FAQs about Fees and Refunds
Q: After I register for a class, when are the fees due?
A: Under the college payment policy, payment in full is required at the time of registration and when adding subsequent classes. Do not add classes during a "drop for nonpayment" date, since all your classes might get dropped even if you submitted a successful payment.
Q: I am a California resident, but I’ve been charged a non-resident tuition fee. Why?
A: There may have been an error when you completed your admission application. It is also possible that you don't meet California residency criteria – which requires students to have resided in California for one year and one day by the first day of term. For additional guidelines, see Residence Determination and Appeal Procedure.
Q: I graduated from a California high school, left and then returned to California, and I am now attending De Anza College. Should I be paying for out-of-state tuition?
A: You may qualify under AB 540 to be exempt from paying nonresident tuition. Please submit a Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request form to the Admissions and Records office before the start of the term to be eligible for California residency for that term.
Q: I am a California resident who is attending a school outside of California but am also enrolled in classes at De Anza College. Should I be paying for out-of-state tuition?
A: If you have graduated from a California high school, you may qualify under AB 540 to be exempt from paying nonresident tuition. Please submit a Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request form to the Admissions and Records office before the start of term to be eligible for California residency for that term.
Q: I am an undocumented immigrant and have graduated from a California High School. Should I be paying for out-of-state tuition?
A: You may qualify under AB 540 to be exempt from paying nonresident tuition. Please submit a Residency: CA Nonresident Tuition Exemption form to the Admissions and Records office before the start of the term to be eligible for California residency for that term.
Q: My residency is incorrect. How do I correct my record?
A: You must clearly prove both physical presence in California and intent to establish California residence. Bring to the Admissions and Records Office three documents supporting your California residency, along with a Residency Reclassification Request form.
You must apply for a change of status by completing the Residency Reclassification Request form before the beginning of the quarter in which you wish to enroll. All residency-related documents must be submitted to the Admissions office within the first two weeks of the quarter, if the residency status change is to apply to that quarter. If the deadline is not met, the residency change will take effect in the next term in which you enroll.
Q: What is the deadline to request reclassification to California resident status?
A: If you have had a change in residency status or are able to present sufficient proof to establish California residency, and you were initially charged out-of-state fees in error, you must submit the Residency Reclassification Request form during the first two weeks of the quarter to be eligible for a tuition adjustment.
Q: I am a high school student who has authorization to concurrently enroll at De Anza College. Do I need to pay enrollment fees? If not, what do I need to pay?
A: High school students are exempt from paying enrollment fees and basic fees if you are taking a total of no more than 11.5 units (6.0 units in summer) at De Anza, Foothill or both colleges combined.
Q: What should I do if my employer or an organization will pay for my fees or tuition?
A: To secure your classes and process a proper invoicing, you must submit the voucher or financial responsibility letter you received from that organization to the Cashier’s Office before the "drop for nonpayment" dates.
Q: What if I have a scholarship that pays for my fees or tuition?
A: Before you register for classes, you must contact the Financial Aid office to arrange for processing your scholarship, so you can secure your classes after you register.
Q: What if I have applied for a loan that will pay for my fees or tuition?
A: You must pay for your classes after you register to secure your classes. You will be reimbursed directly from the lender according to the disbursement schedule disclosed to you by the Financial Aid office.
Q: What if I have an approved Pell Grant that will pay for my fees or tuition?
A: You must pay for your classes after you register to secure your classes. Your grant will be disbursed to you according to the disbursement schedule disclosed to you by the Financial Aid office.
Q: I have a California College Promise (Board of Governors) fee waiver. Why do I need to pay?
A: The approved California College Promise (Board of Governors) fee waiver exempts you from paying enrollment fees, but you are still responsible for basic fees.
Q: Is the California College Promise (Board of Governors) fee waiver automatically renewed in the new academic year?
A: No, you must reapply for the fee waiver as early as you can to qualify for the new academic year because the waiver is based on current income information.
Q: What if I have a college fee waiver for military dependents?
A: To secure your classes, submit the fee waiver to the De Anza Veteran Services office after you register.
Q: Can I pay for my fees in installments?
A: Yes. The college offers installment payment plan options to students with a good financial history with the school. You will make two to three payments during the quarter or session. For more information, see the Installment Plan webpage, visit the Cashier's Office, or call 408.864.8747 or 408.864.5699.
Q: Will I be automatically dropped from my classes if I do not pay my fees when classes have started?
