Financial Information

Introduction

       The Antelope Valley Press reports that during the 1990's inflation has averaged only about three percent annually. Yet, there is one segment of the economy where inflation rages out of control: higher education.
       Economic reports regularly reaffirm the fact that college graduates make substantially more money than people without degrees, making higher education a definite attraction. However, the reality is that college costs are soaring so high that they are beyond the reach of many high school graduates and older adults.
       For instance, the University of California and California State University limited 1994's fee increases to ten percent -- more than three times the rate of inflation. One year at UCLA now costs in excess of $4000.
       Many private schools in California and across the nation cost $20,000 or more per year. The vast majority of middle-class families cannot afford $80,000 for four years of college.
       A new law now makes it possible for student loans to be stretched out to thirty years, instead of ten, making the monthly payments considerably less. That may help many young people, but they should be aware that they will still be paying off their intellectual indebtedness when they are in their fifties!
       Quartz Hill School of Theology deplores this abominable situation; not only is relying upon the students for operating expenses unduly burdensome to the students, it creates problems for the institution as well. There is a tendency to begin looking at students, not as people, but as stacks of dollar bills. The result, too often, is that an institution will lower standards, inflate grades, and do back flips in order to retain these money stacks.
       The administration and faculty of Quartz Hill School of Theology have decided that there has to be a better way to operate. Therefore, we charge students only fifty dollars per unit. We firmly believe that by keeping costs low and relying on volunteer help, we can raise adequate funds to operate through our fundraising and the occasional donations, rather than by standing on the backs of our students.

Internal (on campus students):

Basic Fee: $50.00 per unit, per class.

       A typical full load of five classes (totaling fifteen quarter units) would cost $750.00 per quarter. Fees may be paid in full or in monthly installments.
       A discount of $5.00 per class taken the following quarter will be awarded to the student who achieves a 3.8 grade point average or better for the classes taken in the immediately preceding quarter.
       Students must pay according to their ability. If a student is unable to pay, he or she will be granted a QHST Scholarship and may attend for free. In order to keep the Scholarship, the student must demonstrate a serious intent to gain an education and maintain a reasonable grade point average. Remember, our primary philosophy is that finances should never stand in the way of someone getting an education.
       Students on Scholarship should review their finances each quarter to determine if they should remain on the Scholarship.

External (on-line courses):

Basic Fee: $50.00 per class.

Possible Additional Fees:

Video Tapes (VHS format): $15.00 per quarter, per class.
       An average class will consist of 3 video cassettes with six hours per tape.
Books: average will be about $50.00 per quarter, per class.
Postage: average will be about $7.50 per quarter.

Refunds

       A refund of fees paid will be made only if a class is dropped within the first week of instruction. For External Studies' Students, no refund of postage costs will be made; refund for books and video cassettes will be contingent upon their return in good condition.