Consumer Information

The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA) requires that postsecondary institutions participating in federal student aid programs make certain disclosures to students. The following information is disclosed to you as a student or prospective student of Rochester Christian University in compliance with federal law. For additional information or to request in writing, please contact the appropriate office or visit the indicated websites. Rochester Christian University Student Financial Services will provide a paper copy of Financial Aid Consumer Information upon request. (sfs@rcu.edu)

Academic Programs and Accreditations

Descriptions of academic programs, degree offerings, instructional facilities and labs and instructional personnel are available from the university course catalog.

Rochester Christian University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (230 South LaSalle, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL, 60604; phone, (312)-263-0456) to award associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degrees. RCU is also a signatory of the MACRAO Transfer Agreement, which facilitates the transferability of credits between this and other Michigan institutions.

Information regarding requirements for admission to an academic program, the transfer student application process and the criteria the University uses regarding transfer credits earned at another institution is available from the Office of Admissions, Rochester Christian University, 800 W Avon Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48307; phone (800) 521-6010; or at https://rcu.edu/admissions.

Admissions information for programs in the Graduate School is available from Graduate Admissions, Rochester Christian University, 800 W Avon Rd, Rochester Hills, MI; phone (248) 218- 2300; or online.

Alcohol and Other Drug Policy

Rochester Christian University Policy on Alcohol and Other Drugs is published annually in the Student Handbook. The University’s student conduct regulations prohibit the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of alcohol and other drugs by students and student organizations. Sanctions are detailed for students who violate this policy. A copy may be found through the Student Handbook or by contacting The Center for Student Life, phone (248) 218-2041.

Campus Security Policies and Crime Statistics

Information regarding campus safety data and emergency guidelines at RCU can be found at https://rcu.edu/student-life/campus-safety/. Print copies of the Annual Security Report and fire log can be requested at The Center for Student Life. Inquiries should be directed to the Dean of Students, (248) 218-2041. Additional safety information can be found in the Student Handbook.

Copyright Infringement and Peer-to-Peer File Sharing Policies and Sanctions

The Office of Information Technology oversees the policies and sanctions related to copyright infringement and liabilities students may face for unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials. The Vice Provost and Director of Information Technology are the designated agents to receive notifications of alleged copyright infringement at Rochester Christian University. Under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), the University reserves the right to terminate computing services of users who repeatedly infringe upon the rights of copyright owners. Information about copyright infringement is available through the Office of Information Technology, Rochester Christian University, 800 W Avon Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48307; phone (248) 218-2080; The following policies are also available in the student portal:

• Copyright Permissions Center
• Digital Millennium Copyright Act Procedures
• Libraries, Computing and Technology Guidelines and Policies
• Notice of Written Plan for Copyright Provisions of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008

Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations

Federal law provides that a student who has been convicted of an offense under any federal or state law involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance during a period of enrollment for which the student was receiving financial aid shall not be eligible to receive any federal or institutional grant, loan, or work assistance.

Financial Aid

Descriptions of available federal, state, institutional, and private sources of student assistance, application procedures, eligibility criteria, recipient selection criteria and criteria to determine award amounts, methods of disbursement, terms and conditions of loans, employment opportunities, student rights and responsibilities, and satisfactory academic progress standards are available at Student Financial Services, 800 W Avon Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48307; (phone) 248-218-2127; or at https://rcu.edu/admissions/undergraduate/paying-for-college/.

All financial aid offer and billing statement communication and transactions will be completed electronically. Students are required to agree to electronic processes during initial registration. Students will receive email notifications via their Rochester Christian University email address and may review their financial aid offer and billing statement 24/7 on their secure student portal. A student may receive a paper copy upon request by emailing sfs@rcu.edu.

Specific information about financial aid disbursements to student accounts, payment deadlines, enrollment requirements for regular and study abroad students, and Federal Direct Student Loan entrance and exit counseling, student account refund calculators, the university refund policy, and the requirements for the return of Title IV grant or loan assistance by students who withdraw from RCU is located at Student Financial Services, Rochester Christian University, 800 W Avon Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48307; phone (248) 218-2127 or at https://rcu.edu/admissions/undergraduate/paying-for-college/.

Student Federal loan originations and disbursements are reported to the National Student Loan Database System.  For additional information, please contact Student Financial Services (sfs@rcu.edu).

