Frequently Asked Questions About Fees and Refunds

Q: After I register for a class, when are the fees due?
A: In adherence to De Anza College's payment policy, payment in full is required at the time of registration and when adding subsequent classes up to the Wednesday before the start of term. After the 5-calendar-days grace period, if your fee balance is more than $100, your classes will be dropped for nonpayment and released to other students.

Q: I am a California resident, but I’ve been charged a tuition fee. Why?
A: An error may have been made when you completed your application. It is possible that you have failed to meet California residency criteria – residing in California for one year and one day by the first day of term. For additional guidelines to residency determination and the appeal process, see http://www.deanza.edu/counseling/pdf/residencyappeal.pdf.

Q: I graduated from a California high school, left and then returned to California, and am now attending De Anza College. Should I be paying for out-of-state tuition?
A: You may qualify under AB540 to be exempt from paying nonresident tuition. Please submit a Residency: CA Non Resident Tuition Exemption to the Admissions and Records Office before the start of the term to be eligible for California residency for that term.

Q: I am a California resident who is attending a school outside of California but am also enrolled in classes at De Anza College. Should I be paying for out-of-state tuition?
A: If you have graduated from a California high school, you may qualify under AB540 to be exempt from paying nonresident tuition. Please submit a Residency: CA Non Resident Tuition Exemption to the Admissions and Records Office before start of term to be eligible for California residency for the that term.

Q: I am an alien student who is without lawful immigration status and have graduated from a California High School. Should I be paying for out-of-state tuition?
A: You may qualify under AB540 to be exempt from paying nonresident tuition. Please submit a Residency: CA Non Resident Tuition Exemption to the Admissions and Records Office before the start of the term to be eligible for California residency for that term.

Q: My residency is incorrect. How do I correct my record?
A: To correct your records, you must clearly prove both physical presence in California and intent to establish California residence. (Reference: ECS 68041; T5 54026). Bring to the Admissions and Records Office (3) documents supporting your California residency, along with a residence reclassification petition. You must apply for a change of status (PDF form) before the beginning of the quarter in which you wish to enroll. All residency-related documents must be submitted to Admissions and Records within the first two weeks of the quarter if the residency status change is to apply to that quarter. If the deadline is not met, the residency change will take effect in the next term in which you enroll.

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Q: What is the statute of limitation to reclassify to California resident status?
A: If you have had a change in residency status or are able to present sufficient proof to establish California residency, and were initially charged out-of-state fees in error, you must submit the Residency Form within the academic year (prior to June 30) of the documented residency change to be eligible for any credit/refund.

Q: I am a high school student who has authorization to concurrently enroll at De Anza College. Do I need to pay enrollment fees? If not, what do I need to pay?
A: No, high school students are exempt from paying enrollment fees. You would need to pay for the basic fees and any applicable material fees.

Q: What if my employer or a third party pays for my fees/tuition?
A: To secure your classes, you must submit your fee voucher to the Cashier’s Office by the fifth calendar day after you register.

Q: What if I have a scholarship that pays for my fees/tuition?
A: Before you register for classes, you must contact the Financial Aid office to facilitate the handling of your scholarship so you can secure your classes within five calendar days after you register.

Q: What if I have applied for a loan that will pay for my fees/tuition?
A: You must pay for your classes within five calendar days after you register to secure your classes.  You will be reimbursed directly from the lender according to the disbursement schedule disclosed to you by the financial aid officer.

Q: What if I have an approved PELL grant that will pay for my fees/tuition?
A: You must pay for your classes within five calendar days after you register to secure your classes. Your grant will be disbursed to you according to the disbursement schedule disclosed to you by the financial aid officer.

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Q: I have a Board of Governor’s fee waiver, why do I need to pay?
A: The approved BOGW exempts you from paying enrollment fees, but you are still responsible for basic and materials fees.

Q: Is the Board of Governor’s fee waiver automatically renewed in the new academic year?
A: No, you must reapply for BOGW in June to qualify for the new academic year because the waiver is based on current income information.

Q: What if I have a college fee waiver for military dependents?
A: To secure your classes, submit the fee waiver to the veteran’s desk in Admissions and Records within five calendar days after you register.

Q: Can I pay for my fees in installments?
A: Yes. The college offers no-fee installment payment plan options to students that have a good financial history with the school.  You will make three payments during the quarter/session.  For more information, see the installment payment plan Web site, visit the Cashier's Office or call 408-864-5699, 408-864-8290, or 408-864-5308.

