Consumer Information Disclosures

The Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA), includes many disclosure and reporting requirements. A disclosure requirement is information that a postsecondary education institution is required to distribute or make available to another party, such as students or employees. A reporting requirement is information submitted to the U.S. Department of Education or other agencies. Disclosure and reporting requirements sometimes overlap. For certain topics, institutions are required to make information available to students or others and to submit information to the Department of Education. Such information includes general institutional operation, financial aid, general completion and graduation rates, annual security report, completion and graduation rates for student athletes, and athletic program participation rates and financial support.

Columbia International University is committed to the principle of promoting access to information that will allow consumers such as students, parents, counselors, researchers, and legislators make informed decisions about postsecondary education. This Web portal provides a single access point to all federally mandated reports and disclosures.

It is the individual’s responsibility to know and follow current requirements and procedures at the departmental and university levels. For additional information, including requesting a paper copy of any materials, please call or email the appropriate office.

Final regulations implementing the legislative provisions for consumer information are available from the Federal Register. Below is a list of disclosures provided by CIU pursuant to these regulations.

General Institutional Information

Privacy of Student Records — Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Contact: Registrar | registrar@335630.com | (803) 807-5040

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) allows present and future students to have access to their individual educational records, provides basic protections of privacy of their records, and allows them to request that certain “directory information” be kept confidential. Review additional information regarding the rights afforded to students by FERPA.

Facilities and Services for Students with Disabilities

Contact: Director of Academic Services | lisa.lanpher@335630.com | (803) 807-5612

Descriptions of facilities and services available for students with disabilities are available at the CIU Academic Success Center.

Student Diversity

Contact: Institutional Research | roxi.snodgrass@335630.com | (803) 807-5051

CIU annually calculates information relating to the diversity of its students. The most recent information available is for the 2020–2021 academic year: Student Profile Data 2020.pdf

Cost of Attendance

Contact: Director of Financial Aid | finaid@335630.com | (803) 807-5036

Available for Undergraduates, Graduates, and Online Students.

Net Price Calculator

Contact: Director of Financial Aid | finaid@335630.com | (803) 807-5036

CIU provides the Net Price Calculator to help determine the costs of attendance and financial aid eligibility.

Textbook Information

Contact: CIU Bookstore

CIU provides textbook information through the bookstore website. The textbook information includes title, author, edition ISBN, price, etc., when available.

Transfer of Credit Policies and Articulation Agreements

Contact: Registrar | registrar@335630.com | (803) 807-5040

Information for transfer students is available online. Detailed transfer student policies are also available. Articulation agreements are found under “Educational Opportunities” in the academic catalog.

Educational Program, Instructional Facilities and Faculty

Contact: Registrar | registrar@335630.com | (803) 807-5040

Information on various educational programs, instructional facilities and faculty may be found in the most recent academic catalog. Faculty contact information is also found on the website.

Accreditation, Approval, and Licensure of Institution and Programs

Contact: Provost | brandy.stevens@335630.com | Phone: (803) 807-5027

Columbia International University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, educational specialist, and doctorate degrees. Columbia International University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Columbia International University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (sacscoc.org).

A list of accrediting organizations that accredit CIU or specific programs is available online.

South Carolina — State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SC-SARA)

Contact: Provost | brandy.stevens@335630.com | (803) 807-5027

CIU is committed to expanding student access to its educational offerings and providing outstanding student support. Through membership in SARA, a voluntary interstate reciprocity agreement, CIU is able to provide high-quality online programs to students nationwide.

SC CHE serves as the state’s portal agency for SARA and is the final authority for SARA-related complaints. If an SC resident or online program student wishes to file a complaint, he or she may submit the CHE Student Complaint and Procedures form.

Copyright Infringement — Policies and Sanctions

Contact: Library Director | library@335630.com | (803) 807-5104

The library director is responsible for issues related to copyright infringement. View CIU’s copyright infringement policy.

Computer Use and File Sharing

Contact: Information Technology | helpdesk@335630.com | (803) 807-5180

Specific information related to computer use and file sharing is available in our IT Acceptable Use Policy.

College Navigator

College Navigator is a free consumer information tool designed to help students, parents, high school counselors, and others get information about institutions of higher education.

Student Activities

Contact: Dean of Students | philip.ritchey@335630.com | (803) 807-5234

Please visit the Student Life section of our website for information on activities, organizations and general information about CIU.

