Money-Back Guarantee Program

The Money-Back Guarantee Program is established pursuant to Section 1011.803, Florida Statutes for students who complete eligible workforce education programs and are unable to obtain employment in the field of study within 6 months after successful program completion.

Enrollment in a program designated by PHSC as eligible for the Money-Back Guarantee Program constitutes enrollment in the Money-Back Guarantee Program, subject to the student meeting all eligibility criteria and documentation requirements.

Eligible Programs

Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) has designated the following programs as eligible for participation in the Money-Back Guarantee Program:

  • Practical Nursing Career Certificate 
  • Fire Academy Career Certificate 
  • Unmanned Vehicle Systems Operations Associate in Science Degree 
  • Welding Career Certificate
  • Radiography Associate in Science Degree
  • Dental Hygiene Associate in Science Degree

Student Acknowledgement and Participation Agreement

Students enrolled in an eligible Money-Back Guarantee Program may be required to complete a PHSC Money-Back Guarantee acknowledgment or participation agreement at the time of program admission, enrollment, orientation, or another designated point established by the College.

The acknowledgment or agreement will confirm that the student understands the eligibility criteria, program expectations, career development requirements, job-search documentation requirements, reimbursement limitations, and applicable deadlines associated with the Money-Back Guarantee Program.

Student Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for reimbursement under the Money-Back Guarantee Program, a student must meet all applicable institutional and program requirements, including the following:

  1. Successfully complete an eligible PHSC program. 
  2. Be legally authorized to work in the United States. 
  3. Participate in career development activities, including engagement with PHSC Career Services and/or CareerSource services, as applicable. 
  4. Participate in internship, clinical, work-study, or other work-based learning opportunities associated with the program, when available and applicable. 
  5. Demonstrate documented and active good-faith efforts to obtain employment within the field of study for a period of at least 6 months following program completion. Documentation may include employment applications, interview invitations, correspondence from employers, participation in career fairs, CareerSource records, or other verifiable job-search activities. 
  6. Successfully satisfy employment-related requirements customary to the profession, including applicable background screenings, drug screenings, licensure examinations, certifications, or other employment eligibility requirements associated with the field. 
  7. Submit a completed Money-Back Guarantee application and all required supporting documentation no later than 60 calendar days after the conclusion of the 6-month employment search period. 
  8. Develop and maintain a career plan in consultation with PHSC Career Services or another designated career services provider.

 

Job Search Documentation Requirements

Consistent with Section 443.091, Florida Statutes, students seeking reimbursement under the Money-Back Guarantee Program must engage in systematic and sustained efforts to find work within the field of study.

Acceptable work-search activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • Contacting prospective employers. 
  • Submitting employment applications. 
  • Participating in interviews. 
  • Attending career fairs or recruitment events. 
  • Participating in CareerSource or other reemployment services. 
  • Participating in job search assistance or career counseling activities. 

Students must provide verifiable documentation of work-search efforts upon request. Acceptable documentation may include application confirmations, interview invitations, employer correspondence, CareerSource participation records, or other documentation demonstrating active pursuit of employment opportunities within the field of study.

Tuition Reimbursement

Eligible students who are unable to obtain employment in their field of study within 6 months after successful completion of an eligible program may apply for reimbursement of out-of-pocket tuition costs.

Reimbursement is limited to out-of-pocket tuition paid directly by the student after application of scholarships, grants, waivers, employer payments, third-party sponsorships, or other financial assistance. Reimbursement is limited to tuition paid directly by the student and does not include:

  • Nonresident fees 
  • Laboratory fees 
  • Uniform fees 
  • Student activity fees 
  • Testing or examination fees 
  • Insurance fees 
  • Books 
  • Supplies 
  • Other non-tuition expenses 

PHSC reserves the right to verify all submitted documentation and determine student eligibility for reimbursement consistent with applicable law, institutional procedures, program requirements, and employment standards associated with the applicable field of study. Submission of an application does not guarantee approval or reimbursement under the Money-Back Guarantee Program.

