Expenses, Refunds, Financial Aid

Annual Expenses Table | Current Housing Costs | Dining Plan | Financial Aid | Housing & Dining Refund | Housing Plans | Late Fee | Other Fees & Expenses | Payment & Payment Plan | Residence Status | Student Credit Policy | Tuition and Fee Rates Table | Tuition and Fees | Tuition for Part-time Students | 25% Surcharge | UNCG Refund Policy

Expenses

Tuition and Fees

Please note that new tuition and fee rates for 1999-2000 were not available at the time this book was published. All expenses reflect current 1998-99 charges. Questions regarding current fees should be directed to the Cashiers and Student Accounts Office (336/334-5831). UNCG reserves the right to make changes in these charges without advance notice.

In-State Students
Out-of-State Students

Estimated total annual cost for most In-State students living on campus

Estimated total annual cost for most Out-of-State students living on campus

Note: Students living on campus are required to contract with UNCG for room and board. Students living off campus pay only the tuition and required fees.

The tuition and academic fees paid by UNCG students only partially cover the cost of the education they receive. The remaining costs are met by funds from the State of North Carolina, from the UNCG Excellence Fund, and from alumni, friends, corporations, foundations, and the federal government. Undergraduate tuition and fees per credit hour for the 1998-1999 academic year are indicated in the table below. Costs indicated are for one semester.

For tuition and fee purposes, a part-time undergraduate student is defined as one taking fewer than 12 semester hours of work each semester. Students taking 12 or more hours per semester pay the tuition and fees specified for full-time students.

Undergraduate students taking fewer than 12 semester hours during a regular semester will be charged a prorated portion of the tuition and the general fee. The health service fee is charged students taking 9 or more hours who live off campus. However, such a student may voluntarily choose to pay the fee and enjoy the benefits of the Student Health Services. All on-campus students pay the health service fee.

25% Tuition Surcharge for Undergraduates

The General Assembly has instituted a twenty-five percent (25%) tuition surcharge (Section 89 (b), Senate Bill 27,1993 Session) which is effective fall semester 1994 and applies to all NEW undergraduates seeking a baccalaureate degree. Specifically, it states,

"The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall ensure that procedures are established that are necessary to impose a twenty-five percent (25%) tuition surcharge on students who take more than 140 degree credit hours to complete a baccalaureate degree in a four-year program or more than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the credit hours necessary to complete a baccalaureate degree in any program officially designated by the Board of Governors as a five-year program. The calculation of these credit hours taken at a constituent institution or accepted for transfer shall exclude hours earned through the College Board's Advanced Placement or CLEP examinations, through institutional advanced placement or course validation, or through summer term or extension programs. The Board shall report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by April 1, 1994, on its recommendations for implementing this surcharge."

Students Subject to the Surcharge

The tuition surcharge will be applied to new undergraduate students enrolled for the first time in Fall 1994 in a degree program at UNCG as follows:

1. For students earning a first baccalaureate degree in a program that requires no more than 128 credit hours, the surcharge shall be applied to all hours in excess of 140.
2. For students earning a first baccalaureate degree in a UNC Board of Governors Board-approved program that requires more than 128 credit hours, the surcharge shall be applied to all hours that exceed 110 percent of the credit hours required for the degree. Such programs include those that have been officially designated by the Board of Governors as five-year programs as well as those involving double majors, or combined bachelor's/master's degrees.
3. For students earning a baccalaureate degree other than their first, the surcharge shall be applied to all hours that exceed 110 percent of the minimum additional credit hours needed to earn the additional baccalaureate degree. The minimum additional credit hours will be determined by the degree audit performed by the Office of Academic Advising and Support Services during the first semester a student is enrolled in the second or other baccalaureate degree.

Students seeking a second baccalaureate degree are required to take 31 credit hours of residency at UNCG.

The surcharge will be imposed in the fall or spring semester and in all subsequent semesters where a student's cumulative credit hour total exceeds the threshold. The surcharge does not apply to required fees.

