Article 11 - Enrollment Agreements and Disclosures

California Education Code — §§ 94902-94913

Sections (13)

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 592, Sec. 42. (SB 861) Effective January 1, 2026. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, pursuant to Section 94950.

(a)A student shall enroll solely by means of executing an enrollment agreement. The enrollment agreement shall be signed by the student and by an authorized employee of the institution.

(b)An enrollment agreement is not enforceable unless all of the following requirements are met:

(1)The student has received the institution’s current catalog and School Performance Fact Sheet prior to signing the enrollment agreement.

(2)At the time of the execution of the enrollment agreement, the institution held a valid approval to operate.

(3)Prior to the execution of the enrollment agreement, the student and the institution have signed and dated the information required to be disclosed in the School Performance Fact Sheet pursuant to subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, of Section 94910. Each of these items in the School Performance Fact Sheet shall include a line for the student to initial and shall be initialed and dated by the student.

(c)A student shall receive a copy of the signed enrollment agreement, in writing or electronically, regardless of whether total charges are paid by the student.

§ 94903

Added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 310, Sec. 6. (AB 48) Effective January 1, 2010. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, pursuant to Section 94950.

A student may not waive any term or receipt of any disclosure required by this article.

§ 94905

Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 510, Sec. 97. (SB 887) Effective January 1, 2024. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, pursuant to Section 94950.

(a)During the enrollment process, an institution offering educational programs designed to lead to positions in a profession, occupation, trade, or career field requiring licensure in this state shall exercise reasonable care to determine if the student will not be eligible to obtain licensure in the profession, occupation, trade, or career field at the time of the student’s graduation and shall provide all students enrolled in those programs with a written copy of the requirements for licensure established by the state, including any applicable course requirements established by the state.

(1)If the minimum course requirements of the institution exceed the minimum requirements for state licensure, the institution shall disclose this information, including a list

of those courses that are not required for state licensure.

(2)The institution shall not execute an enrollment agreement with a student that is known to be ineligible for licensure, unless the student’s stated objective is other than licensure.

(b)During the enrollment process, an institution may discuss internships and student jobs available to the student during the student’s attendance at the institution. If the institution discusses internships and student jobs, the institution shall disclose the number of requests for internship and student job placement assistance received by the institution during the immediately preceding calendar year and the number of actual placements during that year.

(c)During the enrollment process, an institution offering educational programs designed to lead to positions in a

profession, occupation, trade, or career field where voluntary licensure by a government agency is available, shall provide its students seeking to enroll in those programs with a written copy of the requirements for that voluntary licensure.

§ 94906

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 497, Sec. 86. (SB 1526) Effective January 1, 2025. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, pursuant to Section 94950.

(a)An enrollment agreement shall be written in language that is easily understood. If English is not the student’s primary language, and the student is unable to understand the terms and conditions of the enrollment agreement, the student shall have the right to obtain a clear explanation of the terms and conditions and all cancellation and refund policies in their primary language.

(b)If the recruitment leading to enrollment was conducted in a language other than English, the enrollment agreement, disclosures, and statements shall be in that language.

§ 94907

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 497, Sec. 87. (SB 1526) Effective January 1, 2025. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, pursuant to Section 94950.

An institution shall not require a student to invoke an internal institutional dispute procedure before enforcing any contractual or other legal rights or remedies.

§ 94908

Added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 310, Sec. 6. (AB 48) Effective January 1, 2010. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, pursuant to Section 94950.

Any information or statement required by this article to be included in the catalog, School Performance Fact Sheet, or enrollment agreement shall be printed in at least the same size font as the majority of the text in that document.

§ 94909

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 592, Sec. 43. (SB 861) Effective January 1, 2026. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, pursuant to Section 94950.

(a)Except as provided in subdivision (d), before enrollment, an institution shall provide a prospective student, either in writing or electronically, with a current school catalog containing, at a minimum, all of the following:

(1)The name, address, telephone number, and, if applicable, internet website address of the institution.

