USILACS Terms and Conditions
United States Institute of Language and Clerical Studies
1. Version and Approval Log
Version 2.38 – Effective September 1, 2026. This version adds the current reactivation-fee structure,
aligns payment-plan terms with current institutional policy, clarifies the governing-document hierarchy,
and makes related consistency corrections. This version supersedes Version 2.37.
2. Nature of the Institution
United States Institute of Language and Clerical Studies, Inc. (“USILACS,” “we,” “us,” or “our”)
is a private nonprofit educational institution and federally recognized 501(c)(3) public educational charity.
USILACS operates as a religious institution of higher learning under Florida Statute §1005.06(1)(f). USILACS:
- Owns and operates www.usilacs.org and its associated online platforms.
- Provides asynchronous online education programs and courses, including High School Equivalency, Career Certificate, Associate Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, and Master’s Degree programs.
- Provides Career Certificate Programs and short-format education intended to provide students with theoretical and academic knowledge that may assist them in preparing for certain state, federal, industry, or institutional certification examinations where applicable.
- Administers the Higher Education Skills Equivalency Assessment Program (HESEAP) for eligible Bachelor’s Degree students as a process for evaluating qualifying prior education, training, knowledge, and experience.
- Provides education document apostille and legalization services.
USILACS provides instruction focused on academic and theoretical knowledge. USILACS does not provide hands-on
occupational skills training, on-the-job apprenticeships, supervised practical experience, or worksite training.
Any such requirements remain the responsibility of the student and any applicable employer, licensing body,
certification organization, or apprenticeship sponsor.
These Terms implement and supplement, but do not supersede, applicable law, the Articles of Incorporation,
the USILACS Bylaws, formally adopted Board of Regents policies, the current Academic Catalog, or the
Student Handbook. If an apparent conflict exists, those authorities control in that order, followed by
these Terms and then applicable website pages, enrollment materials, FAQs, procedures, and other
administrative or public guidance.
By accessing or using any portion of the Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms.
If you do not agree, you must not use the Services.
3. Non-Discrimination Policy
USILACS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, age, sex,
disability, marital status, or any other status protected by applicable law. All admissions,
enrollment, suspension, administrative withdrawal, and academic decisions are applied uniformly
and in a nondiscriminatory manner consistent with applicable law and institutional policy.
4. Authority of the USILACS Board of Regents
As a private religious institution, USILACS is governed by its Board of Regents (“BOR”). The BOR retains
full, exclusive, and final authority over admissions decisions, continuation or discontinuation of enrollment,
institutional policies, and administrative withdrawals. The BOR may exercise this authority whenever, in its
sole and reasonable discretion, it determines that such action is necessary to preserve the integrity,
safety, reputation, or orderly operation of the institution and its community.
5. Asynchronous Academic Model and Administrative Withdrawal
USILACS operates an asynchronous online academic model that requires independent, self-paced participation
within published deadlines and professional, respectful interaction with faculty and staff.
Due to this format, the Services do not support repeated or prolonged challenges to individual exam questions,
quiz items, grading decisions, or course design, nor do they support adversarial, disruptive, or harassing
communication patterns with faculty, staff, or administration.
If, in the judgment of USILACS, a student’s expectations, conduct, or manner of interaction is incompatible
with the asynchronous model, creates undue administrative burden, or interferes with the effective operation
of the institution, USILACS may administratively withdraw the student.
When an administrative withdrawal is initiated under this section, USILACS will refund 100% of tuition paid
for the applicable enrollment period and may provide a letter of attendance or similar documentation.
The following amounts are strictly non-refundable: HESEAP fees, application and admission fees,
apostille and legalization service fees, exam retake fees, and administrative document fees.
6. Enrollment Duration, Academic Inactivity, Administrative Withdrawal, and Reactivation
USILACS operates an asynchronous, self-paced online academic model. Students are responsible for maintaining
regular academic participation, monitoring their student account, responding to official institutional
communications, completing required enrollment steps, and satisfying all academic, administrative, and
financial obligations within applicable institutional deadlines.
Consistent with Section 4.15 of the USILACS Academic Catalog, “Academic Inactivity and Administrative
Withdrawal,” students who fail to enroll or participate academically for one hundred twenty (120) consecutive
calendar days may be administratively withdrawn and placed in inactive status.
