At SVC, we're not big on policies, procedures, or paperwork. Still, there are a few rules of the road we'd like everyone who comes here to know about.
So please take the 4-1/2 minutes required to scan through these guidelines. And if the answer isn't here, email and we'll get you one.
Financial Aid
SVC does not provide student loans. We will, however, allow students to make payments based on the schedules below. There is a non-refundable $25 charge per quarter for using the above extended payment plan.
5-Week Classes:
10-Week Classes:
Workshops:
Certificate Programs:
There is a non-refundable $250 one-time charge for using the above extended payment plan for SVC certificate programs.
Any unpaid balances due on SVC's payment plan will accrue a monthly 1.5% finance charge.
Who can I ask about my tuition payment?
Any questions about billing and refunds for cancelled classes can be answered by our office staff during normal business hours. Call 206-623-1560 or drop an email.
Registration Fees
A one-time, non-refundable registration fee of $45 is required for all students enrolling in their first five- or ten-week course at SVC. The registration fee for certification programs is $100.
Refunds and Dropped Classes
SVC may, on occasion, cancel a class due to insufficient enrollment. Students will be notified as soon as possible when a class is cancelled, and will receive a full refund of all fees for cancelled classes.
You may receive a partial refund of your tuition if you drop a class or your enrollment is terminated by SVC due to lack of progress or disciplinary problems. In these cases, this is the schedule for determining the amount of your refund:
Cancellation and Refund Policy for Online Classes:
5-Week Classes:
# of Classes Attended | % Tuition Refunded |
---|---|
0 | 100% |
1 | 75% |
2 | 50% |
3+ | 0% |
10-Week Classes:
# of Classes Attended | % Tuition Refunded |
---|---|
0 | 100% |
1 | 90% |
2 | 75% |
3 - 5 | 50% |
6+ | 0% |
When calculating refunds, the official date of a student’s termination is the last day of recorded attendance:
Certificate Program:
CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS |
|
---|---|
% of Lessons Attended |
% Tuition Refunded |
0 - None | 100% |
Up to 10% | 90% |
11–20% | 75% |
21–50% | 50% |
51% or More | 0% - None |
Workshops:
A full refund will be issued for cancellations made at least 4 business days before the workshop begins. No refunds will be issued for no-shows and enrollees dropping a one-day workshop within 3 business days of the scheduled start time as published on the SVC website.
This refund policy is in accordance with Washington State Law, 490-105-130 (RCW 28C.10.050 (1)(b)).
If you drop a class because you're unhappy with the quality of the instruction then SVC would definitely like to talk with you and work out a more favorable refund.
SVC Teaches Live, Online Classes
To comply with Washington State policy and to help keep our students, staff, and instructors healthy during the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic, SVC is teaching all courses live and online. Our campus is closed to visitors, students, and instructors until we feel it's safe to open our doors again.
Does SVC record classes?
No, each class session is taught live and we do not record classes. This ensures that the instructor's intellectual property and our student's private information is protected. If you cannot attend your class, please let us know ASAP.
Please email info@svcseattle.com if you have questions.
Office Hours
While classes are in session SVC office hours are typically 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. PT Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT on Friday. Between quarters the office is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m PT on Friday.
Class Cancellations
Classes may be cancelled if an instructor is ill or unable to attend. We will notify you as early as possible if you provide us with your current telephone numbers and email addresses. While we will do our best to line up a substitute instructor if an instructor is ill, if classes are cancelled due to instructor illness, we will do our best to make up 5-week class sessions at the end of the quarter. Ten-week class sessions cancelled due to instructor illness will not be made up. Workshops will be rescheduled to a new date.
When Does the Next Quarter Start?
Although we've been known to change our minds depending on when certain holidays fall each year, here's a fairly reliable guide to when each quarter starts and ends.
