Money-Back Guarantee Program
Florida SouthWestern State College trains students for in-demand, high wage careers needed right here in southwest Florida. FSW programs and graduates perform so well with high outcomes that FSW have a money-back guarantee program which will refund tuition paid for students who complete identified high-demand workforce programs and professional requirements and are unable to find employment within six months after graduation.
Exceptional instructors, wide-ranging support in and outside the classroom and partnerships with local employers lend confidence to our money-back guarantee.
The Money-Back Guarantee Program is an employment initiative program that helps students who complete identified workforce programs and professional requirements and are not employed within six months after graduation. FSW students enrolled into the academic program of study are enrolled in the money-back guarantee program.
Students enrolled in the identified programs of study are automatically enrolled in and eligible for the Money-Back Guarantee Program and may receive a reimbursement of tuition based on the following formula: tuition assessed minus federal, State, and institutional scholarships or grants received. Please note, only tuition is included in this guarantee, any student activity fees, financial aid fees, other fees and other expenses and/or charges are excluded. Only courses that are required for the degree will be considered for reimbursement.
Students who receive a job offer in their respective industry within the six-month window after graduation will be considered to have successfully found employment and will no longer be eligible to participate in the Money-Back Guarantee Program or to request a refund of their tuition.
Money-Back Guarantee Academic Programs of Study
Requesting Benefit Payments
To be request benefits from the program, a student must meet all of the following criteria:
- A student who does not receive a job offer in their respective industry within six-months may request a refund for out-of-pocket tuition not to include: non-resident fees, lab fees, uniform fees, student activity fees, financial aid fees, testing and examinations fees, insurance fees, or other fees or expenses (such as books).
- Students must request benefits for this program no later than 240 days (6 months of job searching plus 60 days to apply for the program) after the date the degree is conferred on the student’s transcript.
- Student cannot be enrolled in an upper-level stackable program or continuing coursework in an advanced degree.
Academic/Program Performance
- Students must successfully complete all required courses for their academic program of study.
- Students must remain in good academic standing throughout the duration of the program.
- Students must pass all credential and licensure exams associated with their program/required for employment in the field of study.
Eligibility to Work in U.S. and Selected Field
- Student must be legally eligible for employment within the U.S.
- Student must not have a criminal background that prevents employment within the career field.
- Student must successfully pass background checks and drug screenings as required by prospective employers.
Career Service Support
- Student must provide verifiable documentation that they have worked with their local Career Source office to search for employment in the field of interest throughout the job seeking timeframe.
- Student must provide verifiable documentation as evidence of the creation of, and adherence to, a career plan.
- Students must provide verifiable documentation of registration and us of EmployerFlorida.com throughout the job seeking timeframe.
Work Search Requirements
- Student must demonstrate through verifiable documentation they have been actively searching for in-field employment for at least 6 months from the date of program completion. This search must include the verifiable submission of at least 5 work searches each week for residents of counties with a population of over 75,000 or more (Charlotte, Collier, Lee) and at least 3 work searches each week for residents of counties with a population under 75,000(Hendry and Glades). The work searches should be related to the field of study. Student must provide documented evidence such as an email or letter of invitation to interview, documentation of application submission, confirmation of non-selection, etc.
To request benefits, complete the Money-Back Guarantee documentation form.
Questions? Please email workforce@fsw.edu.
The Money-Back Guarantee Program was created by the Florida Legislature in 2021 with the Reimagining Education and Career Help (REACH) Act.