Oct 09, 2024  
2017-2018 Course Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Admissions and Registration



General Admission Policies and Procedures

All Applicants

All applicants must submit an application for admission either online or to the Admissions Office. Students will be charged a $20.00 application fee.

Immunization documentation is required if applicants were born after 1956, but not required if applicants graduated from a Minnesota high school in 1997 or after.

Students who have graduated from high school or the equivalent (GED certificate holders) as well as current high school students who meet the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options program criteria or supplemental enrollment criteria are eligible for admission to Century College.

Programs fill on a first come, first served basis unless otherwise noted. Admission to the college does not guarantee admission to a specific major or program.

Century College considers all applicants without regard to race, creed, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, or disability, and marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. This institution abides by the provisions of Title IX, federal legislation forbidding discrimination on the basis of sex, and by all other federal and state laws regarding equal opportunity.

Transfer Student Applicants

Students seeking a degree, diploma, or certificate and who have previously attended a college(s) must have official transcripts sent directly from the institution to the Transfer Student Services/DARS Office at Century College, or if hand-carried by students, transcripts must be delivered unopened with the official seal intact. Student copies and faxed transcripts are not considered official.

If you are transferring credits to Century College and plan to complete a degree or program at Century College, your official transcript(s) will be evaluated as long as you are enrolled in courses at Century College for the current semester or summer and based on the date the transcript was received. Every effort will be made to evaluate transcripts in time for the next scheduled registration session and/or in time for your graduation. You will be notified via your Century College student email address when your transfer credits have been processed and are reflected in your degree audit report.

eTranscripts: If you have attended or are currently attending one or more Minnesota State institutions, not including the University of Minnesota, and have applied to Century College, your official transcripts from that Minnesota State institution may be electronically retrieved by Century College. There is no cost for this service. Transcripts cannot be electronically retrieved if you have holds on your records from the Minnesota State institution you previously attended including, but not limited to, unpaid balances. It is your responsibility to ensure that your records are free of holds in order for institutions to send or electronically retrieve your academic transcript. You must notify the Transfer Student Services/DARS Office when your records have been cleared for retrieval.

Transfer Standards

  1. Transfer credit from institutions accredited by regional associations (North Central, Middle States, etc.) will normally be accepted by Century College subject to limitations in this catalog.
  2. Treatment of grades: Grades earned prior to transfer are evaluated according to the following standards:
    1. All college courses in which students have received a grade of A, B, C, or D shall be considered for transfer evaluation. Grades of P shall be accepted as earned credit. No F grade course credits will be accepted in transfer. Programs with their own application standards may accept transfer grades differently. Transfer GPA is not used in computing Century cumulative GPA. Returning students who have not received a course-by- course evaluation should see a Century College advisor/counselor.
    2. Based on the 2001 Omnibus effective January 1, 2002, once a course has met the criteria necessary for inclusion in the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) in any goal area(s), the course will be accepted for full credit in that goal area(s) at Century College. Completed MnTC goal area(s) and the 40 credits MnTC package transfer as well.
    3. Century College will consider for transfer applicable coursework transcripted by an accredited college as “Credit by Examination.”
    4. Credit achieved through experiential learning processes shall be evaluated, following students’ petitions, according to published national standard guidelines established by the American Council on Education (ACE), the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), or other similar national organizations, as approved by Minnesota State.
    5. Competency Based Education (CBE) credits will transfer as general electives unless approved for other distribution requirements.
  3. Comparability: Courses approved for transfer must be comparable in nature, content, and level and match at least 75% of the content and goals of the course outline or syllabus for which students are seeking equivalent credit.
  4. Time limit: General education and elective credits shall have no transfer time limit.
  5. Timeliness: The timeliness of credits applied to career programs will be considered when evaluating transfer credits. Technical career courses must have been taken within the past five years to qualify for transfer and to fulfill technical program requirements.
  6. Equivalency: The number of transfer credits granted per course shall not exceed the number granted by the originating institution.
  7. Conversion: The conversion of quarter hours to semester hours is 0.667 for each quarter hour.
  8. Repeated courses: When students transfer courses and later successfully repeat a course at Century College, only credit from Century College will be granted.
  9. Applicability: Coursework accepted in transfer may not always be applicable toward a specific program.
  10. Appeals: Students have the right to appeal transfer evaluations. Call 651.779.3908 for a Transfer Course Evaluation Appeal Form or see the college website under “Transfer Students.”

