Allen Community College is changing its payment policy after international students and faculty shared concerns in December.
The college had tightened its policies last spring, particularly targeted to international students who were required to pay their tuition in full at the start of the semester rather than in installments .
Several international students, backed up by faculty including English instructor Tracy Lee and some coaches, called the policy discriminatory. They said it was unfair to hold international students to a different standard. It was also pointed out that other community colleges in the state offered some sort of payment plan.
As a result, a group of faculty and staff met to determine changes, which they unveiled at Tuesday night’s meeting of ACC trustees.
Under the new policy, international students will no longer have to pay a $1,500 deposit. Students found the deposit to be a barrier, Vice President for Student Affairs Cynthia Jacobson told the board. It’s also unnecessary, she said. The deposit was intended to serve as a contingency fund in case the student had to be sent back home. It has never been used.
International students do have to meet certain requirements that prove they have sufficient funds to cover the cost of attendance, ACC President Bruce Moses noted. Policies and deadlines related to those federal rules will not change.
Now, all students can use a third-party vendor, Nelnet, to set up a payment plan. However, the vendor requires students to have a U.S.-based bank account or credit card.
Allen will extend the payment deadline for all students. Currently, students must pay all fees one week before the term begins. That will be extended to Oct. 20 for the fall semester, March 20 for spring and July 1 for summer. Students with outstanding balances after those dates will be withdrawn and cannot enroll for a subsequent term until the balance is paid.
Board members asked for clarification about some matters, such as why they dropped the $1,500 deposit requirement. Jacobson said the college can try the new policy for a year to see how effective it is.
Emergency medical services program
Allen will bring back training programs for emergency medical professionals.
The program will offer stepping-stone certificates, starting with the most basic level of emergency medical responder to emergency medical technician to paramedic. A goal is to eventually develop a sort of “bridge program” to prepare students for nursing school if they want to extend their education.
“Southeast Kansas is a little desperate for paramedics and EMTS at all levels,” Kara Wheeler, vice president for academic affairs, told board members.
Colter Whiting, health professions program coordinator, developed the program with help from the Iola Fire Department, St. Luke’s Health System and Anderson County Emergency Medical Services.
Emergency medical responders are the first-line of defense who provide support until EMTs and paramedics arrive. High school students can take the course starting at age 17, though they can’t take the test for certification until age 18.
