ACHS Tuition and Funding

Tuition is set by the Office of the President of the American College of Healthcare Sciences. The College reserves the right to change its charges and policies at any time.

ACHS courses are designed to provide excellence in education and student services. We believe that quality education is an investment in your future and all of our services are designed to provide you with the best education for your education dollar.

Tuition Includes:

• All instruction and evaluation.
• Full student services and support during your program, including unlimited online classroom access, email, and telephone support.
• Online interaction and support including a 24/7 Technical Help Desk.
• Exam fees.
• One official transcript.
• An embossed Certificate, Diploma, or Degree upon completion of all program requirements.

Your tuition includes a wide range of student services:

• eCompanion online virtual classrooms offering a rich interactive learning community with fellow students and expert faculty with real-world clinical experience.
• Online tools to enable you to interact with your peers and join study groups.
• Career center including employment bulletin board.
• The College eNewsletter, The ACHS Reporter.
• Unlimited toll-free phone access to information and answers to your questions within the United States and Canada.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Tuition per semester credit: $255

Registration fee: $200 per program, payable at enrollment. Students enrolling in single courses pay a registration fee per course, based on $30 per credit, not to exceed $200 per registration.

Additional fees apply per course for required course materials and textbooks, and any required lab materials.

Estimated Total Annual Expense

The estimated minimum total annual expense for tuition in the Associate of Applied Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine is $9,180 based on the 2012 tuition rate of $255 per credit hour (36 semester credits completed per year). The estimated maximum total expense for tuition in the Associate of Applied Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine (varies depending on major chosen) is $15,300 based on tuition rate of $255 per credit hour (60 total semester credits completed).

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Tuition per semester credit: $370

Registration fee: $200 per program, payable at enrollment. Students enrolling in single courses pay a registration fee per course, based on $30 per credit, not to exceed $200 per registration.

Additional fees apply per course for required course materials and textbooks, and any required lab materials.

Estimated Total Annual Expense

The estimated minimum total annual expense for tuition in the Master of Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine is $9,990 based on the 2012 tuition rate of $370 per credit hour (27 semester credits completed per year). The estimated maximum total expense for tuition in the Master of Science in Complementary Alternative Medicine is $13,320 based on tuition rate of $370 per credit hour (36 total semester credits completed). This does not include registration fees, course materials including textbooks and supplementary materials, or shipping of course materials. Please note these figures may vary depending on transfer of credit accepted.

Course Materials

Textbooks and required materials average $350 per course. Materials and Textbook prices vary widely depending on the course. Many modality courses require materials for lab work. For example, students are required to purchase herb samples for their learning in herbal courses and essential oils for aromatherapy courses. These kits are included in the required materials fee and are not optional. Students are required to use ACHS lab kits to ensure safety when preparing and using formulas. Required materials include:

• Online Materials, Library and Resources Fee
• All lab kits including herb and essential oil kits
• ACHS e-textbook (when applicable)

Materials fees change frequently due to fluctuating market costs. Estimated fees for course materials and textbooks are available online at www.achs.edu under each course description.

Textbooks

ACHS uses both Commercial Textbooks and ACHS Textbooks (Textbooks published by the institution), depending on the course. ACHS Textbooks are available as a printed textbook and as an e-textbook. All students will receive the required e-textbook which consists of required reading for the course; students may not opt out of the ACHS e-textbook.

ACHS uses both Publisher Textbooks and ACHS Textbooks (Textbooks published by the institution), depending on the course. All estimated required materials fees include both the printed ACHS textbook and the digital e-textbook applicable to the course. For students who prefer, there is a "Green Option"; choose the digital e-textbook version only and a credit for the printed textbook is applied to your fees. The e-textbook version, which can be accessed on your iPad, iPhone, and other smart mobile devices, is fully interactive and searchable and is accessed in the online classroom the first day of class. The printed version is delivered to you along with your other course specific materials prior to the class start date. You can use and print the e-textbook for your own educational purposes; you may not distribute the e-textbook or print it for distribution. Should you decide at a later date you would prefer the printed version as well as the digital you can purchase a copy after class commences by calling or emailing student services.

Each course description online includes the name and ISBN of all commercially published textbooks. If you already have any of these texts, please let your admissions advisor or student services know so that duplicates are not shipped to you. We are currently working with our publishing partners to make commercial eBooks available to students. Please let your admissions advisor know if you would like to receive Commercial Textbooks as eBooks when they are available.

Online Materials, Library and Resources Fee

Each course materials fee includes a fee (currently $33 per credit) for online materials resources and library. This fee includes:

• An extensive virtual library to assist you with research including access to two subscription-only research database libraries and to many full text resources. Graduate students and students in select undergraduate courses also have access to the online and on-campus library of Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and to the Library and Information Resources Network (LIRN).
• Online video and audio resources.
• Online Social Network to enable you to interact with your peers and join study groups.
• Career center including employment bulletin board.
• ACHS Reporter newsletter.

Costs Not Covered by Tuition

• Computer: Each student will need a computer with internet access that meets the minimum technology requirements (view at myachsclass.org).
• Additional Recommended Reading: While all texts required to complete each course are included in the required materials fee, faculty may provide additional recommended book lists that are optional. However, purchase is not required and the library is an excellent resource for many of these books. These are available at the College Store at a student discount.

