TUITION, FEES, AND PAYMENT
Important Reminders
Your registration is not final until your bill is paid in full. For a small fee, deferred payment arrangements can be made with an outside tuition management agency. Such arrangements, however, must be made before the semester begins. Information about this option is available at the Bursar’s Office at 617.287.5350. No other deferred payment plans are available.
Adjustments in tuition and/or fees stated or estimated in this document may be necessary, based on the financial requirements of the university, changing costs, state and legislative action, or other circumstances. The university also reserves the right to make such adjustments as may from time to time be required by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education or the University Board of Trustees. Students acknowledge this reservation by submitting an application for admission or by registering for classes.
Tuition, application, and the education operations fee are charged at different rates for residents and non-residents of Massachusetts. Prospective students should be sure to refer to the information under “Residency Status” at the end of this section.
Undergraduate Tuition and Non-State Course Fee
Per Semester |
per credit |
12 or more credits (max.)* |
• Residents |
$71.50 |
$857.00 |
• Non-residents |
$406.50 |
$4,879.00 |
Student Services Fee |
per credit |
12 or more credit (max.)* |
(see page 21 for an explanation) |
$27.00 |
$323.00 |
Education Operations Fee** |
per credit |
12 or more credits |
• Residents |
$246.00 |
$2,952.50 |
• Non-residents |
$371.50 |
$4,458.00 |
Optional Fees per Semester for Degree-seeking Students***
Mass PIRG |
$6.00 |
Mass Media Fee |
$10.00 |
One-time Fees Charged to All Degree-seeking Students***
|
|
(one-time charge for each program; |
$345.00 |
see page 21 for an explanation) |
|
Yearbook/Commencement Fee |
$195.00 |
Identification Card Fee |
|
(paid once each year)*** |
$5.00 |
International Fee per Semester |
|
(for International Students Only)*** |
$50.00 |
Health Insurance for All Degree-seeking Students |
|
Student Health Insurance Plan |
$1,088.00 for academic year |
(Please see note for more information) |
|
|
$674.00 for Spring ‘06 |
*Please note: Some UMass Boston courses are offered both through the university’s Colleges and through the Division of Corporate, Continuing, and Distance Education (CCDE), a self-supporting component of the university. All courses registered through the Division of Continuing Education Program (CCDE) are separate, and additional charges to the student will apply.
**Please note: These fees vary with the number of credits taken.
***Please note: These fees do not vary with the number of credits taken.
Note for Certificate Students: Tuition, fees, and billing procedures for certificate students are the same as for matriculated students, unless otherwise noted.
Note for Non-degree Students: Non-degree students pay as they register. They are not billed for the optional Mass PIRG fee, but may elect to pay this fee at the time of registration. Non-degree students are not charged the one-time Pre-Registration/Orientation, Commencement, and Recreation Fees, but are charged a Registration Fee of $50.00 and Registrar’s Service Fee of $10.00 each semester.
Note on Health Insurance: Under the provisions of the Massachusetts Universal Health Insurance Statute, students taking at least nine credits who choose not to be covered by the university’s medical insurance plan must show that they already have equivalent coverage. This regulation applies to matriculated students. Students are charged the fee for the Health Insurance Plan once a year. Information on pro-rated refunds for students withdrawing from the university, or not registering for the spring semester, is available from the University Health Services. For complete information, see the Health Services entry in the “Student Life and Services” section of this publication.
A reduced fee is available for spring semester and summer enrollment. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the university’s student services website at www.umb.edu/student.
Non-State-Supported Course Fee
While preserving the high quality of the university’s academic offerings, some previously state-supported courses are now being funded by other means.
The total costs for these courses are equivalent to the tuition-plus-fee charges for resident students in state-funded courses. The only difference to the student is that these costs appear on the student’s bill as a separate charge designated “Non-State Supported Course Fee.” Students are charged for a maximum of twelve credits, regardless of course funding source.
Initial Expenses
Application Fee
Each application for admission to the university from a student seeking a degree must be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee payment of $40.00 for “qualified” Massachusetts residents; $60.00 for non-residents. Checks should be made payable to The University of Massachusetts Boston, and sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions along with completed application forms.
