Can this agreement be signed electronically?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA where adopted, provided there is intent, consent, attribution, and the record can be retained and reproduced.

Is notarization or witnesses required?

Not typically for enrollment agreements; some states or specific institutional policies may require notarization or witnesses for certain acknowledgements. Check state regulator guidance before adding notary requirements.

What if student information is incorrect?

Incorrect or mismatched identity data can delay enrollment and financial aid. Correct the record, obtain re-executed signatures if material, and retain both versions with a change log for audit.

Who can sign for the institution?

An authorized institutional representative with signing authority must sign on the school's behalf; document their title and authority in institutional records to avoid enforceability questions.

Are there state-specific disclosure rules?

Yes. State regulators may require specific refund language or outcome disclosures (for example, career school bureaus). Consult the applicable state education or licensing agency before finalizing text.

How long should signed agreements be kept?

Retain executed agreements for the active period plus statutory minimums: at least 3 years for tax-related records (IRC §6501(a)) and six years for HIPAA-related materials (45 CFR §164.530(j)); state rules may require longer retention.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Education
Post Secondary Enrollment Agreement

Post Secondary Enrollment Agreement

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

Post Secondary Enrollment Agreement

This Post Secondary Enrollment Agreement (Agreement) is entered into by Student Name: and Institution Name: on Effective Date: . This Agreement sets forth the terms and conditions under which the student will enroll in the program set forth below and the financial and academic obligations associated with such enrollment.

Student Information

Full Legal Name Date of Birth Student ID (if issued) Mailing Address

Phone

Email

Is the student a minor?

Student is under the age of majority and Parent/Guardian signature is required below.

Parent / Guardian (if applicable)

Parent/Guardian Full Name Relationship

Phone

Email

Program Enrollment

Program Title

Credential to be Awarded

Program Length (months/credits)

Expected Program Start Date

Enrollment Status: Full-time Part-time

Tuition, Fees, and Payment Terms

Tuition (total program cost): USD. Student is responsible for all applicable fees and charges described below and in institutional policy.

Itemized Fees and Additional Charges (list and amounts) Payment Plan Selected

One-time payment upon enrollment Installment plan as described below

If installment, describe schedule and amounts

Payment due date(s): Late payments are subject to interest and collection; student will remain liable for the full amount due until paid in full.

Financial Aid / Scholarships

Student has applied for financial aid: Yes Awarded

Scholarship or Grant Amount (if any)

Financial aid or scholarship awards are conditioned upon continued eligibility and compliance with institutional and funding requirements. Any discrepancies between estimated and actual awards remain the responsibility of the student.

Withdrawal, Cancellation, and Refund Policy

Student may withdraw or cancel enrollment by providing written notice to the institution. Refunds, if any, will be issued according to the institutional refund schedule and applicable law. As a general policy: full refund of tuition less application fee if notice received prior to the first day of classes; prorated refunds during an initial adjustment period as defined by the institution; no refund for withdrawal after the published refund cutoff. Student acknowledges responsibility for charges incurred through the date of withdrawal.

Withdrawal Effective Date (if applicable) Reason for Withdrawal (optional)

Academic Policies and Standards

Student agrees to abide by all institutional academic policies, including but not limited to attendance, grading, satisfactory academic progress, academic integrity, and program-specific requirements. Failure to meet academic standards may result in suspension, dismissal, or loss of eligibility for certain financial aid. The institution retains authority to modify curricula, schedule, or instructional methods where necessary.

Student acknowledges receipt and understanding of academic policies

I acknowledge and agree to the academic policies stated above.

Privacy, Records, and Communications

Student grants the institution the right to collect, retain, and use student information for educational, administrative, and regulatory purposes. The institution will protect student records in accordance with applicable law. Student consents to receive institutional communications (billing, academic notices, and admissions materials) electronically unless otherwise requested in writing.

Consent to Electronic Communications

I consent to receive communications electronically and accept that such communications meet any legal notice requirements.

Medical / Emergency Information

Emergency Contact Name Emergency Contact Phone Medical Conditions / Allergies

Student Acknowledgment and Certification

By signing below, the student (or parent/guardian where applicable) certifies that the information provided in this Agreement is true and complete. Student acknowledges financial responsibility for tuition, fees, and other charges incurred. Student agrees to comply with institutional policies and understands consequences for nonpayment or academic noncompliance. Student authorizes the institution to release academic records for employment and financial aid verification as required by law or institutional policy.