Nondegree-Seeking Applicants (Not Planning to Earn a Century College Degree, Diploma, or Certificate)

Students who have completed other college work and want to use the credits to improve their registration priority must have official transcripts sent directly from the college(s) to the Transfer Student Services/DARS Office before the deadlines. For deadlines, see section: Transfer Student Applicants.

Applicants Currently Enrolled in High School: Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)

The Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (high school options program) enables 11th and 12th grade students who meet PSEO-specific admissions requirements to enroll in courses for secondary school credit. PSEO is NOT an open enrollment program.

Students must meet specific minimum requirements to qualify for PSEO. The specific purposes of this program are to promote rigorous educational pursuits and provide a wider variety of options for students.

This program is not available during the summer session. However, students may enroll under supplemental enrollment guidelines (see below) during the summer. For an enrollment packet outlining PSEO application procedures, deadlines and requirements, students should contact their high school guidance counselor and the Century College Admissions Office at 651.773.1700.

Supplemental Enrollment

Students may qualify for supplemental enrollment but must meet the same entrance requirements as Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) students. This program is used primarily by PSEO students enrolling during the summer. Students are responsible for all costs. For an enrollment packet outlining application procedures and deadlines, please contact the Admissions Office at 651.773.1700.

International Student Applicants

Prospective international students seeking an I-20 Form for full time F-1 visa status will be considered for admission after submitting the following:

  1. International Student Application for Admission are available online or from the Admissions Office.
  2. Official transcripts from each secondary school/high school, college, university, and English as a Second Language program attended. Transcripts must be sent directly from the institution to Century College. If students intend to transfer international education credits to Century, they must request an evaluation through World Education Services or Educational Credential Evaluators. (NOTE: Students who have entered the United States to attend a college or university other than Century College must successfully complete one quarter/semester of academic work prior to transferring to Century College.)
  3. Proof of English proficiency in the form of an official TOEFL score, MELAB score, or IELTS score. Scores must be sent directly to Century College from the testing organization.
    1. Acceptable minimum scores for TOEFL are: 500 (paper test), 173 (computer) and 61 (IBT).
    2. Acceptable minimum score for MELAB is 70.
    3. Acceptable minimum score for IELTS is 5.5.
    4. English proficiency for prospective international students may also be determined by sufficient placement on the ACCUPLACER ESL test. The minimum placement for admission is ESOL 30s in all components of the test including: grammar, reading and listening.
    5. Students transferring from a U.S. college who have completed college-level English composition and Reading courses with grades of C or better may be waived from submitting official test scores as listed above.
  4. A Financial Guarantee along with supporting bank documents or proof of support. Students must demonstrate they have sufficient financial resources available to pay for tuition, fees, books, room and board, transportation, and all incidental expenses before they can be admitted to Century College.

Once admitted to Century College, international students are required to purchase the Minnesota State International Student Injury and Sickness Insurance in addition to providing proof of immunization for diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, and rubella. International students will be required to take a Tuberculin Skin Test to determine exposure to tuberculosis during their first semester.

In addition to complying with all Century College policies related to academic performance and student conduct, international students are required by law to remain in compliance with all regulations put forth by the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services that pertain to their student status.

Applicants and Minnesota Cooperative Admissions Program (MnCAP) - University of Minnesota

Century College and the University of Minnesota have signed an agreement that will simplify transfers and improve educational options for college students.

Individual agreements have been established with the Colleges of Biological Sciences, Design, Education and Human Development, Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences, Liberal Arts and Science and Engineering on the Twin Cities Campus of the University of Minnesota.

Joint admission allows students who meet admission requirements to enter a community college and have the same opportunity to enter upper division university programs as students who enter the University of Minnesota as freshmen. Students must complete designated courses and maintain requisite grade point averages.

Students who begin their studies at Century College have four years in which to transfer to the University of Minnesota. For more information, contact any Century College advisor/counselor.