For purposes of these Terms, academic inactivity may include failure to enroll, failure to access or continue
coursework, failure to attempt required examinations, failure to complete required academic or administrative
steps, or failure to otherwise demonstrate continued academic participation through USILACS systems or official
institutional processes.
Administrative withdrawal or inactive status due to academic inactivity does not relieve the student of financial
obligations incurred under USILACS tuition, fee, payment, and refund policies. Failure to participate academically
does not constitute voluntary withdrawal and does not create a right to a refund unless the student otherwise
qualifies under the Tuition Refunds and Non-Refundable Fees section of these Terms or another written USILACS policy.
A student who has been placed in inactive status, suspended, or administratively withdrawn due to academic
inactivity may request reactivation or re-enrollment through the Registrar’s Office. Reactivation or re-enrollment
is not automatic and remains subject to review and approval by the Registrar’s Office or another authorized
USILACS administrator.
Before reactivation or re-enrollment is approved, USILACS may require the student to satisfy all outstanding
financial obligations, update student records, complete current institutional forms, agree to current institutional
policies, and meet current academic or program requirements. The base reactivation fee is US $225. The fee charged
to an individual student is adjusted using USILACS country-based reactivation pricing based on the student’s current
country of physical residence as confirmed during the reactivation process. The applicable reactivation fee will be
displayed before checkout and must be paid before academic access is restored. Other applicable course-access,
examination, technology, document-processing, or re-enrollment fees may also apply when authorized by current
institutional policy.
Reactivation or re-enrollment may be denied when USILACS determines that the original program, course, examination,
catalog version, tuition structure, or academic requirement is no longer available, has materially changed, or cannot
reasonably be restored. In such cases, USILACS may, at its discretion, offer the student an available current program,
course, examination, or service option, subject to current tuition, fees, policies, academic requirements, and
administrative procedures.
Previously completed USILACS coursework remains part of the student’s academic record. During reactivation, the student
must confirm the program and enrollment information to be used for continued study. Completed coursework will be applied
to the reactivated or current program to the extent it satisfies the applicable current program requirements.
USILACS will not release transcripts, diplomas, certificates, apostilles, legalization documents, certified copies,
letters of recommendation, or other official educational documents unless the student has satisfied all applicable
academic, financial, administrative, identity-verification, and document-processing requirements.
7. Tuition Refunds and Non-Refundable Fees
USILACS maintains an equitable prorated tuition refund policy for all students. Tuition is assessed on a program basis, and an installment or monthly payment plan affects only the timing of payment and does not alter a student’s refund rights.
- A student may cancel enrollment within three working days after signing or accepting the enrollment agreement. Upon timely cancellation, USILACS will cancel the student’s tuition and fee obligations and refund amounts paid, except for charges permitted by applicable law for nonreturnable books, supplies, materials, or similar items that have actually been provided to and used by the student.
- After the three-working-day cancellation period, a student who withdraws during the first 40% of the applicable published enrollment period is eligible for a prorated tuition adjustment based on the portion of that enrollment period that has elapsed. After more than 40% of the applicable enrollment period has elapsed, no additional tuition refund is required under the standard policy except where a greater refund is required by applicable law or expressly provided by institutional policy.
For a voluntary withdrawal, the withdrawal date is the date USILACS receives the student’s written withdrawal request through an authorized institutional channel. For an administrative withdrawal, the withdrawal date is determined from official institutional records, including the student’s last documented academic activity or other reliable institutional evidence showing when active participation ceased. Any refund due will be issued within 30 days after USILACS determines that the student has withdrawn. The following fees are non-refundable, except when otherwise required by applicable law: HESEAP fees, application/admission/registration fees, apostille/legalization fees,
exam retake fees, certified-copy or replacement document fees, and administrative or processing fees. For Florida students, nonrefundable admission and registration fees combined will not exceed $150. Preparation, printing, shipment, or delivery of an educational document does not eliminate any tuition refund otherwise required under this policy.
A reactivation fee is an administrative fee and is non-refundable once reactivation has been completed and
academic access has been restored.
