The Chicago School for Piano Technolgy

Financial Aid Information

School Code 041860

CSPT Policy

(Don't forget to go to the Virtual Financial Aid Office!)

 

 

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS (SAP) AND GOOD STANDING

 

In order to receive a Certificate from The Chicago School for Piano Technology, the student must meet both the qualitative and quantitative measures set by the School. A student is expected to complete the certificate programs within a prescribed time frame. For CSPT's certificate programs, both Basic and Advanced curricula, the time frame cannot exceed 150% of the published length of the program measured in clock hours completed as determined by the institution. Successful completion in all cases will be measured by the instructor's grading of pass or fail in each quarter. Failure overall (leading to withdrawal or dismissal) will be based on failure in any one of the core curriculum areas.

In the Basic Curriculum, the scored passing percentage is 70% for all required exams and tests, with the exception of some tuning exams which are scored at 65%. In the Advanced Curriculum, the scored passing percentages increase from 75% to 85% throughout the year. In all cases, an averaged overall percentage of 67% is the required minimum. The instructor will measure progress throughout each course against a set of learning criteria set out for each class. Quizzes, midterms and final tests, and significant outside projects are given in all classes. The Administrator maintains written results of midterms and finals and outside projects.

Both the Basic Curriculum and Advanced Curriculum year at CSPT totals 44 weeks over 11 months. This period is divided into 4 quarters of 10 weeks each, and an "Interterm" period of 4 weeks between the 1st and 2nd quarter. Students must complete the entire curriculum within that time-frame to receive a Certificate. There are no repeated courses offered, or "incompletes" allowed, within the curriculum year (see Withdrawal below). The schedule of work which the student must complete within this time frame may be found on CSPT's Curriculum pages at (http://pianotechschool.com/curriculum.html or http://pianotechschool.com/advancurriculum.html).

In order for a student to be in good academic standing and maintain SAP at The Chicago School for Piano Technology the student must:

 

All requirements and policies apply equally to all students whether they are receiving federal financial aid or not.

 

PROBATION

 

A probationary period of the following quarter will be offered at the end of each quarter if the student has failed to meet the requirements of the School in the prior quarter and is not achieving satisfactory academic progress (SAP). During the probationary period of time, the student will undertake to complete all required coursework at the required passing level by a) making schedules with faculty for remediation, b) making schedules with faculty for class and/or test make-ups, and c) completing all required written material and assigned projects. The student will be strongly urged to meet the probationary requirements in a shorter period of time than the full quarter since there are on-going and increasing academic responsibilities and demands as the quarter progresses. A probation plan will be agreed upon between the student and CSPT, and kept in the student's file. When the student completes all of the required work within the probationary period, the student will be removed from probation. Make-up testing will be limited to three attempts: immediately after failure of the original exam and prior to the start of the following quarter, another attempt at 3 weeks of the following quarter, and a final attempt at 8 weeks of the following quarter. Make-up testing is, as well, fee-based. If the student does not, or can not, complete the requirements within the probationary period, the student must withdraw or may be dismissed. The student may also elect to withdraw (officially) with the option of re-applying at a later date; there is, however, no guarantee of re-acceptance. If the student is receiving federal financial aid, however, the student will forfeit that aid at this point, and this date of non-completion (withdrawal) will determine the disbursements of monies to be returned either by the student or by the school.

However, with some exceptions, during the period of probation, the student will continue to receive all benefits and services of the school including access to federal financial aid (see policy on financial assistance hold).

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WITHDRAWALS

 

CSPT has no leave-of-absence policy. Because the curriculum is a single and continuous course of study, a student who withdraws (officially) will need to wait until a subsequent year to re-apply for admission to a subsequent curriculum. At the time of withdrawal, the student's file will be annotated as either "withdrawn/passing" or "withdrawn/failing". If the student withdraws prior to completing a particular quarter of the curriculum, the student must begin, on re-admission, at the start of that quarter’s study; this re-admission will depend, in part, on the student's satisfactory completion of all prior quarters' work, and may also depend on whether CSPT has made any substantial changes in the curriculum since the student withdrew. Re-admission is not guaranteed. If a student's file is annotated as withdrawn/failing, the re-applying student must take and pass entry examinations in the curriculum area in which the student was failing. These examinations are fee-based. The student may not re-enter in any middle point of the particular quarter in which the student has withdrawn. If the student is receiving financial aid for attendance at CSPT, the student will need to re-apply for that aid in the subsequent year at re-admission, and at the tuition rate of that year.