Course Placement Testing Services

Course Placement Testing

Course placement testing is the method employed to assist students in understanding their academic readiness and to help ensure that they are placed into courses that will support their academic success. Students must complete the ACCUPLACER Course Placement Tests in Reading and Mathematics prior to registering for courses at Century College.

For exemptions, see sections Students with Previously Earned College Credit and Qualifying Score Reports for Course Placement Test Exemptions.

Students must begin any course work at their course placement levels. Students may not register for courses above their course placement levels.

Students who are non-native speakers of English

Lack of English skills will not be a barrier to admission or participation. In order to eliminate barriers we take appropriate measures to evaluate each student’s ability to participate and benefit through course placement testing and advising/counseling.

Students who are non-native speakers of English and who have had fewer than eight (8) years of education in the United States must complete the ACCUPLACER ESL Course Placement Test.

Based on the ESL Placement Testing results, students may be placed in reading, writing, and listening courses with the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program to strengthen English language skills necessary to maximize their academic success.

Students who score greater than 110 on the reading section of the ESL version of the test will be branched into the non-ESL version of the reading test. This is considered a continuation of the test and not a retest.

Writing course placement will be determined by the ESL ACCUPLACER Sentence Meaning and Language Usage tests along with a writing sample completed at Century College.

Adult Basic Education

Students whose ACCUPLACER Course Placement Test results are at the Adult Basic Education (ABE) level in reading (0-31) must see an Academic Advisor or Counselor.

Students may not enroll in courses at Century College until they demonstrate readiness in reading. Demonstrated readiness in reading is achieved by retaking the Course Placement Test and scoring above the ABE level.

Students must have a valid picture ID to take the course placement tests. If students do not have a Century College Student ID number, they will have to complete a Century College application prior to taking the course placement tests. Century College has mandatory placement into courses based on test results. (Exception: High school students applying for PSEO or the Supplemental Enrollment Program do NOT need to provide a Century ID number, nor have completed an application.) Children are not allowed in the testing center, and must not be left unattended anywhere on campus.

ACCUPLACER, ACCUPLACER ESL, Companion to ACCUPLACER, and the ACT test are approved for course placement purposes by Minnesota State Placement Director and Committee and Century College.

Time Limits on Course Placement Test Score Validity

ESL ACCUPLACER scores are valid for three calendar years, inclusive of the current year (six (6) semesters, following the test date excluding summer session).

Mathematics ACCUPLACER scores and ACT Mathematics scores are valid for two calendar years, inclusive of the current calendar year (four (4) semesters, following the test date excluding summer session).

Reading ACCUPLACER scores are valid indefinitely at Century College and ACT reading scores are valid for three calendar years, inclusive of the current calendar year (six (6) semesters, following the test date excluding summer session).

After this period of time, if a student has not begun taking the required developmental courses, the appropriate ACCUPLACER Course Placement Test(s) must be retaken.

Students may submit valid ACCUPLACER results from another testing location and/or ACT score report(s) to Century College at the time they apply for admission.

An official copy of a student’s ACCUPLACER results must be mailed, or faxed 651.779.5811 to the Century College Testing Center from the institution where they took the course placement test. A copy of a student’s ACT scores must be hand carried, mailed, or faxed 651.779.5811 to the Century College Testing Center.

Prospective students enrolling in one course for their own enrichment and do not intent to complete a degree/program at Century College are not required to take the course placement tests, providing the  course they are interested in does not have any prerequisites pertaining to course placement testing. However, should these students find that they wish to expand their educational pursuits; it is highly recommended that they take the course placement test. Failure to do so may result in delays in registering for desired classes that have placement testing requirements. Students must meet established course prerequisites and may be required to complete Course Placement Testing.

Preparation for Course Placement Testing

These course placement tests are important because it is the method employed to assist students in understanding their academic readiness and to help ensure that they are placed into courses that will support their academic success. Generally, students may  benefit from becoming familiar with the testing format and may wish to review sample test questions at websites listed on Century’s Testing Center or ACCUPLACER webpages. Note: The college does not endorse these other websites or require students to make special preparation for the course placement testing process.