Other Fees:

As an accredited College, we are required to publish all fees that may apply to a student at any time during their enrollment at ACHS, though most students will never encounter many of these fees if they remain in good academic and financial standing.

Financial Aid

As an accredited institution, ACHS offers many funding options including a monthly installment payment plan. You are encouraged to discuss these options with your admissions advisor following the completion of your ACHS Intake Assessment.

ACHS is approved for students to receive funding from:

• Veteran's Benefits
• Tuition Assistance (military and employer)
• Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds (ACHS is on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) for Oregon)
• Vocational Rehabilitation funding
• ACHS Imagine America Military Award Program Scholarship
• ACHS Imagine America Adult Scholarship
• Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program
• In addition, many corporations and private organizations offer scholarships and tuition assistance for education at an accredited college.

Military Funding

ACHS accepts all forms of military education benefits including tuition assistance and veterans benefits.

If you are eligible to receive VA benefits, you may download the appropriate application for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs main website at www.gibill.va.gov. Your Admissions Advisor will assist you to complete your forms correctly and enroll using your VA Benefits.

ACHS Military Award Scholarship Program

ACHS offers a scholarship program for veterans with expired benefits and spouses of active duty servicemembers without access to other education benefits.

View more information about the ACHS Military Scholarships online here.

Workforce Training 

ACHS is approved as an eligible provider under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). ACHS is an eligible training provider listed with the Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development. You may be eligible for this funding.

Vocational Rehabilitation 

Many state vocational rehabilitation offices provide funding. We have worked with Oregon, Colorado, Idaho, Texas, New York, Kansas, and other state vocational funding offices. Your admissions advisor can work with your vocational counselor to have ACHS approved as a vendor in your state if we are not yet in their system.

Student Loans 

Students may apply for a private loan through their bank or credit union.

Corporate Funding 

Many corporations and private organizations offer scholarships and funding for education at accredited institutions. We have students funded by Wild Oats, Boeing, Qwest, Verizon, Sprouts, and Mountain Rose Herbs.

Direct Tuition Payment Methods

We accept payments by check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, and JCB International. 

ACHS students can pay for each semester’s courses at the time of registration or pay in convenient monthly payments. Payment Installment Plans (“PIPs”) are a courtesy extended to help students budget for College without taking on student loan debt; PIPs are available to students in the United States and Canada only. PIPs are simply your semester balance divided by four equal installment payments. A nominal participation fee (currently $20) is charged to PIPs accounts with each month's payment to cover administrative costs.

Your application cannot be processed until we receive your first payment.

Refund Policy

ACHS follows the refund policy set out by the DETC and complies with the refund policy of the Oregon Office of Degree Authorization. This information is also detailed in the ACHS Program Catalog.

Dropping a Course

Students may request to withdraw in any manner, but are asked to contact their Academic Advisor or the Dean of Admissions to discuss withdrawing.

Refund Policy for Cohort Fixed Length Credit Courses Up to 16 weeks in Length

Cohort courses have set start and end dates, and students progress through the course with a group of peers at approximately the same time, supported by their instructor and student services. Tuition refunds for cohort courses are pro-rated based on time enrolled in the course.

Students who cancel within five days after signing the enrollment contract are entitled to a full refund. Materials are not shipped until the expiration of these five days. If a student withdraws after five days, ACHS will retain the registration fee, not to exceed $200.

If the student enrolls in a Program (Certificate, Diploma, or Degree), each course is treated separately for the purposes of calculating any refund to the student.

Refunds are based on the date the request is received at ACHS or the postmarked date if mailed. The College will make any refund due within 30 calendar days from this date. It is a student’s responsibility to repay any student loans. Some financial institutions require that refunds be paid back directly to the institution in the event of a refund. Depending on payment plans, students who drop a course may still owe a balance to ACHS and/or their lender.

No student is obligated for tuition charged for a term that has not commenced when the student withdraws.

Refund Schedule

1-6 Week Courses
Refundable Tuition Due After:

• 1st Week = 70%
• 2nd Week = 40%
• 3rd Week = 20%
• 4th Week = 0%

7-10 Week Courses
Refundable Tuition Due After:

• 1st Week = 80%
• 2nd Week = 60%
• 3rd Week = 40%
• 4th Week = 20%
• 5th Week = 0%

11-16 Week Courses
Refundable Tuition Due After:

• 1st Week = 80%
• 2nd Week = 70%
• 3rd Week = 60%
• 4th Week = 50%
• 5th Week = 40%
• 6th Week = 30%
• 7th Week = 20%
• 8th Week = 10%
• 9th Week = 0%

Course Materials, Lab Materials, & Technology Fee

ACHS offers a 14 day return satisfaction guarantee for materials. Materials should be unopened and in reusable condition. Shipping is not subject to refund. The College is not responsible for damaged or lost study materials.

Online Materials, Library & Resources Fee

This fee funds subscription library database licenses required to access online lectures and materials. No refunds are available after online course opens.

Travel Programs

Your deposit must be paid to secure your accommodations. The balance of your fee is due eight weeks before the first day of class. A 100% refund is offered if you withdraw in writing within five days of enrollment. If you withdraw eight weeks or more before the first day of class, your deposit is non-refundable. If you withdraw within eight weeks of the first day of class, no refund is available. We require all students obtain travel insurance.