Hours INCLUDED in Tuition Surcharge Hours:

The undergraduate credit hours to be counted in the calculation of the tuition surcharge include:

1. all semester (fall and spring semester) academic credit hours attempted (includes repeated coursework and failed coursework); and
2. all transfer credit hours accepted by UNCG.

Hours EXCLUDED from Tuition Surcharge Hours:

1. College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) credit;
2. College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or similar programs' credits;
3. credit earned through any UNCG advanced placement, course validation or similar procedure;
4. credit earned in summer sessions at UNCG or another UNC institution; and
5. credit earned from an extension division of any UNC institution, including UNCG.

Students will be informed of the Tuition Surcharge Hours earned each semester and cumulatively in their tuition billing beginning with the fall semester 1995 report.

Students may contact the Office of Student Academic Services to obtain current information on their credit hours.

The tuition charge for persons who qualify as residents for tuition purposes is substantially less than that for nonresidents. An explanation of the North Carolina law (General Statute 116-143.1) governing residence classification for tuition purposes is set forth in Appendix A. A more complete explanation of the statute and the procedures under the statute is contained in A Manual to Assist the Public Higher Education Institutions of North Carolina in the Matter of Student Residence Classification for Tuition Purposes. The Manual is the controlling administrative statement of policy on this subject. Copies of the Manual are available for inspection in the Office of the Provost, the Library, and the admitting offices.

Initial Classification

Every applicant for admission is required to make a statement as to the length of his or her legal residence in North Carolina. Every applicant is classified as a resident or nonresident for tuition purposes prior to actual matriculation, the admitting office making the initial classification. Those not claiming to be residents for tuition purposes are, of course, classified as out-of-state students (nonresidents) for tuition purposes. If insufficient information supports an applicant's claim to be a resident for tuition purposes, the admitting office will initially classify that applicant as a nonresident.

Subsequent Classification

A residency classification once assigned (and confirmed pursuant to any appeal properly taken) may be changed thereafter (with corresponding change in billing rates) only at intervals corresponding with the established primary divisions of the academic year.

A student who, due to subsequent events, becomes eligible for a change in classification, whether from out-of-state to in-state or the reverse, has the responsibility of applying for a reclassification in the Office of the Provost.

Appeals

A student may appeal a residence classification assigned by the admitting office by submitting to the Office of the Provost a completed "Residence-and-Tuition Status Application." (Application forms may be obtained from the Office of the Provost or from any of the admitting offices.)

It is the responsibility of the student to pay tuition at the rate charged and billed while an appeal is pending. In effect, the student who is classified as a nonresident at the time of registration pays the nonresident rate. Conversely, if a student is classified as a resident at the time of billing, he or she pays the resident rate. Any necessary adjustments in the rate paid will be made at the conclusion of the appeal.

Students or prospective students who believe that they are entitled to be classified as residents for tuition purposes should be aware that the process of requests and appeals can take a considerable amount of time and that applications for classification should not be delayed until registration. Students who wish to receive a timely review of their residence status should submit their completed "Residence-and-Tuition Status Application" approximately 30-45 days in advance of the term for which they are seeking a review of their residence status. Applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received; failure to submit an application in a timely manner may delay the review process.

The Office of the Provost's determination of residence classification may be appealed to the Campus Residence Appeals Committee, and decisions of the Campus Residence Appeals Committee may be appealed to the State Residence Committee. A written statement of the appeals procedure is provided to every applicant or student receiving an adverse decision from the Office of the Provost.

All UNCG students have the option of living on or off campus. Approximately 3,500 students live in 23 residence halls on campus. UNCG houses students without regard to race, creed, color, or national origin. Students may request residence halls or roommates by name, and whenever possible, such requests will be honored.

All rooms have local telephone service to their rooms. Long distance service is available through a designated carrier contracted by the University, or by using a personal calling card.

To request a space, students must return to the Office of Housing and Residence Life (336/334-5636) the following:

• Completed application card
• Advance rent payment of $150

Upon receipt of the Advance Rent Payment and the Completed Application Card, the student will be sent a confirmation notice with directions on how to access the UNCG Relocation Kit at the Housing and Residence Life website at www.uncg.edu/rli.