ACCUPLACER Course Placement Test Scores

Students will receive a printed report of their course placement test scores upon completion of testing. The report indicates the course placement test scores along with the appropriate course placements. Course placement test scores will be maintained in the students’ files at Century. Students must bring their course placement test score report to New Student Orientation to present proof of testing and to register according to their course placement.

Course Placement Test Advising

Upon completion of course placement testing, students will meet with an Advisor to review their scores and learn about resulting course placement levels. Additionally, Advisors will provide students with direction on completing specific entrance steps and help  students brainstorm initial ideas for first semester courses. The Advising, Counseling and Career Center is located in W2410 and course placement test advising is on a walk-in basis. Students must bring their course placement test score report. As advising includes conversations about a student’s personal and academic information, advisors ask to meet with students on an individual basis in order to comply with federal privacy laws.

Accommodations for Students with a Disability

Students who need accommodations for course placement testing due to a disability should contact the Access Center at 651.779.3354 or 651.779.3477. PLEASE NOTE: To receive accommodations, students must provide the Access Center with appropriate  documentation about their disability.

Course Placement Testing for Students with Previously Earned College Credit

Students who have completed college credits and/or who have earned an Associate in Arts or Bachelor degree from a regionally accredited institution(s) may not need to complete some parts of the Course Placement Test. Previously earned credit may include college or university courses, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Students planning to complete a degree/program at Century College are required to submit official transcripts from all  institutions previously attended and/or score reports for AP, IB, and CLEP. Transcripts/score reports must be submitted to the Transfer Student Services/DARS Office at Century College. Students may be exempt from parts of the Course Placement Test for the following reasons:

  1. Reading Course Placement Testing is not required for students who have completed the following transfer courses with a grade of C or higher:
  • college composition course equivalent to ENGL1021 Composition I
  • college reading course equivalent to RDNG1000 Critical Reading and Thinking for College
  1. Reading Course Placement Testing is not required for students who have completed a minimum of three (3) reading intensive transfer courses with grades of B or higher. Reading intensive courses may include English literature, philosophy, history, humanities,  sciences and the social and behavioral sciences.
  2. Mathematics Course Placement Testing is not required for students who have earned transfer credits for a college level mathematics course equivalent to MATH1025 or higher with a grade of C or higher.
  3. Reading and Mathematics Course Placement Tests are not required for students who have earned an Associate in Arts or Bachelor degree. However, students are still responsible for meeting any specific course prerequisites. To meet prerequisites for some mathematics and science courses, students may be required to complete the Mathematics Course Placement Test.
  4. Reading and Mathematics Course Placement Tests are not required for students who have received a qualifying score in the associated academic skill area for:
    1. 3 or higher on the AP exam
    2. 4 or higher for IB course(s)
    3. 50 or higher on CLEP exam
  5. Students who have international education credentials are required to complete Course Placement Testing. If students intend to transfer international education credits to Century, they must request an evaluation of their transcripts through World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) for credits earned outside the United States.

Qualifying Score Reports for Course Placement Testing Exemptions

Students interested in possible exemptions from Course Placement Testing may submit valid ACCUPLACER results from another testing location and/or ACT score report(s) to Century College at the time they apply for admission. Qualifying ACT score information includes:

  • Reading Course Placement Testing is not required for students who have a sub score of 21 or higher in the reading component of the ACT. In addition, the student has course placement into courses that require college level reading as a prerequisite.
  • Mathematics Course Placement Testing is not required for students who have a sub score of 22 or higher in the Mathematics component of the ACT. In addition, the student has course placement into introductory college-level Mathematics.
  • Course Placement Testing is required for students who have ACT scores lower than the required college-level course placement level in any academic areas.

Non-Degree-Seeking/Visiting Students

Students must meet established course prerequisites and may be required to complete Course Placement Testing. Students planning to take one course or a few courses and who do not intend to complete a degree/program at Century College may provide unofficial or student copies of their transcript(s) from institutions previously attended or score reports for AP, IB, CLEP to determine any course placement exemptions. Century College does not retain unofficial transcripts.

