Student Consumer Information

General Student Disclosures
Trident distributes a variety of publications that contain information regarding the University and its financial aid programs, including the Policy Handbook.

• A description of all federal, state, local, private, and institutional need-based and non-need-based financial aid programs that are available to students, including:
  • The procedures and forms by which students apply for aid and eligibility requirements, and
  • Criteria for selecting recipients from the group of eligible applicants and criteria for determining award amounts.
• The rights and responsibilities of students receiving aid, including:
  • Criteria for continued student eligibility under each program,
  • The method by which financial aid will be disbursed and the frequency of those disbursements,
  • The general terms and conditions applicable to any employment that is part of the financial aid package,
  • The terms of any loan received (including federal Direct or Perkins loans), a sample loan repayment schedule, and the necessity of loan repayment,
  • Required loan exit counseling information the University provides and collects.
  • The criteria for measuring satisfactory academic progress, and how a student who has failed to maintain satisfactory progress may re-establish eligibility for federal financial aid, and
  • The way the University provides for Pell-eligible students to obtain or purchase required books and supplies by the seventh day of a payment period (if applicable) and how the students may opt out.
• Information about academic programs, including:
  • The current degree programs and other educational and training programs,
  • The instructional, laboratory, and other physical facilities that relate to the academic programs.
  • Trident faculty and other instructional personnel,
  • Any plans by the University to improve academic programs upon a determination by that such a plan exists, and
  • A description of the written arrangement the University has entered into. Note: The University currently does not have any written arrangement with other postsecondary institutions for the purpose of instructional delivery.
  • The Academic Programs Catalog contains detailed information about programs and courses offered.
  • Most course materials are on Trident’s online library and available for access without additional cost.
• The names of regulatory agencies, associations, or governmental bodies that accredit, approve, or license Trident and its programs; procedures by which documents describing that activity may be reviewed; and contact information for filing complaints with these
• Costs of attending Trident (tuition and fees for full-time and part-time students and estimates of charges for books and supplies, room and board, and applicable transportation costs) and any additional costs of the program in which the student is enrolled or has expressed an interest. The University also makes available a Net Price Calculator and College Financing Plan.
• The requirements and procedures for officially withdrawing from Trident, any refund policy with which the University is required to comply for return of unearned tuition and fees or other refundable portions of costs paid to the University, and a summary of the requirements for the return of Federal Student Aid grant or loan funds.
• General information about the University’s services and facilities available to disabled students, including students with intellectual disabilities.
• The titles of persons designated by the University to provide information to enrolled and prospective students and information regarding how and where those students may be contacted.
• University policies on transfer of credit, including the criteria it uses regarding the transfer of credit earned at another school, and a list of any postsecondary schools with which it has established an articulation agreement.
• Student body diversity as well as student activities, if applicable.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) afford eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records.  An “eligible student” under FERPA is a student who is 18 years of age or older or who attends a postsecondary institution. Information about FERPA can be found in the University’s website and in the Policy Handbook.

Graduation, Retention, Placement and Post-Graduate Study / Student Body Diversity Information
The University calculates graduation statistics as required by the federal Student Right-to-Know Act. The University also publishes any placement rates it must calculate for a state agency or accreditor. Student outcomes information for graduation and retention rates, and information about the types of graduate and professional education into which graduates of Trident’s bachelors degree enroll is posted on the website here.

This link also includes information about the University’s student body diversity. This document contains information about the composition of the students at Trident, including the percentage of enrolled, full-time students who are (1) male, (2) female, (3) Federal Pell grant recipients, and (4) self-identified members of a major racial or ethnic group.

Improvements to Academic Programs
The University reviews its academic programs on a regular basis to ensure relevancy with current employment requirements and market needs. As deemed appropriate, the University may change, amend, alter or modify program offerings and schedules to reflect this feedback. If you have questions about this process, contact the institution’s education department.

Copyright Infringement
Trident has developed the following policy and plans to combat the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material by users of the institution’s network. Violators of this policy will also be subject to penalties including administrative sanctions up to and including expulsion.

• Subject to exceptions contained in 17 U. S. C. Sections 107 and 108 (http://www.copyright.gov/title17/92chap1.html) it is a violation of copyright law to copy, distribute, display, exhibit, or perform copyrighted works without the authority of the owner of the copyright.
• Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under Section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code). These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitute an infringement.
• Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties. In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or “statutory” damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. For “willful” infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed. A court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorneys’ fees. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505.
• Willful copyright infringement can also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 per offense.

For more information, see the website of the U. S. Copyright Office at www.copyright.gov

Vaccinations
Good health practices are encouraged for all students. However, Trident does not require any specific vaccinations beyond those required by state and other laws as a condition for admission. Students are encouraged to consult with their health care professional to discuss obtaining or updating vaccinations.

Treatment of Federal Student Aid-Title IV-When a Student Withdraws- Requirements of 34 CFR 668.22
Trident follows the federal Return of Title IV Funds Policy to determine the amount of Title IV aid a Student has received and the amount, if any, which needs to be returned at the time of withdrawal. Under current federal regulations, the amount of aid earned is calculated on a pro rata basis through 60% of the term. After the 60% point in the term, a Student has earned 100% of the Title IV funds. Trident may adjust the Student’s account based on any repayments of Title IV funds that Trident was required to make.  For details regarding this policy, please see the Policy Handbook.

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Information
In accordance with the requirements of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989 (Public Law 101-226), and the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (Public Law 101-690), our University provides all students and employees with information concerning University policies and the consequences of the manufacture, distribution, possession, or use of any drug made illegal as a matter of federal, state or local law or the illegal possession and/or use of alcohol. Detailed information is included in the Policy Handbook.

We offer Federal Pell Grants and Federal Stafford Direct Loans for eligible students. In addition to multiple eligibility criteria, students must be United States citizens, permanent residents or eligible non-citizens as defined on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). International students are not eligible for Federal Pell Grants.

Learn more about our finance options.

*Financial aid is available for those who qualify.

• Student Outcomes