In accordance with federal regulations set forth by The Higher Education Act of 1965,
as amended, consumer information must be disclosed to all students at Lawson State
Community College. If you need assistance obtaining information or you would like
a paper copy, contact Lawson State at help@lawsonstate.edu.
AVAILABILITY OF INSTITUTIONAL AND FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
The primary purpose of student financial assistance programs at Lawson State Community
College is to assist students with meeting the cost of their education. All students
are encouraged to apply. Lawson State Community College is required to communicate
the availability of financial aid programs to students and prospective students. Information
regarding financial aid programs is included in the College Catalog and on the College
website. Individuals may also contact the Office of Financial Aid at the following
locations:
Lawson State Community College
Birmingham Campus
3060 Wilson Road S.W.
Birmingham, AL 35221
(205) 929-6301
Lawson State Community College
Bessemer Campus
1100 9th Ave. S.W.
Bessemer, AL 35022
(205) 929-3414
Click here for information regarding financial aid programs, services, and application procedures.
STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Information regarding student rights and responsibilities are outlined in the College Catalog and is included in this document for review.
Students have the right to know the following information regarding financial aid at Lawson State Community College:
Students have the following responsibilities:
Scholarship Fraud
On November 5, 2000, Congress passed the College Scholarship Fraud Prevention Act
to enhance protection against fraud in student financial assistance. According to
the Federal Trade Commission, perpetrators of financial aid fraud often use luring
lines to sell their scholarship services. Students should avoid any scholarship service
or website which asserts any of the following statements:
If you believe you have been the victim of scholarship fraud and wish to file a complaint, or want more information, call 1-877-FTC-HELP or visit the website at www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams.
FACILITIES AND SERVICES FOR DISABLED STUDENTS
Information on facilities and services for disabled students is outlined on the Disability
Services section of the College website.
Interested individuals may also contact the College's Compliance Officer.
Birmingham Campus
Mrs. Janine Jones
3060 Wilson Road
Birmingham, AL 35221
Physical Location: Student Success Center, Rm. 220
Phone: (205) 929-6449
Email: jjones@lawsonstate.edu
Bessemer Campus
Mrs. Janine Jones
1100 9th Ave. S.W.
Physical Location: Room 183, Building A
Phone: (205) 929-6449
Email: jjones@lawsonstate.edu
STUDENT BODY DIVERSITY
Student demographic information is reported to the National Center for Educational
Statistics through the Integrated Postsecondary Educational Data Systems (IPEDS).
Click here for the entire report.
COST OF ATTENDING THE COLLEGE
Tuition and fees are subject to change. A tuition and fees schedule is included in
the College Catalog and on the College website. Click here for the tuition and fees schedule.
ADDITIONAL FEES:
Tuition and fees do not include textbook prices,online testing fees for online classes (which is $50 per online) or other fees associated with select classes to include but are not limited to uniform costs, equipment, Internet costs, computer cost, materials and supplies. See the course syllabus for more fee notifications per class.
For additional information or to request a paper copy of the estimated cost of attendance contact:
Office of Financial Aid
Birmingham Campus: (205) 929-6393
Bessemer Campus: (205) 929-3423
finaid@lawsonstate.edu
NET PRICE CALCULATOR
Student interested in calculating the cost of their attendance at the college may
also click here to access the Net Price Calculator.
REFUND POLICY
LSCC has a refund policy that stipulates the amount of tuition and fees to be refunded
to students who withdraw from classes during a term. The refund policy is included
in the College Catalog on the website. Click here for information regarding the refund policy. Questions regarding the calculations
of refunds may be directed to the Business Office at (205) 929-6350.
WITHDRAWAL PROCEDURES and REFUNDS
To be entitled to a refund of tuition and fees, students on the LSCC must officially
withdraw in person by visiting the College and completing a withdrawal form or use
E-withdrawal. Click here for additional details regarding the withdrawals.
OFFICIALLY WITHDRAWING FROM A CLASS OR CLASSES
Depending upon the date of withdrawal, one of the following situations will apply:
A student who officially or unofficially withdraws from all classes before the first day of class will be refunded the total tuition and other institutional charges. (The “first day of class†is the first day classes are offered within any term configuration, including, but not limited to, full terms, split terms, mini-terms, and weekend terms.)
