GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service holds a formal graduation ceremony in the spring and fall. To participate in the graduation ceremony the student must meet all requirements for graduation. To be eligible for graduation students must complete the prescribed coursework,
pass each course, achieve an overall “C” grade point average, complete the clinical embalming requirements set by the Institute within 30 days of date of graduation, satisfactorily complete the comprehensive examinations, and pay all financial obligations to the Institute 30 days prior to graduation.

Effective January 1, 1997, candidates for the Associate of Applied Science Degree program will be required to show proof of successful passage of the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) as a prerequisite for graduation. Please check with the President or Dean of the School for specific information.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
The college has established a grievance procedure to be used by students of Commonwealth Institute to ensure their right to due process. This right to due process is administered without regard to race, creed, national origin, or sex. The grievance must be submitted in writing to Commonwealth Institute within 30 days of the event. Failure to file any grievance within the specified time periods shall be deemed a waiver thereof. The Dean or designee shall investigate the alleged grievance, and an attempt will be made to resolve the matter informally.

A student is entitled to appeal the decision of the Dean or hearing officer of the informal hearing to the President of Commonwealth Institute. The President shall review the matter and render the final decision in a timely manner.

No reprisal of any kind will be taken by the Board, an administrator, or an employee of Commonwealth Institute against any person bringing a grievance under this procedure.

Grievances unresolved by Commonwealth Institute may be forwarded to the Texas Workforce Commission, Proprietary Schools, 101 East 15th Street, Austin, Texas 78778-0001, (512) 936-3100

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

REFUND POLICY 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.