The Institute has a financial package to fit virtually everyone’s personal financial situation. These include a variety of payment options for those with and without established credit as well as student grants and loans through outside agencies (see the Financial Aid section below for more information).

Program costs are as follows:

School fees are paid using cash, check, or money order.

REGISTRATION FEE for all courses is fifty dollars ($50). The registration fee must be enclosed with the enrollment contract/application and mailed to the Institute. After three business days the registration fee is non-refundable.

TUITION for the 500-hour course is four thousand two hundred dollars ($4200.00). Partial or full tuition payments can be made prior to the first day of class.

BOOK AND CLASSROOM FEES, which are six hundred fifty dollars ($650.00), are required for the program. The Institute will provide one set of required textbooks and one copy of all handouts during the course to each student. Included in the classroom fees are linens and massage lubricant for in-class massage trades. This fee is due on the first day of class and is non-refundable. Textbooks change periodically to take advantage of new editions and new publications.  Students may purchase any textbooks from the school before class starts so that they can be reading prior to enrollment.  Current textbooks include:

• Salvo, Susan. Massage Therapy: Principles and Practice, 3e, W.B. Saunders, Philadelphia, 2007.
• Salvo, Susan and Sandra Anderson. Mosby’s Pathology for Massage Therapists, Elsevier, St. Louis, 2004.
• Fritz, Sandy. Mosby’s PDQ for Massage Therapy, Elsevier, St. Louis, 2006.

ADDITIONAL EXPENSES
In order to help facilitate the student with financial planning while in school, the Institute has come up with an estimate of additional expenditures. These expenses are necessary and are not included in the above fees. For convenience, most of these items can be purchased through the Institute or the student may purchase these items through a third party vendor. Students electing to purchase these required items through the Institute will receive the Institute’s discount. These figures are estimates; actual costs may vary.

• Supply Fees
  The Institute requires each student to purchase supplies such as massage lubricant, linens, pillows, washable blanket, and duffle bag to accomplish their out-of-class independent practice. Additionally, students should purchase a 3-ring binder, a highlighter, note taking materials, and a book sack. Students can expect to spend about four hundred dollars ($400) on supplies. These supplies are required for completion of this course.
• Equipment Fees
  The school requires each student to purchase equipment by the end of the second month of class. Equipment consists of a portable massage table, face-rest, arm rest shelf, table case, and bolsters. Some students may wish to purchase a table cart and table stool as well. Equipment fees are the most variable expense of the class. They can fluctuate widely depending upon the brand, style, and options in the massage table package. Students can expect to spend from seven to nine hundred dollars ($700 - $900 ) on equipment, depending upon the type of massage table and options they choose. This equipment is required for completion of this course. The purchase of a Massage Chair ($500-$700) and/or a Desktopper are recommended, but not required.
• Massage Lab Fees
  As part of an externship program, the school requires each student to purchase and write a narrative report on three professional massages received during the school term in order to get a perspective as a massage client. The student can expect to spend about $60.00 per massage for a total of one hundred eighty dollars ($180).
• Uniform Fees
  A uniform is also required; each student needs professional attire during internship and sporting events. A uniform consist of scrubs/sweat pants and a school t-shirt. Students will need at least 2 uniforms. Estimated cost is eighty dollars ($80).
• Testing & Licensing Fees
  In order to become licensed in Louisiana (or any state), the student must complete the licensing process which includes paying fees and passing exams.  These are not an educational cost of the school, but are presented here so that students are aware of the cost of the licensing process. Testing fees range from three hundred seventy-five dollars ($375) to four hundred twenty-five dollars ($425). This includes passage of a national exam ($175 for the NCBTMB test or $195 for the FSMTB test) and the Louisiana state exam ($75 for the Louisiana oral exam, and $125 for the Louisiana massage license for the first year). See the table below.

FINANCIAL AID (Scholarships, Loans, Grants)

SCHOLARSHIPS
At this time, several private and civic scholarship awards are available. Consult your local civic organizations (eg., Rotary, Kiwanis Club, Quota American Business Women's Association) or, if you are a minor your high school guidance counselors for possible options in your area.

LOANS
There are several loan options available to prospective students depending upon personal credit history. Students should apply for loans immediately so that they are approved prior to the start of class.  

