POLICIES

TUITION POLICIES

Tuition must be paid in full before materials are issued and training begins. This policy applies to each year of the program in which an individual is enrolled. We encourage employers to pay tuition 90 days prior to the start date of each level. This ensures timely receipt of the materials and enables flexibility in scheduling. Shipping costs of materials are added to the invoice.

TUITION REFUND POLICY Withdrawals are official only after the withdrawal form is completed and received by Northwest Lineman College. The date of receipt by NLC is the official withdrawal date. After the official withdrawal date has been confirmed by NLC, the amount of tuition refunded will be determined in accordance with the following:

• 75%—Withdrawal more than 60 days prior to the class start date.

• 50%—Withdrawal within 30–60 days prior to the class start date.

• No refund—Withdrawal form is received less than 30 days prior to start date.

Notes: • This policy applies for each year that an individual is enrolled in the program.

• Financial transactions of tuition will occur between the employer and Northwest

Lineman College.

• The trainee’s employer or program sponsor must request, complete, and submit the PTE withdrawal form. • The refund amount will be based on the date the signed withdrawal form is received and verified by NLC.

• If a trainee withdraws from the program and wishes to reenter the program at a later date, the individual must reenroll in the program. All enrollment processes and policies apply.

ON-CAMPUS POLICIES

ATTENDANCE Instructor-led training (face-to-face or virtual) is in session from 8:00 AM to noon, and 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM each day.

Attendance is taken twice per day (8:00 AM and 12:30 PM) and may be taken at the discretion of the training specialist delivering the training. Trainees are allowed one tardy and one absence for the duration of instructor-led training.

A tardy is counted when a student shows up between 0 and 15 minutes from the start of class or field training. Two tardies equal one absence.

Trainees not in attendance after 15 minutes will be marked as absent.

Trainees exceeding the “one absence + one tardy” rule will be marked as incomplete for the program. Trainees who violate the attendance policy can complete the program only after reenrolling and paying tuition as a new student. ACADEMIC TESTING Trainees must meet NLC’s minimum academic test score of 70% on all exams. The grading system is as follows:

A 100-90%

B 89-80%

C 79-70%

D 69-60%

F Below 60%

Students must earn a letter grade of “C” or better in each academic course to successfully complete the program. NLC’s grading system is a straight scale with no rounding. Only the whole number will be reported and used to determine a student’s final grade in any applicable course. Students who scored below 70% are allowed one opportunity to retake an exam. Students who do not score above a 70% on their retake will not receive a certificate and can only do so by reenrolling and paying tuition as a new trainee.

For courses that are graded based on a performance rubric, trainees must achieve a “Meets Expectations” level of performance for all assignments and examinations to pass the course. A trainee who does not meet this level of performance for a given course may not progress to the next level until they meet this standard.

BEHAVIOR AND FIELD During in-person training and when interacting with fellow PTE participants and mentors, be sure to share, support your classmates, and contribute to a positive learning environment. Refrain from any

behavior that you know doesn’t promote supportive collaboration and learning, in and out of the training environment. Participants will be assessed by their supervisors, course instructors, and PTE mentors. These will certify in writing whether the PTE participant will be allowed to progress, in compliance with their company’s standards and the stated requirements of the PTE Program. Those who exhibit unacceptable behavior will not advance in the program until the issues are resolved.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR HARDSHIP Trainees in this category have experienced a hardship beyond their control, which causes them to leave the program and exceed the maximum allowable absences per the Attendance policy. Examples of hardships include physical impairment, serious illness, or family tragedy. Trainees experiencing a hardship during the training session must notify NLC to obtain a Leave of Absence (LOA) authorizing release from the current session and provide it to program staff. Once released, the trainee will be scheduled to retake applicable courses at a later date. NLC will work with the trainee to reschedule at a time that is convenient for both NLC and the trainee. If a special session is required due to the hardship, the trainee’s employer will incur a fee for the service.