A student who officially processes a withdrawal from the College after classes begin, but before the end of the first week of classes (five calendar days from the term's class begin date), will receive a refund of all charges.
A student who officially or unofficially withdraws completely on or after the first day of class but prior to the end of the third week of class will be refunded according to the withdrawal date, as follows:
Withdrawal during first week 75% of tuition and other institutional charges
Withdrawal during second week 50% of tuition and other institutional charges
Withdrawal during third week 25% of tuition and other institutional charges
Withdrawal after end of third week No refund
For calculating refunds during the fall and spring sixteen-week terms, a “week†is defined as seven calendar days. Refunds of tuition for terms shorter than sixteen weeks, such as summer terms, mini-terms, split terms, and weekend terms, will reflect a prorated week based on the number of days in the term.
An administrative fee not to exceed 5% of tuition and other institutional charges or $100, whichever is smaller, shall be assessed for each withdrawal within the period beginning the first day of class and ending at the end of the third week of class.
If a student officially processes a withdrawal from the College before the 60% point of the term/semester has lapsed, College scholarships will be removed from the student's account for the term/semester. Students should check with the source of their scholarship or any Non-Title IV Aid for more information (admissions, athletics, foundation, and departmental). The Office of Student Financial Services will recalculate a student's Title IV Aid based on the Federal Return of Title IV Formula. Students will be responsible for any balance.
If a student officially processes a withdrawal from the College after the 60% point of the term/semester, the student will not be required to return any Title IV Aid received for the term/semester. However, College scholarships will be removed from the student's account (admissions, athletics, foundation, and departmental). Students should check with the source of their scholarship or any Non-Title IV Aid for more information. Students will be responsible for any balance.
Courses attempted prior to withdrawal from the College will count in the calculation of Satisfactory Academic Progress. Satisfactory Progress is calculated annually and is checked when a student reapplys for financial aid. Students could be denied future aid if they do not meet our Standards of Academic Progress.
REPAYMENT POLICY (RETURN OF TITLE IV AID)
The federal government mandates any student who withdraws from all classes may only
keep the financial aid (federal "Title IV" grant) they have "earned" up to the time
of withdrawal. Funds that were disbursed in excess of the earned amount must be returned
by the College and/or the student to the federal government. The repayment policy
is available on the web and in the College Catalog. Questions regarding the calculations
of refunds may be directed to the Office of Business Affairs at (205) 929-6350.
RETURN OF TITLE IV FORMULA
Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended in 1998, (Title IV and HEA
program) establishes general rules that apply to federal student financial assistance
programs. Federal regulations require a specific refund calculation for all students
receiving Federal Title IV funds. Those Federal Title IV Funds at Lawson State Community
College are the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant and Federal
College Work-Study; however, Federal College Work-Study is not included in the Return
of Title IV calculation. The percentage of Federal Title IV funds earned is created
by dividing the number of calendar days completed by the time of withdrawal date by
number of calendar days in the term. The number of days counted includes all calendar
days in the semester including weekends and holidays, but excludes college breaks
of five or more days. If it is determined the student has completed more than 60%
of the term, the student is considered to have earned 100% of the Federal Title IV
Funds.
The unearned portion of federal aid funds received must be returned to the appropriate aid program in accordance with the order of return as mandated by law. The order of return at Lawson State Community College is: Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG Grant, other Title IV aid.
The College is responsible for returning the lesser of unearned Federal Title IV aid or unearned institutional charges. Unearned institutional charges are based on the percentage of the semester the student did not attend. The College is responsible for its return of funds first, followed by the student's return of funds. Keep in mind that when Federal Title IV Funds are returned, this may create a balance due to Lawson State from the student. A statement is forwarded to the students regarding these charges with a point of contact being the Business Affairs Office.
POST-WITHDRAWAL
If it is determined a student earned more Federal Title IV aid than was disbursed,
the institution may owe the student a post-withdrawal disbursement which must be paid
within 120 days of the student’s withdrawal.