QUARTER | STARTS | ENDS | NO CLASSES |
Fall 2021 | Sept 27, 2021 | Dec 10, 2021 | Thanksgiving Week, Nov. 22-28, 2021 |
Winter 2022 | January 10, 2022 | March 18, 2022 | MLK Jr Day, Jan. 17 & President's Day, Feb. 21, 2022 |
Spring 2022 | April 4, 2022 | June 10, 2022 | Memorial Day, May 30, 2022 |
Summer 2022 | June 27, 2022 | September 2, 2022 | Independence Day, July 4, 2022 |
Fall 2022 | Sept 26, 2022 | Dec 9, 2022 | Thanksgiving Week, Nov. 21-27, 2022 |
Winter 2023 | January 9, 2023 | March 17, 2022 | MLK Jr Day, Jan. 16 & President's Day, Feb. 20, 2023 |
Spring 2023 | April 3, 2023 | June 9, 2023 | Memorial Day, May 29, 2023 |
Summer 2023 | June 26, 2023 | September 8, 2023 | Fourth of July week, July 3-7 & Labor Day, Sept. 4, 2023 |
Fall 2023 | Sept 25, 2023 | Dec 8, 2023 | Thanksgiving Week, Nov. 20-26, 2023 |
Admissions
There are no formal education requirements to enroll in SVC's classes or workshops, nor is a portfolio necessary to begin course work. In some cases, though, there are prerequisites for individual classes and workshops. You'll find them detailed in the course descriptions. There is, however, one pre-condition to taking classes at SVC: We ask that you have at least completed your high school education. Fair enough?
Acknowledgment by Enrollee
How to File a Complaint
Washington law requires private vocational schools to inform students how to file a complaint. By signing this form you acknowledge this process has been explained to you. Below are the next steps the school must take in discussing this policy with you, along with information about the complaint process.
This school is licensed under Chapter 28C.10 RCW. Inquiries or complaints regarding this private vocational school may be made to the:
Workforce Training and Educational Coordinating Board
128 – 10th Avenue SW, Olympia, Washington 98504
Web: wtb.wa.gov
Phone: 360-709-4600
E-Mail Address: pvsa@wtb.wa.gov
Conduct and Effort
Although effort is highly subjective, students not making a genuine effort to complete class assignments with a reasonable degree of work and attention to detail or those who consistently miss class, arrive late, or interfere with the learning opportunities of other students may be asked to withdraw from a class after an interview with the instructor and SVC administrators. In this event, the student's tuition will be refunded according to the policies listed in the Refunds and Dropped Classes section.
Nothing in the policy prevents the student from contacting the Workforce Training and Educational Coordinating Board at 360.709.4600 at any time with a concern or a complaint.
Equal Opportunity
The School of Visual Concepts believes that learning opportunities must not be restricted based on race, gender, veteran or military status, creed, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, physical abilities, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability. So, these factors are not an issue in accepting you for admission to SVC.
The School of Visual Concepts acknowledges that information pertaining and applicant's disability is voluntary and confidential, and will be made on an individual basis. If this information is presented, SVC will reasonably attempt to provide an accommodation to overcome the effects of the limitation of the qualified applicant. All inquiries about accommodations should be made by emailing info@svceattle.com, by calling the school at 206.623.1560, or by visiting the school in person, if the campus is open to visitors.
Religious Accommodation
The School of Visual Concepts will make good faith efforts to provide reasonable religious accommodations to students who have sincerely held religious practices or beliefs that conflict with a scheduled course/program requirement. Students requesting a religious accommodation should make the request, in writing, directly to their instructor and the School with as much advance notice as possible. Being absent from class or other educational responsibilities does not excuse students from keeping up with any information shared or expectations set during the missed class. Students are responsible for obtaining materials and information provided during any class missed. The student shall work with the instructor to determine a schedule for making up missed work.
Examples of religious accommodations may include: rescheduling of an exam or giving a make-up exam for the student in question; altering the time of a student’s presentation; allowing extra-credit assignments to substitute for missed class work or arranging for an increased flexibility in assignment due dates.
Sexual Harassment
Our goal is to keep SVC as a place where students are free from unwelcome advances, inappropriate verbal or physical contact, or anything that creates a hostile or offensive environment. If another student or faculty member crosses those lines, please let one of SVC's directors know immediately. Staff or students who are found to have violated SVC's harassment policy will be dismissed immediately.
Alcohol and Drug Use
The use of alcohol (outside of sanctioned social functions) or illegal substances at SVC is strictly prohibited. Students who come to class under the influence will be asked to leave and will be withdrawn from SVC without a refund.