The Relocation Kit provides additional information about campus housing and services.

Athletic, Activity, and Facilities Fees

Payment of these fees give students access to athletic events, campus organizations, Elliott University Center (student union), and many other student programs.

Auditing Fees

Current UNCG Students
A registered full-time UNCG student may audit one course per semester without charge. A registered part-time UNCG student may not audit more than two courses per semester and is charged a fee of $15.00 per course.

Visiting Auditors
Visiting auditors are classified as non-UNCG students who wish to take a course(s) without receiving a record of enrollment. Such individuals must apply to register through the Division of Continual Learning. A Visiting auditor will not receive a record of enrollment and is charged a $35.00 fee per course.

Visitors
Visitors, persons not officially enrolled at UNCG, who do require a record of enrollment as an auditor should follow regular admission, registration, and payment procedures. A fee equal to in-state or out-of-state tuition rates is charged for each course audited.

Fees are payable in full at the time of enrollment. See Admissions for details about auditing courses.

Books and Course Supplies

Costs generally run $200-$400 per semester for textbooks and related supplies for full-time students. These are to be paid for as purchased, either from the University Book Store or elsewhere. A few courses may require significantly higher expenditures for supplies and are so noted in the semester Schedule of Courses.

Furnishings (Residence Hall)

All residence hall rooms are furnished with beds, dressers, and desks. All have community bathrooms by floor or wing. All have local telephone and automated voice mail service. Students furnish their own pillows, pillow cases, sheets, blankets, bedspreads, towels, and room accessories such as telephones, study lamps, draperies, rugs, recycling bins and wastebaskets.

Graduation Application Fee

A fee, currently $40, which covers the cost of Commencement regalia and diploma, is charged to all Bachelor's degree candidates. It is payable in the Cashiers and Student Accounts Office 30 days prior to graduation. The fee is non-refundable. Students who do not graduate in the semester for which they originally filed graduation applications will be charged an additional fee of $30 to cover the reordering of the diploma when they refile for graduation.

Health Service Fee

All students living on campus and all students living off campus taking 9 or more hours are required to pay the health service fee, which provides medical services to students. (See The University Community for further description of Student Health Services.)

Part-time students living off campus enrolled for fewer than 9 hours may voluntarily choose to pay the fee and enjoy the benefits of the Student Health Services.

Also see Special Medical Service Charge.

Identification Cards (Spartan IDs)

A permanent Spartan ID card will be issued to each student upon completion of registration for the first semester at UNCG. If this permanent ID card is lost or damaged, there is a $10.00 replacement fee.

Laundry & Dry Cleaning

The University does not provide any laundry or dry cleaning service. Coin-operated washing machines and dryers are located in each residence hall. Students may apply money to their Spartan Express card for laundry and vending expenses.

Special Medical Service Charge

Although the health service fee covers ordinary medical care provided by the Student Health Services, additional nominal charges are made for special services such as x-rays, laboratory tests, and certain medications.

Due to high medical costs in the United States and to historical experience of previous international students, all non immigrant students, regardless of status or semester hours taken, are required to pay the student health fee and are encouraged to purchase adequate health and accident insurance. A Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan which meets the above requirements is available to UNCG students. Information on this may be obtained from the International Advisor.

Students who elect not to pay the health service fee may be treated at the Student Health Services on a fee-for-service basis. Standard medical charges will be made for any services rendered.

Telephone Service

Local telephone service is available in all residence hall rooms. Long distance service is also provided at the lowest rate. Personal identification numbers (PIN) are provided to ensure accurate billing.

Transcript Fee

A fee (currently $5 per copy at the time this Bulletin was printed) is charged for release of all official academic transcripts.

Uniforms, Special Equipment, and Liability Insurance

Students are expected to use outfits appropriate to the physical education activities taken. Gym clothing, leotards, and other appropriate outfits are available from the University Book Store.

Nursing majors are required to purchase uniforms and liability insurance. See School of Nursing information for complete details.

