F. Educational Background I
I. Notice to California Students
“The State of California established the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) to relieve or mitigate economic loss suffered by a student in an educational program at a qualifying institution, who is or was a California resident while enrolled, or was enrolled in a residency program, if the student enrolled in the institution, prepaid tuition, and suffered an economic loss. Unless relieved of the obligation to do so, you must pay the state-imposed assessment for the STRF, or it must be paid on your behalf, if you are a student in an educational program, who is a California resident, or are enrolled in a residency program, and prepay all or part of your tuition.
You are not eligible for protection from the STRF and you are not required to pay the STRF assessment, if you are not a California resident, or are not enrolled in a residency program.”
“It is important that you keep copies of your enrollment agreement, financial aid documents, receipts, or any other information that documents the amount paid to the school. Questions regarding the STRF may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, 1747 North Market Blvd., Suite 225, Sacramento, California, 95834, (916) 574-8900 or (888) 370-7589.
To be eligible for STRF, you must be a California resident or are enrolled in a residency program, prepaid tuition, paid or deemed to have paid the STRF assessment, and suffered an economic loss as a result of any of the following:
The institution, a location of the institution, or an educational program offered by the institution was closed or discontinued, and you did not choose to participate in a teach-out plan approved by the Bureau or did not complete a chosen teach-out plan approved by the Bureau.
You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution within the 120 day period before the closure of the institution or location of the institution, or were enrolled in an educational program within the 120 day period before the program was discontinued.
You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution more than 120 days before the closure of the institution or location of the institution, in an educational program offered by the institution as to which the Bureau determined there was a significant decline in the quality or value of the program more than 120 days before closure.
The institution has been ordered to pay a refund by the Bureau but has failed to do so.
The institution has failed to pay or reimburse loan proceeds under a federal student loan program as required by law, or has failed to pay or reimburse proceeds received by the institution in excess of tuition and other costs.
You have been awarded restitution, a refund, or other monetary award by an arbitrator or court, based on a violation of this chapter by an institution or representative of an institution, but have been unable to collect the award from the institution.
You sought legal counsel that resulted in the cancellation of one or more of your student loans and have an invoice for services rendered and evidence of the cancellation of the student loan or loans.
To qualify for STRF reimbursement, the application must be received within four (4) years from the date of the action or event that made the student eligible for recovery from STRF.
A student whose loan is revived by a loan holder or debt collector after a period of noncollection may, at any time, file a written application for recovery from STRF for the debt that would have otherwise been eligible for recovery. If it has been more than four (4) years since the action or event that made the student eligible, the student must have filed a written application for recovery within the original four (4) year period, unless the period has been extended by another act of law.
However, no claim can be paid to any student without a social security number or a taxpayer identification number.”
J. Notice to California Students
Understanding concerning MTS Accreditation Information and Two Track Option for Graduate Credit students:
Mountain Theological Seminary (MTS) formerly The Rocky Mountain School of Ministry and Theology (RMSMT) is authorized by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education under the Degree Authorization Act, C.R.S., 23-2-103.3 (4), to offer degrees and/or degree credits which are religious in nature. This authorization was issued December 4, 2014.
Although we fully understand the purpose of accreditation, we are not at present affiliated (accredited) with any accrediting agency. Accreditation is not required by the US Department of Education, is a voluntarily undertaken process, and does not necessarily guarantee a quality educational experience. For MTS, as well as other good religious institutions, the real determination of a quality religious education involves the credentials, experience, and effectiveness of its faculty, the integrity and academic rigor of its courses and programs, as well as the positive impact it has on its students to be equipped to better know Christ, be known by Him, and make Him known. In addition, internal assessments are made by students and faculty to assure that high standards of education are being met by our programs. We are fully confident that those students who complete their education at MTS will have a very high-quality academic preparation and experience for life-long service to Christ.
As such, we at MTS offer high-quality degrees authorized by the State of Colorado. For students who would like to pursue an accredited degree, through an articulation agreement with Lincoln Seminary at Ozark Christian College (LSOCC), students can transfer courses completed at MTS into one of their master's degree programs.
Since some students will choose to pursue an accredited degree while others will pursue our “authorized” degree, we have formulated the following two-track option for students who enroll in our school:
Track 1: Master's Degree in Partnership with LSOCC: This track would be chosen by students who would like to transfer courses into one of the master's programs offered at LSOCC. In this scenario, a student would take an LSOCC approved number of classes at MTS that would transfer into one of LSOCC’s masters programs where the student would finish his or her degree (all of it online in some cases). The number of approved and transferable classes would be set by LSOCC through articulation agreements with MTS for different LSOCC degrees. Students on this track can then transfer courses completed at MTS into one of the following LSOCC degrees: Master of Arts in Bible and Theology, Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, Master of Arts in Biblical Studies, and Master of Divinity. Students interested in this option will need to meet the admissions requirements of LSOCC and complete the requirements as stipulated by the LSOCC catalog to complete their chosen degree. Students can learn more about the LSOCC programs and their accreditation status by visiting: www.occ.edu/masters.
Track 2: Authorized Master's Degree: This track would be chosen by students who want a bonafide master's degree from MTS which is authorized by the State of Colorado but are not concerned about accreditation or who feel they cannot afford an accredited degree at this time. Following this track, a student would enter our program at MTS and take the same or similar courses with the same requirements and rigor as those in track 1. As such, if a student desired to switch to Track 1, he or she could do so at any time and transfer LSOCC-articulation-agreement-approved-classes into LSOCC programs. If the student remains on Track 2, he or she could potentially go on to receive a Doctor of Ministry, and/or a Ph.D. degree from other authorized (non-accredited) schools such as Trinity Theological Seminary in Newburgh, Indiana.
Track 1 Advantages:
The student receives an accredited degree approved by the United States Department of Education.
The student takes up to two-thirds of the credits required for an LSOCC degree at MTS at a lesser price than other graduate schools (or much less if the student is from a developing country)
The student will be able to go on to do further graduate study at accredited (ie. LSOCC) or non-accredited schools and potentially be able to teach at an accredited or non-accredited university. To teach at an accredited university, one will need to have received an accredited degree from an accredited university.
Track 2 Advantages:
The student receives a bonafide legal master's degree from MTS. We are committed to offer courses with the same MA academic rigor for both tracks in line with the academic standards that one would encounter at an accredited institution like LSOCC. As such, our authorized degree will require the same academic rigor as those who decide to follow Track 1.
The cost of the authorized degree will be less than most accredited graduate degrees at accredited schools in developed countries. This is projected to cost much less for students in developing countries.
The student may be able to go on to do further graduate study at non-accredited schools and possibly even at accredited schools.
Students will be able to take most, if not all, of their course work with ICOC professors.
Understandings:
I understand the Two Track Option delineated above and that MTS is not accredited by an agency of the United States Department of Education. I certify that to the best of my knowledge the content that I have supplied in this application is accurate and complete and that I have read and understand this entire document. I understand that MTS admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin. I wish to receive instruction from a conservative biblical worldview perspective and align my life with the teachings of Jesus Christ. I support MTS’s purpose, mission, and statement of faith as presented in the MTS catalog.