8. Financial Obligations, Suspension, and Document Release
When an approved payment plan is available, the plan is interest-free and includes a 10% Payment Plan Administration
Fee. Under the current payment-plan structure, the student pays an initial 25% of the payment-plan total and the
remaining 75% is divided into equal monthly payments over the selected available term. Students on payment plans must
remain current. Accounts more than 30 days past due may result in suspension of access, and continued non-payment may
result in administrative withdrawal. Students may prepay the remaining balance without penalty.
USILACS will not release transcripts, diplomas, certificates, degrees, or any certified educational documents until
all tuition, fees, installment balances, and other financial obligations are satisfied in full.
9. Privacy and Electronic Communications
Use of the Services constitutes acceptance of the USILACS Privacy Policy. You consent to receive electronic
communications from USILACS.
10. User Accounts and Security
You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials. USILACS may terminate
accounts or refuse service where necessary.
11. Children and Minor Students
USILACS does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Students under 18 require
parental or legal-guardian consent.
12. Third-Party Websites and Services
The Site may contain links to third-party websites. USILACS is not responsible for the content or practices of these sites.
13. Intellectual Property and License
All content on the Site is the property of USILACS or its licensors. You are granted a limited, personal-use license only.
14. International Users
Users outside the United States are responsible for compliance with local laws.
15. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless USILACS and its officers, employees, and agents from any claims
arising from your use of the Services or violation of these Terms.
16. Class Action Waiver
All claims must be brought individually. Class and representative actions are not permitted.
17. Liability Disclaimer
The Services are provided “as-is” without warranties. USILACS is not liable for indirect or consequential damages.
18. Accreditation and Acceptance of Educational Documents
USILACS publicly discloses its institutional accreditation status and related institutional information through
its official website and published materials. Accreditation does not guarantee that another educational institution,
employer, government agency, licensing authority, certification body, credential evaluator, or other third party will
accept, recognize, transfer, or give a particular value to a USILACS course, certificate, degree, transcript, diploma,
or other educational document.
Requirements and acceptance standards are determined independently by each receiving institution, employer,
licensing authority, government agency, or other third party. Students are responsible for verifying applicable
acceptance, transfer, employment, licensing, certification, immigration, or further-education requirements before
enrolling when such acceptance is important to their individual goals.
19. Career Certificate Programs and Certification Examinations
Career Certificate Programs provide academic and theoretical instruction. USILACS does not provide hands-on occupational
training, apprenticeships, supervised practice, clinical experience, or on-the-job training. Participation in a USILACS
Career Certificate Program does not satisfy any apprenticeship, supervised-experience, practical-training, or similar
requirement imposed by a licensing, certification, or regulatory authority unless that authority expressly determines otherwise.
Some Career Certificate Programs may provide academic preparation related to external certification examinations.
USILACS does not guarantee that any student will qualify for, pass, or receive any state, federal, industry, professional,
or institutional certification or license. Students are responsible for verifying all eligibility, examination, licensing,
practical-training, apprenticeship, and experience requirements directly with the applicable authority or certification organization.
20. Apostille and Legalization Services
Apostille and legalization timelines depend on government agencies. USILACS is not responsible for government delays,
denials, or changes in procedure.
21. Examinations and Retakes
Standard final examinations are timed at 45 minutes. A passing score is 55%. Students may make up to four total
attempts on an examination, including the initial attempt, subject to current institutional examination policies
and any applicable retake fees. Technical problems originating from the student’s equipment, internet connection,
browser, device, or other student-controlled technology are not the responsibility of USILACS.
22. Changes to Student Information
Students must promptly notify the Registrar’s Office of any change in name or contact information.
23. Changes to These Terms
USILACS may revise these Terms through authorized institutional action. A revised version becomes effective on its
published effective date and is applied in accordance with controlling institutional policy and applicable law.
Revisions generally apply prospectively unless the institution expressly states otherwise or a different application
is required by law or controlling institutional policy. The most current officially published version supersedes prior
versions to the extent stated by the institution.
24. Contact Information
United States Institute of Language and Clerical Studies, Inc.
2800 E Silver Springs Blvd, Suite 202
Ocala, Florida 34470
Telephone: 305-330-2202
Website: www.usilacs.org