Previous Education/Training Policy

Newbridge College will conduct an evaluation of previous education and training for all veterans and eligible applications, grant appropriate credit, shorten the training period proportionally, and notify the VA and student accordingly.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Newbridge College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, race, national origin, creed, religion or handicaps that would not preclude employment or enrollment within their selected program area, or in Admissions, Counseling, Training, Placement and Employment, or any other services.

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend classes regularly following the approved schedules. Attendance is monitored and recorded daily. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the school in advance to advise if they will be absent or late, just as it is necessary to inform an employer.

Elements of Satisfactory Attendance:

• Absence: Satisfactory attendance must be maintained at all times. A minimum of 70% of attendance must be maintained throughout the enrollment period. Failure to maintain satisfactory attendance will result in Attendance Probation for a 30-day period. At minimum, satisfactory attendance is checked monthly. Students with three (3) weeks of continuous non-attendance will be dismissed. Absences may be made up of purposes of removing absences on an hour of make-up to an hour of absence basis. Make-up absence must be made up within ten (10) days following the absense. Students can make up absence at the school under the supervision of a faculty member. Students placed on probation for unsatisfactory attendance will be required to make-up missed time and come off probation before they are released to being the externship.
• Excused Absences: An absence is considered EXCUSED only when the student contacts the school the day of the absence and notifies the registrar, instructor, or the administration office. The absence will be recorded as excused with a comment stating the reason(s) given for the absence on the permanent attendance card. However, excused absences are included in the calculation to determine the minimum attendance requirement as described.
• Observed Holidays:
  1. January 1, 2008: New Year's Day
  2. January 21, 2008: Martin Luther King Day
  3. February 18, 2008: Presidents Day
  4. May 26, 2008: Memorial Day
  5. July 4, 2008: Independence Day
  6. September 1, 2008: Labor Day
  7. November 27, 2008: Thanksgiving Day
  8. December 25, 2008: Christmas Day

Academic Policies

General Statement:

The Higher Education Act mandates that institutions of higher education establish minimum standards of “SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS” for students receiving financial aid. Newbridge College applies these standards to all students, regardless of whether or not they are financial aid recipients.

Satisfactory academic progress is defined as meeting acceptable standards as defined by pre-determined objectives of the institution. These objectives are directly correlated to the performance standards set by Newbridge College. Students are graded as they complete units of the curriculum. Grades are determined as a compilation of examination scores (written and laboratory/practical) and such other criteria and observations as the school deems appropriate in the training of technical personnel.

Elements of Satisfactory Academic Progress:

1. To maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, a student must achieve a 2.0 at the completion of all didactic requirements and prior to the start of externship. Externship progress and performance is verified and documented at a minimum at mid-point (50)% of the duration of the externship period. Veteran students are required to achieve a 1.0 at 25 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 1.0 at 25% of the course, 1.5 at 50% % of the course and a 2.0 at 50% of the course in order to remain eligible to receive benefits.
2. To maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, a student attending on a full time basis has a maximum time frame in which to complete all graduation requirements. These are as follows:

Program Title	Length	Maximum Time
Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT-1)	5 weeks	7.5 weeks
Medical Assistant	30 weeks	45 weeks
Medical Insurance Billing & Coding / Medical Office Administration	30 weeks	45 weeks
Medical Laboratory Technician Associate	30 weeks	45 weeks
Surgical Technology	62 weeks	93 weeks
Ultrasound (Diagnostic Medical Sonography)	72 weeks	108 weeks

Grading & Progress Policies

Students are grades by objective written tests based on materials presented in class lectures and required assignments, as well as on the acquisition of practical demonstrable skills. Any assignment not submitted timely or any test missed will be graded an F unless the test is retaken or made-up as provided in make-up work and exams section. Students are allowed one week to makeup the required tests or missed work to improve the grade otherwise the F will remain as a permanent grade on the student’s record.

Newbridge College utilizes the following grading system:

Grade	Performance	Grade	Value
A	Excellent	4.0	90-100%
B	Good	3.0	80-89%
C	Average	2.0	70-79%
D	Below Average	1.0	60-69%
F	Failure	0.0	0-59%

Probation, Termination & Reinstatement Policy

1. Probation: Students who fail to maintain Satisfactory Attendance (minimum of 70% of the scheduled time) and/ or Academic Progress, as specified on page 9 of this catalog under Elements of Attendance and Academic Progress, will be placed on probation for the duration of the following scheduled period. To be removed from probation status, students must show improvement and meet the minimum progress requirements by the next scheduled progress verification point. Students who fail to show improvement will be dismissed. Students eligible for veteran benefits who fail to meet satisfactory attendance and/ or academic progress shall be placed on probation and deemed ineligible for certification for veteran benefits and will not be re- certified for benefits until progress deficiencies are corrected.
2. Termination: A student will be terminated, if at the end of a probationary period, the student has not corrected all progress deficiencies. A student may also be terminated for violation or noncompliance of school policy.
3. Reinstatement: Once terminated, a student may request reinstatement by reapplying for enrollment. The student may be granted reinstatement at the discretion of the School Director. Students terminated for failure to maintain attendance and/ or academic progress and who are granted reinstatement will be place on probation automatically for the first 30 days of attendance.

