Student Right to Know & CONSUMER INFORMATION

To comply with the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science (PIMS) is required to disclose specific consumer information and the availability of student financial aid to prospective and current students. 

All policies, procedures, and statistics mentioned on this page can be obtained in a paper format by contacting Miss Jenett Moyer, Senior Financial Aid Administrator, Disability Services Coordinator, and Title IX Officer, or Mrs. Nicole Elachko, Registrar/Director of Administrative and Student Services. 

Graduation Rates

PIMS reports graduation rates annually to our accrediting body, the ABFSE, and the Department of Education, along with other entities as required.

Graduation rates are based on first-time attendees who are enrolled full-time and can be found by clicking here.

Campus Crime Statistics

PIMS annually distributes campus crime statics within the Campus Security Policy. Click here to view the Campus Security Policy. The statistics can be found on page 24.

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Information

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (the Act) is a federal law (also known as the Buckley Amendment) which states that students have the right to have their educational record maintained in a confidential manner and the right to review their educational records. Click here to view the policy in its entirety and please submit the form attached to the policy if you wish to change your FERPA selection.

General Consumer Information

• License, Accreditation, Approvals, & Professional Memberships
  • The PIMS’ Bulletin, page 6, provides details on the Institute’s accreditation and Board of Directors. This page also provides our Board’s contact information along with the Institute’s approvals, state license information, and a list of professional memberships.
• Faculty
  • Outstanding professional men and women make up the Institute’s faculty. In addition to being thoroughly educated in their specialties, they bring practical experience accumulated over years of practice in their chosen professions to the students. These educators and their credentials can be found on pages 17 & 18 of the PIMS Bulletin.
• Referral Services
  • The Institute provides a referral program and employment postings page on PIMS.edu, which is available at no charge to either graduate or employer. Job opportunities brought to the attention of the Institute are referred to interested graduates by posting the job to the student and alumni online portals. This policy can be found within the PIMS Bulletin starting on page 66.
• Copyright Policies
  • Cheating on examinations, through use of unauthorized aids or inappropriate resources, is not permitted. In addition, plagiarism, or the unattributed use of another words or ideas, through either direct appropriation or paraphrase, is a serious breach of academic standards and will be cause for academic dismissal from the program. PIMS presents a copy of this policy within the Bulletin page 48.
• Educational Programs
  • PIMS offers campus-based programs and two online programs.  Details of each campus based programs can be found on page 25 within the Bulletin. The online program description can be found on the PIMS website here.
    
