Policies

Payment Policy:

Payments for tuition and fees are due to the Business Office and must be received by the stated deadline (day and time) on the academic calendar each semester. If you register during late registration, tuition and fee payments are due that day. Failure to pay by the stated deadline may result in your classes being dropped. If you register for late start classes after the last payment deadline, you may not be dropped for nonpayment. It is ultimately your responsibility to drop the classes that you do not want to take. Please note, that if you are not dropped from a class, you will be responsible for payment and will owe money to the college.

You are considered officially registered if you have:

• Paid in full (account balance is $0)
• Pending Financial Aid (as shown on your student account)
• Enrolled in a Payment Plan

Refund Policy:

Curriculum Programs

A 100% refund of tuition may be given if you officially drop a class prior to the first official day of the term or the day before a short term class (late start) begins. A 75% refund of tuition may be given if you officially drop a class prior to or on the 10% point of the term or the short term (late start) class. The drop deadlines are published on the student academic calendar. No refunds will be given after the 10% date. If a course is cancelled, refunds are automatically processed.

Regardless of when you officially drop/withdraw, you are still responsible for any fees and/or balance remaining on your account

Economic and Workforce Development

If a student officially drops from a state-supported class or classes before the 10 percent date of the class(es), a 75 percent tuition refund will be given for the class(es) dropped. A 100% refund will be made if the student withdraws from the class prior to the class start date. No refunds will be given after the 10 percent date. If a course fails to materialize, refunds are automatically processed. (The refund policy is subject to change. Refunds of tuition will be issued in accordance with the current state and college policy. Refund checks will be mailed within six weeks of class cancellation or notification of withdrawal from the class.)

Textbook Inclusion Fees

If students drop a course with textbook inclusion fees, full refunds will be given ten calendar days from the start of the class. Students must request a refund of these fees with the Records and Registration Office by calling 704.922.6232. This refund policy excludes Cengage Unlimited as this is a subscription fee not associated with one particular course or textbook.

Students called to active military duty may be allowed special provisions for refunds. Contact the Records and Registration Office at 704-922-6232 or gcregistrar@gaston.edu for Active Duty Provisions.

Returned Check Policy:

A $25 charge will be added to your account if a check is returned by your financial institution for any reason. Gaston College will not accept a check from anyone who has previously presented a check that was returned for any reason.

Any check returned for stop payment or drawn on a closed account, and not paid in full within 14 days of notification, may result in the incident being submitted to the Magistrate for criminal prosecution as specified by North Carolina General Statutes.

Transcript Policy:

• Transcripts will not be given to any student with a past-due balance.
• Unofficial transcripts are available free of charge.
• Official transcripts are available for $7 each.
• Payments for official transcripts can be made by cash, check, money order, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express.