Graduation Requirements

To graduate, students are required to complete a prescribed course of study with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 (C), complete a minimum of 70% of the total attendance of the program, and discharge all financial obligations to the school. Students completing these requirements will receive a diploma in their program of study.

Conduct Policy

Students attending Newbridge College are expected to treat all personnel, other students, and the premises with consideration. Graffiti on walls, equipment, or furniture is not tolerated. Smoking, eating, and visiting are not permitted in the classrooms. The School Director may suspend or terminate a student for any of the following reasons: cheating, serious incident of an intoxicated or drugged state of behavior, possession of drugs, alcohol or weapons on school premises, creating a safety hazard to other persons at the college, disobedient or disrespectful behavior to another student, an administrator or faculty member, or any other determined infraction of conduct.

Change of Program Policy

As necessary, Newbridge College reserves the right to make program changes and/ or adjustments including curriculum, equipment, teaching materials and books, to remain current with industry standards and advancements in technology. Any changes in tuition will not affect those students already enrolled.

Instructional Equipment

The school has all the necessary equipment available to provide lecture and laboratory practice. Classrooms are configured and furnished to accommodate up to 25 students at any one time. A typical class size is 20 students. The training and instructional equipment used is of the type and variety typically found in industry. Instructional equipment and materials are continuously evaluated and updated to ensure that students are trained to achieve the level of competency required for entry-level employment.

Clock Hour System

Newbridge College has adopted the Quarter Credit Unit System. The following is the clock to Quarter Credit Units conversion formula from the U.S. Department of Education:

1-Quarter credit Unit for every 20 hours of instruction, whether lecture, laboratory instruction, or clinical externship.

A clock hour is defined as a period of sixty (60) minutes with a minimum of fifty (50) minutes of instruction, recitation, laboratory or other academic related work.

Tuition Policies

STUDENT PROTECTION POLICY STATE OF CALIFORNIA STUDENT TUITION RECOVERY FUND

State of California law requires that, upon enrollment, the institution collect the amount to be assessed by the Bureau from each new student in the form of a Student Tuition Recovery Fund in relation to the cost of tuition (Education Code 94945). Students are responsible for paying the state assessment amount for the Student Tuition Recovery Fund. The institution will collect the assessed fee upon enrollment. These fees support the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF), a special fund established by the California Legislature to reimburse students who might otherwise experience a financial loss as a result of (a) the closure of the institution, (b) the institution’s breach or anticipatory breach of the agreement for the coursed of instruction, or (c) a decline in the quality or value of the course of instruction within the 30- days period before the institution closure Institutional participation is mandatory.

Non- California residents are not eligible for protection and recovery form the Student Tuition Recovery Fund. Students that are recipients of third- party payer tuition and course costs are not eligible for protection under the STRF.

It is important that enrollees keep a copy of any enrollment agreement, contract, or application to document enrollment and tuition receipts or canceled checks to verify the total amount of tuition paid. Such information may substantiate a claim for reimbursement form STRF, which must be filed within one yea of the Bureau’s service on the student of their rights under the STRF, or if no notice of rights are served to the student, within four years of the institution’s closure. For further information or instructions, contact:

Bureau for Private Postsecondary And Vocational Education
400 R Street, Suite 5000
Sacramento, Ca 95814-6200
(916) 445-3427

CANCELLATION, WITHDRAWAL AND REFUND RIGHTS

1. A Student who cancels this agreement in writing at anytime until midnight of the date that is the fifth (5) business day following the start of class, shall be refunded all monies paid within 30 days after receipt of the notice of cancellation. If a Student is rejected for training or if a course is canceled, the Student will receive a refund of all monies paid within 10 days. A Student may withdraw from school at any time and receive a prorated refund. If a Student withdraws or is suspended or expelled after the aforementioned 5 day period for cancellation, all tuition and fees (i.e. educational costs), less a registration fee not to exceed $75 shall be refunded on a pro-rate basis. In special cases where the student may not be able to continue or is impractical to complete the program due to prolonged illness, accident, death in the family or other circumstances, the school will make a reasonable and fair settlement for both parties.
2. Once purchased, equipment becomes the property of Student.
3. Refund Policy: In calculating any tuition refund due, the period of enrollment is from the first day in class to last date of recorded attendance. The time and percentage or fraction of attendance will be determined by the time of attendance divided by the total hours scheduled to complete during the billed payment period of the program. In all cases, a students who withdraw, or who are suspended or expelled, or fail to attend classes for 3 consecutive weeks, the following minimum refund policy shall apply. The refund of tuition fees (excluding equipment and registration fees) shall be equal to the total amount of tuition billed for the payment period multiplied by the fraction or percentage of time remaining. Pro-rata Refund Hypothetical Example: A Student who completes 20% (or 1/5th) with educational costs of $1,075 will receive a prorated refund of 80% less a $75 registration fee or $800. Refund amounts of three dollars or less will be retained by the school. Each Student will receive a sample schedule of actual refund calculations at the time of enrollment. All refunds will be made within 30 days from the date of withdrawal (as described in par. 1 and 3 above). If the student does not return from an approved Leave of Absence, refunds will be made within 30 days from the end of the Leave of Absence. Within 10 days of any refund the Student will receive a Notice of Refund stating the amount of the refund and to whom refund was made.

