Tuition and Fees

Tuition & Fees, 2020-2021 Academic Year

Standard rates and fees are available on the Northern Vermont University website.

Full tuition and fees are charged to undergraduate students registered for 12 to 18 credit hours per semester. Students taking fewer than 12 credits are considered part-time students and are billed for the credit hours they take.

Students taking more than 18 credits are billed on a cost-per-credit basis for any additional credits above 18.

Vermont residents who are 65 or older as of the first date of Fall 2020 classes may audit one undergraduate course per enrollment period without tuition charge. Additional courses may be taken without limitation, up to and including completion of a certificate or undergraduate degree, at the rate of 50% of the charged tuition. To be eligible, such persons may not take the place of full tuition paying students in courses with enrollment limits. Course specific fees, including registration fees, shall be the responsibility of the student. All other student fees are waived.

Room & Board

Students living in the college residence halls are charged per semester for room and board. All students living in the residence halls are charged the full-meal plan (21 meals per week) each semester. Students may arrange for an alternate meal plan by submitting a Meal Plan Change Form, which is available on the Portal under Web Services - Student Billing & Finances, by the end of the first week of classes each semester.

Additional Fees

Explanation of Fees & When They Apply

Application for Degree

This fee covers the costs of a review of the degree plan, a diploma, and Commencement-related activities. All students are charged this fee regardless of their attendance at the Commencement Ceremony. Students receiving degrees at separate ceremonies will be charged the full fee each time. Graduates attending Commencement exercises are required to purchase a cap and gown, at an additional cost through the University bookstore.

Auditing Courses

Students may audit courses with the approval of the Registrar and the instructor of the course. No credit is received for audited courses, and the tuition is charged at 50% of the applicable rate. All fees are charged at full cost. After the period to add a course, no change will be made to either allow credit for a course audit or to change a regular course to the status of an audited course. The remaining tuition may not be reduced by any other tuition waiver.

Books & Supplies

Students should budget at least $500 per semester for books and supplies. The Bookstore operates on a cash basis and does not extend credit, but it does accept major credit cards. Additionally, during the add/drop period, students who have been given clearance by Student Administrative Services may charge books and supplies to their student account. Forms may be obtained at the Bookstore.

Campus Initiative Fee

This fee supports the development of facilities and other campus needs for NVU students. The fee is $452 per semester for full-time students. Part-time students taking fewer than 12 credits pay $38 per credit.

Course Fee

Certain courses require billing of fees to cover special materials and/or unique studio or instructional costs. Course fees are listed in each semester’s course bulletin and on Web Services/Search for Sections.

Health & Accident Insurance

With the exception of NVU Online students, health insurance is mandatory for all full-time undergraduate and graduate students not otherwise covered. A student must either accept the university insurance or certify their existing coverage through the health insurance link in VSC Web Services. This must be completed before the student’s payment will be considered finalized. Failure to complete this will result in the student automatically being enrolled and billed for the university insurance.

Late Financial Clearance Fee

This fee can be charged to students who do not meet the published deadline for finalized payment.

Orientation Fee

This fee covers the cost of the Orientation Program, which acquaints new, on-campus students with the respective NVU campuses, NVU resources and services, and students, faculty and staff.

Rhetorical Expression Challenge Exam Fee

NVU Online students have the option of taking a challenge exam to test out of the Rhetorical Expression course, which is a requirement to graduate. The fee for this exam is $100.

Student Activity Fee

This fee, which covers the expense of student clubs, activities, and publications, is $154/semester for full-time, matriculated undergraduate students and $13/credit for students enrolled in fewer than 12 credits. Note: NVU Online students are exempt from this fee.

In-State Residency Requirements (VSC Policy 301)

Vermont State College Policy 301 specifies the requirements that a student must meet in order to be granted resident status for the purpose of admission, tuition and other charges at a Vermont State College. VSC Policy 301 may be read in its entirety here. (Select Policies & Procedures” under “About VSC” at www.vsc.edu, then “Student Affairs Policies.”)

Payment Procedures

Finalize Payment with the Office of Student Administrative Services

All students must finalize payment with Student Administrative Services. “Finalize Payment” means that:

• All semester charges and any previously due balance are paid in full or covered by a monthly payment plan sufficient to cover tuition and fees for the semester; AND
• All financial aid (grants, loans and scholarships) is ready to be disbursed, if applicable; AND
• The student has either elected or waived the VSCS health insurance.

Monthly Payment Plan

Students may sign up for a monthly payment plan by accessing Student Administrative Services on the Portal. Students using this plan will be considered to have finalized payment upon confirmation of plan participation. The plan enables the student or parent to pay all or part of the semester’s charges in four, five or six equal installments starting June 1. (Participation in the plan also may start after June 1.) Visit the Portal or call Student Administrative Services at 802.635.1671 for more information.