• Services for Students with Disabilities
  • Our diverse student body includes people from all divergent backgrounds personally and educationally. The Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science works to provide an equal opportunity for those seeking a career in funeral service, in accordance with ADA and Section 504 regulations. The Institute provides reasonable accommodations to qualifying students with disabilities. Those students seeking reasonable accommodations for a documented disability must make a formal request. Students begin the process by advising the Registrar and asking for an Accommodation Request Form. Details of this policy can be found within the Bulletin on page 65 & 66.
• Non-Discrimination Policy
  • PIMS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national and ethnic origin, age, veteran’s status, marital status, or disability in its administration of educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered events. The PIMS Non-Discrimination Policy can be found within the PIMS Bulletin on page 66.
• Privacy of Student Records-Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
  • As outlined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, (also known as the Buckley Amendment) students have the right to have their educational records maintained in a confidential manner and the right to review their educational records. The act states that: (1) a written institutional policy must be established and (2) a statement of adopted procedures covering the privacy rights of students is made available. It is also available to all students in attendance and parents of dependent students who are receiving federal financial aid, upon receiving a written request. Access the full Confidentiality Policy here.
• Student Activities
  • Students are encouraged to initiate constructive group activities. Those under Institute sponsorship are subject to supervision by the Dean’s Office. Outings, sports, social and general recreation plans may be formulated to meet the desires of the classes. More information about the extracurricular activities of the Institute can be found within the Bulletin page 67.
• Student Diversity
  • To comply with Department of Education requirement to administer federal financial aid, PIMS collects statistical information regarding student body diversity, this information can be found at the following here.
• Student Communication
  • All PIMS’ students must have an active email account upon enrollment. Email is the official channel of communication between the Institute and students. Students are expected to read all communication in a timely fashion. All academic, financial, and emergency alert information will be sent to the student’s email account. We suggest students check their email on a daily basis. If a crisis situation were to develop, we will utilize our ability to communicate critical information to students, faculty, and staff through email messaging. PIMS’ faculty will also utilize the Institute’s Sonis Student Portal and the Canvas Online Platform.
• Textbook Information
  • Although, textbooks are not available for purchase on campus, they can be purchased at an online bookstore powered by Akademos; click here. Akademos offers new, used, and marketplace options. E-books or rental options are not recommended because books at times are used for more than one class, and it is recommended that the students keep their textbooks through the end of the core program to help prepare for the National Board Examination. There are a few textbooks that are billed directly to the student’s account and those are provided by the Institute; otherwise, students are responsible for purchasing their textbooks.
• Transfer of Credit Policies
  • PIMS’ curriculum may appear to have similar to course titles to courses offered at other institutions, but there is an application and focus of material taught, in the courses offered at PIMS toward funeral service practice. There is also a requirement for graduation, of passing a comprehensive examination and a requirement for licensure, in most states, of passing the National Board Examination, so PIMS needs to ensure that the necessary content is covered. To read the complete policy click follow this link.
• Cost of Attendance
  • The Institute’s tuition and fees can be found here. PIMS uses both data from the College Board for the Pittsburgh metro area and data from student housing surveys to develop our cost of attendance. If utilizing federal or state financial aid the cost of attendance is used to package your offer and is provided on each award letter distributed.
• Tuition and Fees
  • PIMS tuition and fees are charged on or before the day of each class start. A breakdown of tuition and fees is emailed prior to the start date of each term. Invoices can be printed or downloaded within the PIMS Sonis Student Portal. A per term breakdown can be obtained by contacting the Financial Aid or Business Office. An overview of the per credit costs and a breakdown of program fees is available here.
• Net Price Calculator
  • Students using the PIMS’ net price calculator will receive an estimated cost of attending the Institute. This tool is intended to give you an understanding of what you would need to pay. Please understand that this is an estimate.  It is only as accurate as the information you provide.  The Net Price Calculator can be found here.
• Campus Refund Policy and Requirements for Withdrawal
  • In withdrawing from school, the student should submit a letter of resignation to the Registrar. In the event that a student does not submit a letter of resignation, the date of last attendance shall constitute the basis for tuition refunds. Whenever a student enrolls, withdraws, or decides to discontinue after the trimester has begun but prior to completion of the trimester, the PIMS Campus Tuition Refund Policy shall apply; this policy can be found in the PIMS Bulletin page 22 to 24.
• Online Program Refund Policy and Requirements for Withdrawal
  • Students from the online program may withdraw from courses by writing the Registrar with their intentions. The postmark or email date will constitute the official date of withdrawal for purposes of calculating any refunds that may be due to the student. Non-participation in the class discussions or not returning assignments will not constitute formal withdrawal from the course. In addition, faculty members may withdraw a student from the course, if in their opinion there has been no participation in the class, as may be required. In accordance with regulations of the PA State Board of Private Licensed Schools, whenever a student enrolls and withdraws or is discontinued after the term has begun, but prior to completion of the term, refunds shall apply. The complete PIMS Online Program Refund Policy can be found can be found in the PIMS Bulletin page 22 to 24.
• Return of Federal Financial Aid
  • For all students receiving Title IV funds who withdraw, a return of Title IV funds calculation must be completed. For students who change from full-time (FT) to part-time (PT) status during the term (by dropping courses), may be subject to the same calculation. Depending on the length of time the student attending, aid may need to be returned to the Department of Education because it had not yet been earned. The Campus Return of Financial Aid Policy can be found within the PIMS Bulletin page 24.