Program Process Statement

PHSC will administer the Money-Back Guarantee Program through a documented review process designed to verify student eligibility, confirm completion of applicable program and career readiness requirements, and determine whether the student has demonstrated active efforts to obtain employment in the field of study within 6 months following successful program completion.

Students seeking reimbursement must submit a completed Money-Back Guarantee application and all required supporting documentation within the established deadline. PHSC will review submitted documentation, verify program completion and eligible tuition paid directly by the student, consult with appropriate institutional offices as needed, and issue a written determination regarding eligibility for reimbursement.

Submission of an application does not guarantee reimbursement. Reimbursement decisions will be made in accordance with Section 1011.803, Florida Statutes, applicable institutional procedures, program requirements, and documentation standards. PHSC may request additional information from the student as part of the review process.

Money-Back Guarantee Review Process

Step 1: Program Entry and Student Acknowledgment

Students enrolled in an eligible Money-Back Guarantee Program may be provided information regarding the program at admission, enrollment, orientation, or another designated point established by PHSC. Students may be required to complete a Money-Back Guarantee acknowledgment or participation agreement confirming their understanding of the program requirements, eligibility criteria, job-search expectations, career development requirements, reimbursement limitations, and deadlines.

Step 2: Program Completion Verification

After a student completes an eligible Money-Back Guarantee Program, PHSC will verify successful program completion through the appropriate academic, workforce, or student record system. 

Step 3: Career Services and Career Plan Verification

PHSC will verify that the student participated in required career development activities and developed a student career plan with PHSC Career Services or another designated career services provider. 

Step 4: Work-Based Learning Verification, When Applicable

PHSC will verify whether internship, clinical, practicum, work-study, apprenticeship, or other work-based learning opportunities were required, available, or applicable to the student’s program. 

Step 5: Employment-Related Requirements

PHSC may verify whether the student satisfied employment-related requirements customary to the field, including applicable licensure examinations, certifications, background screenings, drug screenings, or other employment eligibility requirements.

Step 6: Six-Month Employment Search Period

The 6-month employment search period begins after successful completion of the eligible program. 

Step 7: Student Application Submission

If the student is unable to obtain employment in the field of study within 6 months after successful program completion, the student must submit a completed Money-Back Guarantee application and all required supporting documentation.

Step 8: Initial Eligibility Review

PHSC will conduct an initial review to determine whether the application is complete and whether the student appears to meet the minimum eligibility criteria, 

Step 9: Tuition and Financial Verification

PHSC will verify the amount of eligible tuition paid directly by the student. Reimbursement is limited to out-of-pocket tuition paid directly by the student after application of scholarships, grants, waivers, employer payments, third-party sponsorships, or other financial assistance.

Step 10: Institutional Review and Determination

A designated PHSC review team will evaluate the application and supporting documentation. PHSC may request additional documentation from the student before making a final determination.

Step 11: Written Notification to Student

PHSC will notify the student in writing of the reimbursement decision. 

Step 12: Reimbursement Processing and Recordkeeping

For approved applications, PHSC will process reimbursement in accordance with institutional finance procedures.

Responsible Offices

The Money-Back Guarantee review process may involve the following offices, as applicable: Academic/Workforce Program Area; Career Services; Financial Aid/Student Financial Services; Finance/Business Office; Institutional Effectiveness/Reporting; and Legal/Compliance, as needed.

Academic/Workforce Program Area verifies successful program completion, attendance, program performance, progression requirements, work-based learning requirements, and applicable program-specific expectations.
Career Services verifies career development participation, career plan completion, career readiness activities, job-search support, and related documentation.

Financial Aid/Student Financial Services verifies student-paid tuition, scholarships, grants, waivers, employer payments, third-party sponsorships, and other financial assistance.

Finance/Business Office processes approved reimbursement payments in accordance with institutional procedures.
Institutional Effectiveness/Reporting supports documentation, tracking, internal reporting, and required state reporting, as applicable.

Legal/Compliance reviews unusual, disputed, or high-risk cases and provides guidance regarding statutory, policy, or compliance considerations, as needed.