Expenses and Student Financial Services

The cost to students of an education at a public university remains one of the great bargains of our time. While there have been increases in recent years, the charges are still very affordable, especially when one considers the high quality of the education offered. Tuition and fees cover a part of the costs, but the remainder is made available by the taxpayers of the Commonwealth. The result is a creative partnership between the individual students and their families and the members of an enlightened democracy, which believes that the economic, political and cultural success of the society depends on a well-educated citizenry.

Undergraduate and graduate students at the university pay tuition and various fees. In addition, they will have costs for textbooks and other incidentals and for meals and housing. This section gives information about the structure of charges at the university, focusing specifically on charges to undergraduate students. It is intended to assist students and their families in their financial planning.

More detailed information on graduate student charges is available in the Graduate Catalogue (from the Office of Graduate Studies).

The university provides comprehensive financial aid and related services. Applicants and current students are invited to inquire about the aid and scholarship opportunities that are described later in this chapter.

In preparing this Catalogue, we have made every effort to present the most up-to-date information possible; however, changes in tuition and fees may occur after the book has been printed. An exact schedule of all current charges is available from the Office of the Bursar, Foster Administration Building, second floor; or the University Enrollment Center, first floor.

All expenses are subject to change at the discretion of the Commonwealth, the Board of Higher Education or the University. Various policies associated with charges may be similarly subject to change.

Students may pay all tuition, fee, room, and board payments by mail; or at the University Enrollment Center, first floor of the Foster Administration building,  where the hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Credit cards (Master Card, Visa, and Discover) are accepted.

All charges are due and payable at a date set by UMass Dartmouth (usually August 15 and January 15). Payments received after the due date indicated will be charged a late fee. The University mails bills to the student’s permanent address; students must take care that they list an appropriate permanent address for this reason.

Students are expected to keep their accounts current and to pay their financial obligations to the university. Students may not attend classes until all charges have been paid or vouched for. In appropriate circumstances, the Bursar’s Office may impose various restrictions in order to enforce payment of an obligation, including withholding of official transcripts and the diploma. The Vice Chancellor for Fiscal Affairs/designee hears appeals of difficult cases.

As a state-supported institution, UMass Dartmouth’s programs and facilities are available at reasonable tuition rates to residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The table to the right shows tuition and fee charges for the 2009-2010 academic year.

Residency: Massachusetts state residents pay a considerably reduced tuition and curriculum fee charge compared to those paid by out-of-state residents. Under the New England Board of Higher Education’s Regional Student Program, residents of other states in New England are eligible for reduced out-of-state tuition for some academic programs not available in their own state. Later in this section we give additional information about the policies regarding tuition/fees and residency.

Prorating by credit load: Students pay the full amount for tuition and mandatory fees if taking twelve or more credits. Charges for those taking fewer than twelve credits are prorated evenly by the number of course credits. A table at the end of this chapter shows the per-credit/per-semester charges in effect for the 2009-2010 academic year.

Charges by type of study: Degree students, non-degree students and students auditing a course or courses pay the same academic charges.

Professional and Continuing Education offers courses under a structure of charges different from that presented in this catalogue.

Tuition

Tuition charges are established annually by the Board of Higher Education of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Mandatory Fees

In addition to tuition, all students pay the following mandatory fees:

All students are assessed a curriculum support fee, which is calculated by a different rate depending on state residency. This fee supports the full program of academic and student services of the university, and functions like tuition in supporting overall activities of the institution.

The athletics fee supports the men’s and women’s athletic programs. The student fee supports student publications, the student radio station and various other student-related activities. These fees are determined by the students themselves through the student governance process.

The campus center fee is used to support the programming activities and general administrative expenses of the Campus Center. A Board of Governors, composed of 13 students, one alumnus and two administrators, oversees the operation.

The health fee supports the on-campus health services available to all students.

The MassPIRG fee, imposed by student vote, is charged each semester, and is waiveable upon request. It supports the activities of the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group.

A student who registers and commences studies but then withdraws officially from UMass Dartmouth for any reason during an academic semester will be granted a refund according to the refund schedule given later in this section. A student who remits, in advance, a payment of tuition and fees but then does not subsequently register and attend will be given a full refund of tuition and fees.

