// Updated July 31, 2020 //

Dear HIU Community,

It is with a heavy heart, but clear-eyed conviction, that I’m announcing Hope International University will begin the Fall 2020 Semester with remote learning.  Given the lack of guidance from the State of California for the reopening of colleges and universities and the current trending of community spread of COVID-19 in Southern California, we have made this difficult, but necessary decision.  Additionally, in accordance with the announcement from the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) on July 30, 2020, all fall semester sports, other than cross country, have been postponed to 2021.

Over the past several months, we have been making investments and implementing new protocols for the safe reopening of our campus - that important work will continue so we will continue to be prepared, when permitted, for a return to in-person instruction and sports competition.  We have also been preparing for the possibility of beginning the fall semester with remote learning and have made investments in technology and instructor training to ensure the learning experience is just as rigorous as in-person instruction.

We understand that the decision to begin the fall semester with remote learning will place additional difficult and uneven burdens on our student community and there will be many questions regarding logistical and financial matters.  We’ve provided the following summary of several important implications of starting the fall semester with remote learning to help bring clarity to questions you may have.

Tuition & Student Fees.  Full-time traditional undergraduate students will receive a $625 tuition grant and a $375 reduction in student fees, resulting in a $1,000 combined tuition grant and student fee reduction for the fall semester. Exceptions may apply to students whose tuition is either primarily or fully covered by institutional and/or state aid. Also, full-time marriage and family therapy graduate students that are part of the traditionally in-person program will receive a $300 tuition grant for the fall semester.  Part-time traditional undergraduate students and marriage and family therapy students that are part of the traditionally in-person program will receive a prorated amount based on their program enrollment level. 

Residential Housing.  To support the health and safety of our students, we are limiting residential housing capacity to one student per room for the fall semester at the triple room rate.  We encourage all students to carefully consider the necessity to live on campus or in the local community for the fall semester.  Residential housing will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis, although preference will be given to students based on hardship needs.  In preparation for residential living, we have made operational investments in our housing facilities and have adopted relevant protocols in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A communication from Residence Life will be made next week with more information.

Meal Plans. Students will only be charged for meal plans if they will be residing on campus for the fall semester.  All meals will be packaged “to go” since indoor dining is currently not permitted in Orange County.  To support the health, safety and accessibility to regular meals for our residential students, our meal plan selection has been limited to either 10, 15 or 19 per week meal plans.  Please note that common area kitchens in the residence halls will be closed in connection with our COVID-19 protocols.  Given the risks of community spread of COVID-19 off-campus, we encourage our residential students to dine on campus as much as possible.

Parking Fees.  Students will only be charged for parking if they will be residing on campus for the fall semester.

Financial Aid.  All academic and athletic institutional financial aid and scholarships will remain unchanged for the fall semester.  Any institutional financial aid provided in connection with residential housing will only be provided to students that reside on campus during the fall semester.

Athletics.  Student athletes that participate in a fall sport will receive more information from their respective head coach.

Student Workers.  If available, there will be limited student worker opportunities during the fall semester.  An announcement regarding student workers will be made within the next two weeks.

Campus Bookstore. Our bookstore is open on campus during regular business hours and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at http://www.hope.bkstr.com/ for all of your course material, HIU gear and supply needs.  Course materials are posted on the bookstore website and on the HIU website with course schedules and students should consult those lists when placing orders with the bookstore.

Student Life Experience.  As we get closer to the start of the fall semester, please stay tuned for more information on how students will be able to engage with resources for interaction with other students, online chapel and mental health services.

Unless there are dramatic, positive changes in the level of community spread of COVID-19 in Southern California and/or we receive updated guidance from the State of California permitting colleges and universities to reopen in the coming weeks, we anticipate that we will remain in a remote learning format for the balance of the fall semester.

We are steadfastly committed to our mission of empowering students through Christian higher education to serve the Church and impact the world for Christ.  While our approach to delivering on our mission may be different for the fall semester, our dedication to every student’s success through the integration of faith, service and learning remains unchanged. We continue to depend on God’s provision, wisdom and protection as we continue together on this journey.

In Him,

Dr. Paul H. Alexander

University President

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// CARES ACT student financial assistance information is posted here.