Tuition is computed on the basis of $995 per semester unit for the 2023-2024 academic year. Tuition and fees are due and payable at registration, unless other arrangements have been made. Adjustments in tuition will not be made for late enrollment or absence from class.
2023-'24 Academic Year Tuition and Fees
| Tuition (per unit) | $995 |
| Student Association Fee (Fall & Spring semester) | $35 |
| Registration Fee (per semester) | $25 |
| Technology Fee | $250 |
| Matriculation Fee | $300 |
The Matriculation Fee is assessed at the start of the student’s last semester. The fee is assessed regardless of whether or not the student participates in the graduation ceremony. The fee is refunded if the student fails to meet the academic requirements for graduation.
Service Specific Fees Are Non-Refundable
These fees are for services rendered at the time the fees are paid and are non-refundable.
| Application Fee | $50 |
| Enrollment Deposit | $100 |
| Late Registration Fee | $40 (plus $5 per business day thereafter) |
| Deferred Payment Fee | $15 |
| Re-examination Fee | $150 |
| Schedule Change Fee | $25 |
| Transcript Fee | $10 |
| Returned Check Fee | $20 |
| Examsoft Late Upload Fee |
$100 first incident, |
No services will be provided by SJCL to or for any student or graduate who is delinquent in payment of tuition or fees at SJCL. San Joaquin College of Law reserves the right to change tuition and/or fees at any time.
No services will be provided by SJCL to or for any student or graduate who is delinquent in payment of tuition or fees at SJCL. San Joaquin College of Law reserves the right to change tuition and/or fees at any time.
Schedule Change Fee
A student may make a change (add and/or drop a class or change sections if permissible) after the close of Registration and up to 5pm on the first Friday of the semester without fee by notifying the Registrar via email.
A $25.00 Schedule Change Fee will be assessed for every add/drop form submitted (excluding Clinical, Direct Research or TA Units and authorized/approved section changes) through the last refund date of the semester. See Add/Drop policy. A Schedule Change Fee will not be assessed for Administrative Withdrawals.
Adds, Drops, Withdrawals, and Refunds of Classes
A student may ADD or DROP an individual class to his/her educational program in accordance with the following policy. If, in adding or dropping a class, a student’s course load for the semester either exceeds the maximum, or drops below the minimum number of units allowed per semester (see “Unit Registration Requirements” in the Juris Doctor Program section of this handbook), permission of the Dean or Dean’s designee must be obtained.
A student may ADD a class prior to the first meeting of that class. After the first meeting, no class may be added without the written permission of the instructor. No class may be added after the third class meeting. Externship courses are an exception and may be added at any time. A student must register and pay for externship units prior, to beginning the work for which they plan to seek credit.
Whenever a student adds a class, he/she is responsible for payment of the full tuition for that class. Substituting one class for another is considered adding a class.
To DROP a class, the student must notify the Registrar of the law program in writing of his/ her decision. A class dropped after the second week of the semester will be recorded as a “W’ on the official transcript. A student may drop a class no later than two weeks prior to the final examination. In some classes, like Moot Court and Trial Practice, special deadlines will be announced. Failure to drop formally from a class by the established deadline, results in a failing grade for that class.
Tuition refunds for dropped classes will be calculated from the date of the written notice. Any refund due a student will be paid within 30 days after written notification of the student’s decision to drop is received. Consult the Dropping a Class Refund Schedule below to determine periods eligible for a refund. CAUTION: Reduction in units may jeopardize your financial aid.
Drop a Class Refund Schedule
The following schedule applies when a student drops an individual class but does not completely withdraw from school. A student completely withdrawing from school should consult the SJCL Withdrawal Refund Schedule.
Fall and Spring Semesters
| Notification Date of Dropping Class | Tuition Refund % |
|---|---|
| Day 1 through Day 21 of the semester* | 100% |
| Day 22 and thereafter | No Refund |
Summer Semester
| Notification Date of Dropping Class | Tuition Refund % |
|---|---|
| Day 1 through Day 8 of the semester* | 100% |
| Day 9 and thereafter | No Refund |
*All calculations are in calendar days beginning the first day of the semester
Student Notice to SJCL of Complete Withdrawal
Official notice of complete withdrawal from school must be made in writing, electronically, or verbally to one of the following individuals:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Dean
- Dean of Students
- Director of Student Services
- Financial Aid Director
Students are strongly advised to submit a written notice of their withdrawal. Official withdrawal forms are available at the reception desk. The SJCL Withdrawal Refund will be calculated from the last documented day of attendance.
A student who elects to completely withdraw from all classes at SJCL may receive a refund of tuition and fees, if eligible, in accordance with the following policy. Refunds are calculated based upon the total semester cost of tuition and fees less an administrative fee equal not greater than $100. The refund policy is subject to change in accordance with federal and state regulations. For specific information regarding a student’s potential refund, the student is strongly urged to consult the Financial Aid or Accounting Office prior to withdrawing.