Rochester Christian University will certify student enrollment in order to be eligible for a private education loan.  Rochester Christian University does not have a preferred lender list.  Students may apply online with a private loan lender.

The Student Financial Services Code of Conduct may be located by visiting the course catalog in the Financial Aid section.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, perpetrators of financial aid fraud often use the following lines to sell their scholarship services; students should avoid any scholarship service or website that says the following:

• “This scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”
• “You can’t get this information anywhere else.”
• “I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.”
• “We’ll do all the work.”
• “This scholarship will cost some money.”
• “You’ve been selected by a ‘national foundation’ to receive a scholarship” or “You’re a finalist” in a contest you never entered.

If you believe you’ve been the victim of scholarship fraud, wish to file a complaint, or want more information, call 1 (877) FTC-HELP or see www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams. On November 5, 2000, Congress passed the College Scholarship Fraud Prevention Act to enhance protection against fraud in student financial assistance by establishing stricter sentencing guidelines for criminal financial aid fraud.

Information regarding sample loan repayment schedules and the necessity of repaying loans is located within the Entrance Counseling session at https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/plans/standard.

Loan deferment — a postponement of payments on a loan, during which interest does not accrue if the loan is subsidized — is available for students, due to such factors as economic hardship and disability. For more information please contact Student Financial Services, Rochester Christian University, 800 W Avon Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48307; phone (248)-218-2127 or visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/lower-payments/get-temporary-relief/deferment.

Financial Value Transparency

Institutions are required to disclose all program debt to earnings rate and earnings premium rate when offering any group of substantially similar programs with 30 or more completers in total over the four most recent award years.

Governing Board

Rochester Christian University is incorporated as a Michigan nonprofit corporation in accordance with the State of Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and the provisions of Section 642 of Act 162, Public Acts of 1982, as amended. As such an entity, Rochester Christian University is governed by a Board of Trustees in accordance with Articles VII and VIII of the Restated Articles of Incorporation filed with the Bureau of Commercial Services in 2009. The Board of Trustees follows a policy manual approved in 2012. An addendum was created in 2016 for the role of Interim President.

Graduation and Retention Rates (Student Right-to-Know Act)

Retention and Graduation Rates of certificate or degree-seeking first-time full-time undergraduate students can be found in the Common Data Set (CDS) documents, published annually on the Institutional Research page on the website: https://rcu.edu/academics/institutional-reasearch/.

Additional Information concerning retention rates is available at the IPEDS Data Center (http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/).

Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) Information

Rochester Christian University is required by the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (“GLBA”) and its implementing regulations at 16 CFR Part 314, to implement and maintain a comprehensive written Information Security Program (“ISP”) and to appoint a coordinator for the program. The objectives of the ISP are to (1) insure the security and confidentiality of covered information; (2) protect against anticipated threats or hazards to the security and integrity of such information; and (3) protect against unauthorized access or use of such information that could result in substantial harm or inconvenience to customers. The ISP may incorporate by reference the Institution’s policies and procedures enumerated below and is in addition to any institutional policies and procedures that may be required pursuant to other federal and state laws and regulations, including, without limitation, FERPA, HIPAA, GLBA, GDPR, FTC – Red Flag Policies. View the complete policy at https://rcu.edu/glba/ »

Intercollegiate Athletic Program Participation Rates and Financial Support Data (Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act)

The annual Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act Report that contains participation rates, financial support, and other information on men’s and women’s intercollegiate athletic programs is available from the Athletic Department, Rochester Christian University, 800 W Avon Rd, Rochester Hills MI, 48307; phone (248) 218-2181; web https://rcuwarriors.com/

This information must be provided to student-athletes, their parents, high school coaches, and guidance counselors when student-athlete financial aid offers are made. The NAIA provides this information directly to high schools. The most recent EADA report can also be accessed via RCU’s Institutional Research.

Missing Student Notification Procedures

A person may be declared “missing” when his or her whereabouts are unknown and unexplainable for a period of time that is regarded by knowledgeable persons as highly unusual or suspicious in consideration of the subject’s behavior patterns, plans, or routines. Missing Person procedures can be found on the campus safety web page: https://rcu.edu/student-life/campus-safety/.

Nepotism Policy

Nepotism involves someone in a position of power showing favoritism and preferential treatment toward family members or friends with regard to employment and is strongly prohibited.  Employees and volunteers of Rochester Christian University are not permitted to make, participate in, or attempt to influence employment or other business decisions involving a family member or personal relationship.