Some majors in Exercise and Sport Science are also required to purchase liability insurance. See Department of Exercise and Sport Science for details.

Many laboratory courses require safety goggles and special aprons. Smocks or coveralls are often required in art classes. A number of financial aid jobs require special uniforms. Unless the student has advance information as to exactly what is required, it is preferable to purchase these items after arrival.

Vehicle Registration & Parking

Registration and parking permits are required for all student-operated motor vehicles which park on the UNCG campus. See The University Community for details on parking regulations.

Payment of Bills

The annual expenses table gives estimated costs on a nine-month academic year basis for full-time students. To estimate the amount due each semester, divide the total expense figure by two. This is the approximate amount which will be billed to the student by the University during registration each semester. If financial aid has been awarded to a student, the amount will be reflected on the bill (see information below).

Continuing students who register at the end of the current semester for the next semester receive bills for tuition and fees as follows:

Fall semester bills are mailed in mid July to students' permanent mailing addresses, with total payment due in late July/early August.

Spring semester bills are mailed in mid November to students' permanent addresses, with total payment due in early December.

Bills are not mailed to new students who register in August/January. Students may print bills along with their class schedules when they register, and are expected to pay as soon as they register.

It is the student's responsibility to be aware of all payment deadlines as stated in the UNCG Academic Calendar.

Payment Deadlines

Payment of bills for the Fall and Spring Semesters should be made in the Cashiers and Student Accounts Office, 151 Mossman Building, by the deadline dates set by the University Registrar and published in the University Calendar and in the semester Schedule of Courses booklets. The deadline dates are also set forth in the instructions mailed to students with their bills. Payments not received by these dates will result in the cancellation of registration. Payment by mail is encouraged. Students should contact the Cashiers and Student Accounts Office (336/334-5831) with any questions about tuition and fees or the payment process.

ID Validation

Student ID cards are validated electronically upon payment of tuition and fees.

Banking Information

Central Carolina Bank and the State Employees Credit Union ATMs are located in Elliott University Center; NationsBank and Wachovia Bank and Trust maintain ATMs in the dining hall. Students may establish checking accounts at one of the banks in Greensboro for banking services. Student identification cards will enable students to cash checks for up to $50 at the Cashiers and Student Accounts Office for a fee of 50¢ per check. Checks that are returned for non-payment will be charged a $25.00 return check fee for each returned check. This fee will be assessed to either the maker of the check or last endorser (whoever last negotiated the check). UNCG has the authority to cancel semester registrations for non-payments resulting from returned checks.

The Cashiers and Student Accounts Office is open between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and is located in 151 Mossman Building (336/334-5831).

Tuition and fees for all University students are due and payable before or on registration day in the Cashiers and Student Accounts Office. North Carolina law requires the University to charge and collect from each student at the beginning of each academic session tuition, fees, and an amount sufficient to pay all other direct expenses such as room and board incurred for the term. Payments may be made by cash, money order, check, or VISA or Mastercard credit cards. Cash should not be sent through the mail.

As an exception to the above policy, students may be granted deferments (credit) only if they meet one of the following criteria:

1. Students who receive awards through the UNCG Financial Aid Office from one or more of the following programs must pay the amount of their bill less the amount awarded for deferrable financial aid. Any liability resulting from a reduction of financial aid becomes the student's responsibility payable upon notification of the adjustment of the award. Financial aid awards for purposes of the credit policy are as follows: Pell Grants, Subsidized Stafford Student Loans, Institutional Loans, SEOG, Perkins Loan, N.C. Veteran Scholarships, Vocational Rehabilitation, Disabled Veterans, Minority Presence Grants, University Scholarships, Fellowships, Assistantships, and Grants.
2. Students wishing to utilize Veterans' benefits under the credit policy must demonstrate financial need in compliance with normal financial aid need standards. Final approval is contingent upon the student's demonstration of need and a good credit history with the University.
3. Recipients of scholarships awarded by organizations outside the University in which direct payment is made to UNCG and notification is on file with the Financial Aid Office may qualify under the credit policy. Students should provide notification of such awards as soon as possible to the Financial Aid Office.
4. A student with an outstanding Emergency Loan balance will not be cleared for registration until the Emergency Loan is paid in full. Questions concerning Emergency Loans should be directed to the Cashiers and Student Account Office, 151 Mossman Building, 336/334-5831.

