Financial Policies

Payment Policies

Failure to make payments of tuition and other fees, or other amounts when they are due, is considered sufficient cause to place a student on non-academic discipline. This status causes the University to do one or more of the following:
1. Bar the student from attending classes, taking examinations, or registering for the following quarter.
2. Withhold a diploma, scholastic certificate, transcript of record, or grades for the quarter.
3. Suspend the student.

MU reserves the right to withhold any and all services if the petitioner is not in good financial standing with the university.

Deferment of Tuition

Application for deferment of payment will be considered on the basis of financial need and assurance of ability to make the payments as required. No tuition is to be deferred for students enrolled in less than four (4) units.

Tuition Payment Plan

The university accepts three separate payments each quarter. The tuition payment plan is available in the Finance Office. The Finance Office charges for late payments will apply to the students who are not paying in full. If students fall behind in their payments, students are not allowed to take part in class activities, including test taking.

Cancellation, Withdrawal, and Refund Policies

Student’s notice of cancellation must be in writing, and that withdrawal may be effectuated by the student’s written notice or by the student’s conduct, including, but not limited to, a student’s lack of attendance. Merit University shall refund 100 percent of the amount paid for institutional charges, less a reasonable deposit or application fee not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250), if notice of cancellation is made through attendance at the first class session, or the seventh class day after enrollment, whichever is later. Refunds will be made within thirty (30) days of official withdrawal or thirty (30) days of determination of withdrawal if the student does not officially withdraw.

Student’s Right to Cancel Policy

The student may cancel their enrollment agreement and get a refund paid through to the attendance at the first class session or the seventh day after enrollment, whichever comes later.
1) To receive a refund of any portion of the tuition fees, you must provide the school with a written statement that you intend to withdraw from the program in which you have enrolled.
2) Withdrawal may be effectuated by the student’s written notice, by a student’s misconduct, including, but not limited to, a student’s lack of attendance.
3) If you have completed 60% or less of your program, the school shall provide a pro-rata refund of the amount paid for institutional charges, less the non-refundable application fee, non-refundable processing fee, and other reasonable fees not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250).
4) If you complete more than 60% of your program, the school shall NOT refund any portion of the amount paid for institutional charges.
5) If you are eligible for a refund under the conditions stated above, you will receive the refund within 45 days of the school receiving the written notice of cancellation or the school’s notice of dismissal.

To cancel this agreement mail, fax, or deliver a written notice of Withdrawal / Cancellation to this mailing address: Registrar’s Office at Merit University, 3699 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 970, Los Angeles, CA 90010.

Loan Responsibilities

Any agency or organization which grants loans will indicate the terms and amount of that loan. If a student obtains a loan to pay for an educational program, the student will be responsible to repay the full amount of the loan plus the interest, less the amount of any refund, and that, if the student receives federal student financial aid funds, the student is entitled to a refund of the moneys not paid from federal financial aid funds.

“The State of California established the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) to relieve or mitigate economic loss suffered by a student in an educational program at a qualifying institution, who is or was a California resident while enrolled, or was enrolled in a residency program, if the student enrolled in the institution, prepaid tuition, and suffered an economic loss. Unless relieved of the obligation to do so, you must pay the state-imposed assessment for the STRF, or it must be paid on your behalf, if you are a student in an educational program, who is a California resident, or are enrolled in a residency program, and prepay all or part of your tuition. You are not eligible for protection from the STRF and you are not required to pay the STRF assessment, if you are not a California resident, or are not enrolled in a residency program.”

“It is important that you keep copies of your enrollment agreement, financial aid documents, receipts, or any other information that documents the amount paid to the school. Questions regarding the STRF may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, 1747 N. Market Blvd. Ste 225, Sacramento, CA 95834, (916) 574-8900 or (888) 370-7589.To be eligible for STRF, you must be a California resident or are enrolled in a residency program, prepaid tuition, paid or deemed to have paid the STRF assessment, and suffered an economic loss as a result of any of the following:

1. The institution, a location of the institution, or an educational program offered by the institution was closed or discontinued, and you did not choose to participate in a teach-out plan approved by the Bureau or did not complete a chosen teach-out plan approved by the Bureau.
2. You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution within the 120-day period before the closure of the institution or location of the institution, or were enrolled in an educational program within the 120-day period before the program was discontinued.
3. You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution more than 120 days before the closure of the institution or location of the institution in an educational program offered by the institution as to which the Bureau determined there was a significant decline in the quality or value of the program more than 120 days before closure.
4. The institution has been ordered to pay a refund by the Bureau but has failed to do so.
5. The institution has failed to pay or reimburse loan proceeds under a federal student loan program as required by law or has failed to pay or reimburse proceeds received by the institution in excess of tuition and other costs.
6. You have been awarded restitution, a refund, or other monetary award by an arbitrator or court, based on a violation of this chapter by an institution or representative of an institution, but have been unable to collect the award from the institution.
7. You sought legal counsel that resulted in the cancellation of one or more of your student loans and have an invoice for services rendered and evidence of the cancellation of the student loan or loans.

To qualify for STRF reimbursement, the application must be received within four (4) years from the date of the action or event that made the student eligible for recovery from STRF. A student whose loan is revived by a loan holder or debt collector after a period of non-collection may, at any time, file a written application for recovery from STRF for the debt that would have otherwise been eligible for recovery. If it has been more than four (4) years since the action or event that made the student eligible, the student must have filed a written application for recovery within the original four (4) year period, unless the period has been extended by another act of law. However, no claim can be paid to any student without a social security number or a taxpayer identification number.” Reference: CEC §94909(a)(14), 5, CCR §76215(a), and §76215(b)

Merit University does not participate in federal and state financial aid programs. MU is responsible for disclosing the above information to all prospective students in accordance with California Education Code (CEC) 94897(p) and 94909(a)(10).

If the student has received federal student financial aid funds, the student is entitled to a refund of money not paid from federal student financial aid program funds.

If the student defaults on a federal or state loan, the following may occur:

1. The federal or state government or a loan guarantee agency may take action against the student, including applying any income tax refund to which the person is entitled to reduce the balance owed on the loan.
2. The student may not be eligible for any other federal student financial aid at another institution or other government financial assistance at another institution until the loan is repaid.