While Rochester Christian University permits employment within a family or personal relationship, superior-subordinate work associations that could give rise to favoritism or suspicions thereof are not permitted within the same department, and no direct reporting or supervisory interactions should exist.  Such relationships are defined as those persons with whom the employee has a personal association, including but not limited to:  boyfriend or girlfriend; parent, step or foster parent; child, step or foster child; brother, sister, grandparent, grandchild; half-brother or half-sister; aunt, uncle, niece, nephew; other dependents and their respective spouses, and in-laws.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity

Rochester Christian University does not engage in unlawful discrimination base on gender, race, age, color, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin in the execution of its education programs, activities, employment, daily operations or admission policies, in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Faculty, staff, and third-parties should report a potential violation of the University’s policy prohibiting discrimination, harassment, and retaliation (not based on sex or gender) in a timely manner to Human Resources, Charity Davidson at charity.davidson@rcu.edu.

Students and prospective students should report a potential violation of the University’s policy prohibiting discrimination, harassment, and retaliation (not base on sex or gender) to the Dean of Students, Scott Samuels at scott.samuels@rcu.edu.

For further information, you can contact the local Office of Civil Rights at:

Office for Civil Rights (Cleveland Office), U.S. Department of Education

1350 Euclid Avenue, Suite 325

Cleveland, OH 44115-1812

216-522-4970

Placement of Graduates

Information on graduate outcomes including employment and continuing education for all of Rochester Christian University’s degree programs can be obtained by contacting the Office of Institutional Research, 800 W Avon Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48307; phone (248) 218-2120.

Price of Attendance

A breakdown of the estimated cost of attendance used to determine student eligibility for federal student assistance as well as program-specific tuition and fees is available at the Student Financial Services web site: Costs.

Privacy of Student Records (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records. They include the right to: 1) inspect and review these records; 2) request an amendment to the records; 3) consent to or restrict disclosures of personally identifiable information in the records; and 4) file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning the University’s alleged failure to comply with FERPA. Copies of the complete policies and procedures for reviewing educational records and requesting an amendment of the records may be obtained from the Registrar’s Office at 800 W Avon Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48307. RCU’s FERPA Policy Statement is available in the undergraduate catalog.

Post-secondary educational institutions that administer FSA programs are subject to the information security requirements established by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for financial institutions. Requirements apply to all customer information in our possession, regardless of whether it pertains to students, parents, or other individuals in which the University has a relationship. Rochester Christian University ensures that all nonpublic personal customer information, obtained by various Rochester Christian University departments whether through paper, electronic, or other forms, is adequately safeguarded, protected, and is not shared with unauthorized individuals.

FAFSA and Federal Tax Information (FTI) Data Sharing

FERPA consent does not apply to FTI collected on the FAFSA application. FAFSA and FTI data are governed also by the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, Privacy Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) of 1986 Section 6103. These rules allow for release of the complete unredacted FAFSA Submission Summary to be disclosed upon request by an applicant to the applicant. FTI may only be disclosed to a third party or a designated individual(s) with distinct and separate written consent from the applicant, for only the purposes of applying for and receiving financial assistance towards the cost of attendance at Rochester Christian University. FAFSA Data, excluding FTI and excluding PII, may be disclosed internally within Rochester Christian University for the purpose of research to prompt college attendance, persistence and completion. FTI, FAFSA data and FAFSA derived data may be disclosed to institutional auditors and/or third-party contractors.

Program Integrity (Complaints)

Rochester Christian University encourages students and prospective students initially to address complaints relating to RCU institutional policies and consumer protection issues with personnel in the office, department or college that caused the alleged grievance. Senior administrators will be involved, as needed, to resolve the complaints.

Pursuant to the state authorization provision of the Program Integrity Regulations (34 C.F.R. 668.43) established by the Department of Education on October 29, 2010, the following contact information is provided for filing complaints that remain unresolved after engaging in the above-referenced process. Complaints concerning broad institutional academic practices, such as those that raise issues regarding the University’s ability to meet accreditation standards, may be forwarded to the Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60604 or https://www.hlcommision.org/.