Payment Due Dates

Student bills are posted to the Student Administrative Services section of the Portal on the 1st and 15th of each month. Payment due dates are also posted on the NVU Portal. A late fee applies if payment is not finalized by the payment due date. Students owing money from prior semesters may not register for classes until the outstanding balance is paid. Current-semester bills that are not paid in full by the end of the semester will result in withholding of transcripts and possible administrative dismissal until a satisfactory settlement is made.

Students can receive supplemental charges during a semester for such items as residence hall charges or parking fines. These charges are listed on student bills and can be viewed on the Portal. Payment is due 30 days from the date on the bill.

Application of Financial Aid Awards

Financial aid that has been reported to Student Administrative Services is credited as follows:

• Grant funds authorized by Student Administrative Services are credited directly to student accounts.
• State grants and/or outside aid are considered as pending and are not credited to a student’s account until the funds are disbursed to the university.
• Federal Direct Loans are credited to student accounts after promissory notes and entrance counseling have been completed.
• Students who anticipate receiving financial assistance from sources other than the university are reminded to arrange for payments to be forwarded to Student Administrative Services as early as possible. Students are advised to confirm these other sources of financial assistance with Student Administrative Services.
• Direct deposit of earnings (preferred method) or paychecks are issued to students for work-study and other campus employment once they obtain a job and begin submitting time sheets. Anticipated employment earnings cannot be used as a credit against a student’s account.
• Students residing off campus and expecting a refund of financial aid funds for living expenses will not receive those refunds until after the add/drop period and their aid has been transmitted.

Refund Policy

Upon complete withdrawal or dismissal from the Institution prior to the 60% point of the term, a student shall be credited tuition, room, and board charges on a prorated basis.  Upon complete withdrawal or dismissal on or after the 60% point of the semester no adjustment or credit shall be issued to the student’s account.

Date of Withdrawal

The date of withdrawal or dismissal is determined by the Office of the Registrar. Ceasing to attend classes does not constitute the dropping of classes or withdrawal from the Institution. In order to be eligible for a refund/repayment pursuant to the above policy, the student MUST notify the Institution in writing according to the processes outlined on the Institution website.  For questions regarding this process, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

Prorated Tuition, Room, and Board Calculation due to Withdrawal or Dismissal from Institution and Residence Halls

The prorated calculation for tuition and room and board uses the number of calendar days completed from the first day of the semester to the time of withdrawal or dismissal divided by the number of total calendar days included for the full term. For all students, including online students, the first day of the semester is the date that classes begin as published in the university catalog, regardless of the date of the student’s first class. Even if the number of planned residential days is fewer than the number of academic calendar days, the academic calendar will be the basis of all pro-rata credit calculations.

Prorated Room and Board Calculation Withdrawal from Residence Halls while Remaining Enrolled

In the event a student exits the residence halls, for any reason, while continuing to remain enrolled academically, the Institution will be under no obligation to issue credits or refunds.  This includes closure due to a calamity or catastrophe beyond the institution’s control that would make continued operation of student housing infeasible, including but not limited to such circumstances as natural disaster, national security threat, domestic insurrection or widespread pandemic.

Return of Funds

If a student receives financial aid, credit received as a result of withdrawal or dismissal is first applied to financial aid sources. Federal regulations are used for return of Title IV funds and individual state, Institution, or outside scholarship policies for return of non-Title IV funds. Because financial aid funds must be used for educational expenses, when a student is receiving financial aid for non-institutional costs and withdraws from the Institution, a portion of this aid must be repaid. The order of distribution for the return of Title IV funds is as follows:

1. Unsubsidized FFEL/Direct Stafford Loan
2. Subsidized FFEL/Direct Stafford Loan
3. Perkins Loan
4. FFEL/Direct PLUS Loan
5. Pell Grant
6. FSEOG
7. Other Title IV programs

NOTE: Ceasing to attend classes does not constitute the dropping of classes or withdrawal from the university. In order to be eligible for a refund or repayment as outlined above, a student MUST notify the Dean of Students and the Registrar’s Office of their withdrawal.

Tuition Adjustments

Any adjustments in tuition charges will be based on the courses on record at the end of the second week of the semester.

Administrative Dismissal

Students with outstanding overdue balances on their accounts, and who have not made satisfactory progress towards payment, are subject to administrative dismissal from the university.

Administratively dismissed students must cease attending all classes immediately, do not receive any credit for academic work done during that semester, and remain liable for the unpaid balance. If the student is administratively dismissed after the first seven days and before the end of the 60 percent point of the semester, they will be credited tuition, fees, aid, and room and board on a pro-rata basis. The pro-rata basis calculation will use the number of calendar days completed divided by the number of total calendar days included for the full semester. After the 60 percent point of the semester, there is no adjustment for tuition, fees or room charges.

Veterans Benefit and Transitions Act

NVU complies with VA regulations. As such, individuals who are eligible for chapter 31 or chapter 33 benefits and have submitted a certificate of eligibility AND a request for enrollment certification are eligible to attend and participate in courses and related academic services while NVU awaits payment from the VA.