The Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) is a fund created by the State of California intended for reimbursing students when their state-approved schools close untimely. When California resident students enroll in a program, a fee is assessed in relation to the cost of tuition; the fee is $.50 per thousand of tuition paid per student.
California law requires that a fee be paid each time a student enrolls. This fee supports the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF), a special fund established by the California Legislature to reimburse students who might otherwise experience a financial loss as a result of untimely school closure. Institutional participation is mandatory. New Education Code 94810(a)(10), (11) requires that if the student is a recipient of third-party payer tuition and course costs that the student is not eligible for protection under the STRF, and the student is responsible for paying the state assessment amount for the Student Tuition Recovery Fund. STRF requires, that institutions collect from each newly enrolled student a “STRF fee” in the amount of $.50 per thousand dollars of tuition paid, regardless of the portion that is prepaid.
Students may file a claim for reimbursement from STRF for prepaid but unused tuition. To qualify for an STRF reimbursement, applicants must be California residents and must have resided in California at the time the enrollment agreement was signed. Students who are temporarily residing in California for the sole purpose of receiving an education, specifically those who hold student visas, are not considered California residents.
Students should keep a copy of their enrollment agreements, tuition receipts or other financial documents that can be used to support a claim for reimbursement in case their school closes untimely.
There are time constraints of filing a claim, please contact the BPPE to find the latest information. Students seeking an STRF reimbursement must file an application within one year of receiving notice from the Bureau for Private Post-secondary and Vocational Education that the school has closed. If students do not receive notice from the Bureau, the application must be filed within four years from the date of closure. If a court judgment is obtained from the institution, students must file an STRF application within two years of the final judgment.
For further information or instructions contact:
Mailing Address:
Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
P.O. Box 980818
West Sacramento, CA 95798-0818
Physical Address (as of November 20, 2010):
Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 400
Sacramento California, 95833
Phone: (916) 431-6959
Toll Free: (888) 370-7589
Main Fax: (916) 263-1897
Licensing Fax: (916) 263-1894
Enforcement/STRF/Closed Schools Fax: (916) 263-1896
Web site: www.bppe.ca.gov
E-mail: bppe@dca.ca.gov