Course Placement Retesting and Appeals Process

Students who are dissatisfied with any of their Course Placement Test scores may retest in each section (reading or mathematics) once in a 12-month period, regardless of where the original test was administered (including other Minnesota State colleges and universities). A fee will be charged for retesting if the scores are valid. Students will not be charged to retest if their scores have expired.

Students with ABE results after retaking the ACCUPLACER Course Placement Tests may appeal for a third opportunity to test in a 12-month period by providing documentation that they have received tutoring from a community resource such as ABE or other (i.e., online) interventions.

Students who score greater than 110 on the reading section of the ESL version of the test will be branched into the non-ESL version of the reading test. This is considered a continuation of the test and not a retest.

The appeal process is determined by the Reading, Mathematics, and ESOL departments respectively. After retesting, if students wish to appeal a specific course placement, they must fill out the Course Placement Appeal form. The Course Placement Appeal form and printouts of their course placement test score report from the original testing and retest should be taken to the department faculty representative to make an appointment for the next step in the appeal process. A student’s placement into a course can only be appealed once per discipline.

  • For reading, the student must bring the Course Placement Appeal form to the Reading/Student Success Department and make a two-hour appointment for an interview and an evaluation of reading and textbook processing skills. The results of the evaluation and the interview will be used by the Reading/Student Success Department for course placement.
  • For mathematics, the student must bring the Course Placement Appeal form to the Mathematics Department and make a two-hour appointment to complete an exam in the appropriate course. The results of this test will be used by the Mathematics Department for course placement.
  • For ESOL, students must see the ESOL Advisor.

Judgments concerning the appeal shall rest solely with the Reading, Mathematics, or ESOL Department faculty, respectively. Each department shall keep a record of appeals and their results for year-end reporting purposes. The appeal process itself may take place by appointment before or during the semester. However, if an appeal results in a course change, the student may add or change courses only within the drop-add period during the first week of each semester.

Orientation

Orientation provides new students with an opportunity to get acquainted with Century College. During the session, students will learn about the many resources and student life offerings provided for all students, become familiar with campus policies and deadline dates for financial aid and tuition, and have an opportunity to meet with an advisor to go over course selections for their first semester. After attending orientation, students will feel more prepared to begin their first semester at Century.

Registration

Students should register carefully. Students are liable for tuition/fees for any registered courses. Students must cancel/drop their registration at the Records Office, online or in-person if they do not plan to attend. For registration information regarding auditing, repeating courses and credit loads, please see Academic Policies and Program Requirements . For specific course descriptions, course prerequisites and corequisites, and course restrictions, see Course Descriptions and Outlines .

Online and On-Campus Registration

Century College offers interactive online registration for returning students only. If you are a new student, you will register at orientation. Students can register for classes, check for holds on their records, look up open class sections, look up and print their class schedules, look up their grades, add and drop classes, and withdraw online.

Returning students register in order of the number of credits earned. The returning students’ priority registration schedule is published prior to each semester online. Counselors, advisors, or program advisors are available by appointment and quick-stop to help students plan a program prior to registration and on a quick-stop basis during registration.

Registration will not be permitted for returning students with financial, library, or academic holds on their records. It is the students’ responsibility to satisfy any obligation to the college before registering and/or requesting a transcript.

New students register by attending an orientation. Students will be given a short overview of the college, which covers essential Century information and have the opportunity to meet with an advisor/counselor and/or program advisor for help with first semester course selection. Completion of the college course placement testing is required prior to attending orientation.

Transfer students have the opportunity to complete an online orientation and registration process.

Wait lists

If a class is full, students have the option to add themselves to a wait list to be notified if a seat becomes available. Students will be notified at their Century College email address as their position on the wait list moves up. Once a seat in their wait listed class is offered, they have 24 hours to register (the email will indicate the registration deadline). It is extremely important that students monitor their email closely so they do not miss their wait list opening. The wait list is shut off the night before the first day of the semester.

Wait listing is not available for late start courses.

