§ 94909. — 94909. (Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 592, Sec. 43.)

(a)
Except as provided in subdivision (d), before enrollment, an institution shall provide a prospective student, either in writing or electronically, with a current school catalog containing, at a minimum, all of the following:
(1)
The name, address, telephone number, and, if applicable, internet website address of the institution.
(2)
Except as specified in Article 2 (commencing with Section 94802), a statement that the institution is a private institution and that it is approved to operate by the bureau.
(3)
The following statements:
(A)
“Any questions a student may have regarding this catalog that have not been satisfactorily answered by the institution may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education at (address), Sacramento, CA (ZIP Code), (internet website address), (telephone and fax numbers).”
(B)
“As a prospective student, you are encouraged to review this catalog before signing an enrollment agreement. You are also encouraged to review the School Performance Fact Sheet, which must be provided to you before signing an enrollment agreement.”
(C)
“A student or any member of the public may file a complaint about this institution with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education by calling (toll-free telephone number) or by
completing a complaint form, which can be obtained on the bureau’s internet website (internet website address).”
(D)
“The Office of Student Assistance and Relief is available to support prospective students, current students, or past students of private postsecondary educational institutions in making informed decisions, understanding their rights, and navigating available services and relief options. The office may be reached by calling (toll-free telephone number) or by visiting (internet website address).”
(4)
The address or addresses where class sessions will be held.
(5)
A description of the programs offered and a description of the instruction provided in each of the courses offered by the institution, the
requirements for completion of each program, including required courses, any final tests or examinations, any required internships or externships, and the total number of credit hours, clock hours, or other increments required for completion.
(6)
If the educational program is designed to lead to positions in a profession, occupation, trade, or career field requiring licensure in this state, a notice to that effect and a list of the requirements for eligibility for licensure.
(7)
Information regarding the faculty and their qualifications.
(8)
A detailed description of institutional policies in the following areas:
(A)
Admissions policies, including the institution’s
policies regarding the acceptance of credits earned at other institutions or through challenge examinations and achievement tests, and a list describing any transfer or articulation agreements between the institution and any other college or university that provides for the
transfer of credits earned in the program of instruction. If the institution has not entered into an articulation or transfer agreement with any other college or university, the institution shall disclose that fact.
(B)
Cancellation, withdrawal, and refund policies, including an explanation that the student has the right to cancel the enrollment agreement and obtain a refund of charges paid through attendance at the first class session, or the seventh day after enrollment, whichever is later. The text shall also include a description of the procedures that a student is required to follow to cancel the enrollment agreement or withdraw from the institution and obtain a refund consistent with the requirements of Article 13 (commencing with Section 94919).
(C)
Probation and dismissal policies.
(D)
Attendance policies.
(E)
Leave-of-absence policies.
(9)
The schedule of total charges for a period of attendance and an estimated schedule of total charges for the entire educational program.
(10)
A statement reporting whether the institution participates in federal and state financial aid programs, and if so, all consumer information that is required to be disclosed to the student pursuant to the applicable federal and state financial aid programs.
(11)
A statement specifying that, if a student obtains a loan to pay for an educational program, the
student will have the responsibility to repay the full amount of the loan plus interest, less the amount of any refund, and that, if the student has received federal student financial aid funds, the student is entitled to a refund of the moneys not paid from federal student financial aid program funds.
(12)
A statement specifying whether the institution has a pending petition in bankruptcy, is operating as a debtor in possession, has filed a petition within the preceding five years, or has had a petition in bankruptcy filed against it within the preceding five years that resulted in reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. Sec. 1101 et seq.).
(13)
If the institution provides placement services, a description of the nature and extent of the
placement services.
(14)
A description of the student’s rights and responsibilities with respect to the Student Tuition Recovery Fund. This statement shall specify that it is a state requirement that a student who pays the student’s tuition is required to pay a state-imposed assessment for the Student Tuition Recovery Fund. This statement shall also describe the purpose and operation of the Student Tuition Recovery Fund and the requirements for filing a claim against the Student Tuition Recovery Fund.
(15)
The following statement:
“NOTICE CONCERNING TRANSFERABILITY OF CREDITS AND CREDENTIALS EARNED AT OUR INSTITUTION
The transferability of credits you earn at (name of institution) is at the complete discretion of an institution to which you may seek to transfer. Acceptance of the (degree, diploma, or certificate) you earn in (name of educational program) is also at the complete discretion of the institution to which you may seek to transfer. If the (credits or degree, diploma, or
certificate) that you earn at this institution are not accepted at the institution to which you seek to transfer, you may be required to repeat some or all of your coursework at that institution. For this reason you should make certain that your attendance at this institution will meet your educational goals. This may include contacting an institution to which you may seek to transfer after attending (name of institution) to determine if your (credits or degree, diploma, or certificate) will transfer.”
(16)
A statement specifying whether the institution, or any of its degree programs, are accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. If the institution is unaccredited and offers an associate, baccalaureate, master’s,
or doctoral degree, or is accredited and offers an unaccredited program for an associate, baccalaureate, master’s, or
doctoral degree, the statement shall disclose the known limitations of the degree program, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(A)
Whether a graduate of the degree program will be eligible to sit for the applicable licensure exam in California and other states or become certified or registered as required for the applicable profession, occupation, trade, or career field in California.
(B)
A degree program that is unaccredited or a degree from an unaccredited institution is not recognized for some employment positions, including, but not limited to, positions with the State of California.
(C)
That a student enrolled in an unaccredited institution is not eligible for federal
financial aid programs.
(b)
If the institution has a general student brochure, the institution shall provide that brochure to the prospective student before enrollment. In addition, if the institution has a program-specific student brochure for the program in which the prospective student seeks to enroll, the institution shall provide the program-specific student brochure to the prospective student before enrollment.
(c)
An institution shall provide the school catalog to any person upon request. In addition, if the institution has student brochures, the institution shall disclose the requested brochures to any interested person upon request.
(d)
An accredited institution is not required to provide a School Performance
Fact Sheet to a prospective student who is not a California resident, not residing in California at the time of the student’s enrollment, and enrolling in an accredited distance learning degree program offered by the institution, if the institution complies with all federal laws, the applicable laws of the state where the student is located, and other appropriate laws, including, but not limited to, consumer protection and student disclosure requirements.

Legislative History

Amended by Stats. 2025, Ch. 592, Sec. 43. (SB 861) Effective January 1, 2026. Repealed as of January 1, 2027, pursuant to Section 94950.