For Students receiving Federal Title IV financial aid or other tuition assistance, any tuition refunds will be made first to any Title IV lender and/or other tuition lender up to the amount of such disbursement. Any additional refunds will next be made to other Title IV funding source accounts or any other sponsoring source up to the amount of such disbursement. Any additional refunds due will be made to the Student or sponsor. Any overpayment of monies disbursed for non-tuition educational expenses will be based on the percentage of time completed over the total time in that payment period. The Student will be responsible for the repayment of any such overpayment. The refund for non-tuition educational expenses, if any, will be made to the appropriate agency account or individual.

Non-California residents are not eligible for protection and recovery from the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF).

IF YOU OBTAIN A LOAN, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAYING THE ENTIRE AMOUNT OF THE LOAN PLUS ANY INTEREST, LESS THE AMOUNT OF ANY REFUND.

If you default on a government student loan, the government may do the following:

• Apply any income tax refund to reduce the balance owed on the loan.
• You may not be eligible for any other federal financial aid assistance for education at a different school or for government housing assistance until the loan is repaid.

Student Services

ADVISING

Student advising is an integral part of the teaching process and the delivery of supportive services provided to students. The student services department, and the administration are available to advise and, if possible, assist students overcome any difficulties they may encounter in the school. Students are encouraged to take advantage of this service, whenever difficulties arise.

JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE

While the school provides job placement assistance, no guarantee for employment or income level is made. Agencies and companies contact the school for likely candidates employment. The placement office provides graduates with job leads and may arrange for an interview with prospective employers. The placement office meets with graduates on an individual basis to provide training where special attention is given to such topics as resume preparation, job search interview techniques, how to retain employment, and career advancement.

HOUSING

The school does not maintain housing for students, nor does it make specific recommendations regarding housing. However, some accommodations are available in the community.

TRANSPORTATION

Public transportation is available with stops located close to the campus. It may also be possible for students to arrange for transportation by another student if schedules are compatible.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

The school maintains a number of reference materials including: books, magazines, and other pertinent trade publications as well as audio and visual instructional aids. Reference materials are kept for use on campus and/or arrangements can be made with the office for home use.

FINANCIAL AID

Newbridge College is an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and approved to offer the following financial aid Title IV programs.

• Pell Grant Parent Loan to Undergraduate Students
• Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loan

Additional information can be obtained from the Financial Aid Office.

Student Records & Rights of Privacy Policy

The Federal Right of Privacy enables all students to review their academic records, including grades, attendance, and counseling reports. Student records are confidential and only such agencies or individuals authorized by law are allowed access without written permission of the student. State law requires the school to maintain these records for a minimum of five years. Students may request a review of their records by writing to the school registrar. All such reviews will be scheduled during regular school hours under appropriate supervision.

Drug Abuse Policy

The school fully supports the Drug-Free Schools and Community Act of the United States Congress. The school provides students with pamphlets, books, and posters describing the effects that substance abuse has on physical and mental health. Advice and counseling is provided when deemed necessary as well as to those who request assistance. Newbridge College makes available informative materials on State, Federal, and local legal sanctions against drug use. Additionally, the college provides information on counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation programs in the area.

Individuals found guilty of or pleaded “nolo contendere” to any crime or misdemeanor directly related to public safety may be denied acceptance for eligibility for examination by ARMS. In addition, it is customary of most health employers to request a health screening as part of the hiring process.

Crime on Campus Policy

Reporting period from January 1, 2000 to February 13, 2008:

No crime incidents reported during this period.

If you should witness a crime or an emergency please do the following:

1. Immediately notify your supervisor/instructor or School Director and report the incident.
2. In case of an emergency, call 9-1-1 or the local police station.

Student Complaint Grievance Policy

Students who are experiencing problems with the school or its employees or who have concerns or complaints of any kind are encouraged to bring them to the attention of their instructor. If within reasonable time, the concern or complaint is not resolved, the matter should be bought to the attention of the School Director. Unresolved complaints may be directed to:

The Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education
400 R Street, Suite 5000
Sacramento, Ca 95814-6200
(919) 445-3427

All schools accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges of Technology must have a procedure and operational plan for handling student complaints. If a student does not feel that the school has adequately addressed a complaint or concern, the student may consider contacting the Accrediting Commission. All complaints considered by the Commission must be in written form, with permission from the complainant(s) for the Commission to forward a copy of the complaint to the school for a response. The Commission will keep the complainant(s) informed as to the status of the complaint as well as the final resolution.

In addition students may receive comparable program information related to tuition and program length by contacting the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology. To file a complaint or obtain comparable program information, contact the commission at:

Accrediting Commission of Career School and Colleges of Technology
2101 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 302
Arlington, Virginia 22201
(703) 247-4212

A copy of the Commission’s Complaint Form is available at the school and may be obtained by contacting the school.