Change of Registration

Adding Courses

Courses may be added during the first five days of fall and spring semester and the first three days of summer session. Students should register carefully. Students are liable for tuition/fees for any registered courses. Students must cancel/drop their registration online or at the Records Office if they do not plan to attend. Late adds will be processed only with the approval/signature of the instructor and the appropriate academic Dean. Students must be on the grade sheet at the end of the term in order to receive a grade, regardless of attendance. Instructors’ signatures are not required to add day courses before the semester begins or during the first three days of the semester, unless consent of instructor is normally required. Instructors’ signatures are required beginning the fourth day of the fall and spring semester for day courses. Instructors’ signatures are required to add day courses before the semester begins or during the first three days of the semester, unless consent of instructor is normally required. Instructors’ signatures are required beginning the fourth day of the fall and spring semester for day courses. Instructors’ signatures are required to add evening, Saturday, alternative start courses, and all summer session courses after the first class meeting.

Dropping Courses

Courses may be dropped through the first five days of the semester/session without the instructor’s permission and dropped courses will not be recorded on students’ transcripts.

Withdrawals from Courses (Student-Initiated)

Students are expected to withdraw from a course as soon as possible after their last active participation. Students who withdraw from courses after the first five days of the semester will have the grade of W recorded on their transcripts. Students may withdraw (without instructor’s approval) until three weeks prior to the end of the semester unless otherwise specified. No withdrawals will be permitted during the last three weeks of any semester. (Exception: A withdrawal can be processed after the deadline during the current term if there are special circumstances that prevent further participation. Students must complete a Refund or Late Withdrawal Petition form available at the Business Office and provide a doctor’s statement for injury or illness.)

Students who do not process a withdrawal (W) shall receive the grade assigned by the instructor. Students having withdrawn from a course after four weeks may visit thereafter until final exam week with instructor’s approval. Withdrawals do not influence GPA, but do negatively impact academic progress (see Satisfactory Academic Progress ).

For financial aid recipients, wwithdrawing from one or more of your classes may result in your need to repay funds distributed to you.

Withdrawals from Courses (Instructor-Initiated)

If a student never attends or actively participates in a course, the instructor may record an FN grade to indicate “faculty initiated never-attended”. In cases where an instructor has evidence that a student has stopped actively participating in the course, and where no student-initiated contact has been made, the instructor may assign an FW grade to indicate “faculty initiated withdrawal”. The student has the opportunity to be reinstated with the instructor’s written permission. Withdrawals, FN or FW grades do not influence GPA, but do negatively impact academic progress. See Satisfactory Academic Progress  Policy. An instructor-initiated withdrawal does not generate tuition reimbursement.

 

Important: Three ways to add, drop and withdraw with your Star ID and Password:

  1. Via eServices website.
  2. In-person at the Records Office, room 2220 west campus.
  3. Written request with your signature by U.S. mail.

Telephone messages or email requests for Records Office staff are not considered valid processing methods.

Costs

The Board of Trustees for Minnesota State establishes the tuition for the state colleges. Current tuition and fee rates are posted on Century’s website.

Tuition Payment

All registered students are financially committed for tuition and fees. Students’ registration involves a seat reservation in each of their classes, all of which have a limited number of seats available. In requesting this reservation, students have incurred a tuition obligation.

Students are required to pay tuition and fees unless they drop classes by the deadline listed on the refund policy. Payment information and dates are posted on Century’s website. Students can view their fee statement through eServices. Contact the Business Office at 651.779.3278 for payment options.

Students who have not made payment arrangements by the down payment due date MAY be dropped from all of their classes unless at least one of the following conditions is met:

  1. You have paid at least 15% or $300 of the amount owed.
  2. You have applied for the NBS e-cashier (NELNET) Tuition Management Payment Plan and have submitted the required down payment.
  3. Your agency submitted a Third Party Billing Authorization to the Business Office. This will defer your charges until you’re agency billing has been processed.
  4. You have applied for financial aid at any Minnesota State institution.
    NOTE: If you have not sent FAFSA results to Century College, you will not be eligible for financial aid at Century. Even though you will not be dropped, you will still owe the amount of tuition and fees for your registered courses and are responsible for the  payment. Students who do not plan on attending registered classes must drop online or complete a drop form in person at the Records Office up through the 5th day of the semester.
  5. The Business Office has received a scholarship notice to cover tuition and fees.
  6. You have enrolled in the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program and have submitted your PSEO enrollment form to the Business Office. This form must be completed and submitted each semester.

