Choosing a career in radiology technology is a significant decision, and understanding the financial investment involved is a crucial step. For prospective students considering the American Career College (ACC) Radiology program, a clear picture of the program costs is essential. This article breaks down the fees and expenses associated with enrolling in a diploma or associate degree program at ACC, providing a comprehensive overview to help you plan your educational journey.
Application Fees at American Career College
The first step in enrolling at American Career College involves understanding the application fees. It’s important to note that these fees are non-refundable.
- Diploma Programs: Applicants for all diploma programs, except Vocational Nursing, are required to pay a $20 nonrefundable application fee upon enrollment.
- Associate Degree Programs & Vocational Nursing Diploma: Students applying for Associate degree programs, as well as the Vocational Nursing diploma program, will encounter a higher $60 nonrefundable application fee upon enrollment.
This initial fee is a standard part of the enrollment process and should be factored into your overall program cost calculation.
Program Fees: What to Expect Beyond Tuition
Beyond tuition, American Career College outlines various program fees that cover essential resources and services to support your learning experience. These fees can fluctuate depending on the specific program you choose.
These program-specific fees encompass a range of items, including:
- Customized Uniforms: Certain programs may require specialized uniforms to meet professional standards in clinical or practical settings.
- Classroom Consumables: Fees contribute to the cost of materials directly used in classroom learning, ensuring you have the necessary resources for hands-on training.
- Administrative and Technology Fees: These fees support the administrative infrastructure and technology platforms that facilitate your education, including access to online resources and student services.
- Campus Safety Resources: A portion of the fees is allocated to maintaining and enhancing campus safety. This includes training activities, security systems like cameras and access control, and emergency broadcast systems, ensuring a secure learning environment.
- Clinical and Degree Program Specific Fees: For programs with clinical components, such as the Radiology program, and degree programs, additional fees may apply. These can cover:
- Health and Background Screenings: Essential for programs involving patient care, ensuring student and patient safety.
- Test Preparation: Resources and materials designed to help you prepare for crucial exams within your program.
- Examinations: Fees associated with administering and processing program-related examinations.
- Licensure and Certification: Costs related to professional licensure or certification that may be required upon program completion to practice in your chosen field.
It’s important to inquire specifically about the program fees associated with the Radiology program at American Career College to get a precise estimate.
Books, Supplies, and Course Materials: Opt-Out Options
American Career College includes the cost of books, a laptop computer, digital or electronic course materials, and other supplies in the overall program charges. However, students have the option to opt out of this inclusion and purchase these materials from other sources.
ACC states that it aims to offer these materials, particularly digital and electronic resources, at rates below competitive market prices. This can be a convenient option for students seeking readily available and program-aligned resources.
If you choose to opt out and source your books and supplies elsewhere, you must do so by the 7th day of class. It’s crucial to ensure you obtain all required materials by this deadline. Note that opting out does not obligate the school to provide alternative delivery methods, and in cases where course materials are exclusively available through the institution, opting out may not be possible.
For the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program, the text mentions specific fees which might provide insight into the structure of fees for other associate degree programs like Radiology. While not directly stated for Radiology, the ADN fees include:
- ATI Fee (Term 1): $3,685 – ATI likely refers to Assessment Technologies Institute, a common resource in nursing education. This suggests specialized resources might be included in program fees.
- Other Program Fees: $390
- Clinical Fees (Terms 2-8): $775 per term – Clinical fees are explicitly mentioned and are relevant to programs like Radiology that involve clinical practice.
While these are ADN program specifics, they highlight the types of fees and costs one might anticipate in a healthcare-related associate degree program at ACC.
Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF)
California-based institutions like American Career College are required to participate in the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF). This fund is a state-established measure to protect California resident students from economic loss in specific situations.
Key points about STRF:
- Purpose: STRF is designed to relieve economic loss if a qualifying institution closes, discontinues a program, or engages in certain detrimental actions.
- Eligibility: Generally, California residents enrolled in educational programs who prepay tuition are required to pay a state-imposed assessment for STRF, or have it paid on their behalf, unless specifically relieved of this obligation. Non-California residents or those not in residency programs are not eligible for STRF protection and are not required to pay the assessment.
- STRF Assessment Rate: As of April 1, 2024, the STRF assessment rate is zero dollars ($0.00) per one thousand dollars ($1,000) of institutional charges. This means currently, there is no direct additional cost for STRF. However, this rate is subject to change, so it’s crucial to confirm the current status with ACC.
- Keep Records: Students are advised to retain copies of enrollment agreements, financial aid documents, receipts, and any documents that substantiate payments made to the school.
- Qualifying Events for STRF Reimbursement: The document outlines seven specific scenarios under which a student may be eligible for STRF reimbursement. These primarily relate to institutional closure, program discontinuation, significant decline in program quality, failure to provide refunds, and certain legal or financial aid related issues.
- Application Deadline: To be eligible for STRF reimbursement, applications must be received within four years of the event that triggers eligibility.
While the current STRF assessment is $0, understanding its purpose and potential future implications is a part of being informed about the overall cost structure and student protections in place.
Additional Cost Considerations
Beyond the fees explicitly mentioned, it’s essential to be aware of potential additional costs:
- Transportation to Externship/Clinical Sites: The estimated total program charges typically do not include transportation costs to and from externship or clinical sites. As a Radiology program often involves clinical rotations, you should budget for transportation expenses. This cost is the student’s responsibility.
Tuition Rate Structure: Nursing Core vs. General Education
The document provides a tuition rate breakdown specifically for Nursing courses, which may offer insight into how tuition is structured for other programs, including potentially Radiology.
- Nursing Core Courses: Courses identified with the prefix “NURS” are billed at a rate of $1,128 per credit. This indicates a higher per-credit cost for specialized core courses.
- General Education and Select Science Courses: General Education courses and specific science courses (ANAT111, PHYS111, MICR112, and PHARM113) are billed at a lower rate of $300 per credit.
While these rates are explicitly for Nursing, it suggests a tiered tuition structure where specialized program courses might have a higher per-credit cost compared to general education requirements. Inquiring about the per-credit cost for Radiology-specific courses versus general education courses within the Radiology program is advisable.
Conclusion: Getting a Clear Picture of Your Investment
Understanding the cost of the American Career College Radiology program involves looking beyond just tuition. Application fees, program fees, course materials, and potential STRF assessments all contribute to the overall financial picture. Furthermore, considering transportation to clinical sites and understanding the tuition rate structure for program-specific courses versus general education will help you create a comprehensive budget.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information on the “American Career College Radiology Program Cost”, it is strongly recommended to directly contact American Career College’s admissions or financial aid department. They can provide you with specific details on the current fee structure for the Radiology program, payment plans, and financial aid options to help you make an informed decision about your education and career path.
