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Consumer Information

Consumer Information

Section One: General Information

  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
  • Facilities and Services for Students with Disabilities
  • Student Diversity
  • Biennial Survey on Intellectual Diversity
  • Cost of Attending the College
  • Cohort Default Rate
  • Refund Policies
  • Withdrawal Policy
  • Copyright Infringement Policies
  • Student Activities

Section Two: Academic Information

  • Accreditation Information
  • Educational Programs
  • Faculty
  • Instructional Facilities and Labs
  • Transfer of Credit Policies and Articulation Agreements

Section Three: Student Financial Assistance Programs

  • Student Financial Assistance
  • Student Rights and Responsibilities
  • Repayment Policy (Return of Title IV Financial Aid)

Section Four: Student Outcomes

  • Graduation, Transfer Out and Retention Rates
  • Graduation and Retention Rates for Athletes
  • Athletic Participate and Financial Support
  • Placement in Employment

Section Five: Health and Safety

  • Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program
  • Campus Safety and Security
  • Vaccination Policy
  • Voter Registration

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student educational records. This law applies to all schools receiving federal funding and establishes rules regarding the access to and disclosure of student educational records. FERPA provides for the right to inspect and review records, the right to request an amendment to records, and the right to limit the disclosure of student educational records.

In order to comply with FERPA, Pellissippi State follows the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Policy 3:02:03:00 and Guideline S-020. This policy outlines what information is considered directory information, parameters surrounding the disclosure of student records, student right to access and request amendment to records, where student records are maintained, and the right to file a complaint regarding FERPA. Students can access this information through the online College Catalog.

All new Pellissippi State students receive information regarding FERPA through New Student Orientation.

Facilities and Services for Students with Disabilities

Pellissippi State Community College complies with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The Office of Disability Services coordinates services and academic accommodations for students on all campuses who self-identify and provide appropriate documentation of their disabling condition(s). Students requesting disability accommodations should contact the Disability Services office at 865-539-7153 by phone or via email at disabilityservices@pstcc.edu.

Student Diversity

Pellissippi State Community College’s demographic information can be found in the Fact Book, which is published each semester by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, Assessment and Planning. The Office of Acess & Diversity publishes the Campus Diversity Plan, which provides a realistic and measurable process for creating a diverse environment. Other demographics for the College can be found on the Tennessee Higher Education Commission’s (THEC) website.

Biennial Survey on Intellectual Diversity

Tennessee law requires all public higher education institutions to “conduct a biennial survey of the institution’s students and employees to assess the campus climate with regard to diversity of thought and the respondents’ comfort level in speaking freely on campus, regardless of political affiliation or ideology” (TCA 49-7-1905).

In accordance with Tennessee law, the Tennessee Board of Regents invited faculty, staff, and students at community colleges and the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology to participate in a survey about experiences at their colleges.
 
All faculty, staff, and students were sent this survey, which asked about the diversity of thought and viewpoints on their college campus. The survey was available from Friday, January 20, 2023, through Wednesday, February 1, 2023. Participation in this survey was completely voluntary.
 
 
Cost of Attending the College
 

Pellissippi State Community College’s tuition and fee schedule is available at pstcc.edu/finance/cashier/fees/. Detailed information regarding tuition and fees is available in the online College Catalog and Handbook. The Net Price Calculator can be found on the Financial Aid Office website. The price of textbooks can be found online through the college Bookstore website.

Cohort Default Rate

Pellissippi State’s latest cohort default rate for Fiscal Year 2019 is 2.8%. The national student loan default rate for the Fiscal Year 2019 is 2.3% calculated on September 14, 2022.  Approximately 8.7% of Pellissippi State students borrowed student loans in 2019.

Refund Policies

College refund policies are outlined in the online College Catalog. College refund policies can be found online. College refund policies are aligned with Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) guideline B-060 Fees, Charges, Refunds, and Fee Adjustments. Refund dates are outlined in the Academic Calendar.

Withdrawal Policy

Pellissippi State Community College’ withdrawal policy allows for the withdrawal from courses without penalty through certain points in the semester, which are published in Academic Calendar. Information regarding the withdrawal policy can be found in the online College Catalog.

Copyright Infringement Policies

Pellissippi State Community College has institutional policies related to copyrighted materials. College policy 03:16:01 Use of Copyrighted Materials addresses this issue. Other policies related to copyrighted materials include policy 08:13:05 Computer System Use and college policy 04:02:00 Student Code of Conduct and Due Process. Policy 04:02:00 prohibits unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing, unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials, and the disciplinary actions that can be taken for such violations. This policy is distributed annually by the vice president of Student Affairs.

Student Activities

Pellissippi State Community College offers a diversity of student activities through its Student Engagement and Leadership department. The purpose of SEAL is to provide learning and personal development in co-curricular activities and experiences where students connect with other students, faculty, staff and the community. Pellissippi State offers a variety of student organizations that provide personal enrichment opportunities and help students to develop skills in leadership, event planning, budgeting, communication and marketing.

Accreditation Information

Pellissippi State Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award the associate degree. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Pellissippi State Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, GA 30033
(404) 679-4500

Educational Programs

Information regarding Pellissippi State Community College’s academic programs can be found in the online Catalog (http://catalog.pstcc.edu/content.php?catoid=14&navoid=809  These academic programs include Tennessee Transfer Pathways, Transfer/University Parallel Programs (AA, AS and AST degrees), Career Technical Programs (AAS degrees), and Certificate Programs. Further information regarding the Tennessee Transfer pathways can be found online at http://www.tntransferpathway.org/.

Faculty

A directory of Pellissippi State’s faculty can be found through our email system. Individuals can request faculty contact information by calling 865-694-6400.

