The minimum standards for admission to the programs at Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service, require that each applicant:

1. be a graduate of an accredited four-year high school (or hold a GED certificate recognized by the state education department);
2. meet the licensure requirements of the state in which he or she plans to seek initial licensure;
3. must successfully fulfill one of the following requirements if lacking previous college:
   • have an ACT minimum score of 21 on the composite;
   • have an SAT combined score of 990 (if taken after April 1, 1995);
   • have graduated in the upper one-half of his or her high school class;
   • have scored a minimum of 21 on the SLE. (The SLE, produced by Wonderlic Personnel Test Inc., is the entrance examination used by Commonwealth Institute. It is a twelve-minute examination offered at Commonwealth during normal business hours. Students are permitted three attempts to successfully complete the examination. There is no charge for the SLE taken at Commonwealth.)

Those students showing the greatest promise for success, based on demonstrated academic ability, will receive first consideration for admission. The admissions committee may also consider such factors as students’ backgrounds, achievements, honors and work histories in making its decision.

Course Audit Policy

If an individual wants to officially register for a class without earning a letter grade or credit, the course may be scheduled as an audit ONLY AFTER ALL STUDENTS REGISTERING FOR CREDIT HAVE BEEN ACCOMMODATED. The cost incurred is the same as if the course were taken for credit. (Exceptions may exist for past graduates of the Institute.) Title IV Financial aid funds and V.A. benefits cannot be applied to audited courses.

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR AN AUDIT

Non-student auditors must adhere to Commonwealth Institute policies governing dress code, behavior, harassment and discrimination.
Auditors may be required to participate fully in the class. Expectations should be clarified with the course instructor at the start of the quarter.

Restrictions on admission to courses with educationally necessary prerequisites and with extensive laboratory or clinical activities may be imposed, with room always for reasonable exceptions.

No person who is ineligible for readmission by reason of his/her having been dropped from the Institute for scholastic or other reasons shall be eligible to audit classes.

Auditors are permitted to ask to participate in graded activities, such as homework, group projects, laboratories and exams. The instructor is not required to grade any written assignments that may be submitted by an auditor.

CANCELLATION POLICY

A full refund will be made to any student who cancels the enrollment contract within 72 hours (until midnight of the third day excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays) after the enrollment contract is signed and a tour of the facilities and inspection of the equipment is made by the prospective student.

REFUND POLICY

Prior To Matriculation

Applicants may cancel their enrollment in person or in writing before the beginning of classes. Applicants not requesting cancellation before their scheduled starting date will be considered students.

1. All monies paid by applicants will be refunded if they are not accepted for admission.
2. Applicants requesting cancellation no later than 90 days before the first scheduled class date will receive a refund of all monies paid less the application fee.
3. Applicants who give less than 90 days cancellation notice will be entitled to a refund of all monies paid to Commonwealth Institute less a cancellation fee of $100.00

After Matriculation

In the event of withdrawal by the student or termination by Commonwealth Institute during an academic quarter of study, refund computation will be based on scheduled clock hours of class attendance through the last date of attendance. Leaves of absence, suspension, and school holidays will not be counted as part of the scheduled class attendance.

1. Prepaid tuition for any period beyond the current quarter will be refunded, federal student aid money is refunded according to agency/lender regulations.
2. Refunds are made within the prescribed time period after the effective date of termination. The effective date of the termination for refund purposes will the earliest of the following: (a) the last day of attendance, if the student is terminated by Commonwealth Institute, (b) the date of receipt of written notice of withdrawal from the student, (c) Ten school days following the last date of attendance.
3. Each academic quarter is 11 weeks in duration. The calculation of refunds is based on the last day of attendance within a quarter.
4. In the event a student discontinues, there is a $100.00 cancellation fee, and Commonwealth Institute will retain earned tuition as follows: week 1 = 10% of quarter’s tuition; weeks 2-3 = 50% of quarter’s tuition; weeks 4-6 = 75% tuition; after week 6 = 100% of quarter’s tuition. A student is not required to purchase instructional supplies or books until the quarter in which these materials are required. Once these materials are purchased no refund will be made.
5. In the event of a fully documented extreme illness or personal emergency that makes it impractical for the student to complete the program Commonwealth Institute may modify the tuition refund policy.
6. All refunds made meet or exceed the requirements of the Texas Proprietary School Act.
7. For veterans and veteran’s dependents, the amount charged to the student for tuition fees and other charges for a portion of the course shall not exceed the approximate prorata portion of the total charges for tuition, fees and other charges that the length of the completed portion of the course bears to its total length.
8. With respect to students for whom more than one refund method applies, the refund method used will always be the method which is of most benefit to the student.