Tuition and Fees

Quick Reference:

Tuition
Fees
Refund Policy
Sponsored Programs
Student Insurance

Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice.

NOTE: Registration automatically is canceled if payment is not made by the published due dates for tuition and required fees.

Cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards (MasterCard, American Express, Visa or Discover Card) are accepted.

Tuition

Tuition Rates for In-State students

Curriculum Courses

Fewer than 16 credit hours: $76 per credit hour.
16 credit hours or more: $1,216 per semester.

High School Diploma or High School Equivalency Courses

No tuition or fee.

Tuition Rates for Out-of-State students

Curriculum courses

Fewer than 16 credit hours: $268 per credit hour.
16 credit hours or more: $4,288 per semester.

High School Diploma or High School Equivalency Courses

No tuition or fee.

North Carolina Residence Status

For students enrolling in college credit curriculum classes, an initial residence classification is made by Residency Determination Services (RDS) upon application to the college. It is the student’s responsibility to supply documenting evidence of residence status if requested. The decision is based on the preponderance of the evidence presented.

NOTE: The out-of-state tuition rate is charged automatically to students for whom North Carolina residence has not been established.

The information provided here is not intended to be comprehensive. The residence policy is based on North Carolina General Statute 116-143.1. More information can be located at ncresidency.org.

Fees

Applied Music Study Fee

A fee of $200 is charged for applied music classes for materials and supplies.

Campus Access Parking and Security (CAPS) Fee

The Campus Access, Parking and Security Fee (CAPS Fee) is charged to college credit curriculum and continuing education students who attend classes and/or labs at any college campus. Revenues collected from this fee are used to pay costs of campus security and parking lot rental and maintenance at all Central Piedmont campuses and centers.

$73 per semester for curriculum students enrolled in eight credit hours or less
$97 per semester for curriculum students enrolled in nine credit hours or more
$12 per class for Corporate and Continuing Education students

Corporate and Continuing Education

Fees are published per class.

Forensics Fee

A fee of $50 per class is charged for forensics courses for materials and supplies.

GED and High School Equivalency Tests

The GED (General Educational Development) Test consists of four sub-tests for $104 or $26 per sub-test.
The HiSET (High School Equivalency Test) contains five sub-tests for $75 or $15 per sub-test.

Lab Fees

Curriculum Lab Fees: $27 per lab hour with $216 maximum
Occupational Extension Lab Fees: $27 per lab with $216 maximum

The term 'lab hours' includes both lab and clinical hours. Lab fees are used to provide supplies and equipment in the respective programs.

Student Publications/Activity Fee

$26 per semester for curriculum students enrolled in eight credit hours or less
$35 per semester for curriculum students enrolled in nine credit hours or more
Maximum fee is $35 per semester

The Student Publications/Activity Fee is used to support the Student Life Center and many co-curricular and extra-curricular programs. Among these are student government, student publications, clubs and organizations, intramural sports, educational activities, speakers and entertainers.

Technology Fees

A technology fee of $48 is charged per term for college credit curriculum classes.
A technology fee of $5 per course is charged for occupational extension classes.

Included Course Material Fees

The Included Course Material program makes digital and printed course materials available to all students in college credit classes. The program ensures that the course materials students need will be available on the first day of class. The fee is included with tuition and fees charged upon registration and can be included in upfront costs for financial aid and tuition payment plans. Students have an option to opt-out if desired. The price for the 2024-2025 academic year is $17 per credit hour. More information can be found on the Included Course Materials webpage. All fees are subject to change. 

Returned Check Policy

All returned checks are subject to a processing fee of $25. This fee also applies to credit card payments not accepted and returned by a financial institution. This fee, along with the original amount of the check or credit card, is due within five (5) business days after official notification from the college. These amounts are payable only by cash or money order at the Cashiering/Business Office on any campus. A hold is placed on all student records until acceptable payment is received.

Refund Policy

The North Carolina Community College System establishes the refund policy which is subject to change.

Refunds for College Credit Curriculum Courses

  • A 100 percent tuition refund is paid by the college to students who officially withdraw from class prior to the first day of the academic term.

  • A 75 percent tuition refund is paid by the college to students who officially withdraw from class on or after the first day of the term through the 10 percent point of the term.

  • All curriculum student refunds are issued to students' BankMobile accounts or to the credit card used for tuition payment. During BankMobile activation, students may opt to receive refunds by electronic deposit to a personal bank account or through BankMobile's Vibe account.

Refunds for Corporate and Continuing Education - Occupational Extension Courses

  • A 100 percent tuition refund is paid by the college to students who officially withdraw from class prior to the first day of the class.

  • A 75 percent tuition refund is paid by the college to student who officially withdraw from class on or after the first day of the class through the 10 percent point of the class.

  • All Corporate and Continuing Education refunds are issued by check or to the credit card used for tuition payment.

Refunds for Corporate and Continuing Education - Self-Supporting Courses

  • A 100 percent refund is paid by the college to students who officially withdraw from class prior to the first day of the class.

  • All Corporate and Continuing Education refunds are issued by check or to the credit card used for tuition payment.

Refunds for Fees

Student fees are nonrefundable for curriculum and Corporate and Continuing Education courses, unless the course is canceled by the college or dropped before the first day of the academic semester. Fees are not refunded after the term begins, including during the 75 percent refund period. This policy applies to all student fees, including student activity fees, lab fees, technology fees, CAPS fees, and student insurance.

Cancellations / No Shows

The college reserves the right to cancel classes at any time without prior notice. Tuition is refunded 100 percent for any class canceled by the college. NOTE: Students who do not cancel and do not attend are still responsible for payment.

Sponsored Programs

Sponsored students must submit a letter of authorization to bill along with their registration information to the Sponsored Programs office or to any Cashiering/Business Office on a Central Piedmont campus before they register, but no later than the same day they register for classes. For further information, visit the Sponsored Programs web page or call the Sponsored Programs office at 704.330.4262.

Student Insurance

Insurance coverage is available to students through Central Piedmont on the Student Insurance webpage.

Student Accident Insurance Plan

Student Accident Insurance is required for specific classes and is billed at the time of registration. The plan insures students against loss resulting from accidental bodily injury sustained while participating in or attending specific classes. For detailed, current coverage information, visit the Student Insurance webpage. For more information, contact the Office of Enterprise Risk Management at 704.330.6684.

Medical Hospitalization Group Plan

The plan is available to students enrolled for six or more credit hours. The group plan offers several benefit options, depending on the needs of the student. Premiums vary per term or year, depending on the selected coverage and payment schedule. Spouses and unmarried children may be covered for an additional fee. Plans are a direct relationship between the student and the insurance provider. Qualified students may contact the insurance provider directly through the website above.