Tuition and Fees

This document contains information about the following topics:

The cost of attendance at Springfield College varies with the individual’s program and personal expenditures (e.g., entertainment, travel, and personal goods). However, each student can compute basic costs from the information supplied within this section. The schedule of fees and charges described herein is neither intended to indicate that charges have been finally determined for the current academic year nor that charges and fees will not increase during the student’s years at Springfield College. The following tables give the probable cost to a student who lives in the College residence hall and eats meals in the College dining facility for the 2005-2006 academic year.

Basic fees include class dues and student government fees.

* This figure is the minimum for resident students. See further details below under “Board.”

Additionally, first-year and transfer students are billed for the following applicable nonrecurring items:

Tuition and Fees - The flat rate tuition charge for full-time, undergraduate students covers twelve to eighteen credits per semester and basic fees. The 2006-2007 flat fee charge is $22,390.

Part-time, undergraduate students (those taking fewer than twelve credits per semester) and full-time, undergraduate students taking more than eighteen credits per semester are charged $679 per credit plus basic fees. Graduate students (both full- and part-time) are charged $679 per credit plus basic fees. Part-time nonmatriculated students are charged $313 per undergraduate credit, plus applicable fees.

Application Fee - A nonrefundable fee of $50 must accompany each application for admission to the College.

The weekly meal option will provide students the opportunity to enjoy “all you care to eat” meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Fresh Food Company in Cheney Hall. You receive a specified number of guaranteed meals per week each semester, based on the meal plan you select, unless you have selected the 200 Block Meal Plan or the Unlimited Meal Plan. Each time you eat at the Fresh Food Company in Cheney Hall, one meal is reduced from your weekly meal plan allotment.

All of the dining plans offer Declining Dollars which are accepted like cash in all of our dining locations. Declining Dollars function using the same concept as an ATM or debit card. Whenever you buy food items on campus using this option, the total amount of your purchase will be subtracted from your Declining Dollars and you can add additional Declining Dollars to your card at any time.

The minimum meal plan required for resident students is the 14-meal plan.

Note: The minimum meal plan requirement is not applicable to the students residing in the Townhouses, the Living Center, Senior Suites or off-campus housing.

The Business Office, or a designated representative, shall be responsible for refund calculations for tuition, room, and board charges for all students withdrawing from Springfield College. No refunds will be processed until all necessary withdrawal information has been completed and submitted for processing to the Dean of Students or Registrar. Please refer to the “Withdrawal Policy” section of this catalog for additional information.

The mission of the Office of Residence Life is to create a living environment that promotes academic achievement and personal growth. Because of the belief in the value gained from the residential experience, all students are required to live on campus through their junior year and many choose to live on campus through their senior year. Students whose families reside locally, who are married, or who are of non-traditional age are exceptions to this rule.

Residence life is considered an integral portion of the student’s educational experience at Springfield College. Residence in the College facilities is required of all students in the first-year, sophomore, and junior classes, except those students enrolled as commuters. Students desiring to live at home with their families and commute to the College should request a housing waiver form when applying for admission. Seniors, commuters, and married students may take the option of living in College facilities or in off-campus housing. For the 2006-2007 academic year, the cost of living accommodations ranges from $4,440 for most rooms to $8,774 for some accommodations in the Living Center. Depending on a student’s individual choice for room furnishings, a fee may be required.

The Business Office, or a designated representative, shall be responsible for refund calculations for tuition, room, and board charges for all students withdrawing from Springfield College. No refunds will be processed until all necessary withdrawal information has been completed and submitted for processing to the Dean of Students or Registrar. Please refer to the “Withdrawal Policy” section of this catalog for additional information.

NOTE: The first day of classes referred to below is defined as the date on which classes officially begin for the course period, which is not necessarily the student’s first class day.

1. Tuition and housing will be refunded as follows:

2. An administrative fee equal to the lesser of $100 or five percent of school charges will be assessed to the student’s account.
3. Fees are non-refundable, unless official withdrawal is effective prior to the start of classes.
4. A $200-$400 room cancellation fee will be assessed to the student’s account.
5. Half of the academic year allowance for books and supplies is considered to be spent at the start of each semester.
6. Financial aid received must be refunded to granting agencies based on the date of withdrawal and subject to funding source regulations and College policy.

The College offers several payment plan options. One option is to pay the balance, net of estimated financial aid, at the beginning of each semester (August 1 and January 1).

Another option, for undergraduates only, is to pay the balance, net of estimated financial aid, in nine monthly installments beginning August 1. The processing fee to participate in this plan is $75 per year. In addition, a life insurance policy is included under this plan at no additional cost. The insurance covers the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the student; however, they must be under sixty-five years of age.

Graduate or part-time students may opt for a per semester payment plan. The processing fee to participate in this plan is $25 per semester.

If a student has a credit balance on their account, a refund check will be issued within fourteen days, unless the student authorizes the College in writing to hold the credit balance for a future semester. On the Friday following the date the refund check is generated, the refund check will be available for pick up at the Business Office cashier window. If the refund check is not picked up by 2:00 p.m., it will be mailed to the billing address on the student account. The refund check will be made payable to the student, unless the student requests in writing that the refund check be made payable to another party. Plus and MEFA Loan refunds will be made payable to the parent borrower.

For currently enrolled students, non-enrolled students, students who have been separated, dismissed, suspended, expelled, disciplined, withdrawn, and/or are on a leave of absence, the College will withhold all official transcripts, access to registration for courses, selection of a residence hall room, and the mailing of diplomas or certificates to any student whose account is not paid in full when due. A late charge of $50 will be assessed for each month that a payment is past due. The student, and/or party who is responsible for the payment of the student account, shall be jointly liable to the College for all costs of collection and reasonable attorney’s fees incurred. The student is required to make full payment of all accounts prior to the deadline for Commencement (date established by the Registrar). Non-enrolled students with a balance on their account will be placed in collections.

Once a student registers for classes, they are responsible for the tuition incurred. Not attending classes does not constitute withdrawing or dropping a class. Any changes to a student’s course schedule requires the approval of an academic advisor and an official registration action.

For additional information, you may also click here to go to the Business Office home page.