TEXTBOOK INFORMATION
While some classes have free textbooks other classes do have textbooks that require
students to purchase. For textbook price listings, click here and enter information for your chosen course.
Click here to learn more about additional fees for online and virtual courses. Such fees cannot be waived. Students wishing not to be assessed additional fees should register for the course on campus.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
Information on the College’s academic, career & technical health, continuing education,
adult education, and distance education degree and certificate program offerings is
available in the College Catalog and on the website. For information regarding plans for future programs, contact
the Office of the Vice President for Instructional Services, Dr. Bruce Crawford, at
(205) 929-2015 or bcrawford@lawsonstate.edu.
INSTRUCTIONAL FACILITIES AND LABS
Information on the College's instructional facilities and laboratories is available
from the Office of Vice President for Instructional Services, 3060 Wilson Road, S.W.,
Birmingham, AL 35221 (205) 929-2015. Click here for detailed campus maps.
FACULTY
Information on the College's faculty is available in the back of the College Catalog.
TRANSFER OF CREDIT AND ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS
The College is required to communicate its policy on transfer credit. Information
regarding the College’s policies regarding transfer of credit is outlined in the College
Catalog and has also been included in this section. Students or prospects with questions
regarding transfer of credit may contact the Admissions Office at (205) 929-6301 or
email the Admissions Office at admissions@lawsonstate.edu.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR TRANSFER OF CREDIT
Course work transferred or accepted for credit toward an undergraduate program must
represent collegiate course work relevant to the formal award. Course content and
level of instruction must result in student competencies at least equivalent to those
of students enrolled in College undergraduate formal award programs. In assessing
and documenting equivalent learning and qualified faculty members, the College may
use recognized guides that aid in the evaluation for credit. Such guides include those
published by the American Council on Education, the American Association of Collegiate
Registrars and Admissions Officers, and the National Association of Foreign Student
Affairs.
Courses completed with a passing grade at other duly accredited institutions are accepted for transfer as potentially creditable toward graduation requirements.
Transfer students who desire to have course work completed at international colleges or universities evaluated for transfer credit must submit an evaluation provided by an organization affiliated with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS
The Statewide Transfer and Articulation Reporting System (Alabama Transfers) allows public two-year students in Alabama to obtain a transfer guide/agreement
for the major of their choice. The guide/agreement, if used correctly, guides the
student through his/her first two years of coursework and prevents loss of credit
hours upon transfer to the appropriate public four-year university in Alabama. The
Alabama Articulation and General Studies Committee (AGSC) is responsible for oversight
and monitoring of the Alabama Transfers System.
The Alabama Community College System's 2 to 4 Transfer Program facilitates the seamless transfer from community colleges to selected independent colleges and universities in Alabama. The 2 to 4 Transfer Program is similar to the Alabama Transfers program in that it allows transfer to four-year institutions. A transfer agreement, if used correctly, will guide the student through their first two years of coursework and prevent loss of credit hours upon transfer to appropriate independent four-year colleges and universities in Alabama.
ACCREDITATION, LICENSURE, AND APPROVAL INFORMATION
Students may review copies of documents regarding entities that accredit, license,
or approve the College and its programs. T.A. Lawson State Community College is accredited
by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award
associate in arts, science, and applied science degrees. Students may contact the
Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call
404-697-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Lawson State Community College.
Information regarding accreditations is included in the College Catalog and on the
College website.
Please note that for accreditation purposes, the college is recognized as T.A. Lawson State Community College. Normal inquiries about the institution, such as admissions requirements, financial aid, educational programs, etc., should be addressed directly to T.A. Lawson State Community College and not the Commission's office. The Commission is to be contacted only if there is evidence that appears to support significant non-compliance with a requirement or standard.
Click here for a full listing of accrediting entities for the College.
STATE AUTHORIZATIONS FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION
In accordance with the U.S. Department of Education’s regulation (34 C.F.R. § 600.9)
Lawson State Community College is also authorized by certain states to provide distance
education to residents residing outside of the state of Alabama. Click here to review
the College’s state authorization disclaimers and/or approval.
Computer Systems Acceptable Use Policies & More:
Computer Systems Acceptable Use Policy