Teacher Preparation Program Report

Contact: Dean of College of Education | michael.johnson@335630.com | (803) 807-5328

CIU annually completes a report on the preparation of teachers for initial state certification/licensure.

View annual reports:

• 2018–2019 Title II Program Report
• 2019–2020 Title II Program Report
• 2020–2021 Title II Program Report | CAEP Annual Reporting Measures

Academic Programs by CIP Code

Here you will find CIU’s academic programs with Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) codes.

Student Loan Statistics

Cohort Default Rates

ENROLLMENT: To provide context for the Cohort Default Rate (CDR) data we include enrollment data (students enrolled at any time during the year) and a corresponding percentage (borrowers entering repayment divided by that enrollment figure). While there is no direct relationship between the timing of when a borrower entered repayment (October 1 through September 30) and any particular enrollment year, for the purpose of these data, we have chosen to use the academic year ending on the June 30 prior to the beginning of the cohort year (e.g., FY 2017 CDR Year will use 2015–2016 enrollment).

Students Receiving Federal Loans

Information taken from the following websites:

• http://nslds.ed.gov/nslds/nslds_SA/defaultmanagement/cohortdetail_3yr.cfm?sno=0&ope_id=003429
• US Department of Education College Scoreboard
• National Student Loan Cohort Default Rate Continues to Drop, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)

Health and Safety

Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program

Contact: Dean of Students | philip.ritchey@335630.com | (803) 807-5234

Information related to the university’s drug and alcohol abuse program may be found in the Drug-Free Campus brochure. This information applies to the entire university community, including students, faculty, staff and visitors to the campus.

Vaccine/Health Requirements Policy for Course Registration

Contact: School Nurse | sally.kennedy@335630.com | (803) 807-5056

Columbia International University’s Vaccination Policy

For students taking courses on the CIU campus during a regular semester, the following requirements apply:

1. Students born after 1956 must provide proof of immunity to measles and rubella with either official immunization records or proof of immune blood titer tests.
2. All students must provide proof of tuberculosis (TB) skin screening test done within the year prior to enrollment.
3. All students must provide proof of insurance coverage or purchase a policy available through CIU.

Campus Security Policies and Crime Statistics

Contact: Campus Security | security@335630.com | Phone: (803) 807-5014

Information regarding public safety at CIU is provided on our Campus Security Page. Additional information may also be obtained from the U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety and Security. Crime statistics are reported to the Department of Education on a yearly basis, and additional information or copies of reports can be obtained from Campus Security.

Emergency Response Procedures regarding Missing Persons, Violence, or other emergencies.

CIU Alert is an emergency notification system that notifies faculty, staff, students and others of critical information and situations affecting campus through the use of text messages, voice messages to multiple phone numbers, email and more. This system makes immediate notifications across campus without delay.

Fire Safety Policies, Fire Statistics and Fire Log (On-Campus Housing Facilities)

Contact: Campus Security | security@335630.com | Phone: (803) 807-5014

CIU provides an annual report which includes the campus fire safety policies, the number of fire drills, and any fire-related incidents for on-campus housing. This report may be obtained from the U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety and Security.

Student Outcomes (Student Right to Know Act)

Student Success (Persistence and Graduation Rates, Placement in Employment)

Contact: Institutional Research | roxi.snodgrass@335630.com | (803) 807-5051

The Office of Institutional Research annually reports measures of student achievement. These measures include first-year persistence and graduation rates for new degree-seeking undergraduates.

Placement information is collected from designated professional programs.

General information about student outcomes is provided at the US Department of Education’s College Scoreboard.

Program Outcomes

• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Education
• College of Intercultural Studies
• Cook School of Business
• School of Nursing
• Seminary and School of Counseling

Seminary & School of Counseling Effectiveness

Contact: Institutional Research | roxi.snodgrass@335630.com | (803) 807-5051

CIU provides an annual report which includes the average number of years to finish a degree in the CIU Seminary & School of Counseling. This report can be found here: Student Achievement Data 2020.pdf.

Intercollegiate Athletic Program Participation Rates & Financial Support Data (Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act)

Contact: Athletic Director | stefan.vasiloff@335630.com | (803) 807-5004

The Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act requires co-educational institutions of postsecondary education that participate in a Title IV, federal student financial assistance program, and have an intercollegiate athletic program, to prepare an annual report to the Department of Education on athletic participation, staffing, and revenues and expenses by men’s and women’s teams. The department will use this information in preparing its required report to the Congress on gender equity in intercollegiate athletics.

