork and confirm grant funding. All fees not covered by the grant must be paid for in full at time of registration.

Payment may be made by cash, check, approved credit card, or automated clearing house (ACH) transaction. Students with outstanding financial obligations to the College are denied registration, grade reports, official transcripts, diplomas, and graduation certification until all financial obligations are satisfied.

Refund Policy
A student enrolled in a course section that is canceled by the College is given the opportunity to enroll in an alternate course section or to receive a full refund of all tuition, registration fees, and materials fees associated with the canceled course section.

A student who withdraws from a course section during the Refund Period receives a 100 percent refund of all tuition and materials fees associated with the course. The registration fee is not refunded. After the refund period, no tuition or fees shall be refunded.

Educational Opportunity Fund

The Raritan Valley Community College Educational Opportunity Fund Program (RVCC EOF) is a state-funded program that provides students who can demonstrate a history of financial need access to financial assistance and student support services. RVCC EOF is committed to providing financial support through the EOF grant and comprehensive services necessary to help EOF Scholars achieve academic success, foster personal growth, and promote career development. EOF services focus on effectively preparing Scholars to continue their education at a four-year institution or enter the workforce and to become successful skilled citizens.

RVCC EOF attracts a diverse student population, including recent high school graduates, non-traditional age students, transfers from other institutions, and parents. Incoming EOF Scholars are required to attend the mandatory EOF Orientation (a week before fall classes begin). The orientation is designed to provide new Scholars with a base knowledge about what they can expect from RVCC EOF, help them understand what is expected from a college student,  as well as introduce them to key players that will assist in the student support services that RVCC EOF provides.

To qualify for EOF an applicant must:

• Be a US citizen, permanent resident, or Dreamer
• Have earned a high school diploma or the equivalent
• Have resided in New Jersey for at least one year prior to entering the program
• Be eligible for EOF per the NJFAMS/HESAA website (www.njfams.hesaa.org)
• Demonstrate economic eligibility, evaluated on the New Jersey State eligibility scale
• Be willing to maintain full-time enrollment (at least 12 credit hours per semester)

To apply for EOF an applicant must:

1. Complete the RVCC application
2. Complete the FAFSA or the New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application
3. Complete the RVCC EOF application
4. Submit two years of parent taxes (current FAFSA year and one year prior)
5. Submit unofficial high school transcript
6. Submit a letter of recommendation
7. Submit a one-page essay informing EOF staff of their academic goals.

Students who have questions or want to meet with EOF staff should send an email to EOF@raritanval.edu to set up an appointment.