Tuition and Fees, Initial Semester
Tuition and fees (as of Fall, 2005) for undergraduate matriculated and certificate students newly admitted to the university and registered for 12 or more credits total $4,303.00* for residents of Massachusetts, $9,633.00* for non-residents, and $9,683.00 for international students with visas. These totals include fees (except lab fees) that are mandatory for first-semester matriculated students, as well as the Student Health Insurance Plan.
*Students who demonstrate proof of coverage may deduct the cost of medical insurance (see below).
Explanation of Charges
The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education and the University Board of Trustees determine all charges.
Tuition (in-state rate)
As a state institution, the University of Massachusetts Boston offers a low rate of tuition to all students entering from the Commonwealth. Eligibility for admission under the low residential rate is determined according to a policy established by the Board of Trustees and detailed under “Residency Status” at the end of this section.
Education Operations Fee
The Education Operations Fee supports the university’s educational programs and academic services. The tuition and educational operations fee combined are equivalent to tuition costs at private institutions. Students seeking employer reimbursement for this fee can obtain a letter from the Bursar’s Office describing the purpose of the fee and how the proceeds apply toward full educational expenses.
Student Services Fee
The Student Services Fee supports programs, activities, and campus facilities beneficial to students, including the following: student email and communications, student computing and technology, recognized student organizations and the activities of the University Cultural Events Committee; University Health Services and its wellness programs; the university’s intercollegiate and intramural athletics program; and the Campus Center operations.
One-Time Fees Charged Only to New Degree-Seeking Students
New Student Fee: The New Student Fee supports the following: (1) orientation, advising and registration activities; (2) the university’s athletic facilities and recreational programs; (3) services provided by the Registrar’s Office, including self-service technology for grades and transcripts and lifetime access to transcripts and other official records.
Yearbook/Commencement Fee: In the year of his or her graduation, each student is assessed a Yearbook/Commencement Fee that supports commencement exercises and publishing the annual yearbook. Other students can also receive the yearbook if they choose to pay this fee.
Identification Card Fee
The Identification Card Fee is used to support the cost of making identification cards (with photographs); all continuing students are charged this fee each fall, and all new or re-entering students are charged the fee before the first semester of attendance.
Optional Fees
Charges for optional fees appear on the bills of matriculated students. If you choose not to pay optional fee charges, you must notify the university before payment is due. The MassPIRG Fee supports the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group, a student-interest advocacy group. The Mass Media Fee provides sustained funding for the operating costs of UMass Boston’s student newspaper.
Health Insurance
The Student Health Insurance Plan provides coverage for health, medical, and surgical care during a twelve-month period, including injuries or illness sustained during the school year, holidays, and summer vacation. Students who register for the fall semester have only one opportunity to enter or reject this program each year. However, the plan is offered to new spring registrants, as well, and the charges appear on the spring semester bills. Dependents of married students are not covered under this plan, though coverage for dependents is available at additional cost. Students interested in this coverage should inquire at University Health Services.
Tuition Surcharge for Credit Hours in Excess of Degree Requirements
Under the tuition surcharge policy mandated by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, students who earn more than 118% of the required credits needed for graduation will be required to pay for any additional credits at the out-of-state rate. At UMass Boston this surcharge will be assessed to students registering for courses that will bring them above 141 graduation credits. There are three exceptions to this policy:
• Students who transferred to UMass Boston are exempt.
• Transfer credits completed after enrolling at UMass Boston are excluded from the total number of credits earned.
• Credits earned for programs requiring more than 120 credits are excluded.
For further information, contact the Registrar’s Office at 617.287.6200.
Payment Information
The Bursar’s Office
Location: fourth floor of the Campus Center. Telephone: 617.287.5350. Teller hours: weekdays, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
The Bursar’s Office handles payments of tuition and fees, and distributes refunds or university financial aid checks. Checks must be picked up in person at the Bursar’s Office. You must present a valid UMass Boston student ID when you pick up your check.
Payment Method
Payments may be made by check, money order, or using Discover, MasterCard or Visa.