A: No. The college does not automatically drop students for nonpayment after instruction begins. The college administers drops for nonpayment only from the first day of registration through the day before the quarter or session begins. It is your responsibility to drop any unwanted classes upon start of instruction. Also, you may receive a failing grade for classes you register for and don’t attend without dropping.
Failure to pay fees when they are due will result in a "balance due" hold on your account, which will prevent you from receiving registration services, and registering for future classes in subsequent quarters.
Q: What happens if I register for a class and then decide to never attend or pay for the class?
A: You will remain officially enrolled in the class. Your instructor has the option to drop a student for not attending, but it is the student's responsibility to drop any unwanted classes. If you do not drop the class, you will be charged all fees.
Q: What happens if I register for a class and subsequently stop attending?
A: You will remain officially enrolled in the class and the instructor may submit a "withdraw" notice indicating your last day of attendance, or the instructor may issue you a failing grade. You will be responsible for the fee obligation.
Q: How soon after I submit my payment should I expect to receive my registration invoice?
A: The college no longer mails out courtesy billing statements. It is your responsibility to review your fee balance online or inquire in person. The Cashier's Office processes all payments the same day they are received and you may download a quarterly invoice through MyPortal.
Q: How can I purchase a parking decal?
A: Parking decals must be purchased online through MyPortal: Open the Apps page and click on the "Student Registration" tile in the Students section, then click on "Order De Anza Parking Permit."
Orders are processed and decals will be mailed by the next business day. Upon completion of the online purchase, you will receive a purchase confirmation via email or text message. You will also be provided with a printable receipt and an interim permit, good for 15 days from the date of purchase, that you can print out. The interim permit is for temporary display until your decal arrives in the mail. All decals are mailed to the delivery address specified on the order.
Q: Will I get a parking ticket if I don't receive my parking decal in time for the first day of school?
A: Yes, if you park without displaying a valid student-parking permit for the quarter in which you are enrolled, you may be issued a parking ticket. Parking decals are available beginning the first day of active registration.
Parking decals must be purchased online through MyPortal: Open the Apps page and click on the "Student Registration" tile in the Students section, then click on "Order De Anza Parking Permit."
Orders are processed and decals will be mailed by the next business day. Upon completion of the online purchase, you will receive a purchase confirmation via email or text message. You will also be provided with a printable receipt and an interim permit, good for 15 days from the date of purchase, that you can print out. The interim permit is for temporary display until your decal arrives in the mail. All decals are mailed to the delivery address specified on the order.
If you do not have receive your permit in the mail by the expiration date on the interim permit, you MUST visit the campus police substation to check the status of your order or obtain an extension on the temporary permit. If the expiration date is not a work day for the Foothill-De Anza Community College District, you MUST visit the campus police before the expiration date. Parking decals are valid three weeks before the start of the quarter or session and up to one week after the end of the quarter or session.
Q: Where are students authorized to park with a valid student parking permit?
A: With a valid student parking permit, students are permitted to park in any student parking lot on campus. However, you are not authorized to park in any staff or nondesignated parking space. You are not authorized to park in a space designated for handicapped parking without a valid disabled person parking placard or license plate. You are not authorized to park in car pool spaces unless you have a valid car pool permit from Office of College Life each quarter.
Q: I just received a notice from my bank that a check I made out to the college has bounced. What should I do?
A: Immediately contact the Cashier's Office and make arrangements to redeem your account by paying in cash before the office actually takes physical custody of the check. Doing this will relieve you of the $25 bad check fee; however, you must do this quickly. Any delay could result in a $25 bad check fee as well as a suspension of your check writing privileges at De Anza.
Q: What is the deadline to drop a class and qualify for refund of enrollment, basic and tuition fees?
A: The drop deadline for a refund or credit of tuition and fees varies for each class. Check in MyPortal to find the refund dates and drop deadlines for your classes. More refund information is available on the Refund Policy webpage.
Q: How do I obtain a refund that is due to me?
A: To receive a refund, you must submit your refund request through MyPortal. You'll find the Refund Request button by clicking on the "Bill Payment" icon.
Q: How soon after the request is submitted will I receive my refund?
A: Some refund requests are processed no earlier than the third week of the quarter. The refund will be processed as soon as possible if you have fully withdrawn, were granted a California College Promise (BOG) fee waiver, or successfully obtained a residency reclassification (establishing California residency) that prompted a credit balance. If you paid by check, there is a 30-day waiting period before refund requests are processed.
See more FAQs about Installment Plans.