All refunds are based on official withdrawal notices as dated and processed by the Office of the University Registrar and then forwarded to the Bursar’s Office.

Students who withdraw or discontinue attendance during a semester are subject to specific policies regarding the possible return of financial aid funds, in accordance with federal and state mandates. Please see the current specific policies on our web pages at www.umassd.edu/financialaid.

Students enrolled in a 3/4 time load or higher (9 credits for undergraduate students) are required by state law to be covered by appropriate health insurance. The university provides this insurance and charges a health insurance fee to cover its cost, unless students are already covered by an appropriate insurance program. Students can either enroll in or waive this health insurance using the on-line process within COIN, the campus self-service system COIN. This insurance coverage must meet the Qualifying Student Health Insurance Program guideline and be billable in the local UMass Dartmouth area. Contact the Bursar’s Office or University Enrollment Center for more information.

The fee covers the cost of enrollment in a program for group health insurance coverage that has been negotiated by the university. Students enrolling in this plan receive full disclosure of the benefits they will receive. Detailed information is available at the Student Health Office. Students enrolled in less than a 3/4-time load are not eligible for this insurance.

International students on a student visa will automatically be enrolled in the UMass Dartmouth Qualifying Student Health Insurance plan. By regulations of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts pre-existing coverage or coverage from other plans may not be substituted for the UMass-sponsored plan for international students.

The university is a member of the New England Regional Student Program. Under this program students from other New England states may receive tuition benefits if a similar program is not available in their home state.

Eligible programs for 2004-2005 and the schedule of charges are given in tables accompanying the chapter on Admissions.

For more information, contact the Office of the Regional Student Program, New England Board of Higher Education, 45 Temple Place, Boston, MA 02111; phone 617 357-9620.

Those in certain classifications may receive waivers of tuition or fees, some of which are listed here. If you believe you are a member of a group eligible for a waiver, please consult the University Enrollment Center or Bursar’s Office.

Students sixty years of age or older who are Massachusetts residents are exempt from tuition and mandatory fee charges. Applications for tuition and fee exemption may be obtained from the Bursar’s Office or University Enrollment Center.

Some categories of state workers may receive waivers of tuition charges, but not of fees. Some categories of veterans may receive waivers of tuition, but not of fees.

These fees cover costs directly associated with the delivery of instruction, for example: the costs of providing supplies and equipment for scientific laboratories, equipment for instructional computing and art studio supplies.

Engineering Equipment Fee. Students in majors in the College of Engineering will be charged a special fee each semester to assist with the costs of laboratory equipment.

Nursing Instructional Fee. Students in majors in the College of Nursing will be charged a special instructional fee each semester. Students registered in clinical nursing courses must have liability insurance, which they must arrange separately from the university.

Charlton College of Business Fee. Students in majors in the Charlton College of Business will be charged a special fee each semester to assist with equipment and other instructional costs.

CVPA Specialized Course Support Fee. Students in majors in the College of Visual and Performing Arts will be charged a special fee each semester.

College of Arts and Sciences—Level 1 Program Fee. Students in majors in the Humanities and Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary programs in the College of Arts and Sciences will be charged a special fee to assist with equipment and other instructional costs.

College of Arts and Sciences—Level 2 Program Fee. Students in majors in the Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences will be charged a special fee to assist with equipment and other instructional costs.

School of Marine Science and Technology Program Fee. Students in the School of Marine Science and Technology will be charged a special fee to assist with equipment and other instructional costs.

Applied Music Course Fee. Applied music courses require payment of a course fee in addition to other tuition and fees. The fee is charged for every registration in one of these courses. Applied Music courses are identified in the Music Department section of this catalogue and specific charges are shown in an accompanying table in this chapter.

Specific fee amounts are shown in an accompanying table.

Application Fee. Applicants are charged a non-refundable, non-waiveable application fee. Massachusetts and Non-Massachusetts residents pay different application amounts.

Admissions Deposits. Students accepted for admission to the university must reserve a space in the entering class by submitting an admissions fee deposit. Admitted applicants are given until a stated deadline to submit the deposit, after which date the space reserved for them will be given to another candidate. Prospective students who have a hardship associated with this deadline may discuss that situation with the Director of Admissions. This fee will be applied towards tuition, upon registration. Complete instructions are given along with the letter of admission. Similarly, a housing reservation deposit is charged. This fee will be applied to the student’s housing bill, upon registration.