I certify the statements and acceptance of terms

I certify and accept the terms of this Enrollment Agreement.

Student / Parent or Guardian (Print Name):

By (Signature):

Date:

Institution Representative (Print Name):

By (Signature / Title):

Date:

What the Post Secondary Enrollment Agreement Is

A Post Secondary Enrollment Agreement is a written contract between an educational provider and a student that documents program enrollment, tuition and fee obligations, start and end dates, refund and cancellation terms, and mutual responsibilities. It is commonly used by community colleges, proprietary career schools, and continuing-education programs to create clear expectations, satisfy regulator disclosure requirements, and record consent to financial and academic terms. The agreement may include admissions conditions, payment plans, third-party funding acknowledgements, and signature blocks for the student and an authorized institutional representative.

Why a Clear Enrollment Agreement Matters

A well-drafted Post Secondary Enrollment Agreement protects students and institutions by documenting essential terms, reducing disputes, and fulfilling state and federal disclosure obligations. Clear agreements improve administrative processing, simplify financial aid reviews, and create a reliable record for accreditation and audit purposes.

Who Typically Prepares and Signs This Agreement

Responsibilities should be assigned and documented so each party knows who completes, signs, and stores the agreement.

Prospective students and enrolled students completing program acceptance and financial acknowledgements.
Admissions, registrar, or enrollment services staff who prepare, review, and retain executed agreements.
Financial aid and bursar offices that verify payment plans, funding sources, and refund eligibility.

Step-by-step: Complete and Execute the Agreement

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, review, and finalize the Post Secondary Enrollment Agreement.

01

Gather documents: Collect ID, proof of residency, and funding paperwork before starting.
02

Complete form: Enter all fields as instructed; avoid abbreviations for legal names.
03

Review and sign: Have authorized institutional signatory and student sign with dated signatures.
04

Submit and store: Send to registrar and retain an executed copy in the student file.

Essential Data Elements to Include

Student Name: Full legal name on ID.

Date of Birth: MM/DD/YYYY format.

Identifier: Student ID or SSN/TIN as required.

Program Title: Official program name and code.

Start Date: MM/DD/YYYY start of instruction.

Tuition Amount: Exact dollars and billing terms.

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Incomplete identity fields or inconsistent name formats between the agreement and supporting ID commonly cause enrollment holds, payment errors, and verification delays with financial aid.
Entering estimated tuition or leaving payment schedules vague increases the risk of billing disputes and can invalidate regulatory disclosures required by state agencies.
Failing to include an authorized institutional signature or title can render the agreement unenforceable and complicate transcript or credential issuance.
Missing or late add/drop and refund dates often results in reduced refunds and student complaints that require manual appeals and extra administrative work.

Consequences of Incorrect or Incomplete Agreements

Enrollment Cancellation: Institution may cancel enrollment.

Financial Penalties: Student may forfeit refund rights.

Aid Disqualification: Financial aid eligibility may be lost.

Regulatory Fines: State regulators may impose sanctions.

Accreditation Risk: Noncompliance can affect accreditation.

Delayed Start: Program start may be postponed.

Where to Send and How Routing Works

Routing the completed agreement depends on institutional policy; the following destinations are standard for processing and retention.

Admissions Office: Receives initial signed copy for enrollment record.
Registrar: Stores executed agreement in student academic file.
Financial Aid/Bursar: Verifies payment terms and funding sources.
Student: Provide signed copy to student for personal records.

How to Configure an Online Enrollment Workflow

Use consistent workflow settings to automate routing, authentication, and retention when processing the Enrollment Agreement electronically.

Field	Configuration
Template Name	Use unique template per program.
Signer Order	Student first, then institutional signatory.
Authentication	Email link plus optional SMS code.
Retention Policy	Auto-archive executed copy to student record.

Technical Requirements for eSigning and Submission

Ensure the eSignature platform supports TLS/AES encryption, audit trail capture, and export to the student information system for secure storage and regulatory compliance.

File Formats: PDF and Word DOCX
Authentication: Email, SMS, or KBA
Integrations: LMS, SIS, and cloud storage

Key Dates and Deadlines to Track

Track these critical dates to preserve refund rights, maintain enrollment, and meet regulatory reporting obligations.

