Merced College 2010-2011 Catalog

MERCED COLLEGE 209.384.6000
● Subpoena Fee:
$15.00 per request.
Refund Policy: No refund available.
● Duplicate Diploma Fee:
$10.00 per request.
Refund Policy: No refund available.
Refund Policy
The general refund policy covers the following fees: enrollment
fees, State health fees, parking fees, student body fees, student
representation fees, and non-resident tuition.
You may apply for a refund if you withdraw from courses within
the first two weeks of a full semester (18-week) course or, in the
case of non 18-week courses, before 10% of the class meetings
have passed.
After the second week of a full-semester course, or after 10% of
the class meetings have passed on a non 18-week course, no
refunds are available. Any additional classes added after the first
two weeks will incur a financial responsibility.
Outstanding Debts Owed to the College
If you owe an outstanding debt to the College, a hold will be
placed on your academic records at the Office of Admissions and
Records. Services that the College normally provides you such as
your ability to register, order transcripts, or the issuance of your
diploma (and possibly other services) will not be available except
in certain extenuating circumstances.
Ordering transcripts and the issuance of your diploma will be
withheld until you clear the hold by paying in full. Your ability to
register will be reinstated after you have paid in full or set up a
payment plan with the College. To pay in full or arrange a payment
plan, contact the Student Fees Office at (209) 384-6219 (Merced)
or (209) 826-3431 (Los Baños). Credit card payments can be
made online at www.mccd.edu
Residency & Tuition
Establishing California Residency
To avoid paying non-resident tuition, you must have resided in
California for at least one year and one day prior to the opening date
of the semester or summer session in which you are enrolling. You
must also have satisfied at least two acts of intent prior to the one
year and one day waiting period. These acts may include, but are
not limited to, obtaining a California driver’s license, registering a
motor vehicle in California, registering to vote in California, owning
California property, or having one’s belongings in California. You
must also show evidence that California income taxes have been
or are being paid (unless you are on public support). Information
regarding California residency may be obtained in the Office of
Admissions and Records.
If you do not qualify for California residency, you must pay nonresident
tuition.
To Be Reclassified as a Resident
If you have completed the one year and one day requirement,
and were previously classified as a non-resident, you may
obtain the forms from the Office of Admissions and Records for
reclassification as a California resident. Reclassification has the
additional requirement of financial independence from your parents
24 • Admission & Registration •
if they are non-California residents.
Military Waiver of Non-resident Tuition
If you are a member of the U.S. armed forces on active duty in
the State of California (and have not been assigned to California
for educational purposes), you are exempt from non-resident
tuition. There is no requirement for you to establish California
residency; however, you must be on active duty at the time that
you are admitted to the College to qualify for this waiver. If you
become separated from the military, you will be required to provide
evidence of your intent to establish residency in California at least
one year prior to the date you are admitted.
If you are a non-resident military member, your dependents
are entitled to an exemption from non-resident tuition until they
have established residency as stated in “Establishing California
Residency” above.
Residency Status for Refugees and
Undocumented Aliens
New arrivals from countries approved for refugee status must
reside in California one year and must hold an I-181 or an “Alien
Registration Card” (green card) before applying for residency
status.
If you are a refugee, but do not meet the above requirements,
you will be considered a nonresident and must pay nonresident
tuition. Eligible California high school graduates may qualify to pay
resident tuition under the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption
law (AB 540).
The California Community College Chancellor’s Office has ruled
that undocumented aliens are to be classified as non-residents.
International Students
It is the philosophy of Merced College to encourage the attendance
of international students to enrich and broaden the educational
experiences of all students. With this philosophy as a basis, the
Merced College International Student Policies encompass the
following guidelines:
● A maximum number of international students equal to 5% of
the previous year’s full-time equivalent enrollment may be
admitted to Merced College.
● Discretion is used in selecting applicants to ensure that there
is a balance of international students from various countries
of the world.
● International student eligibility is based on meeting the
application requirements and English language proficiency
(TOEFL 450) by the semester deadline.
● Upon acceptance to the International Student Program, a
student is issued an I-20 immigration form that enables the
student to apply for his/her student visa.
To apply for admission under the International Student Program,
you should address a letter to the Program Assistant requesting
an application (there is an application fee). If you are admitted to
Merced College as an international student, you must pay nonresident
tuition plus state enrollment fees. Financial aid is NOT
available to international students. By the census date of each
class fees are due in full or a payment plan must be set up. Fees
must be paid in U.S. currency.