Orientation Fee. All incoming freshman, transfer and international students (all levels) pay an orientation fee to help defray the expenses of the New Student Orientation Program. Freshmen attend a two-day, overnight program, and transfer students attend a day-long program.

Transcript Fee. Paid the first semester one is in attendance as a degree student, this fee provides life-time transcripts at no charge and supports availability of advising transcripts.

Withdrawn on Exchange Fee. Students pay a modest fee in order to remain in active status at the university while engaging in an educational activity under the university’s sponsorship but at a different location, such as study abroad.

Program Continuation Fee. This fee allows graduate students who have completed course requirements, but require a semester or more to complete a project, thesis or dissertation, to register for a charge well below that for a three-credit course. This fee can also be used to bridge across a semester or more of absence from course registration when a graduate student remains active as a candidate for the degree.

Readmission Fee. Applicants for readmission are charged a readmission fee. The fee, which covers the costs associated with processing the application, is to be paid before the student’s file is forwarded to the department for consideration. Policies regarding readmission and leave of absence are covered in the chapter on Academic Regulations and Procedures.

Graduation Fee. Students pay this fee in their last semester prior to receiving a degree to help defray costs associated with graduation and commencement. An additional portion provides a one-year membership in the Alumni Association. A refund of the Alumni Association membership fee portion may be obtained by those not wishing to participate, if application is made to the Bursar or the University Enrollment Center.

Books and Supplies. Costs for books and supplies vary with the habits of the individual as well as with the nature of each student’s academic program. The following information may provide a general guideline, for planning.

$600 per year for books and supplies is an estimated or typical amount. Generally, books cost more in the scientific and technical fields. First year Engineering students have additional expenses for engineering drawing equipment and related materials. Students in the College of Visual and Performing Arts will incur some additional expenses for art supplies.

Students registered in clinical nursing courses have an additional expense for uniforms and for insurance. Medical Laboratory Science seniors have additional expenses for uniforms and lab coats, malpractice insurance and commuting to participating hospitals. They are also responsible for providing their own transportation for clinical practice.

The university makes available the services of private financing programs to assist those students who wish to spread their tuition and fee payments out rather than paying the entire amount at the beginning of the term. Information and application forms are available from the Bursar or the University Enrollment Center.

Massachusetts “resident students” pay in-state tuition and fee charges. Others pay out-of-state charges. Students who are residents of specified New England states and who are registered in certain, specific programs may qualify to receive a substantial reduction of the non-resident tuition charge through the New England Regional Student Program. The full regulations on determining residency are included at the end of this chapter; what follows is a brief overview.

To be deemed a Massachusetts resident, one (or one’s parents, if one is financially dependent on them) must have maintained a legal domicile in the state  for the entire duration of the year prior to the commencement of the academic semester (or longer); and one must have resided in the state during this year for purposes other than attending an educational institution . Those who do not meet the conditions are considered out-of-state or non-resident students. A student at a certain degree level, e.g., undergraduate, may retain in-state residency during continuous attendance at the institution, until attainment of the degree for which s/he is enrolled.

Students whose situation changes may request a determination of in-state residency by filing the residency reclassification form and submitting appropriate documentation. A similar process is used to contest an initial residency determination. Appeals are heard by a campus Residency Appeal Committee, which makes the final residency determination. Questions on residency policies, and requests for reconsideration and the appeals process, are handled by Chris Kaylor, Office of University Records, phone 508 999-8620.

Any student who undertakes university study under a non-resident temporary student visa (having been issued a form I-20 or IAP-66 by us) must pay the out-of-state rate for application fee and tuition charges. This remains in force for the duration of the student’s attendance at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth for as long as the individual remains an international student on a non-resident visa.

Students of the university who live on-campus are offered a number of plans. Specifics of what each plan provides are available from the Office of Housing and Residential Life, and are summarized in the chapter on the Campus Experience. Further details and instructions for reserving a space are mailed to every applicant who has been accepted for housing. The costs for the different plans are listed in an accompanying table.

