Student rights

  1. Admissions & Financial Aid
  2. Undergraduate
  3. Financial aid
  4. Resources and forms
  5. Student rights

This section outlines the rights and personal responsibilities of our students. It is our goal to maintain strong lines of communication with our students in order to keep them informed and up to date on our institutional policies.

Student rights and responsibilities

Upon registration with the University, the student and/or his or her parent(s) or legal guardian, acknowledges and agrees to accept responsibility and the legal obligation to pay all tuition costs, room and board fees, and any other fees incurred or to be incurred at the University.

The student and/or the parent(s) or legal guardian understands that this debt is considered a loan made for educational purposes at a non-profit institution of higher education and as such is generally non-dischargeable in bankruptcy.

By enrolling with Saint Martin's University, the student authorizes the University to communicate with collection and credit reporting agencies and other similar services for the purposes of obtaining from and furnishing to such agencies appropriate information about the student with the making, payment, and collection of this educational debt.

The student understands that all fees and costs of collection will be the student's responsibility in the event collection action becomes necessary. A failure to pay all university bills when due shall prevent the University from continuing to provide applicable educational benefits and services, which include, but are not limited to, the right to future registration, grade reports, transcripts or diplomas. The full collection policy document is available in the Student Financial Service Center for any student who is interested or has questions regarding the University's policy.

Student rights and responsibilities

Code of conduct

Staff members in the Student Financial Services Center have always been bound to act in compliance with the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrator's Statement of Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct for Institutional Financial Aid Professionals.

The code of conduct is intended to help guide financial aid professionals in carrying out the complexity of the tasks confronting institutional financial aid professionals obligations, particularly with regard to ensuring transparency in the administration of the student financial aid programs, and to avoid the harm that may arise from actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.

Saint Martin's guidelines
  • No staff member shall accept any gift worth more than $10 from a representative of a student loan provider. The Department of Education has defined "gift" as:
    • "Any gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan or other item valued at more than a de minimus amount.
    • The term includes services, transportation, lodging, or meals, whether provided in kind, by purchase of a ticket, payment in advance, or by reimbursement."
  • Staff can participate in meals, refreshments, and receptions in conjunction with professional association meetings, trainings, or conference events open to all attendees.
  • Staff will place all unsolicited marketing materials (such as pens, pads and markers) received from lenders in the reception area for the use of students and parents.
  • Office visits by representatives of major lenders are normally limited to once a quarter
  • Staff members shall not accept any remuneration or expense-reimbursement for serving as a member of a lender's advisory board. Service on a lender's advisory board MUST be approved by a supervisor; Staff may participate on advisory boards that are unrelated in any way to higher education loans.
  • Saint Martin's University does not currently require staff to complete and submit financial disclosure forms as a condition of employment. All staff members in the Student Financial Services Center will disclose to his or her immediate supervisor if an assigned task could create a perceived or real "conflict of interest" in the eyes of the public.

These guidelines also apply to any staff member at Saint Martin's who may have dealings with student loan providers.

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Consumer information

Consumer information

The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (H.R. 4137) was signed into law on Aug. 14, 2008. This law mandates that we provide you with a significant amount of additional information in a variety of formats.

Schools must annually provide a notice to all enrolled students describing the availability of consumer information. Disclosure requirements cover the following areas:

General institutional information | Scholarships and financial aid | Safety issues

Background:

General institutional information

Student life

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Student consumer complaint process

Student consumer complaint process

Program integrity rule

The program integrity rule requires that each college or university authorized to offer postsecondary education in one or more states ensure access to a complaint process that will permit student consumers to address the following:

  1. Alleged violations of state consumer protection laws that include but are not limited to fraud and false advertising;
  2. Alleged violations of state laws or rules relating to the licensure of postsecondary institutions; and
  3. Complaints relating to the quality of education or other State or accreditation requirements.

Saint Martin's University, as an institution authorized to provide postsecondary education in the state of Washington, is committed to full compliance with the program integrity rule, and provides the following information to all current and prospective students.

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities accredits Saint Martin's University. You may review the university's accreditation documents at www.nwccu.org. 

Complaint process

Saint Martin's University seeks to resolve all student concerns in a timely and effective manner. The following resources at Saint Martin's University are available to all current and prospective students for resolving complaints. 

The University encourages students to work through internal university processes for resolution of complaints. If a student believes that the university's procedures have not adequately addressed concerns identified under the program integrity rule, the following links and contact information is provided.

  • General
    Washington State Office of the Attorney General
    1125 Washington Street SE
    P.O. Box 40100
    Olympia, WA 98504
    360-753-6200
    www.atg.wa.gov/contact-us
  • Academics
    Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
    8060 165th Avenue NE
    Suite 100
    Redmond, WA 98052
    425-558-4224
    www.nwccu.org
  • State student aid
    Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)
    P.O. Box 43430
    Olympia, WA 98504
    360-753-7840
    www.wsac.wa.gov
  • Teacher education
    Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB)
    Old Capitol Building
    600 Washington Street S, Room 249
    P.O. Box 47236
    Olympia, WA 98504
    www.pesb.wa.gov

The University encourages students to work through internal University processes for resolution of complaints. If a distance-education student who lives outside the state of Washington believes that the university's procedures have not adequately addressed concerns identified under the program integrity rule, the following links and contact information is provided.

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Professional licensure disclosures

Professional licensure disclosures

The University agrees to provide notifications to students related to professional licensure. Any institution approved to participate in SARA that offers courses or programs designed to lead to Professional Licensure or certification or advertised as leading to Licensure must satisfy all federal requirements for disclosures regarding such Professional Licensure programs under 34 §C.F.R. 668.43. For SARA purposes, these requirements will also apply to non-Title IV institutions. For SARA purposes, institutions that are unable, after all reasonable efforts, to determine whether a program will meet state professional licensure requirements shall provide the student or applicant with current contact information for any applicable licensing boards, and advise the student or applicant to determine whether the program meets requirements for Licensure in the State where the student is located. An email dedicated solely to this purpose and sent to the student's best known email address meets this requirement. The institution should use other additional means to notify the student, if needed.

Click here for information regarding the University's professional licensure requirements for the following programs:

  • Counseling
  • Education
  • Nursing
  • Social work

Questions or need additional assistance?

Student Financial Services

Endorsing the Catholic Benedictine values of faith, reason, service, and community, the Student Financial Services Center supports the mission of Saint Martin's University to empower students in their pursuit of learning and honors their sacredness as individuals as well as their families and our community in an efficient and caring professional manner. Student Financial Services handles tuition/fees and room/board billing and payments, payment plan information, student health insurance and sponsored billing for students using outside sources such as VA benefits, Tuition Assistance, International Sponsors and other sponsoring agencies.

Explore Student rights