Instructional Facilities and Labs

Information regarding Pellissippi State’s instructional facilities and labs can be found by contacting Regina McNew, Director of Facilities, at 865-694-6650 or via email at rdmcnew@pstcc.edu.

Transfer of Credit Policies and Articulation Agreements

Information regarding transfer programs and articulation agreements with other colleges can be found in the online College Catalog. The information includes the University Parallel Guarantee, Tennessee Transfer Pathways, and articulation and transfer agreements.

Information regarding awarding of transfer credit at Pellissippi State from other colleges and information regarding alternative ways of earning credit can be found in the College Catalog and Handbook.

Student Financial Assistance

The student financial aid program at Pellissippi State is designed to assist students who find it difficult to attend college without financial assistance. Pellissippi State offers a comprehensive program of financial aid through scholarships, part-time employment, grants and loans. Major emphasis is placed on financial need, academic achievement, character and promise of future success. Students may apply for either one or a combination of types of financial aid.

The basis for determining financial need is the result of an analysis of the parents’ and/or student’s resources as provided by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application is completed on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Eligibility for financial aid is based on financial need, availability of funds and ability to maintain satisfactory academic progress. To qualify a student must

  1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student. Aid to determine financial need.
  2. Apply for admission to Pellissippi State as a regular, degree-seeking student.
  3. Submit documentation (tax transcripts, verification forms, etc.) to the Pellissippi State Financial Aid Office if requested.
  4. Have official academic transcripts sent to Pellissippi State’s Enrollment Services from all postsecondary institutions previously attended.
  5. Meet Pellissippi State’s satisfactory academic progress standards for financial aid recipients.

Pellissippi State encourages students to apply early for financial aid. There are priority deadlines for each semester as outlined in the Academic Calendar. Financial aid files completed as of these priority deadlines will be given first consideration in the allocation of institutional and federal campus-based funds. Files completed after the priority deadlines will be accepted and awards made to eligible students on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funds are available.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Pellissippi State Community College students have certain rights and responsibilities. These are outlined in Policy 04:02:02 Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities of Students.

Students have the following rights and responsibilities relative to financial aid at Pellissippi State Community College.

Students have the responsibility to:

  • Attend all classes for which they are registered.
  • Complete all financial aid forms accurately and submit them on time to the right place. A new application for aid must be submitted each academic year.
  • Return all documentation, verification, corrections and/or new information requested in a timely manner.
  • Not be in default on a student loan or owe a repayment on a state or federal grant.
  • Notify the Financial Aid Office of the receipt of any outside grant, scholarship or benefit.
  • Know the institution’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Title IV financial aid recipients.
  • Talk with a financial aid staff member before dropping or withdrawing from a course.
  • Perform the work agreed upon in accepting a federal/institutional work-study award.

Students have the right to:

  • Know what financial aid programs are available at Pellissippi State.
  • Know the cost of tuition and fees.
  • Know how financial aid will be distributed, how decisions on distribution are made and the basis for these decisions.
  • Know how their cost of attendance budget was determined, including the cost for tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation, and miscellaneous/personal expenses.
  • Know what resources (such as parental contribution, student contribution, other financial aid, veterans benefits, etc.) were considered in the calculation of their need.
  • Know how much of their financial need has been met by financial aid.
  • Request an explanation of the various programs in their student aid package.
  • Know the institution’s return of Title IV funds policy.
  • Know the institution’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy for Title IV financial aid recipients.
  • Know what portion of the financial aid they receive must be repaid and what portion is gift aid. If the aid is a loan, they have the right to know what the interest rate is, the total amount that must be repaid, the repayment procedures, the length of the time they have to repay the loan and when repayment begins.

Repayment Policy (Return of Title IV Financial Aid)

Pellissippi State Community College complies with federal Title IV regulations relative to the return of tuition and institutional fees for federal financial aid recipients who stop attending classes. The Federal Return of Title IV Funds Policy applies to students receiving federal financial aid funds who completely withdraw from all courses prior to 60% of the semester. This policy also applies to students who stop attending classes before 60% of the semester. Information regarding Return of Title IV funds can be found in the online Catalog and from the Financial Aid Office.

Graduation, Transfer Out and Retention Rates

Pellissippi State Community College makes its graduation, transfer out, and retention rates available through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).  These data are available by visiting the IPEDS College Navigator website at http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator and searching for Pellissippi State Community College.

Additional data regarding the College can be found on the College’s Institutional Effectiveness, Assessment and Planning website.

Graduation and Retention Rates for Athletes

Pellissippi State Community College does not have an athletics program at this time.

Athletic Participate and Financial Support

Pellissippi State Community College does not have an athletics program at this time.

Placement in Employment

Pellissippi State Community College collects information regarding the job placement of its career technical graduates. This information is available on the Placement Office website.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program

Pellissippi State Community College distributes information to its students, faculty, and staff regarding its Drug-Free Campus/Workforce Policy. The Executive Director of Human Resources and Affirmative Action sends this information to all employees on an annual basis. The Vice President of Student Affairs annually sends this information via email to all students. All new students receive this information at New Student Orientation in the Need to Know document.

Further information regarding Pellissippi State’s alcohol and other drug prevention programs can be found at the TBR Drug and Alcohol Prevention website.

Campus Safety and Security

The Pellissippi State Community College Safety and Security Department publishes the Annual Security Report. This report is distributed annually by email to faculty, staff and students. The report is available on the IPEDS College Navigator website and on the OPE Campus Security Statistics website.

Vaccination Policy

Pellissippi State follows the vaccination policy of the Tennessee Board of Regents.

Voter Registration

Pellissippi State Community College makes voter registration information available the Student Affairs website. The College conducts periodic voter registration drives through the Service Learning department and through the Student Engagement and Leadership department.