The following schedule applies only to Complete Withdrawal from the fall, spring or summer session at SJCL. Students receiving Federal Direct loans must also refer to the new federal Return of Title IV Funds policy. In effect, this policy requires SJCL to return student loan funds used to pay for tuition and fees if a student withdraws before the 60% point of the semester, frequently resulting in the student owing the school money for tuition and fees previously paid for with financial aid funds.
Tuition & Fees
| Time of Complete Withdrawal | Refund % |
|---|---|
| On or before the 7th day of the semester | 100% |
| On the 8th day of the semester and through completion of 10% of the semester | 90% |
| Through completion of 25% of the semester | 50% |
| Through completion of 50% of the semester | 25% |
| After completion of 50% of the semester | No Refund |
- All calculations are in calendar days.
- Tuition and fees refund percentage is calculated less the administrative fee
- The 90% tuition/fee refund is not applicable to the summer term due to its length.
Return of Title IV Funds Policy
Federal Title IV student loan recipients must understand the Federal Return of Title IV Funds policy, to determine the amount of loan funds they are eligible to keep when they completely withdraw from classes. In effect this federal policy requires SJCL to return a percentage of student loan funds used to pay tuition and fees, when a student withdraws before the 60% point of the semester, frequently resulting in the student owing the school money.
Calculation of Amount of Title IV Federal Loans Earned
Through the 60% point in each payment period or semester, a pro rata schedule is used to determine how much federal student loan aid the student has “earned” at the time of withdrawal. The percentage earned is calculated by dividing the number of calendar days in the semester completed as of the last documented day of attendance by the number of calendar days in the semester (excluding scheduled breaks of 5 days or more). The resulting percentage is multiplied by the net amount of financial aid received, or that could have been received, to determine the amount of aid “earned.”
Calculation of Unearned Title IV Federal Loan Funds to be Returned
The difference between the net amount of aid received and the amount earned is the amount of “unearned” aid that must be returned. The school is responsible for returning the lesser of 1) the amount of unearned aid received or 2) the percentage of aid unearned multiplied by the amount of institutional charges (tuition, registration fee and student association fee) for the semester. The student is responsible for returning any remaining unearned financial aid. Students can return unearned loan amounts in accordance with the terms of the promissory note.
The key thing to understand about the Return of Title IV Funds Policy is that a student loan recipient who stops attending classes at or before the 60% point in the semester may owe the school money for tuition. The closer to the 60% point a student withdraws the more money he or she may owe the school.
Students considering withdrawing from San Joaquin College of Law are strongly urged to contact the Financial Aid Office to ensure they understand all of the financial implications. Sample Return of Title IV Fund calculations are available in the Financial Aid Office upon request.
Return of Federal Loan Funds
If a student’s LDA (last date of attendance) for the semester is after the 60% point the student has earned all of the Title IV loan funds and no funds are returned.
If a student’s LDA (last date of attendance) for the enrolled period is on or before the 60% point the unearned portion of the Title IV loan funds must be returned. Refer to the Return of Title IV Funds policy or the Financial Aid office for further instructions on calculating return of “unearned” loan funds.
Return of Federal Loan Funds Withdrawal Schedule
(2023-’24 Academic Year)
Summer 2023 – 2 unit classes
- Enrollment period: 6/5/23 – 7/11/23
- Calendar days in semester: 37 days
- 60% point – LDA for return of loan funds: 6/26/22
- No return of loan funds 6/27/2023 and after.
Fall 2023
- Enrollment period: 8/14/23 – 12/8/23
- Calendar days in semester: 117 days
- 60% point - LDA for return of loan funds: 10/22/23
- No return of loan funds 10/23/2023 and after.
Spring 2024
- Enrollment period: 1/8/24 – 5/10/24
- Calendar days in semester: 114 days
(excluding 10-day spring break) - 60% point – LDA for return of loan funds: 3/18/24
- No return of loan funds 3/19/2024 and after.
Refund Distribution
Where a refund is applicable, SJCL must return funds in the following order under federal regulations:
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized
- Federal Grad PLUS
- Other Federal, Title IV assistance programs
- Other Federal, State, private or institutional assistance programs
- Student
Student loan recipients are urged to consult with the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing.
Tuition Tax Credits or Deductions
In addition to the financial aid already mentioned, many students are eligible for the Lifetime Learning income tax credit or a Deduction for Higher-Education Expenses for qualified tuition and fee expenses. These credits/deductions are claimed when federal tax returns are filed. Contact your tax preparer, or download the IRS publication 970 from the IRS website, https://www.irs.gov/ for further information. You may also call 1-800-TAX-FORM for the form.