PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT:

We believe that:

• All human beings are unique individuals who have worth and should be treated with dignity. Each individual has diverse physical, psychological, sociological and spiritual needs that must be met.
• Human beings live within a society. Society is based upon diverse cultures which deserve respect and understanding of their beliefs.
• Education is a life-long process of acquiring knowledge. It is an on-going process accomplished through continuing education programs, employment and life experiences. Learning progresses from the simple to the complex with the students as active participants in the learning process.
• Nursing is both an art and a science that deals with the delivery of care in a variety of health settings. Practical nursing is an integral part of nursing. Practical nursing education is based upon an academic foundation in the physical, behavioral and social sciences, as well as the acquisition of technical skills. Through this education the student will gain competence in providing patient care.
• The practical nursing curriculum progresses from the simple to the complex and is always changing to reflect the most current technology. Learning is facilitated by the integration of concurrent theory and clinical experiences. The practical nursing education experience promotes maturity and personal growth allowing the student to become a productive member of society.

Tuition, determined annually is based on the operational cost of the Practical Nursing Program and on state reimbursement and guidelines. The Commonwealth currently contributes a predetermined portion of each student’s tuition.

Tuition for the 2009/2010 school year is approximately $10,092. There is an additional instructional material fee of approximately $1,223 which includes textbooks, uniforms, liability and accident insurance, graduation costs and other miscellaneous expenses associated with the program.

FINANCIAL AID

Tuition costs can be paid by the student, employer or various governmental agencies. To assist students in meeting the financial requirements of the Practical Nursing Program, a variety of resources are available:

• PELL GRANT A federal PELL grant is an award to help undergraduates pay for their education after high school. How much grant assistance you are eligible for will depend upon your own personal financial conditions. PELL grant applications (Free Application for Federal Student Aid – FAFSA) can be obtained from the Financial Aid Officer.
• STAFFORD LOANS A federal Stafford loan is a low-interest loan made to students attending post-secondary school to help finance their education. Applications for PHEAA Stafford loans may be obtained from your bank or PHEAA. Before a student’s application can be certified by the school, the students must have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• PLUS Federal PLUS loans are fro parents who want to borrow to help pay for their children’s education. It is also a low-interest loan that provides additional funds for educational expenses, and like the Stafford loans must be paid back. These loans are not subsidized by the government, which means that the borrower is responsible for paying all interest that accrues on these loans.
• WIA Individuals who meet the Workforce Investment Act eligibility requirements may receive financial assistance toward the cost of tuition. All applications are taken at the Pennsylvania CareerLink Office located in the county of residence. For more information interested individuals should call their local CareerLink.
• TRA/TAA Funding through the Trade Act is provided to dislocated workers who have lost factory employment due to foreign competition. This finding generally pays for tuition, fees, and required supplies. Normally, individuals are notified at their place of work whom to contact.
• VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) assists with funding for qualified students who possess certain disabilities. Individuals should contact the agency for eligibility determination. 

Be aware that it is imperative that processing for all funding sources be identified and initiated prior to the start of classes in order to ensure funding prior to the due dates. Also, the student may owe money if there is a discrepancy between the total amount owed, and the amount of Title IV monies awarded. 

REFUND POLICY

If a student should officially terminate or withdraw from the program, he/she must do so in writing and submit a request for refund. Upon completion of the withdrawal/termination form, any refund due will be calculated according to the last day of attendance.

Tuition refunds are based on full program costs and are calculated on a pro-rata basis. A student withdrawing prior to the first day of class may receive a 100 percent tuition refund. After classes begin, refunds will be pro-rata based, rounded up to the nearest 10 percent of scheduled hours. After 60 percent of the program is completed, no refund is given.  Instructional material fees are not subject to the pro-rata refund policy.  

All refunds will be made in a timely manner. If a refund is due a student under the refund policy and the student has received Title IV aid as a part of the student’s aid packet, the refund will be distributed in a specified order of priority: first, to the lender of a Title IV Loan, to reduce the loan principal; second (if applicable), applied to reduce Title IV grant amounts received; and third (if applicable), to the sponsoring agency, student or parent.

GRADUATION

Students who successfully complete all three levels of the program are presented a diploma at graduation. Graduates are eligible to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

Please note that the State Board of Nursing is prohibited by law from issuing a license to individuals convicted of a felonious act prohibited by the Act of April 14, 1972 (P.L. 233, No. 64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act. For further information or to obtain a copy of this Law, contact the PA State Board of Nursing. 

COOPERATING AGENCIES

Clinical experience is obtained at the J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital and Westminster Woods, a continuing care retirement community, in Huntingdon.  

Additional experiences are obtained through a variety of informative clinical observations and practicums, including Huntingdon County Child and Adult Development (Day Care), Huntingdon Family Care Associates, Pediatrics and Beyond, etc.

DRUG-FREE SCHOOL and WORKPLACE

The policy of the Huntingdon County Career and Technology Center (HCCTC) prohibits students from using, possessing, distributing and/or being under the influence of any controlled substances on school property or on any non-school property used in the performance of school services (including the cooperating clinical agencies) or for school-sponsored events. A prospective student must notify the program director of any previous criminal drug statute conviction at the time of applying for admission to the program.

Any student found in violation of this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action, which may include dismissal. HCCTC may require the student offender to participate in drug counseling, rehabilitation, testing or other programs as a condition of reinstatement into the center’s Practical Nursing Program.

This Policy Statement is adopted in accordance with the requirements of federal law, the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988.