Charges Per Credit per Semester
2009-2010 Rates

At 12 credits the charge will be at a maximum. Credits above 12 are added at no additional charge. The charges shown here do not include non-mandatory fees, course/college fees, housing, books/supplies or personal expenses.
 

Annual Campus Housing Charges
2009-2010 Charges

Refund of charges for on-campus meals and housing is governed by the terms of the housing contract.

One-Time and Individual Fees and Charges
2009-2010 Charges

Refund Schedule

A student who registers and commences studies but then withdraws officially from UMass Dartmouth for any reason during an academic semester will be granted a refund according to the refund schedule given on the following page. A student who remits, in advance, a payment of tuition and fees but then does not subsequently register and attend will be given full refund of tuition and fees. All refunds are based on official withdrawal notices as dated and processed by the Office of the University Registrar and then forwarded to the Bursar’s Office.

Percentage and type of refund, upon Official Withdrawal from UMass Dartmouth

“Official Withdrawal” is defined in the chapter on Academic Regulations and Procedures, applying to the regular courses of the university. Professional and  Continuing Education has a separate fee schedule, billing process and refund schedule.

One-time fees, such as the application, orientation fees and college fees, are not refunded.

Nearly all students are eligible for some type of financial assistance.

Financial Aid Services is located at 105 Foster Administration Building and welcomes inquiries from current and prospective students and their families. They conduct many financial aid presentations both on and off-campus each year to assist university applicants and the community.

If students experience unforeseen financial difficulties at any time or have questions concerning financial aid, they should contact the University Enrollment Center or Financial Aid Services, Foster Administration Building, x8632.

UMass Dartmouth awards financial aid based upon federal, state and institutional guidelines, and determines eligibility by using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial assistance may be available in the form of need-based grants, scholarships, loans and work-study programs. Non need-based loans are also available to students and families who do not qualify for need-based aid.

The eligibility for a need-based financial aid award is based on each individual applicant’s financial need, which is determined in the financial aid application process. Both the amount and the type of aid awarded are related to the financial needs and circumstances of the individual and the timeliness of the FAFSA form.

Financial Aid Services is committed to helping applicants and students with all phases of the aid application and award process. The office provides much guidance in helping applicants through the steps in the process; however, it is the responsibility of the student who desires aid to obtain the necessary forms and instructions from Financial Aid Services, to fill out all required forms accurately, to supply all necessary information and to meet all applicable deadlines.

Application Process

Application for all need-based aid programs is made by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Certain non-need parent and student loans also require submission of the FAFSA.

Early application is strongly encouraged. The priority filing date is for FAFSA materials to be received at the Federal processor by March 1st of the year prior to the year for which aid is sought, with UMass Dartmouth included in the list of schools. The UMass Dartmouth Title IV school code is 002210. We recommend mailing your FAFSA by February 15th to ensure priority consideration.

Students must be admitted to a degree program before eligibility can be determined for financial aid. Graduate students and second-degree students are not eligible for federal or state grant programs. Students enrolling in study away or overseas study may receive limited funding, if the studies are integral to their degree program. Students enrolling for less than full-time study may receive limited funding.

Students receiving need-based financial assistance are subject to requirements for academic progress and performance in the continuation of their studies. These standards are outlined in the Academic Regulations and Procedures section of this Catalogue, and full information about the process and its conditions is available in Financial Aid Services.

Financial Aid Services Office

The Financial Aid Services Office offers a complete range of grants, loans and student employment opportunities. The Financial Aid Services Office serves as a clearinghouse for Federal, state and institutional sources of financial assistance. The Financial Aid Services Office also assists students in researching scholarship resources as well as alternative loans and payments plans.

Scholarships

The university offers many private and foundation scholarships, which originate from a variety of sources. A listing of the scholarship opportunities is accessible from the UMass Dartmouth  home web page. Included are both merit-based and need-based scholarships, which are often targeted for particular types of students.

In addition, other merit-based scholarships are offered competitively to entering freshman and transfer students on the basis of academic achievement and evidence of intellectual and personal creativity. Information about this program is available from the Office of Admissions.