For information on filing a complaint with Rochester Christian University’s State approving and licensing agency, you may go to https://www.michigan.gov/leo/- /media/Project/Websites/leo/Documents/WD/Programs_Services/PSS/Post- Secondary_Complaint_Instructions_FINAL_08172023.pdf.

All other pertinent information regarding postsecondary schools related to our State approving and licensing agency, you may visit www.michigan.gov/pss.

Refund Policy, Requirements for Withdrawal, and Return of Title IV, HEA Financial Aid

RCU policy on withdrawal from courses is located in the course catalog. Students should contact their academic advisor with questions about the academic impact of their withdrawal and their financial services advisor about the impact on their financial aid. Recipients of financial aid or veterans’ education benefits must contact Student Financial Services, Rochester Christian University, 800 W Avon Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48307; phone (248)-218-2127.

Tuition and Fee Refund Policy: Traditional Students who formally withdraw from RCU receive a pro rata refund during the first 5 weeks of the semester. No refund on tuition and fees are granted after 5 weeks into the semester. Accelerated Learning students are given refunds based on course length. The refund tables can be viewed in the course catalog.

Housing and Meal Plan Refund Policies: Refunds for Housing and Meal Plan charges are determined on a prorated basis by the Resident Director and transmitted to the Student Account System for posting. No refunds are given for previous unused meals. Special fees may not be refunded. Room deposits are refunded when check out procedures are completed and keys have been returned.

Financial Aid and the Refund Policy: Students who receive financial aid, complete registration, and subsequently reduce his/her enrollment status or withdraw are subject to the federal and state refunds and repayments regulations. Student Financial Services determines if students who completely withdraw during a semester have earned the money disbursed or owe a repayment. A summary of the Financial Aid and Refund Policy is located on the Financial Services website and details the three refund policies listed here and their effect on student assistance. For additional information contact Student Financial Services, Rochester Christian University, 800 W Avon Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48307; phone (248) 218-2127; or in the course catalog.

Services for Students with Disabilities

The institution coordinates and provides various academic and support services to students with disabilities as defined by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Information is available from Rochester Christian University at accommodations@rochesteru.edu, or, Rochester Christian University, 800 W Avon Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48307; phone (248) 218-2018; Also see: https://rcu.edu/academics/center-for-advising-vocation-services/student-support-services/.

Student Body Diversity

Information on student body diversity in the categories of gender and ethnicity of enrolled full-time Federal Pell Grant recipients can be found in the Common Data Set (CDS) documents, published annually on the Institutional Research page on the website: https://rcu.edu/academics/institutional-reasearch/.

The number of undergraduate students who receive a Federal Pell Grant is available at http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator.

Textbook Information/Required Course Materials

Students can purchase textbooks from our online bookstore at http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/rc.htm. Payment for all textbooks purchased through the online bookstore must be made at the time of purchase. Students may obtain the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) through the above website when you search under the course ID number. Students may be eligible for a bookstore voucher.  For information on bookstore voucher policies and obtaining a bookstore voucher, please contact sfs@rochesteru.edu.

Some courses may have textbooks provided within the RCU Learning Management System “Canvas” at no cost to the student for up to a two-week period following the start of the semester. After the two-week period, students must either opt out of purchasing them through “Canvas” and may purchase them through an outside textbook vendor, or they may opt in, and the cost of the textbooks will be added to their student account. If a student has a credit on their student account from excess financial aid awards, these textbook charges will be deducted from that credit balance. If a student does not have a credit balance, the charges will be billed to the student and will be due 30 days upon receipt. If the student was enrolled in a payment plan, the next textbook charges will be added to the overall balance due, and a revised payment plan schedule will be emailed to the student.

Vaccination Policies

Rochester Christian University does not currently mandate vaccinations to attend; however, we promote healthy living among our student population as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Visit the CDC Web Site for recommendations regarding healthy behaviors and vaccinations in college.

Voter Registration

The Higher Education Amendments of 1998 require higher learning institutions to make a good faith effort to distribute voter registration forms to all enrolled students physically in attendance at the institution for primary elections as well as for general elections.

To register to vote in the state of Michigan, download the form and send to the address on this link: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/-/media/Project/Websites/sos/Elections/Election-Forms/Voter-Registration-Form-English.pdf

College Navigator

College Navigator is a direct link to nearly 7,000 colleges and universities in the United States including Rochester Christian University. Below is a direct link: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=rochester+university&s=all&id=170967.