 

A student who is enrolled and decides to withdraw must file a withdrawal request. If the student withdraws without a formal signed and dated request, the student will be unofficially withdrawn, and will not be considered for re-admission in the future.

For official withdrawals, a student’s withdrawal date is the date that the student officially in writing notifies the school of their intention to withdraw. For unofficial withdrawals, the student withdrawal date will be the date of the last class attended.

For example, if a student unofficially withdraws in the second week of the 2nd quarter, the withdrawal date will be the date of the last class attended in the second week of the 2nd quarter. If the student withdraws, e.g., prior to the beginning of the second quarter, but after the end of the first quarter, the date of withdrawal will be the date of the last class attended in the prior quarter. Unofficial withdrawal, i.e. without official written notification from the student, will be determined by the school to have happened, except for emergencies, after the student misses classes for one week and does not pro-actively request and make arrangements for make-up classes within the following week. A student may appeal the withdrawal, upon notification of it, by petitioning CSPT to adjust the student’s SAP by virtue of clearly stated extenuating, and perhaps unforeseeable, circumstances. This requires documentation (see Student Appeals below).

 

A student who wishes to withdraw must do the following:

 

 

DISMISSAL

 

CSPT shall terminate a student's enrollment when it has been documented that he/she is unable to remain in good academic standing, does not meet the scheduled requirements of the curriculum, or is deemed unable to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for entering the occupation for which he/she is being trained. The student will be informed directly, and by certified mail, of the dismissal, and the written and expressed date of the dismissal will constitute the termination of the student’s relationship with the School, and the student’s enrollment agreement will become void. This date will also constitute the measurement of refunds and reimbursements which are due the student by law. If the student is receiving federal financial aid, the date of dismissal shall determine the allocation of funds disbursement, and the returns necessary either by the School or by the student (see Return to Title IV policy).

 

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STUDENT APPEALS

A student may appeal a grade, an evaluation, a determination of probationary status, or a withdrawal date or status at the times of these occurences, and upon notification by CSPT either at the conclusion of tests, grade determinations (pass or fail), or upon receipt from CSPT of a written determination of the student's status in any of these regards. The student may appeal directly to the appropriate faculty member and to the administration for speedy reconsideration and resolution. If appropriate, initial attempts for informal resolution of an appeal, a complaint, or a request for exception are encouraged. If an informal resolution is not appropriate or fails, and a student feels that extenuating circumstances affected their ability to follow the school’s procedures, that student should submit a written grievance with the office of the school. Appeals, complaints, and request for exceptions may concern such issues as dismissal, re-entry after dismissal, grading, independent study, exceptions on regulations regarding course work, adjusting a dismissal or withdrawal date, satisfactory academic progress, graduation requirements, tuition and financial assistance, and academic dishonesty. Requests for consideration must be accompanied by a statement of compelling circumstances and state what is being requested clearly. The faculty and administration of the school will constitute a “standards and appeals” board.

STANDARDS AND APPEALS PROCEDURES

 

CSPT has established a procedure for the fair and prompt resolution of student grievances concerning instructional and business affairs.

 

Students with any coursework grievances shall first address the issue with the appropriate faculty member.  The faculty member may then confer with the Administrator and Director with the student present.  If necessary, any grievance which cannot be resolved between the student in conference with the faculty member, the Administrator and Director, shall go to a committee of faculty for resolution.  A written record of any grievance and the resolution will be maintained by the Administrator and kept on file in the administrative office.  If the student is dissatisfied with the resolution he/she may then complain, by statute, with the Illinois Board of Higher Education.  See the statement of statute below.

 

CSPT shall resolve student complaints promptly and fairly and shall not subject a student to punitive action because of written grievances having been filed with CSPT or the Superintendent of the Illinois Board of Higher Education. CSPT shall maintain a written record of its handling of all student complaints and keep it on file in the administrative office. 

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CLASS ATTENDANCE and TARDINESS:

 

CSPT requires attendance in each course and every class.  Classes start promptly; any lateness in arriving is disruptive to all students and the teacher.  Progression of information is strongly linked from week to week, and any absence will impede the student's progress. Any missed class must be rescheduled prior to the next class in attendance, and will be fee-based.  Academic probation or dismissal can result from recurring, un-made-up absences.

CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE

All students, faculty, and administrators of CSPT are expected to treat each other in an adult and professional manner.

There are institutional policies and sanctions related to copyright infringement, including unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material, and unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing, which may subject the students to civil and criminal liabilities, including but not limited to lawsuit, fine, or incarceration. CSPT will not tolerate and, after first counseling the student, will dismiss any student who again knowingly violates federal copyright laws and statutes.

CSPT is located in a smoke-free building, and students are not allowed to smoke in the building under any circumstances. Smoking must be outside and no closer than 15 feet to any entrance door. The use of alcohol in the school is prohibited. While counselling services are available, the use of illegal substances will not be tolerated, and all civil and criminal penalties will apply if the issue persists. The Crisis Management and Campus Security Policy contains resources and plans related to drug-counselling.

CSPT has a formal Crisis Management and Campus Security Policy which can be found here. In accordance with the Clery Act, it includes a link to a log of campus and area crime statistics.

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NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY:

The Chicago School for Piano Technology admits students of any age, race, color, national and ethnic origin, gender or gender-preference or orientation, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national and ethnic origin, gender or gender-preference or orientation, in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.

 

STUDENTS' RECORDS:

A student's records, including financial, counseling, attendance records, SAP, and enrollment agreement shall be available for inspection on request by the student. 

 

TRANSFER OF CREDIT

CSPT is an accredited institution. Students are welcome at any time to access CSPT’s accreditation documentation or visit the web site of the accrediting agency. Other institutions may elect to accept CSPT’s credits as expressed in the clock-hour format and as may apply to that other school’s credit hour structure, and only upon the approval of that school. CSPT cannot guarantee the transferability of credits; it is entirely the decision of the school to which the student wishes to transfer.

EMPLOYMENT

CSPT does not provide placement services.  Graduates of the school place themselves. See the FAQ page. The majority (96.4%) of piano technicians are independent business owners according to a survey by The Piano Technicians Guild in 2006.  Business skills and planning are taught in the third quarter Business class at CSPT.

CSPT's CIP (Classification of Instructional Programs) is 47.0404, and can be found here and here.

While College and university technicians (CAUT) employed by institutions usually need a minimum of four years field experience before they are considered for open positions, the preparation at CSPT offers that equivalancy.  But the preponderance of university technicians are still independent business owners (79.5% according to the PTG survey), and not strictly employees of the institution.

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ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION POLICY

 

Refund Policy (105 IL CS 425/15.1a):

 

1. CSPT shall, when a student gives written notice of cancellation, provide a refund in the amount of at least the following: A. When notice of cancellation is given before midnight of the fifth business day after the date of enrollment but prior to the first day of class, all application-registration fees, tuition, and any other charges shall be refunded to the student; B. When notice of cancellation is given after midnight of the fifth business day following acceptance, but prior to the close of business on the student’s first day of class attendance, CSPT may retain no more  than the application-registration fee which may not exceed $150.00 or 50% of the cost of  tuition, whichever is less; C. When notice of cancellation is given after the student's completion of the first day of scheduled class attendance, but prior to the student's completion of 5% of the course of instruction, CSPT may retain the application fee, an amount not to exceed 10% of the tuition and other instructional charges or $300,whichever is less, and subject to the limitations of paragraph 12 of the Additional Terms, the cost of any books or materials which have been provided by CSPT. D. When a student has completed in excess of 5% of the course of instruction, CSPT may retain the application fee, but shall refund a part of the tuition in the following manner: CSPT may retain an amount computed pro rata by days in class plus 10% of tuition and other instructional charges up to completion of 60% of the course of instruction.  When a student has completed in excess of 60% of the course of instruction, CSPT may retain the application fee and the entire tuition and other charges.

 

Additional Terms:

 

2. A student who, on personal initiative and without solicitation, enrolls, starts, and completes a course of instruction before midnight of the fifth business day after the enrollment agreement is signed, is not subject to the cancellation provisions of this Section.

