We are not big on policies, procedures or paperwork. Still, there are a few rules of the road we'd like every student to know about. So please take the 4-1/2 minutes required to scan through these guidelines. And, yes, there will be a test.

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Other than a high school diploma, there are no formal education requirements to enroll in SVC's portfolio development classes, nor is a portfolio necessary to begin course work. There are no requirements for admission to SVC professional development workshops, other than technical prerequisites for software training. These prerequisites are detailed in the course description for each workshop.
The School of Visual Concepts believes that creativity has nothing to do with your sex, race, religion, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or physical abilities. So, these factors are not an issue in accepting you for admission to SVC.

SVC does not provide student loans. We will, however, allow students to make payments based on this schedule:

- 1/3 payment at registration
- 1/3 payment due 30 days after the start of classes
- 1/3 payment due 60 days after the start of classes

There is a $25 charge per quarter for using the above extended payment plan. Any unpaid balances after due on SVC's payment plan will accrue a monthly 1.5% finance charge. We also accept Mastercard and VISA if you'd like to finance your tuition that way.

A non-refundable registration fee of $45 is required for all students enrolling in a five- or ten-week course who have not taken an SVC class of this length in the past 13 months.
Your tuition will be refunded under these conditions: 1) if your class is discontinued either before it starts or during the quarter, 2) if you decide to drop the class, or 3) if your enrollment is terminated by SVC due to lack of progress or disciplinary problems. Read below for details on these situations.
SVC may, on occasion, cancel a class due to insufficient enrollment. Students will be notified as soon as possible when a class is cancelled. Students will receive a full refund of all fees for cancelled classes.
Your tuition will be refunded under these conditions: 1) if your class is discontinued by SVC, 2) if you decide to drop the class, or 3) if your enrollment is terminated by SVC due to lack of progress or disciplinary problems. Read below for details on these situations.
PERCENT OF CLASS SESSIONS HELD PERCENT OF TUITION REFUNDED
Up to 10% 90% *
10-24% 75%
25-50% 50%
More than 50% 0%


* $50 of your tuition will not be refunded if you drop computer lab classes within 10 business days before the first class. This refund policy is in accordance with Washington State Law, 490-105-130 (RCW 28C.10.050 (1)(b)).There is also a $75 cancellation fee if you drop a one or two-day workshop without a valid reason within 48 hours of its scheduled start time.

In addition, the $45 registration fee required of students taking 5- or 10-week classes will not be refunded when you drop a class.

If a student decides to drop because he or she feels the quality of the instruction was not up to expectations, SVC is happy to discuss those situations and may grant a more favorable refund.

Please read the complete rules concerning refunds and the acceptance of your contract with SVC.

Although creative excellence and effort are highly subjective, students not making a genuine effort to complete class assignments with a reasonable degree of creativity and attention to detail--or those who consistently miss class, arrive late, or interfere with the learning opportunities of other students--may be asked to withdraw from a class after an interview with the instructor and School administrators. In this event, the student's tuition will be refunded according to the policies listed in the Dropping Classes section.
The use of alcohol (outside of sanctioned social functions) or illegal substances at SVC is strictly prohibited. Students who come to class under the influence will be asked to leave and will be withdrawn from the School without a refund. If you have a drug or alcohol problem, may we suggest that now is a good time to get some help.Stop by the office and talk to us if you'd like information on cessation programs.
Smoking is permitted only on the exterior walkways and front parking lot of the School. And please, don't throw your butts on the ground. They make a huge mess someone else has to clean up.
Our goal is keep SVC as a place where students are free from unwelcome advances, inappropriate verbal or physical contact, or anything that creates a hostile or offensive environment. If another student or faculty member crosses those lines, please let one of the School Directors know immediately. Staff or students who are found to have violated SVC's harassment policy, will be dismissed immediately.
SVC makes available computers, software, printers, scanners and Internet access for students to use on School projects. There is no charge to use this equipment.. These machines are available Monday - Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. while classes are in session. Please do not load or download software to these or any SVC computers without permission. Students can also make photocopies using the machine in the SVC office.
SVC maintains a library which students may use from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday while classes are in session. Books may be checked out at the front desk. Students failing to return books will have their credit cards charged for the replacement cost of the books.
Parking in the SVC lot is limited and is on a first-come, first-serve basis. After 6 p.m., you can also park in spaces along the alley near Glazer's Camera. Plentiful street parking is also available to the east and south of the building. Do NOT park in spaces that are marked "reserved."
The SVC office is open from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday when classes are in session. When there are no classes, the office closes at 5:30 p.m. The office usually closes at 2 p.m. on Fridays whether classes are in session or not.
While classes are in session, the School office will be open, so emergencies can be reported. A first aid kit is also available in the office. In an emergency, telephones are in Room 206 and in the main office.
Classes may be cancelled due if an instructor is ill or unable to attend. We will notify you as early as possible if you provide us with your current telephone numbers and email address. If you think classes might be cancelled due to snow or other weather conditions, call the School office at 206-623-1560 to listen for recorded messages. Generally, SVC follows the same cancellation policies as the University of Washington, whose closures are announced on TV and radio. Any classes missed due to weather cancellations will be made up at the end of the quarter.