Equity in Athletics Data

The equity in athletics site provides data from thousands of colleges and universities in a convenient searchable form. You can view CIU’s most recent report.

Voter Registration

Contact: Dean of Students | philip.ritchey@335630.com | (803) 807-5234

CIU, as a participant in Federal Title IV Student Aid programs, is required to advise you that voter registration forms are available in the Student Life office. You must be registered 30 days prior to any election.

Student Financial Assistance

Financial Aid Office Contact

Contact: Director of Financial Aid | finaid@335630.com | Phone: (803) 807-5036

Notice of Availability of Institutional and Financial Aid Information

Paper copies of this information are available from the Financial Aid Office, which can be contacted at (803) 807-5036 or finaid@335630.com.

Contact Information for Assistance in Obtaining Institutional or Financial Aid Information 
Financial Aid Office 
Administration Building 
Columbia International University 
7435 Monticello Road 
Columbia, SC 29203

(803) 807-5036 
finaid@335630.com

Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations

A conviction for any offense, during a period of enrollment for which a student was receiving Title IV, HEA Program (federal) funds, under any federal law involving the possession or sale of illegal drugs will result in the loss of eligibility for any Title IV, HEA grant, loan or work-study assistance (HEA Sec. 484(r)(1)); (20 U.S.C. 1091(r)(1)).

Student Loan Information Published by Department of Education

Available at federal direct loans and federal PLUS loans.

Loan Repayment and Deferment

National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)

Federal student loan records of students and parents will be submitted to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) and will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and institutions determined to be authorized users of the data system. Students and parents may view their loan record history at the NSLDS website.

Preferred Lender Lists and Arrangements

CIU does not recommend, promote or endorse lenders for private education loans.

Types of Aid

Federal Aid Programs

Columbia International University participates in the following Federal student aid programs:

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Federal Work Study Program
• Federal Stafford Loan Subsidized and Unsubsidized
• Federal PLUS Loan

State Aid Programs

• South Carolina Tuition Grant (need based)
• South Carolina HOPE
• South Carolina LIFE
• South Carolina Palmetto Fellows

State need-based student aid programs also use results from the FAFSA to determine eligibility for state funds. State aid deadlines are published on the FAFSA.

Other state aid program information is available at NASFAA.

CIU Scholarships & Grants

All students who have completed a FAFSA, been accepted to CIU and have completed their financial aid file will be evaluated for merit-based scholarships and CIU grants. Scholarships and grants are awarded on first come, first served basis and funds are limited. New and current students will be contacted via email after they have completed their FAFSA.

CIU Endowed Scholarships

CIU friends and alumni contribute money for scholarships. The Development Office in conjunction with Student Financial Services oversees the endowed scholarship program and can answer questions about the process and individual scholarships. Scholarships are awarded in the spring to be used for the next academic year. Currently enrolled students receive notice of the application process via email. These scholarships do require a student to write a thank you note and attend a luncheon in the spring semester. As college costs continue to rise CIU appreciates the private support for our students.

Applying for Financial Aid, Procedures and Forms

Steps students need to take to apply for financial aid.

Disbursement of Financial Aid

Financial aid is disbursed by releasing two payments over the academic year (one each semester). At the time of disbursement the student must still meet eligibility requirements (academic progress, expected enrollment, financial eligibility, etc.). Funds cannot be applied to the student’s account sooner than 10 days before the first day of classes. Funds are applied to university fees and housing charges first. If student aid funds are in excess of account charges a credit balance occurs that will be paid to the student (or parent if it was the parent’s loan) within 14 days of disbursement. If the student or parent wishes to cancel a loan within seven days of the first day of class then he/she may do so by submitting the loan cancellation form to the Student Financial Services office. Students may arrange with the Business Office to have excess funds from their student account automatically transferred by EFT to their bank accounts.

A bookstore voucher may be available prior to disbursements to purchase books and supplies for students expected to have an excess of loan funds.

Federal Work Study

Federal Work Study provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses.

Financial Assistance for Study Abroad

Enrollment in a program of study abroad approved for credit by CIU may be considered enrollment at CIU for purposes of applying for federal student financial aid.

Refund Policy and Requirements for Withdrawal and Return of Federal Financial Aid

Tuition Payment Policy and Refund Schedule and Credit Balance Policy

Students Rights and Responsibilities

To view student’s rights and responsibilities please read terms and conditions and the CIU Student Handbook.