Many Students at the university choose campus employment as a way to gain valuable work experience as well as a chance to earn money. Because they are employed in virtually all departments, students are an integral part of UMass Dartmouth’s work force. Student employees perform all aspects of University functions including research, clerical, athletics, academic affairs, student affairs, public safety, arts, media, design and maintenance.

There are two types of student employment on campus: federal work study and non-work study. For the most part, these programs are the same, with one exception; the funds are drawn from different sources. federal work study money comes from federal funds, and is part of a student’s financial aid package. Eligibility for campus-based financial aid, including federal work study, is decided on the basis of the information filed on the student’s financial aid application. The amount of the student’s award depends on the extent of financial need and available funds. Non-work study is supported through general University funds.

The Student Employment office administers both the federal work study and non-work study programs. The office staff assists students in matching their interests and qualifications to the available positions. A federal work study award is an indicator only of eligibility to apply for a work study job, not a guarantee of employment; however, most students who make a sincere effort to obtain a position will be successful.

Many kinds of on-campus work-study assignments are available, and off-campus work-study is also available through the Community Service Learning Program. The Student Employment office maintains an on-line database listing all student positions and a bulletin board located in the Financial Aid office has postings of positions currently available on campus.

These rules and regulations, approved by the University’s Board of Trustees, are current as of publication. They apply to the classification of students at the University of Massachusetts as Massachusetts or non-Massachusetts students for tuition and fee purposes. They apply both to degree and non-degree students.

Part 1. Definitions

1.1 “Academic period” shall mean a term or semester in an academic year or a summer session, as prescribed by the Board of Trustees or under their authority.

1.2 “Continuous attendance” shall mean enrollment at the University for the normal academic year in each calendar year, or the appropriate portion or portions of such academic year as prescribed by the Board of Trustees or under their authority.

1.3 “Emancipated person,” for the purposes of residency classification for tuition, shall mean a person who has attained the age of 18 years and is financially independent of his or her parents, or if under 18 years of age:

1. whose parents have entirely surrendered the right to the care, custody and earnings of such person and who no longer are under any legal obligation to support or maintain such person; or
2. a person who is legally married, or
3. a person who has no parent. If none of the aforesaid definitions apply, said person shall be deemed an “unemancipated person.”

1.4 “Parent” shall mean

1. the person’s father and mother, jointly;
2. if the person’s father is deceased, the person’s mother; if the person’s mother is deceased, the person’s father;
3. if a legal guardian has been appointed by a court having jurisdiction, the legal guardian;
4. if neither the father nor mother is living and no legal guardian has been appointed, the person who then stands in loco parentis to the person;
5. if the father and mother are divorced, separated or unmarried, the parent who has been awarded legal custody of the person; or if legal custody has not been awarded, the parent with whom the person lives. With respect to any adopted student, the word “adoptive” should be inserted before the words “father” and “mother” wherever used.

1.5 “Reside,” “residency,” or “resident” shall mean “domicile,” i.e., a person’s true, fixed and permanent home or place of habitation, where he or she intends to remain permanently.

Part II. Classification

2.1 For the purpose of assessing tuition and fees, each student shall be classified as a “Massachusetts resident” or a “non-Massachusetts resident.” A person shall be classified as a Massachusetts resident if he or she (or the parent of an unemancipated student) shall have resided in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for purposes other than attending an educational institution for twelve months immediately preceding the student’s entry or reentry as a student.

Physical presence for this entire twelve-month period need not be required as long as the conduct of an individual, taken in total, manifests an intention to make Massachusetts his or her permanent dwelling place.

Part III. Determination of Residency

3.1 Proof of Residency

1. Each case will be decided on the basis of all facts submitted with qualitative rather than quantitative emphasis. A number of factors is required for residency to determine the intention of the person to maintain permanent residence in Massachusetts. No single index is decisive. The burden of proof rests on the student seeking classification as a Massachusetts resident.
2. The following shall be primary indicia of residency:
   1. For an unemancipated person, the residency of parents, having custody, within Massachusetts;
   2. Certified copies of federal and state income tax returns;
   3. permanent employment in a position not normally filled by a student;
   4. Reliance on Massachusetts sources for financial support;
   5. Former residency in Massachusetts and maintenance of significant connections there while absent.
3. The following shall be secondary indicia of residence, to be considered of less weight than the indicia listed above in subsection b:
   
   1. Continuous physical presence in Massachusetts during periods when not an enrolled student;
   2. Military home of record;  
   3. All other material of whatever kind or source which may have a bearing on determining residency.