Q: Will I be automatically dropped from my classes if I do not pay my fees when they are due?
A: No, it does not apply to all situations. The college does not automatically drop students for nonpayment after instruction begins. The college administers drops for nonpayment only from the first day of registration up to, but not including, the first day of the quarter/session. To qualify for a refund or credit to your account, it is the your responsibility to drop any unwanted classes upon start of instruction. Also, you may receive a failing grade for classes you register for and don’t attend without dropping. Failure to pay fees when they are due will result in a balance due hold on your account, which will prevent you from receiving registration services, including obtaining transcripts and registering for future classes in subsequent quarters.

Q: What happens if I register for a class and then decide to never attend or pay for the class?
A: You will remain officially enrolled in the class unless you are dropped for not paying by the fifth day after you register. Your instructor has the option to drop a student for non-attendance, but it is the student's responsibility to drop any unwanted classes. However, if you have paid your fees and then decide not to attend, you must officially drop the class to be eligible for a refund and to ensure that you won’t receive a failing grade for not attending the class.

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Q: What happens if I register for a class and subsequently stop attending?
A: You will remain officially enrolled in the class and the instructor may submit a withdraw indicating your last day of attendance, or may issue you a failing grade.

Q: How soon after I submit my payment should I expect to receive my registration verification?
A: Due to a paper reduction act, the college no longer mails out courtesy billing statements. It is your responsibility to review your fee balance online or inquire in person. The Cashier's Office processes all payments the same day they are received.

Q: How can I purchase a parking decal?
A: Student parking decals ordered and paid for online are subject to a small shipping and handling fee ($2.50-$6.00).  Upon completion of the online purchase, a printable receipt will be available. You will also receive a purchase confirmation via e-mail or text message. An interim permit will be immediately available. The interim permit (good for 15 calendar days from date of purchase) is for temporary display until your decal arrives in the mail. All decals are mailed to the address specified on the order.  In-person payments are still accepted at the cashier's counter in the Student and Community Services Building. There is no shipping and handling fee if you purchase your permit in person.  Students MUST pre-order the decal online before any payment will be accepted at the cashier's counter.

Q: Will I get a parking ticket if I don't receive my parking decal in time for the first day of school?
A: Yes, if you park without displaying a valid student-parking sticker for the quarter in which you are enrolled, you will be issued a parking ticket. Parking decals are available beginning the first day of active registration. All students must pre-order the decal online. You may pay for it in person or online. All paid orders are mailed by the next business day. If your parking permit does not arrive before the quarter begins, make sure you buy a daily permit when you park in the parking lots. Parking decals are valid three weeks before the start of the quarter/session and up to one week after the end of the quarter/session.

Q: Where are students authorized to park with a valid student parking permit?
A: With a valid student parking permit, students are permitted to park in any student parking lot on the campus. However, you are not authorized to park in any staff or non designated parking space unless you have a valid staff parking permit. You are not authorized to park in a space designated for handicapped parking without a valid disabled person parking placard or license plate.

Q: Can I get a transcript of my grades even though I owe money to the college?
A: No. In fact, you may be denied access to any and all college services until your account is fully paid.

Q: I just received a notice from my bank that a check I made out to De Anza bounced. What should I do?
A: Immediately contact the Cashier's Office and make arrangements to redeem your account by paying in cash before the office actually takes physical custody of the check. Doing this will relieve you of the $25 bad check; however, time is of the essence in this matter. Any delay could result in a $25 bad check fee as well as a suspension of your check writing privileges at De Anza.

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Q: What is the drop deadline for refund of enrollment, basic and tuition fees?
A: The drop deadline for a refund of enrollment fees for quarter-length classes is the second Friday of the quarter and the first Friday of summer session. The drop deadline for all non-quarter-length classes is at the 10% point of the length of the course. Basic fees are refunded only if you fully withdraw from the quarter by the deadline specified above. Tuition fees are refunded on a sliding scale up to the fourth week of the quarter and the second week of summer session.

Q: How do I obtain a refund that is due to me?
A: To receive a full refund, you must first drop all of your unwanted classes by the deadline. Refunds are not automatic. All refund requests must be in writing. You can come to the Cashier's Office and complete an official refund request form or download the form on our Web site. You can also request a refund in the form of your original transaction method (credit card or check only) by e-mailing your request to: deanzacashier@fhda.edu with valid information to facilitate your refund. You may also send your written request via fax by providing your full name, method of refund, credit card number and expiration date (if payment was by credit card), billing zip code and authorizing signature.

Q: How soon after the request is submitted will I receive my refund?
A: Refund requests are processed no earlier than the third week of the quarter.  If the student has fully withdrawn, has been granted a BOG fee waiver, or has successfully established California residency that prompted a credit balance, the refund will be processed immediately.  If you paid by check, there is a 30-day waiting period before refund requests are processed.