Payment Policy
The University will not recognize your registration as final until all semester charges have been paid in full. Charges are computed based on the number and type of courses for which you are registered. Initial bills are sent in July (for fall) or December (for spring) to all pre-registered students.
Late registrants are billed after the registration period. Non-degree students must pay in full at the time of registration. Follow-up billings will be made monthly, reflecting any additional charges, payments, or credits that have occurred within the semester period. Each student must pay all charges in full prior to the due date indicated on the initial bill to avoid late charges or cancellation of registration and financial aid.
University regulations prohibit final registration, graduation, or granting of credit for any student whose account with the university is unpaid. If your account becomes delinquent, an administrative hold is placed on your records. Your bill must be paid in full prior to any readmission or reinstatement to the university. Unpaid accounts will be referred for collection action, to include collection costs of 25% added to the outstanding bill. All outstanding accounts must be placed with the State Comptroller for collection through the Massachusetts Intercept Program.
Financial Aid and Third Party Awards and Payments
The University of Massachusetts Boston cannot accept any form of financial assistance not administered directly through the university. It is the responsibility of all students receiving financial assistance to assure that the University is adequately notified before bills are prepared. For all third party awards/payments, proper written authorization from the source must be submitted by the due date on the bill.
Late Payment Fee
Any student who does not make full payment of his or her charges by the due date specified on the bill in which the charges are initially listed will be required to pay a late payment fee of $50.00. Please note: This charge is cumulative. An additional $50.00 will be assessed on each subsequent bill until payment is received.
Late Registration Fee
The registration period for any given semester is usually scheduled to take place near the end of the preceding semester. Continuing matriculated students and certificate students should register during this period; those who do not will be charged a late registration fee of $50.00. For new, readmitted, or non-degree students, the deadline for registering before being charged the $50.00 late registration fee is the last day of the registration period scheduled at the beginning of the semester during which they wish to take courses. Overdue accounts are charged a $50.00 late registration fee for the administrative hold placed on student records.
Tuition and Fee Refunds
A student who voluntarily withdraws from the university for any reason before the sixth week of a semester will be granted a refund or reduction of tuition and some fees according to the schedule below. Note: Failure to attend does not constitute withdrawal. To withdraw, a student must bring a completed withdrawal form to the Registrar’s Office. Matriculated students in the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Science and Mathematics, and the College of Management should obtain these forms from the University Advising Center. CNHS students should go to the College’s undergraduate program director; students at CPCS should go to the CPCS Office of Academic Affairs. Non-degree students should obtain withdrawal forms from The One Stop, Upper Level, Campus Center.
After the registration period, no refunds will be given for course load reductions. Students withdrawing completely from the university before the sixth week of a semester, and receiving grades of “W” for all courses, will receive refunds. No refunds will be disbursed in other cases where grades of “W” are given. No refunds will be given in cases where academic credit is awarded, or in cases where grades of “NA” are given.
If a financial aid recipient withdraws from the university, his or her refund will first be applied to the reimbursement of scholarship or loan funds (up to the full amount of the scholarship or loan); any remaining amount will then be refunded to the student or parent. A student who is suspended or expelled from the University for disciplinary reasons forfeits all right to a refund. The application fee, and the Pre-Registration/Orientation and Recreation Fees required of new students are not refundable. A student who has not paid in advance must still pay the amount which remains due after the charges are reduced. These rules and regulations shall apply to the classification of students at the University of Massachusetts as Massachusetts or non-Massachusetts students for tuition purposes.
Refund/Reduction Schedule*
|
Amount Refunded |
Amount Owed |
|
|
If Advance Payment |
If No Payment |
|
|
Has Been Made |
Has Been Made |
|
A. |
Before the beginning of the semester |
100% |
0% |
B. |
Within the first two weeks of the semester |
80% |
20% |
C. |
During the third week |
60% |
40% |
D. |
During the fourth week |
40% |
60% |
E. |
During the fifth week |
20% |
80% |
F. |
After the fifth week |
no refund |
100% |
*Does not apply to CCDE or Summer Session refunds.