3.2 Proof of Emancipation. A student asserting that he or she is an emancipated person shall furnish evidence to support such assertion. Such evidence may include:

1. Birth certificate or any other legal document that shows place and date of birth;
2. Legal guardianship papers — court appointment and termination must be submitted;
3. Statements of the person, his or her parent(s), guardian(s) or others certifying no financial support;
4. Certified copies of federal and state income tax returns filed by the person and his or her parent(s);
5. Where none of the foregoing can be provided an affidavit of the emancipated person in explanation thereof and stating fully the grounds supporting the claim of emancipation.

3.3 Presumptions, etc.

1. Residency is not acquired by mere physical presence in Massachusetts while the person is enrolled in an institution of higher education. (See Section 2.1)
2. A person having his or her residency elsewhere than in Massachusetts shall not be eligible for classification as a Massachusetts resident for tuition purposes except as herein provided.
   
   1. Any person who is registered at the University as a Massachusetts resident shall be eligible for continued classification as a Massachusetts resident for tuition purposes (until attainment of the degree for which he or she is enrolled) during continuous attendance at the institution.
   2. The spouse of any person who is classified or is eligible for classification as “Massachusetts resident” is likewise eligible for classification as a “Massachusetts resident.” This provision will not apply in the case of a spouse in the United States on a non-immigrant visa.
   3. A person who is an immigrant/permanent resident of the United States (or has applied for such status) is eligible to be considered for Massachusetts residency for tuition purposes provided that s/he meets the same requirements for establishing residency in Massachusetts as are required of a United States citizen. A non-citizen who is in (or who has applied for) refugee/ asylum status is likewise eligible to be considered for Massachusetts residency for tuition purposes provided that s/he meets the same requirements for establishing residency in Massachusetts as are required of a United States citizen. All non-citizens must provide appropriate documentation to verify their status with the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service.
   4. Those students whose higher educational pursuits are funded by the Massachusetts Department of Welfare, the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Department or any of the other Commonwealth of Massachusetts public assistance programs.
3. A person does not gain or lose instate status solely by reason of his or her presence in any state or country while a member of the Armed Forces of the United States.
4. For the purposes of this policy the following persons shall be presumed to be Massachusetts residents:
   1. A member of the Armed Forces of the United States who is stationed in Massachusetts on active duty pursuant to military orders, his or her spouse and dependent students.
   2. Full-time faculty, professional staff and classified staff employees of the university of Massachusetts system and their spouses and dependent students.

Part IV. Appeals

4.1 Any student or applicant who is unwilling to accept the initial ruling relative to her or his residency classification, or who wishes to seek reclassification, may file a “Residency Reclassification Form.”

4.2 Any student or applicant who is unwilling to accept the ruling relative to her or his residency reclassification may submit an appeal through the appeal process established by the campus at which that student or applicant seeks reclassification. The decision on appeal is final and may not be appealed further.

4.3 In any case where the Admissions Office is unable to make an initial determination based on the evidence submitted, the applicant may be required to submit a “Residency Reclassification Form” to the admission office for their review before being finally classified as a resident or a nonresident.

Part V. Penalties

Misrepresentation in or omission from any evidence submitted with respect to any fact, which if correctly or completely stated would be grounds to deny classification as a Massachusetts resident, shall be cause for exclusion or expulsion from or other disciplinary action by the University.

Excluding Room and Board

(and excluding individual and one-time expenses)

All tuition and fee cost figures are based on enrollment in 12 or more credits each semester.

$600 additional for books and supplies is typical, although different subjects of study have considerable variation. Additional charges also occur through college, department or course-specific fees.

Including Room and Board

(and excluding individual and onetime expenses)

*Traditional residence hall double room plus the 19-meal plan, the one most commonly selected. See table of meal plans for choices we offer.

**Cedar Dell and Woodland Apartments: Advanced undergraduate housing for upper class students is in the Cedar Dell and Woodland Apartments, the cost for which does not include meals. These are also available to graduate students.