Student Financial Assistance

• Disclosure of Student Information Reporting
  • PIMS complies with Department of Education requirements by annually submitting statistical information on student enrollment and federal loan and grant distribution. PIMS also reports student federal loan and grant distribution on a student-by-student basis to NSLDS, the National Student Loan Data System. Once data is submitted to NSLDS, this data will be accessible by guaranty agencies, lenders, and schools determined to be authorized users of the data system.
• Notice of Availability of Institutional and Financial Aid Information
  • PIMS administers federal grants and loans, Pennsylvania and Ohio state grants, and veteran benefits. For an outline of all the available aid programs at PIMS click here. If you have any questions about your eligibility for these programs please contact the PIMS Financial Aid Office.
• Contact Information for Assistance in Obtaining Financial Aid Information
  • Students are encouraged to contact Miss Kelchis Radziewicz, Financial Aid Advisor, with any inquires, questions, or concerns. Miss Kelchis’ contact information is as follows:
    • Phone: 412-362-8500 x111
    • Email: kradziewicz@pims.edu
    • Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Books and Supplies
  • Any student utilizing Federal Student Aid that will have a credit balance in the first term, the Institution can make funds available to the student for the first term’s books and supplies. PIMS would provide a refund check for the amount of the book costs up to the total of the credit balance anticipated. Students must be accepted into the program, have an enrollment contract on file, and must have an approved financial aid award package. The student must contact the FA Office with the total cost of books and supplies needed for the first term. Those funds are paid back to the school when their student financial aid and been received and disbursed.
• Student Loan Information
  • Understanding Student Loans
    • To originate a federal student loan a Master Promissory Note must be signed, this document outlines the terms and conditions of the loan along with the borrower’s rights and responsibilities. The Department of Education’s current Master Promissory Note can be found here.
  • Institutional Code of Conduct for Education Loans
    • PIMS is committed to providing students and their families with the best information and processing alternatives available regarding student borrowing. In support of this and to rule out any perceived or actual conflict of interest PIMS officers and employees adhere to a strict code of conduct which can be found here.
  • Exit Counseling for Student Borrowers
    • Exit Counseling is required when you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment. Exit Counseling provides important information to prepare you to repay your federal student loan(s). Upon graduation or separation from the school, you’ll need to provide the name, address, email address, and telephone number for your closest living relative, two references who live in the U.S., and current or expected employer (if known). The Federal Undergraduate Exit Counseling login page can be found here.

Gainful Employment Disclosure

• The PIMS program that falls under Gainful Employment would be our Diploma program. That disclosure is available here. You can find all program’s statistics regarding placement and graduation for all of our programs here. Information on tuition, fees, and potential loan payment plan can be found here.

Health and Safety

• Campus Security Policies
  • The federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), 20 USC § 1092(f), requires colleges and universities, participating in federal student aid programs to disclose current crime statistics and campus safety information, and imposes certain requirements for handling incidents of sexual violence and emergency situations. The PIMS disclosure can be found here.
• Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program
  • PIMS has long been committed to the maintenance of academic and work environment free of all forms of drug and alcohol abuse and is furthermore committed to prescribing various educational and counseling programs and disciplinary action to implement achievement of this goal. Substance abuse can create safety and health hazards which may cause unacceptable job and academic performance and behavior. Therefore, it is the policy of PIMS to initiate and enforce procedures to ensure a drug-free institution. These procedures can be found within the PIMS Campus Security Report available here.
• Fire Safety Policies
  • PIMS works to maintain a safe environment which includes having a fire safety policy which includes specific instructions should there be a fire at one of the PIMS facilities. Students are encouraged to read the PIMS Campus Security Report which reviews these instructions and our Fire Safety Policies. The PIMS Campus Security Report is available in its entirety here.
• Sexual Misconduct Policy
  • PIMS prohibits the offenses of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. PIMS has defined in accordance with the Department of Education requirements and the Clery Act these prohibited offenses and has provided resources for help within the Campus Security Report. In addition, PIMS offers an anonymous reporting system. You can access that reporting system and view the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science Sexual Misconduct policy here.
    
• Immunization Policy
  • All immunizations required while attending PIMS are outlined on the PIMS Online and Campus Heath Screening Form. These forms can be made available by contacting the PIMS Admission Department at admissions@pims.edu.

Student Outcomes

• Job Placement and Retention
  
  • PIMS reports statistics to the state and to the Department of Education which results in data that is viewable to both perspective and current students. On the PIMS website you can view our National Board, graduation, and job placement statistics by clicking here.
• Voter Registration
  • PIMS takes pride in civic engagement! Voter registration forms can be requested in the Financial Aid Office or you can register online by clicking here. If you are not sure where you are able to vote, click here to find a voting location.  
  • Still have questions? Learn more about voter registration and election information here.
• Consumer Information on College Navigator
  • Information about PIMS student body such as enrollment by sex, race, and/or ethnicity along with tuition and fees can be found here.
• Certification/Examination Pass Rates
  • Students are required to take and pass the National Board as a requirement for licensure in all 50 states. Our examination pass rates can be found here.

Paper copies of any of these policies can be requested within the Financial Aid Office, hours are Monday-Friday, 7:30 am through 4:00 pm.

Jenett Moyer, Senior Financial Aid Administrator

Phone: 412-362-8500 x105

Fax: 412-362-1684

jmoyer@pims.edu

Kelchis Radziewicz, Financial Aid Advisor

Phone: 412-362-8500 x111

Fax: 412-362-1684

kradziewicz@pims.edu