If a fee is designated as being attached to a specific service (such as an application fee or registration fee), no part of the fee is refundable if the service has been rendered.

If a situation arises in which the University administration considers that equity would best be served by canceling a student's registration, it will do so and all charges will be refundable.

UNCG's refund policy provides for a full, partial, or no refund of institutional charges (tuition, fees, room and board) based on the withdrawal date and the student's classification as a student in a first semester at UNCG, a student not in a first semester at UNCG, or a student involuntarily called to military duty.

The student's withdrawal date is the date the student notifies the Graduate School or Student Academic Services of his/her withdrawal, or the date of withdrawal specified by the student, whichever is later.

Withdrawal procedures require undergraduates to initiate the process in the Office of Student Academic Services and graduate students to initiate the process in the Graduate School office. Since the refund policy is based on a declining refund as the semester progresses, an earlier withdrawal date will result in a larger refund to the student.

Partial Withdrawal (Drop in Hours)

This refund policy applies to complete withdrawals from UNCG. Therefore, if a student simply reduces his/her course load after the end of the drop/add period, NO refund or reduction of charges whatsoever will be credited to the student's account. However, if the reduction in hours occurs before the end of the drop/add period, the student is entitled to a full refund for the hours dropped.

Complete Withdrawal from School

For all students except students in their first semester at UNCG and students activated for military duty:

Aid is disbursed directly to students by the Cashiers and Student Accounts Office. Students are expected to pay any institutional charges (tuition, fees, room and board) at the time the aid is disbursed.Institutional charges minus an administrative fee (the administrative fee is not to exceed the lesser of: 5% of student's institutional charges or $100), are refunded to student accounts as follows:

Room rent and board are NOT refundable. However, if a student qualifies for an exception as stated above, room rent and board are refundable except the pro rata part of the remaining charge based on the expired portion of the term. The housing contract is for one academic year. Students who cancel their contract at the end of the Fall Semester and remain enrolled at the University, will be charged for the Spring Semester rent.

Late Fee for Registration

Continuing students eligible to register during early registration for the following semester who choose not to do so, or who fail to confirm their registration, will be charged a late fee. Waiver of the late fee will be considered only when it can be demonstrated that the University, through one of its offices or officials, was directly responsible for the failure of the student to complete registration.

Refund Committee

The Refund Committee considers appeals from any student who wishes to submit an appeal in writing. Cases are referred to the committee when the usual regulations do not address particular circumstances.

The committee normally does not grant a refund if a student withdraws for personal reasons such as failing or transferring to another institution. (Transferring to another campus of The University of North Carolina is the same as going to another school, since each is administered separately for financial purposes.)

Questions pertaining to the Refund Committee should be directed to the Cashiers and Student Accounts Office, 151 Mossman Building, 336/334-5831.

General Information

UNCG administers an extensive financial aid program which provides assistance to more than half the University's enrolled undergraduates. Available aid includes scholarships, grants, loans, and work. Eligibility for need-based programs is determined through an analysis of family financial information provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid [FAFSA] or the Renewal Free Application for Federal Student Aid [RFAFSA]. Students who file the FAFSA/RFAFSA by the priority filing date of March 1 are also considered for non-need-based aid programs. For information on programs, services, and application procedures, contact the Financial Aid Office at the following address:

Students may request a free copy of The Financial Aid Handbook for more detailed information about applying for financial aid and The UNCG Financial Aid Directory for a complete listing of aid programs offered at UNCG.

Residents of North Carolina may also contact the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority, Box 2688, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27515-2688, or visit their website at www.ncseaa.edu for information about North Carolina aid programs.

Support for UNCG's financial aid program comes from federal and state governments, and from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Awards are granted and administered according to the provisions determined by the contributing agency or donor.

Click here for more information on Financial Aid.