3. Applicants not accepted by CSPT shall receive a refund of all tuition and fees paid within 30 calendar days after the determination of non-acceptance is made. 4.  An application fee shall be chargeable at initial enrollment, and shall not exceed $150.00 or 50% of the tuition, whichever is less. 5. Deposits or down payments shall become part of the tuition. 6. CSPT shall mail a written acknowledgement of a student's cancellation or written withdrawal to the student within 15 calendar days of the postmark date of notification. Such written acknowledgement is not necessary if a refund has been mailed to the student within 15 calendar days.7.  (blank) 8. All student refunds shall be made by CSPT within 30 calendar days from the date of receipt of the student's cancellation. 9. A student may give notice of cancellation to CSPT in writing. The unexplained absence of a student from CSPT for more than 15 school days shall constitute constructive notice of cancellation to CSPT. For purposes of cancellation the date shall be the last day of attendance.  10. A school may make refunds, which exceed those prescribed in this Section.  If the school has a refund policy that returns more money to a student than those policies prescribed in this Section, that refund policy must be filed with the Superintendent.  CSPT has no additional refund policy. 11. CSPT shall refund all monies paid to it in any of the following circumstances: a. CSPT did not provide the prospective student with a copy of the student's valid enrollment agreement and a current catalog or bulletin; b. CSPT cancels or discontinues the course of instruction in which the student has enrolled. c. CSPT fails to conduct classes on days or times scheduled, detrimentally affecting the student. 12. CSPT must refund any book and materials fees when: a. the book and materials are returned to CSPT unmarked; and b. the student has provided CSPT with a notice of cancellation.

 

 

 

BUYER'S RIGHT TO CANCEL

 

The student has the right to cancel the initial enrollment agreement until midnight of the fifth business day after the student has been accepted by CSPT, and if the right to cancel is not given to any prospective student at the time the enrollment agreement is signed, then the student has the right to cancel the agreement at any time and receive a refund of all monies paid to date within 10 days of cancellation.  Notice of cancellation must be in writing and delivered to:

 

 

 

The Chicago School for Piano Technology, NFP

2041 W. Carroll Ave., Suite C227

Attention: Administrator

Chicago, IL 60612

 

 

 

 

 COMPLAINTS

 

 

CSPT shall establish a procedure for the fair and prompt resolution of student complaints concerning instructional and or business affairs. The procedures shall specify the reasons for which a conference or hearing is requested and require the recording of any findings, and CSPT shall maintain a written record of its handling of all student complains.

 

 

Students with any instructional complaints shall first address the issue with the appropriate faculty member.  The faculty member may then confer with the Administrator and Director with the student present.  If necessary, any complaint, which cannot be resolved between the student in conference with the faculty member, the Administrator and Director, shall go to a committee of faculty for resolution.  A written record of the complaint and the resolution of it will be maintained by the Administrator and kept on file in the administrative office.  If the student is dissatisfied with the resolution he/she may then complain, by statute, with the Illinois State Board of Education.  See statement below.

 

Students with any business affair complaints shall address the issue with the Administrator and in consultation with the Director.  A written record of the complaint and the resolution of it will be maintained by the Administrator and kept on file in the administrative office.  If the student is dissatisfied with the resolution he/she may then complain, by statute, with the Illinois State Board of Education.  See statement below

 

The school shall resolve student complaints promptly and fairly and shall not subject a student to punitive action because of written complaints having been filed with the school or the Superintendent. The school shall maintain a written record of its handling of all student complaints and keep it on file in the administrative office. 

 

Any student or employee of a school approved by this Act who believes he has been aggrieved by a violation of this Act shall have the right to file a written complaint within one year of the alleged violation. The State Superintendent of Education shall acknowledge within 20 days receipt of such written complaint. The Superintendent shall issue a written finding as to whether there is good cause to initiate disciplinary proceedings in accordance with the provisions of this Act. The Superintendent shall furnish such findings to the person who filed the complaint and to the chief operating office of the school cited in the complaint.

 

COMPLAINTS AGAINST CSPT MAY BE REGISTERED WITH THE ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION BY SENDING A LETTER TO EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING ADDRESSES:

 

Illinois State Board of Education

Private Business and Vocational School Unit

100 North First Street

Springfield, Illinois 62777-0001

217/782-2948

 

or

 

Illinois State Board of Education

Private Business and Vocational School Unit

100 West Randolph Street

Chicago, Illinois 60601-3407

312/814-3517

 

 

 

ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVAL

 

 

Certificate of Approval To Operate Issued By

the Illinois State Superintendent of Education,

 100North First Street,

 Springfield, Illinois 62777

 

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The Chicago School for Piano Technology admits students of any age, race, color, national and ethnic origin, gender or gender-preference or orientation, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national and ethnic origin, gender or gender-preference or orientation, in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.