(2)Except as specified in Article 2 (commencing with Section 94802), a statement that the institution is a private institution and that it is approved to operate by the bureau.

(3)The following statements:

(A)“Any questions a student may have regarding this catalog that have not been satisfactorily answered by the institution may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education at (address), Sacramento, CA (ZIP Code), (internet website address), (telephone and fax numbers).”

(B)“As a prospective student, you are encouraged to review this catalog before signing an enrollment agreement. You are also encouraged to review the School Performance Fact Sheet, which must be provided to you before signing an enrollment agreement.”

(C)“A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about this institution with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education by calling (toll-free telephone number) or by

completing a complaint form, which can be obtained on the bureau’s internet website (internet website address).”

(D)“The Office of Student Assistance and Relief is available to support prospective students, current students, or past students of private postsecondary educational institutions in making informed decisions, understanding their rights, and navigating available services and relief options. The office may be reached by calling (toll-free telephone number) or by visiting (internet website address).”

(4)The address or addresses where class sessions will be held.

(5)A description of the programs offered and a description of the instruction provided in each of the courses offered by the institution, the

requirements for completion of each program, including required courses, any final tests or examinations, any required internships or externships, and the total number of credit hours, clock hours, or other increments required for completion.

(6)If the educational program is designed to lead to positions in a profession, occupation, trade, or career field requiring licensure in this state, a notice to that effect and a list of the requirements for eligibility for licensure.

(7)Information regarding the faculty and their qualifications.

(8)A detailed description of institutional policies in the following areas:

(A)Admissions policies, including the institution’s

policies regarding the acceptance of credits earned at other institutions or through challenge examinations and achievement tests, and a list describing any transfer or articulation agreements between the institution and any other college or university that provides for the

transfer of credits earned in the program of instruction. If the institution has not entered into an articulation or transfer agreement with any other college or university, the institution shall disclose that fact.

(B)Cancellation, withdrawal, and refund policies, including an explanation that the student has the right to cancel the enrollment agreement and obtain a refund of charges paid through attendance at the first class session, or the seventh day after enrollment, whichever is later. The text shall also include a description of the procedures that a student is required to follow to cancel the enrollment agreement or withdraw from the institution and obtain a refund consistent with the requirements of Article 13 (commencing with Section 94919).

(C)Probation and dismissal policies.

(D)Attendance policies.

(E)Leave-of-absence policies.

(9)The schedule of total charges for a period of attendance and an estimated schedule of total charges for the entire educational program.

(10)A statement reporting whether the institution participates in federal and state financial aid programs, and if so, all consumer information that is required to be disclosed to the student pursuant to the applicable federal and state financial aid programs.

(11)A statement specifying that, if a student obtains a loan to pay for an educational program, the

student will have the responsibility to repay the full amount of the loan plus interest, less the amount of any refund, and that, if the student has received federal student financial aid funds, the student is entitled to a refund of the moneys not paid from federal student financial aid program funds.

(12)A statement specifying whether the institution has a pending petition in bankruptcy, is operating as a debtor in possession, has filed a petition within the preceding five years, or has had a petition in bankruptcy filed against it within the preceding five years that resulted in reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. Sec. 1101 et seq.).

(13)If the institution provides placement services, a description of the nature and extent of the

placement services.

(14)A description of the student’s rights and responsibilities with respect to the Student Tuition Recovery Fund. This statement shall specify that it is a state requirement that a student who pays the student’s tuition is required to pay a state-imposed assessment for the Student Tuition Recovery Fund. This statement shall also describe the purpose and operation of the Student Tuition Recovery Fund and the requirements for filing a claim against the Student Tuition Recovery Fund.

(15)The following statement:

“NOTICE CONCERNING TRANSFERABILITY OF CREDITS AND CREDENTIALS EARNED AT OUR INSTITUTION

The transferability of credits you earn at (name of institution) is at the complete discretion of an institution to which you may seek to transfer. Acceptance of the (degree, diploma, or certificate) you earn in (name of educational program) is also at the complete discretion of the institution to which you may seek to transfer. If the (credits or degree, diploma, or

certificate) that you earn at this institution are not accepted at the institution to which you seek to transfer, you may be required to repeat some or all of your coursework at that institution. For this reason you should make certain that your attendance at this institution will meet your educational goals. This may include contacting an institution to which you may seek to transfer after attending (name of institution) to determine if your (credits or degree, diploma, or certificate) will transfer.”