Do NOT rely on the college to drop you from your courses. Students who do not plan on attending registered classes must drop online or complete a drop form in person at the Records Office up through the 5th day of the semester.

Deferred Payment

Persons whose tuition/fees will be paid by a government agency or established organization must notify the Business Office so that payment can be deferred.

Reciprocity

Students who are legal residents of Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Manitoba can attend Minnesota public colleges at special tuition rates. Formal applications must be made according to application deadlines and filed with the higher education services office in the student’s home state. Reciprocity application procedures and links are posted on Century’s website.

Application Fee

A nonrefundable fee is charged at the time of application for all new students applying for admission.

Fee Rates

The following per-credit fees are charged each semester:

  • Minnesota State College Student Association (MSCSA): Students are required to pay a fee to the Minnesota State College Student Association.
  • Parking (not assessed for online courses): The parking fee supports parking lot maintenance and repair.
  • Student Life: This fee supports student activity programs, health services, fine arts programs, symposiums, lounge furniture, and day care equipment.
  • Technology: The technology fee is used for purchasing instructional equipment and materials such as computers and software, audio-visual equipment, and library technology.
  • Athletic: This fee provides students the opportunity to participate as a student athlete, through spectatorship, and in other campus sponsored events.

Fees are subject to change annually. Current fee rates are posted on the Century College website.

Transcript Processing Fee

There is a charge for each academic transcript requested for mailing or pickup within three business days (approximately one week for technical college courses). An additional fee is charged for rush/immediate transcript preparation. You may request delivery of an official, sealed transcript online through your student portal, online through National Student Clearinghouse, by mail, fax, or in-person. If you have attended or are currently attending one or more Minnesota State institutions, your official transcripts can be electronically retrieved by all Minnesota State institutions, including Century College. If you want your Century transcript sent to another Minnesota State institution, please contact the other institution to find out what their procedure is for them to retrieve your Century transcript.

Late Payment Fee

Tuition payments received after the due date will be subject to a one-time administrative fee and monthly late fees.

Administrative Fee

A single administrative fee for placing students on the college payment plan is assessed if tuition and fees are not paid in full by the due date.

Returned Payment Fee

A fee is charged if a payment is returned to the College due to insufficient funds, closed account, or any other reason.

Diploma Replacement Fee

A fee is charged for a replacement graduation display diploma.

Books and Supplies

Books may be purchased in the Bookstore, room 1320 west campus, or online. Textbooks and supply costs vary greatly from program to program. Contact the program advisors or bookstore for more specific information.

Senior Citizen Fee

Senior citizens who are 62 years or older, legal residents of Minnesota, and who register on or before the first day of class, are charged full tuition and fees.  If registering for credit the day after the first day of class, senior citizens are charged a reduced fee per credit if space is available or a nominal fee if they audit.  Charges are based on Board Policy and are subject to change.

Canceled Classes

When a class is canceled, students receive either a phone call, email, or a letter notifying them of the cancellation and the Records Office is notified. If students do not register for another class in its place, tuition and fees will be refunded. Students do not have to petition for a refund.

Special Course Fees

With the approval of the Minnesota State  board, Century College may require special fees to cover supply costs, field trip expenses, loss or breakage to college property, physical education expenses, private music instruction or technology fees. Fees will be established before the semester registration period and will be indicated in the class listing.

Refund Policy

Dropping a course or totally withdrawing from school according to college policies may result in a refund of tuition and fees. Credit card payments will be refunded to the same credit card that was used when tuition was paid. Refunds for payments made by cash and check will be processed through Higher One based on the disbursement option selected by the student when the Century Choice Card was activated.