DRUGS AND ALCOHOL NLC is a drug- and alcohol-free educational institution. The following rules apply in addition to any rules or policies imposed by the student’s employer: • Employer’s Responsibility. It is the employer’s responsibility to confidentially notify NLC in writing if a trainee has been prescribed medication that could possibly impair his or her behavior, either physically or mentally.

• NLC’s Responsibility. NLC will notify the trainee’s employer prior to proceeding with any drug or alcohol test for any person enrolled the program.

• No-Tolerance Policy. Trainees will be immediately expelled from the program for any of the following:

• Refusing a drug or alcohol test that is ordered based on reasonable belief;

• Altering, tampering with, or in any way compromising

NLC’s drug or alcohol testing procedure, such as delaying the test or providing unusable or diluted samples;

• Possessing, using, or selling any drugs or alcohol on

NLC premises.

CONDUCT The following are examples of possible reasons for immediate expulsion from NLC. They include, but are not limited to:

• Any violation of NLC rules and policies. Most rules are listed in the program catalog and syllabus but may be presented in other curriculum or program documents. • Cheating on exams, quizzes, competencies, or any other required evaluations.

• Any behavior (on or offsite) that negatively affects student or staff, safety, morale, or the quality of the training or the training environment.

• Using or possessing any illegal substances (on or offsite).

• Being under the influence of an intoxicating substance (including alcohol with a blood alcohol content of .04) while on college property.

• Destroying or stealing trainees or NLC property.

• Disrespecting fellow students or faculty.

• Trainees are expected to show professional courtesy by minimizing all potential distractions (including cell phones) during class sessions.

Electronic devices may be used during training hours only if their use is directly related to the lecture or lesson (such as for taking notes).

COURSE AUDITING Auditing allows a trainee to attend a course without receiving credit. Trainees who wish to audit courses must contact the program coordinator for registration.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “Confidential Information” means and includes information provided by Northwest Lineman College to Recipient or its Representatives in connection with discussions regarding a Business Relationship, including, without limitation, any trade secrets and other business, commercial, technical, marketing, pricing, financial or other information, including, without limitation, whether in electronic, oral, or written form. Recipient agrees not to use the Confidential Information for any purpose other than evaluating and potentially entering into a Business Relationship.

All Confidential Information and the rights thereto shall be and remain the exclusive property of Northwest Lineman College.

OFF-CAMPUS POLICIES

BEHAVIOR AND STUDY GUIDE ASSIGNMENTS Trainees must remain in good standing with their employer by demonstrating safe, positive behavior and work performance. In addition, trainees are required to read and complete all courserelated assignments in the selfpaced courses. Trainees who do not complete these assignments will be scored accordingly on their formal evaluations until the assignments are completed and verified by the instructor. This must occur prior to submission of the Capstone material for each level. TRANSFER WITHIN THE PROGRAM Trainees enrolled in the program who elect to terminate employment from their employer must complete the withdrawal process. If the trainee’s new employer participates in NLC’s Professional Technical Educator Program, NLC may grant continuance in the program provided that the transfer complies with the new employer’s standards and company policies. However, the trainee must enroll in the program with the new employer, and all applicable fees and tuition associated with the enrollment process will apply.

INACTIVE STATUS An employer may elect to place a trainee on “inactive” status with NLC for not more than one year beyond the trainee’s official start date or official date of progression from one level to the next. All policies and procedures will apply as if the trainee is still active in the program with the following exception: the program sponsor must notify NLC in writing to change a trainee’s status to “inactive” and a fee of $150 is due at the time of “reactivation.” The fee is nonrefundable and nontransferable. Trainees must be in active status in order to attend classes or otherwise progress in the program. If the “inactive” status reaches the date of enrollment or progression, the trainee will be considered “withdrawn” from the program (current refund policy will apply) and must reenroll at full tuition as a new trainee. Trainees who are also members of any United States military service component called to active military duty or training may remain inactive until the trainee returns from such duty. The company must provide a copy of the trainee’s military orders to facilitate the inactive status.