Choosing a nursing career is a significant decision, and understanding the financial investment involved is crucial. If you’re considering the Registered Nurse (RN) program at American Career College (ACC), this guide breaks down the costs associated with the program, ensuring you have a clear picture of the financial commitment.
Application Fees: Your First Step
The initial step in enrolling in the RN program at American Career College involves an application fee. For Associate degree programs, including the RN program, there is a nonrefundable application fee of $60. It’s important to note that this fee is separate from tuition and other program costs and is required upon enrollment to process your application.
Program Fees: What’s Included?
Beyond tuition, program fees are a vital component of the overall cost. At ACC, program fees are designed to cover a range of essential resources and materials that directly support your learning experience. These fees fluctuate depending on the specific program and encompass items such as:
- Customized Uniforms: Professional attire required for clinical rotations and campus activities.
- Classroom Consumables: Necessary supplies utilized during classroom learning and practical sessions.
- Administrative and Technology Fees: Covering administrative support and access to essential technology resources.
- Campus Safety Resources: Fees contribute to maintaining a secure learning environment, including security personnel, surveillance systems, and emergency protocols.
For programs with clinical and degree components, such as the RN program, program fees additionally cover:
- Health and Background Screenings: Ensuring student safety and compliance within healthcare settings.
- Test Preparation: Resources and materials designed to help students prepare for crucial exams.
- Examinations: Costs associated with administering program-related examinations.
- Licensure and Certification: Fees related to professional licensure and certifications required for RNs.
Navigating the Costs of Books and Supplies
American Career College includes the cost of books, a laptop computer, digital or electronic course materials, and other supplies within the overall program charges. This inclusive approach aims to provide students with all necessary learning materials conveniently. However, ACC offers an opt-out option for these materials.
Students can choose to purchase these items from other sources if they prefer. It’s important to understand that opting out means students are responsible for acquiring all required course materials independently by the 7th day of class. If specific course materials are exclusively available through ACC, students will not be able to opt out of those items. ACC emphasizes that they strive to offer these bundled materials, including digital resources, at rates below competitive market prices, potentially offering a cost-effective solution.
Understanding ADN Program Specific Fees
For the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, there are specific fee breakdowns to consider. These include:
- ATI Fee (Term 1): Approximately $3,685 in the first term, likely related to Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) resources commonly used in nursing programs for testing and preparation.
- Other Program Fees: An additional $390 in program fees.
- Clinical Fees (Terms 2-8): Approximately $775 per term from term 2 through term 8, covering the costs associated with clinical placements and experiences.
Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF): Protecting Your Investment
The State of California established the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) to protect students from economic loss in specific situations. Unless exempt, students who are California residents or enrolled in a residency program and prepay tuition are required to pay a state-imposed assessment for the STRF.
Important Update (Effective April 1, 2024): The STRF assessment rate is currently set at zero dollars ($0.00) per one thousand dollars ($1,000) of institutional charges for students with a first payment scheduled after April 1, 2024. This means currently, there is no additional STRF fee being collected.
STRF Eligibility and Protection:
You may be eligible for STRF protection and potential reimbursement if you are a California resident or in a residency program, prepaid tuition, and experience economic loss due to circumstances such as:
- School Closure: If ACC, a location, or the RN program closes or is discontinued, and you don’t participate in or complete an approved teach-out plan.
- Closure Proximity: Enrollment within 120 days before a closure.
- Program Quality Decline: Significant decline in program quality more than 120 days before closure, as determined by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).
- Unpaid Refunds: ACC failing to pay a refund ordered by the BPPE.
- Loan Issues: Failure to manage federal student loan proceeds appropriately.
- Legal Awards: Inability to collect court-awarded restitution due to institutional violations.
- Loan Cancellation Legal Counsel: Legal counsel resulting in student loan cancellation.
STRF Application and Requirements:
To qualify for STRF reimbursement, applications must be received within four years of the event triggering eligibility. Keep thorough records of enrollment agreements, financial aid documents, and payment receipts as documentation. For STRF inquiries, contact the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Note that a social security number or taxpayer identification number is required for claim payment.
Additional Costs to Consider
It’s important to remember that the estimated total program charges at American Career College do not include transportation costs to and from externship or clinical sites. These transportation expenses are the student’s responsibility and should be factored into your overall budget.
Tuition Costs: Core Nursing and General Education
Tuition for the RN program at American Career College is structured with different rates for specific types of courses:
- Nursing Core Courses (NURS prefix): Billed at a rate of $1,128 per credit. These are the specialized nursing courses essential to your RN education.
- General Education and Science Courses: Courses like Anatomy (ANAT111), Physiology (PHYS111), Microbiology (MICR112), and Pharmacology (PHARM113) are billed at a lower rate of $300 per credit.
Understanding this tuition breakdown helps in estimating the overall program cost based on the credit distribution of your chosen RN program.
Conclusion: Planning Your RN Program Finances
The cost of the American Career College RN program involves several components, including application fees, program fees, tuition, and potential STRF assessments (currently $0). By understanding these individual elements and planning for additional costs like transportation, prospective students can gain a comprehensive view of the financial investment required to pursue their nursing career at ACC. It’s always recommended to contact American Career College directly for the most up-to-date and personalized cost information related to their RN program.
