Certificate Student Handbook

• Overview
• Registration
• Credit Certificate Policies
• Noncredit Certificate Policies
• Certificate Completion
• Refunds & Withdrawals
• International Student Eligibility

Online Student Handbook

• Overview
• Getting Started
• Registration
• Fees & Finances
• Materials
• Assignments
• Examinations
• Grades & Transcripts
• Incompletes & Withdrawals
• Netiquette

Course Guide

• Overview
• Credit Course Fees
• Credit Course Policies
• Credit Course Registration & Enrollment
• Credit Course Grading
• Credit Course Refunds & Withdrawals
• Credit Course Important Dates
• Noncredit Course Policies
• Noncredit Refund & Withdrawal Policies

General Information

• Fees, Aid & Payment
• Student Services
• UWPCE Policies
• Getting Around
• Important Forms

• Payment policy

  Payment of tuition and fees is required at the time of registration. Fees cannot be billed, except to third-party payers within the United States who include a purchase order or letter of authorization to bill with the registration form. Payment by Visa or MasterCard is accepted with no additional fee. There is a $25 service charge for returned checks. Students should submit payment for tuition and fees to UW Professional & Continuing Education Registration Services.
  

• Registration fee
  All registrants pay a nonrefundable $39 registration fee each quarter, unless specified otherwise ($42 effective for all summer quarter 2012 registrations).
• Fees paid by employer

  If you have arranged for payment through a third party (your employer), a separate document (signed purchase order or letter of authorization to bill) must accompany your registration form each term. Third party payer is an acceptable payment option; however, you will be held responsible for tuition and fees if payment is not received.
  

• Tax credits and deductions

  Under the Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC), taxpayers may be eligible to claim up to $2000 of qualified tuition and related expenses as a tax credit. The LLC covers qualified education expenses paid for academic periods during the tax year. While the tax credit excludes expenses covered by scholarships, tax-free grants or employer education assistance, it does include all qualified out-of-pocket expenses and those paid by loans. For detailed information, please refer to IRS Publication 970, "Tax Benefits for Education." (PDF)

  You may be able to deduct qualified college tuition and related expenses of up to $4,000 from your income taxes. This deduction is an adjustment to income, which means the deduction will reduce the amount of your income subject to tax. The tuition and fees deduction may be beneficial to you if you do not qualify for the lifetime learning tax credit. For more information, visit the IRS site.

• Veterans’ benefits
  Under the G.I. Bill, veterans may be eligible for reimbursement of course fees (textbooks not included) when enrolled in online learning and other select courses offered through UW Professional & Continuing Education. Some UW certificate programs have been approved for Veterans Administration benefits. Application for such benefits should be made through the Business Services and Veterans Affairs Office, 520 Schmitz Hall, Box 355835, 206-543-6122 or FAX 206-616-4862.
• Financial aid
  In most cases, UW Professional & Continuing Education students are ineligible for the university's financial aid programs. However, matriculated UW students (students formally admitted to the university) may be able to apply awarded financial aid toward PCE credit courses (including online learning courses and courses in fee-based degree programs). Payment for UW Professional & Continuing Education courses is calculated in addition to your standard university tuition. Students applying for deferments may be certified by the UW Professional & Continuing Education Registration Services. For information regarding financial aid funding and how it applies to your circumstances as a matriculated UW student, contact the Office of Financial Aid, 206-543-6101.
• Alternative student loans

  Students whose financial aid awards do not meet their financial need may be able to borrow up to their cost of attendance from private student loan programs offered by banks and other lenders.

  Alternative student loans typically require a credit check, and often a cosigner. Interest rates are usually based on the prime rate, plus a fixed percentage based on the borrower's or cosigner's credit rating. Repayment terms may offer a deferment of payment while the borrower is enrolled on at least a half-time basis.

  Students with an alternative loan must pay their tuition charges when they register for classes. Registration will not be held pending payment, since alternative loan checks are mailed directly to the borrower.

  See more information about private loans on the UW Financial Aid Web site.

• WorkSource and unemployment benefits

  If you’ve recently been laid off, you may be eligible for WorkSource – a program that extends your unemployment benefits and covers your education costs while you attend school full time. Part of Seattle and King County’s employment and training services system, WorkSource also offers financial assistance if you’re planning to start a new career in an in-demand occupation.

  Our certificates are approved education programs, which means WorkSource will pay your fees as you earn a certificate.

  Timing is important. You’ll have 90 days to apply for training benefits once you become unemployed. Because of the evaluation process, you’ll need to begin consulting with WorkSource at least four weeks before you plan to start a certificate program. To find the WorkSource location closest to you, visit www.worksourceskc.org/locations.

• AmeriCorps education awards
  Once you complete your service in AmeriCorps, you qualify for the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. This money can be used to cover education expenses for eligible programs like our certificates. You can use your award money for up to seven years after your AmeriCorps service ends. Your program or program sponsor can help you determine how much money you might be eligible for.
• Payment agreement form

  For the payment agreement form and other administrative documents, visit our Important Forms page.
  

• SSN

  For tax credit purposes, federal law requires the university to obtain your Social Security number. Providing your birth date is required to enroll in credit courses.