English Language Institute
Program Policies
Payment of Tuition
For new students, tuition must be paid in full by 4:00 P.M. on the last day of New Student Registration week. Any student paying after the tuition deadline will have to pay a $100 late fee.
ELI students may also take advantage of the Mercer University payment plan. Under the payment plan, students may pay an additional fee, and then pay tuition on a monthly basis. Students who miss a payment will not be allowed to attend class until the debt has been paid. Students should apply for the payment plan in the Bursar's office in the Davis Building in Atlanta or the Bursar's office in Macon.
Refund Policy
If a student officially withdraws from the ELI, tuition will be refunded according to the following schedule:
| Before the first day of class | 100% |
| During the first week of class | 80% |
| During the second week of class | 50% |
| After the second week of classes | 0% |
Textbooks
Students will be required to purchase their own textbooks at the beginning of the session. These books will be available in the Mercer Bookstore. At the end of the session, students may choose to sell back their used textbooks to the bookstore if they do not wish to keep them. We estimate the cost of textbooks at $75 - $150 per session.
Grading Policy
For each class you will be given a grade at the end of the session. You will also be given a grade for your independent work in the CALL lab.
| Grade | Meaning |
| A | Excellent |
| B+ | High above average |
| B | Above average |
| C+ | High average |
| C | Average |
| D | Below average |
| F | Failure |
| NG | Failure due to attendance |
| W | Withdraw |
In order to pass a course in the Mercer ELI, you must attend at least 90% of classes and earn a grade of 70% or higher. If you fail to attend 90% of your classes, you will receive a failing grade.
A student may repeat a level a maximum of three times for academic reasons (poor grades) and maximum of two times for failure due to attendance.
Attendance Policy
Attendance is critical in a language program. If a student is not in class, he/she is not learning, and may be missing important instruction. You are expected to be in class -- on time -- every day. Of course, there may be times when it is impossible to come to class, or to arrive on time. These are expected from time to time. Excessive absences or late arrivals (tardies) cannot, however, be tolerated.
Excused Absences
An absence is excused when a student provides documentation that he or she was unable to attend classes for some unavoidable reason. In general, a letter from a Doctor, traffic citations, or a court summons (a demand to be in court for some legal reason) will be acceptable evidence. When the student arrives at school, he/she should give the documentation to the International Student Advisor on the NEXT SCHOOL DAY. He/she will give you a pass excusing the absence, which the student should give to his/her instructor.
Even with Excused Absences, you are responsible for learning the material taught in class that day. You are expected to make arrangements with your teacher to make up any material, tests, or quizzes.
Unexcused Absences
Unexcused absences are those absences for which the student has no documentation. Students are allowed a maximum of four unexcused absences per session. Excessive unexcused absences mean failure with a grade of "FQ" for that course. Tests missed due to unexcused absences cannot be made up.
Tardies
Mercer University’s Atlanta Campus is located in a large metropolitan area and traffic can sometimes create delays; however, all students are required to be in class on-time. Three tardies to class equals one absence. Students who are more than ten minutes late are considered absent for that hour. After fifteen minutes, the instructor may deny the student admission to the class.
If a student fails a level due to excessive absences, he/she she will be given one chance to repeat that level. If the student fails the next session for the same reason, he/she will no longer be eligible to enroll in classes, and will be asked to leave the program.
Make-up Assignments, Tests, and Examinations
It is the responsibility of the student to make sure all coursework is submitted on time. Students must also be present for tests and examinations. Instructors are not under any obligation to give make-up assignments or tests to students who do not receive prior permission or who cannot document extenuating circumstances.
All work submitted for assessment must be the work of student. Students who are found guilty of cheating or plagiarism are subject to the university guidelines and policies. Penalties for offences of academic dishonesty are severe and could be detrimental to future academic endeavors. Please consult the Mercer University bulletin for further information.