(16)A statement specifying whether the institution, or any of its degree programs, are accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. If the institution is unaccredited and offers an associate, baccalaureate, master’s,

or doctoral degree, or is accredited and offers an unaccredited program for an associate, baccalaureate, master’s, or

doctoral degree, the statement shall disclose the known limitations of the degree program, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(A)Whether a graduate of the degree program will be eligible to sit for the applicable licensure exam in California and other states or become certified or registered as required for the applicable profession, occupation, trade, or career field in California.

(B)A degree program that is unaccredited or a degree from an unaccredited institution is not recognized for some employment positions, including, but not limited to, positions with the State of California.

(C)That a student enrolled in an unaccredited institution is not eligible for federal

financial aid programs.

(b)If the institution has a general student brochure, the institution shall provide that brochure to the prospective student before enrollment. In addition, if the institution has a program-specific student brochure for the program in which the prospective student seeks to enroll, the institution shall provide the program-specific student brochure to the prospective student before enrollment.

(c)An institution shall provide the school catalog to any person upon request. In addition, if the institution has student brochures, the institution shall disclose the requested brochures to any interested person upon request.

(d)An accredited institution is not required to provide a School Performance

Fact Sheet to a prospective student who is not a California resident, not residing in California at the time of the student’s enrollment, and enrolling in an accredited distance learning degree program offered by the institution, if the institution complies with all federal laws, the applicable laws of the state where the student is located, and other appropriate laws, including, but not limited to, consumer protection and student disclosure requirements.

§ 94910

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 592, Sec. 44. (SB 861) Effective January 1, 2026. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, pursuant to Section 94950.

Except as provided in subdivision (d) of Section 94909 and Section 94910.5, prior to enrollment, an institution shall provide a prospective student with a current School Performance Fact Sheet containing, at a minimum, the following information, as it relates to the educational program:

(a)Completion rates, as calculated pursuant to Article 16 (commencing with Section 94928).

(b)Placement rates for each educational program, as calculated pursuant to Article 16 (commencing with Section 94928), if the educational program is designed to lead to, or the institution makes any express or implied claim related to preparing students for, a recognized

career, occupation, vocation, job, or job title.

(c)License examination passage rates for programs leading to employment for which passage of a state licensing examination is required, as calculated pursuant to Article 16 (commencing with Section 94928).

(d)Salary or wage information, as calculated pursuant to Article 16 (commencing with Section 94928).

(e)If a program is too new to provide data for any of the categories listed in this subdivision, the institution shall state on its fact sheet: “This program is new. Therefore, the number of students who graduate, the number of students who are placed, or the starting salary you can earn after finishing the educational program are unknown at this time. Information

regarding general salary and placement statistics may be available from government sources or from the institution, but is not equivalent to actual performance data.”

(f)All of the following:

(1)A description of the manner in which the figures described in subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, are calculated or a statement informing the reader of where they may obtain a description of the manner in which the figures described in subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, are calculated.

(2)A statement informing the reader of where they may obtain from the institution a list of the employment positions determined to be within the field for which a student received education and training for the calculation of job placement rates

as required by subdivision (b).

(3)A statement informing the reader of where they may obtain from the institution a list of the objective sources of information used to substantiate the salary disclosure as required by subdivision (d).

(g)The following statements:

(1)“This fact sheet is filed with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Regardless of any information you may have relating to completion rates, placement rates, starting salaries, or license exam passage rates, this fact sheet contains the information as calculated pursuant to state law.”

(2)“Any questions a student may have regarding this fact sheet that have not been

satisfactorily answered by the institution may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education at (address), Sacramento, CA (ZIP Code), (internet website), (telephone and fax numbers).”