Registration Changes Drop/Withdrawal from some, but not all classes Drop/Withdrawal from all classes
Prior to 1st day of the semester
Prior to 1st day of the summer session
100%
100%
100%
100%
1st-5th day of the semester
1st-5th day of the summer session
100%
100%
100%
100%
6th-10th day of the semester
6th-10th day of the summer session
0%
0%
75%
50%
11th-15th day of the semester
Remainder of the summer session
0%
0%
50%
0%
16th-20th day of the semester
Remainder of the summer session
0%
0%
25%
0%
Remainder of the semester
Remainder of the summer session
0%
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Exceptions

100% refunds are given after the first five days of the semester/session, when a class is canceled. Refunds other than the scheduled amount may be given when there is injury or illness, or when there is college error. This is done through the petition process. Complete a Refund or Late Withdrawal Petition form at the Business Office, room 2340 west campus. Documentation will be required. Refund requests must be made by the end of the following semester for the course in question. Note: Refunds are based on the first day of the semester/session, not the first day of the class (except for late-start classes).

Late Start Courses:

Courses starting after the first 5 days of the semester/session. Refunds are calculated according to the beginning date of the course. 100% refunds are available only through the day after the first scheduled class day.

Short Courses:

For short courses running less than three weeks, 100% refunds are available only through the day after the first scheduled class day.

Withdrawal from the College/Financial Aid Refund Policy

Please contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing if you have any questions regarding your possible repayment obligation.

If a student completely withdraws from all credits before the 60 percent point of the semester, their financial aid is subject to the State and Federal financial aid refund policy. Under this policy, students earn financial aid in proportion to the time they are enrolled up to the 60 percent point. The unearned share of the federal financial aid must be returned to the program from which it was paid as prescribed by federal regulations in the following order:

  1. Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan
  2. Federal Subsidized Direct Loan
  3. PLUS Loan
  4. Federal Pell Grant
  5. Federal SEOG

State financial aid programs are refunded to the Minnesota Office of Higher Education/State of Minnesota.

The student may be required to repay a portion of financial aid they received. For example, if a student withdraws after completing 30% of the term, they are entitled to keep approximately 30% of their financial aid and must repay the remaining 70%.

After the 60 percent point of the semester, the student is considered to have earned all of the financial aid eligibility and no refund is required for withdrawal.

Please contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing if you have any questions regarding your possible repayment obligation.

Official Withdrawal: When the student officially withdraws from all courses after the semester begins, the Financial Aid Office will use the withdrawal date to determine the portion of the Federal Title IV aid earned (or could have been earned) to be used to pay institutional charges (such as tuition and fees).

Unofficial Withdrawal: A student is said to be unofficially withdrawn if they stop attending. Faculty report Last Date of Attendance and the student receives with a FW (faculty reported withdraw) or FN (faculty reported never attended). For a student who has been determined to have unofficially withdrawn, the date of withdrawal for purposes of the Return of Title IV refund calculation is deemed to be the last date of attendance recorded by the faculty at grading. A grade of F is considered a completed/earned F by the college. When a Last Date of Attendance can not be determined, the college will use the 50% point of the term.

Timeframe for R2T4 calculation: Federal regulation requires the college to calculate the Return to Title IV refunds within 30 days of determining an official or unofficial withdrawal date.

Post Withdrawal Disbursement: In some cases, a student may withdraw from all courses before aid has disbursed. A post withdrawal disbursement is done when a student shows they have withdrawn from all of their classes prior to financial aid disbursement but began attendance in all courses and are qualified for some (earned) aid.

For Pell grant eligibility only, the earned portion of the grant is disbursed to the student account.

Federal student loans will be processed according to the federal student loan regulations.

Refunds for Students in the Armed Forces

Refunds to students who are members of any branch of the U.S. military reserves and who are unable to complete a semester due to having been called to active duty shall to the extent possible be provided one of the following options:

  1. Students may be given a full refund of tuition. Students receiving financial aid who choose this option should be made aware that they may be liable for any required refunds of state or federal financial aid funds.
  2. Students may be given a grade of incomplete in a course and complete it upon release from active duty. Course completion may be accomplished by independent study or by retaking the course without payment of tuition. Under federal financial aid policies, a course that is retaken this way may not be counted toward students’ enrollment load.
  3. If, in the instructor’s judgment, students have completed sufficient course work to earn a grade of C or better, students may be given credit for completion of a course.