Effective Date:

Date enrollment becomes active.

Payment Due Date:

When tuition payments are required.

Add/Drop Deadline:

Last day to change enrollment without penalty.

Refund Request Deadline:

Date to submit refund petitions.

Document Retention Start:

Execution date for retention calculations.

Core Sections to Include in a Professional Agreement

Cover these six components to ensure the Post Secondary Enrollment Agreement is complete, enforceable, and regulator-ready.

Parties

Identify the student and the contracting educational provider by full legal name, address, and institutional identifier so both parties are unambiguously defined for contract interpretation and enforcement.

Program Details

Describe the program name, official program code, credential awarded, clock or credit hours, and a clear summary of instructional delivery format to prevent misunderstandings about requirements.

Term and Dates

Specify the program start date, expected completion date, any probationary periods, and milestone deadlines such as add/drop and externship start dates to align expectations.

Tuition and Payment

List tuition, mandatory fees, payment schedule, late fees, and responsibilities for third-party or employer-sponsored payments so financial obligations are transparent.

Refund and Cancellation

State institution refund policy, sample refund calculations, and the exact deadline and method to request refunds to comply with state regulator requirements and consumer-protection rules.

Signatures

Provide dated signature blocks for the student and an authorized institutional representative, and specify whether notarization or witness signatures are required per institutional or state rules.

eSignature Vendor Pricing and Feature Snapshot

Basic pricing and feature availability for common eSignature vendors. Place signNow first as a baseline for cost and feature comparisons.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day trial	Varies	Varies	Varies	Varies
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Varies
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/year	Varies	Varies	Varies

Illustrative Use Cases from Real Organizations

These brief examples show how organizations streamline enrollment and signatures in practice.

Optica Ventures LLC

Optica replaced paper processes across enrollment and billing to reduce errors and speed processing.

They emphasized user-friendly signing for applicants.
Brian Fitzgibbons, COO, noted the interface is simple for staff and customers, improving turnaround without increasing training overhead.

Fertility Centers of Illinois

A healthcare-adjacent training program needed secure signatures and integration with patient-training records.

They required HIPAA-aware workflows.
John Butler, Founder, praised the platform for security and API flexibility that fit integration needs with their clinical systems.

Practical Tips for Accurate and Efficient Execution

Adopt these practices to reduce errors, accelerate completion, and simplify audit trails for each executed agreement.

Standardize templates

Use a single approved template per program with locked essential clauses; maintain version control and require institutional legal review for substantive changes.

Validate identity early

Use consistent identity checks (government ID, DOB match, and email/SMS) before signing to reduce rework and ensure attribution in the event of disputes.

Capture full audit data

Ensure the eSignature workflow records timestamps, IP addresses, signer emails, and a certificate of completion to strengthen enforceability under ESIGN and UETA.

Coordinate retention

Align electronic storage retention rules with institutional records policy and applicable federal/state retention statutes to avoid premature deletion or noncompliance.

Frequently Asked Questions and Practical Answers

Answers to common legal, procedural, and technical questions about using and executing the Post Secondary Enrollment Agreement.

Need help? Contact support

Can this agreement be signed electronically?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally valid under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and UETA where adopted, provided there is intent, consent, attribution, and the record can be retained and reproduced.
Is notarization or witnesses required?
Not typically for enrollment agreements; some states or specific institutional policies may require notarization or witnesses for certain acknowledgements. Check state regulator guidance before adding notary requirements.
What if student information is incorrect?
Incorrect or mismatched identity data can delay enrollment and financial aid. Correct the record, obtain re-executed signatures if material, and retain both versions with a change log for audit.
Who can sign for the institution?
An authorized institutional representative with signing authority must sign on the school's behalf; document their title and authority in institutional records to avoid enforceability questions.
Are there state-specific disclosure rules?
Yes. State regulators may require specific refund language or outcome disclosures (for example, career school bureaus). Consult the applicable state education or licensing agency before finalizing text.
How long should signed agreements be kept?
Retain executed agreements for the active period plus statutory minimums: at least 3 years for tax-related records (IRC §6501(a)) and six years for HIPAA-related materials (45 CFR §164.530(j)); state rules may require longer retention.

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