• Sallie Mae Financial Loans
  If approved, Sallie Mae loans will cover tuition and other school expenses. Fees may be financed for up to 15 years at competitive interest rates. Sallie Mae allows interest only payments or deferred payments (about $10 to $20 per month) while a student attends school. Applications are included in the mailed catalogs, are available through the Institute’s office at 337.477.3737, or can be processed on-line at Sallie Mae. The Sallie Mae school code for application purposes is 605162-00.  

• In-House Loans
  For those students who do not qualify for Sallie Mae loans, the Institute will finance the student’s tuition for the year they are in school. There are no interest rates, but there is a one-time account setup fee of $100 and a $20 per month billing and bookkeeping fee. See the enrollment contract/application for different loan options. Account set-up fees and billing fees are non-refundable.
  

  In-House Loan A - $5200 to be paid as follows: $50 as registration fees enclosed with the enrollment contract, &; $650 as book and classroom fees on the 1st day of class,&; $2,300 ($2,000 tuition, $100 account setup fee, $200 bookkeeping fee) due on or before the 1st day of class, &;  the tuition balance of $2200 to be paid in 11 monthly payments of $200
  In-House Loan B - $5200 to be paid as follows: $50 as registration fees enclosed with the enrollment contract, &; $650 as book and classroom fees on the 1st day of class, &; $500 ($200 tuition, $100 account setup fee, $200 bookkeeping fee) due on the 1st day of class & $2000 to be paid in 10 monthly payments of $200 each, &; the tuition balance of $2,000 due as a balloon payment made at least 30 days prior to class graduation.
  In-House Loan C - $5200 to be paid as follows: $50 as registration fees enclosed with the enrollment contract, &; $650 as book and classroom fees on the 1st day of class, &; $650 ($350 tuition, $100 account setup fee, $200 bookkeeping fee) due on the 1st day of class, &; the tuition balance of $3,850 to be paid in 11 monthly payments of $350

GRANTS
The agency listed below is a separate and independent agency, having its own individual criteria for approval. The Institute has no influence over the grant approval process. It is recommended that students apply for the grant as soon as the decision is made to attend school so that any delays in the approval process will not delay the student’s entry into the program.

• Vocational Rehabilitation
  Louisiana Rehabilitation Service provides grants to eligible students with physical, sight, hearing, speech, and learning disabilities.. Contact the Vocational Rehabilitation office in your area for more information. They are listed in the white pages under Louisiana, State of, Rehabilitation Services. In Lake Charles, Vocational Rehab can be reached at 337.475.8038. Our Vocational Rehab Vendor number is 11392.

REFUND POLICIES
The Institute employs a fair and equitable refund policy that complies with federal, state, and agency guidelines for the return of unused tuition due to class cancellation, student withdrawal or expulsion, as required by The Louisiana State Board of Regents.

All tuition fees paid in advance are 100% refundable before the commencement of class. For students who withdraw after the commencement of classes, the following rules will apply:

• During the first week of class, 90% of the total tuition fees will be refunded, less the $50 registration fee, thereafter;
• During the 2nd, 3rd and 4th weeks of class, 75% of the total tuition fees will be refunded, less the $50 registration fee, thereafter;
• During the first 25% of class, 55% of the total tuition fees will be refunded, less the $50 registration fee, thereafter;
• During the second 25% of class, 30% of the total tuition fees will be refunded, less the $50 registration fee, thereafter;
• During the third and fourth 25% of class, no refund will be made and the student will be held responsible for the entire tuition fee.

For calculating refunds, the above percentages are based upon the scheduled clock hours beginning the 1st day of class. For programs exceeding one year in length, 100% of the stated course price attributable to the period beyond the 1st year will be refunded in full, if the student withdraws during the prior period. Please note that books may not be returned for a refund. However, any unused book fees may be refunded to the student. Furthermore, account setup fees, billing and bookkeeping fees are non-refundable.

PERSONAL CHECK POLICY
The Institute accepts local and out of state checks, but not two-party or post-dated checks. Please make all checks payable to: L.I.M.T. or LA Institute. If a check is returned to the Institute, for whatever reason, an NSF charge will be assessed. This charge will be the maximum amount allowed by law. The student has 10 days after receiving notice to make reimbursements. Once a check has been returned, the Institute will no longer accept personal checks from that student. At that point, money order, cash, or bank check will be accepted. Failure to comply in a timely manner may result in the Institute filing the check for collection with the District Attorney’s Office.