(h)If the institution participates in federal financial aid programs, the most recent three-year cohort default rate reported by the United States Department of Education for the institution and the percentage of enrolled students receiving federal student loans.

(i)Data and information disclosed pursuant to subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, is not required to include students who satisfy the qualifications specified in subdivision (d) of Section 94909, but an institution shall disclose whether the data, information, or both provided in its fact sheet excludes students

pursuant to this subdivision. An institution shall not actively use data specific to the fact sheet in its recruitment materials or other recruitment efforts of students who are not California residents and do not reside in California at the time of their enrollment.

§ 94910.5

Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 510, Sec. 99. (SB 887) Effective January 1, 2024. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, pursuant to Section 94950.

(a)Notwithstanding any other law, a law school that meets the criteria of subdivision (b) shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this chapter regarding a School Performance Fact Sheet by doing all of the following:

(1)Complying with Standard 509 of the American Bar Association’s Standards and Rules of Procedure for Approval of Law Schools, as that standard may be amended.

(2)Providing completion rates of students and placement rates, bar passage rates, and salary and wage information of graduates to prospective students prior to enrollment through the law school application process administered by the Law School Admission Council.

(3)(A) Providing to prospective students any additional information required to be reported on a School Performance Fact Sheet that is not reported pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2), including, but not limited to, the most recent three-year cohort default rate reported by the United States Department of Education for the law school and the percentage of enrolled students receiving federal student loans.

(B)If the law school’s three-year cohort default rate reported by the United States Department of Education is aggregated with the three-year cohort default rate of an institution to which the law school belongs, then the law school shall provide to prospective students the law school’s three-year cohort default rate disaggregated from the institution’s three-year cohort default rate.

(C)The law school shall, at a minimum, provide the

information described in this paragraph to prospective students by clearly posting the information in a conspicuous location on the law school’s internet website.

(4)Annually providing the information required to be disclosed pursuant to this subdivision to the bureau.

(b)Subdivision (a) shall apply to a law school that meets all of the following criteria:

(1)The law school is accredited by the Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar of the American Bar Association.

(2)The law school is owned by an institution authorized to operate by the bureau.

(3)The law school reports graduate salary information and other information to the National Association for Law

Placement.

(4)The law school is approved to operate by the bureau pursuant to Section 94874.8.

§ 94911

Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 510, Sec. 100. (SB 887) Effective January 1, 2024. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, pursuant to Section 94950.

An enrollment agreement shall include, at a minimum, all of the following:

(a)The name of the institution and the name of the educational program, including the total number of credit hours, clock hours, or other increment required to complete the educational program.

(b)A schedule of total charges, including a list of any charges that are nonrefundable and the student’s obligations to the Student Tuition Recovery Fund, clearly identified as nonrefundable charges.

(c)In underlined capital letters on the same page of the enrollment agreement in which the student’s signature is required, “THE TOTAL CHARGES FOR THE CURRENT PERIOD OF ATTENDANCE,” “THE ESTIMATED

TOTAL CHARGES FOR THE ENTIRE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM,” and “THE TOTAL CHARGES THE STUDENT IS OBLIGATED TO PAY UPON ENROLLMENT,” followed by the relevant amounts of charges in bold, underlined type.

(d)A clear and conspicuous statement that the enrollment agreement is legally binding when signed by the student and accepted by the institution.

(e)(1) A disclosure with a clear and conspicuous caption, “STUDENT’S RIGHT TO CANCEL,” under which it is explained that the student has the right to cancel the enrollment agreement and obtain a refund of charges paid through attendance at the first class session, or the seventh day after enrollment, whichever is later.

(2)The disclosure shall contain the institution’s refund policy and a statement that, if the student has received federal student financial

aid funds, the student is entitled to a refund of moneys not paid from federal student financial aid program funds.

(3)The text shall also include a description of the procedures that a student is required to follow to cancel the enrollment agreement or withdraw from the institution and obtain a refund.

