Licensure

College of America is licensed, under number 3275, by the Commission for Independent Education (CIE), Florida Department of Education. Additional information regarding this institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission for Independent Education at 325 W. Gaines St, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400, toll-free telephone number (888)224-6684.

Applicant Status

College of America holds applicant status with the Association for Higher Biblical Education (ABHE,) 5575 S. Semoran Boulevard, Suite 26, Orlando, FL 32822-1781, 407/207-0808.  Applicant status is a pre-membership status granted to those institutions that meet the ABHE Conditions of Eligibility and possess such qualities as may provide a basis for achieving candidacy status within four years.

Program of Christian Service

Each student is required to have a program of Christian Service in a Church or ministry and to report on this to the Director of Christian Service in writing each quarter.  Careful reports will be ensured by appropriate forms that have been developed and also by reports from a Christian ministry mentor who has been picked by the student in consultation with the Director of Christian Service.

About Accreditation

College of America is not an accredited institution and operates as a licensed institution granting Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees. Since the institution is not accredited, students may encounter difficulty transferring credits and will not be eligible for Title IV Federal Student Financial Assistance.

Availability of Catalog

Catalogs are always available at the front desk. A catalog will be made available to all prospective students no later than one week prior to enrollment or collection of tuition and also before they sign the student application.

State Exams

We do not prepare people to take state exams.

Nondiscrimination Policy

It is our policy that there shall be no discrimination on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, national or ethnic origin as to the admission or other treatment of its students, prospective students, employees or prospective employees. College of America will attempt to make reasonable accommodation for students with disabilities.  Our building is completely handicapped accessible.

Student Services

Educational guidance is provided to all students by an advisor assigned to the student. In addition, personal and professional guidance will be provided by a member of the staff who has received appropriate professional training. Guidance may result in referral to appropriate community agencies.

Placement Services

One semester before a student graduates, the student will meet with the faculty advisor and the Dean to review placement opportunities. The faculty advisor and the Dean will assist the student in preparing for job interviews until the student is placed in a job that is consistent with his or her training.

Anti-Hazing Policy

Hazing is any action that recklessly endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, any organization operating under the sanction of the College. Students enrolled in the College and individuals representing the College are prohibited from engaging in hazing activities. Individuals found guilty of violating the hazing policy will be subject to immediate suspension or dismissal from the College.

Admission Requirements

Evidence of graduation from high school or its recognized equivalent is required for admission to College of America.  No other test is required. As a Christian institution, College of America is concerned that students lacking such evidence may be admitted if they demonstrate an “ability to benefit” from college level instruction as shown by performing satisfactorily on a nationally standardized test approved by the Academic Dean.  We are concerned that students preparing for leadership in the Church give evidence of a Christian commitment.

Course Certificate

A Certificate of Completion, identifying the courses, dates of completion, the student’s name and the number of semester credits, is issued to students upon the successful completion of each course.

Applying for Advanced Standing

Applicants applying for Advanced Standing should submit, with their Application for Admission, a transcript from previous colleges. After evaluation, they will be informed of Advanced Standing status. A minimum of thirty credit hours, or ten courses, which is the equivalent of one year’s work are required to be taken through College of America in order to earn a Degree at any level.

Refund Policy

College of America is entirely self-supporting. The registration of a student results in the assignment of class space, the employment of instructors, and other provisions for the student, for which the College Administration must contract in advance

1) If cancellation of enrollment occurs prior to class beginning, all tuition and fees paid will be refunded in full. All tuition and fees will be refunded in full if the student withdraws or cancels his/her enrollment within 3 working days of signing the Application for Admission. Books and supplies purchased from the College may be returned, if unused and undamaged, for a refund of the purchase price.

2) For students who withdraw after classes begin for the semester, the following refund policy will apply: a) if a student withdraws prior to completion of the first week of the semester, as noted in the College Calendar, the College will refund 100% of the tuition and fee charges for the term; thereafter; Once the drop/add period is over, there will be no tuition adjustment for a reduction in class hours even if the student did not attend the class past the drop/add period. 

3) There will be no refund or adjustment in tuition charges for a reduction in credit hours after the end of drop/add period for a semester as specified in the College Calendar.

Conditions for Dismissal, Complaints and Student Conduct

Rules of conduct are spelled out in the Student Handbook, given to each student, and it is the students’ responsibility to study that Handbook.
Grounds for dismissal will be provided to the student in writing. Appeals from disciplinary actions and any academic actions will be heard by a committee of staff, students and faculty appointed by the President of College of America. If a student wishes to appeal, a written request must be presented to the President of College of America within one week of the action. In emergencies, the Administrator on duty will have the authority to ask the student to leave, or to call the police if necessary, with resolution by the Administration later.
Student complaints should be discussed with the student’s academic advisor or the Dean. If the student does not wish to present a complaint in this manner, or if the student is not satisfied by the resolution of the complaint, the student may present the complaint to the President of the College in writing. The President will consider the merits of the complaint and render a decision within 30 days of the date of the receipt of the complaint.  All of the above rules are spelled out in the Student Handbook, given to each student.  Additional contact information for the Association for Biblical Higher Education and the Commission for Independent Education of the Board of Education of the State of Florida is provided on the first page of the catalog.

Conditions for Being Removed From Rolls as an Active Student

If, in a twelve-month period, a student takes no courses, he or she will be removed from the active roll and will have to reapply for admission to the College and pay fees charged to all new students. Students who withdraw from the institution and take no classes for a semester must apply for reentry to the institution. The administrative staff will have the sole authority to determine whether the readmission of the student is in the best interest of the student or the College.

Facilities and Equipment

College of America is located in a large, 38,000 square-foot, two-story building at 5950 Lakehurst Drive, Suite 121, Orlando, Florida 32819-8345.

We have eight classrooms and a computer lab with nine computers with more being planned. We have a large meeting room, and an even larger auditorium, a library, a faculty and student lounge and office rooms. Other rooms in this large building are available to us as we grow.  We are fully handicapped accessible.