The following is a guideline for Lay School of Ministry students regarding payment, class cancellation, and grade reports.  Students are encouraged to request financial support from their congregation for funding of course fees.  Please refer to the Course Description and schedule for a full list of courses offered each semester.  Please note that a course may be cancelled if fewer than eight students are registered. 

Refund policy

A full refund of course fees will be given to students if cancellation is made prior to the beginning of the first scheduled class for the semester.

Normally, upon request, a refund totaling 25% of course fees will be given to students if cancellation is made after the first scheduled class of the semester.

No course fees will be refunded if cancellation is made after the second scheduled class of the semester.

Payment of course fees

The Synod Coordinator for the Lay School of Ministry will be on site during the first scheduled class session for each semester (Friday evening and Saturday morning) to receive payment.  Payment will be applied to the student account record at the synod office.  All subsequent payments for the semester should be sent directly to the synod office at the following address:

                                    Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

                                    South Central Synod of Wisconsin

                                    2909 Landmark Place, Suite 202

                                    Madison, Wisconsin  53713

                                    ATTN: Lay School of Ministry

Students are required to make final payment for all semester course fees by the second scheduled class of the semester.

For questions regarding your balance or current fees, please contact the synod office    (608- 270-0201) or the Lay School of Ministry Coordinator.

Student transcripts

A transcript will be kept on record in the synod office for each student and will contain a list of courses attended and grades as well as contact information provided by the student.  The Lay School of Ministry Director, Coordinator, course instructors and candidacy mentors will have access to transcripts. 

Grades

Instructors are requested to report final semester grades to the synod office according to the schedule listed below.  Normally letter grades are given and grade reports will be sent to each student.  For courses that continue through both semesters, students will need to contact instructors for semester grade reporting policies. 

                        Spring semester instructors (January – May) are requested to report

                        grades no later than June 15.

                        Fall semester instructors (September – December) are requested to report

                        grades no later than January 15.

Leave of Absence

After completion of a minimum of three courses a student may take a leave of absence from the Lay School of Ministry.  Completed courses will stand toward the Completion Certificate of Lay School if the student re-enrolls within five years.