(f)A statement specifying that, if the student obtains a loan to pay for an educational program, the student will have the responsibility to repay the full amount of the loan plus interest, less the amount of any refund.

(g)A statement specifying that, if the student is eligible for a loan guaranteed by the federal or state government and the student defaults on the loan, both of the following may occur:

(1)The federal or state government or a loan

guarantee agency may take action against the student, including applying any income tax refund to which the person is entitled to reduce the balance owed on the loan.

(2)The student may not be eligible for any other federal student financial aid at another institution or other government assistance until the loan is repaid.

(h)The transferability disclosure that is required to be included in the school catalog, as specified in paragraph (15) of subdivision (a) of Section 94909.

(i)(1) The following statement: “Prior to signing this enrollment agreement, you must be given a catalog or brochure and a School Performance Fact Sheet, which you are encouraged to review prior to signing this agreement. These documents contain important policies and performance data for this institution. This

institution is required to have you sign and date the information included in the School Performance Fact Sheet relating to completion rates, placement rates, license examination passage rates, salaries or wages, and the most recent three-year cohort default rate, if applicable, prior to signing this agreement.”

(2)Immediately following the statement required by paragraph (1), a line for the student to initial, including the following statement: “I certify that I have received the catalog, School Performance Fact Sheet, and information regarding completion rates, placement rates, license examination passage rates, salary or wage information, and the most recent three-year cohort default rate, if applicable, included in the School Performance Fact Sheet, and have signed, initialed, and dated the information provided in the School Performance Fact Sheet.”

(j)The following

statements:

(1)“Any questions a student may have regarding this enrollment agreement that have not been satisfactorily answered by the institution may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education at (address), Sacramento, CA (ZIP Code), (internet website address), (telephone and fax numbers).”

(2)“A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about this institution with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education by calling (toll-free telephone number) or by completing a complaint form, which can be obtained on the bureau’s internet website (internet website address).”

(k)The following statement above the space for the student’s signature:

“I understand that this is a legally binding contract. My signature below certifies that I have read, understood, and agreed to my rights and responsibilities, and that the institution’s cancellation and refund policies have been clearly explained to me.”

§ 94912

Added by Stats. 2009, Ch. 310, Sec. 6. (AB 48) Effective January 1, 2010. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, pursuant to Section 94950.

Prior to the execution of an enrollment agreement, the information required to be disclosed pursuant to subdivisions (a) to (d), inclusive, of Section 94910 shall be signed and dated by the institution and the student. Each of these items shall also be initialed and dated by the student.

§ 94912.5

Added by Stats. 2018, Ch. 671, Sec. 3. (AB 1858) Effective January 1, 2019. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, pursuant to Section 94950.

(a)By January 1, 2020, and permanently thereafter, each institution subject to this chapter that participates in federal student financial aid programs, including, but not necessarily limited to, those programs authorized by Title IV of the federal Higher Education Act of 1965 or veterans’ financial aid programs authorized pursuant to Section 21.4253 of Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations, shall provide students with the Financial Aid Shopping Sheet as developed by the United States Department of Education to inform students or potential students about financial aid award packages prior to enrollment.

(b)In implementing this section, an institution that is subject to this chapter that participates in federal student financial aid

programs, including, but not necessarily limited to, those programs authorized by Title IV of the federal Higher Education Act of 1965 or veterans’ financial aid programs authorized pursuant to Section 21.4253 of Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations, may seek guidance as needed from the United States Department of Education.

§ 94913

Amended by Stats. 2024, Ch. 497, Sec. 88. (SB 1526) Effective January 1, 2025. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, pursuant to Section 94950.

(a)An institution that maintains an internet website shall provide on that internet website the current version of all of the following:

(1)The school catalog.

(2)A School Performance Fact Sheet for each educational program offered by the institution.

(3)Student brochures offered by the institution.

(4)A link to the bureau’s internet website.

(5)The institution’s most recent annual report submitted to the bureau.

(b)An institution shall include information concerning where students may access the bureau’s internet website anywhere the institution identifies itself as being approved by the bureau.