Student Handbook — Fee Schedule and Payment Information

Student Handbook

Registration Information

www.vancouver.wsu.edu/registrar

Tuition, fees, and other charges are subject to change and are effective when established by the legislature of the state of Washington and adopted by the WSU Board of Regents.

Refund and Tuition Adjustment Policy To Top

The WSU refund policy is subject to change due to revisions in government policy.

Semester Registration Fees: Students who cancel enrollment after the semester has started will be charged an administrative fee of 5 percent of the assessed tuition and mandatory fees, but no more than $100.00, in addition to other amounts owed. Tuition, operating, and Student Affairs and activities fees will be refunded in full if students officially cancel enrollment prior to the sixth day of classes during a given semester. Students who cancel enrollment after classes have started will have those charges reduced based upon the week of cancellation as follows:

Week 1 . . . . . . . 100%
Week 2 . . . . . . . 80%
Week 3 . . . . . . . 80%
Week 4 . . . . . . . 70%
Week 5 . . . . . . . 60%
Week 6 . . . . . . . 60%
Week 7 . . . . . . . 50%
Week 8 . . . . . . . 50%
Week 9 . . . . . . . 40%
Week 10 & after . . . . . . . 0%

Weeks during which the University is on vacation for the entire week do not count in this adjustment schedule.

Adjustments or refunds for students who receive financial aid will be computed on a modified schedule provided by the Federal Financial Aid Office.

A student with an unpaid tuition balance at the end of the semester, will be disenrolled from all classes. No grades will be recorded on the student's transcript until all tuition and fees have been paid in full.

Summer Session Refund Policy: Summer session fees are refunded in full when a student officially drops courses or cancels enrollment by the published refund deadline dates. Please refer to the summer session Web site (www.vancouver.wsu.edu/ss/summer.htm) under "Enrollment Change Deadlines" for the specific refund deadline for each course. Summer session audit fees are also refundable until the published refund dates. Faculty/Staff fees are nonrefundable.

Fee Adjustments

No tuition adjustment for course withdrawals will be made beginning 30 calendar days after the start of the semester. For example, a student enrolled in 16 credit hours that withdraws after the fourth week from a 3-credit course and adds a 3-credit course will be accountable for 19 hours and owe for the 1 hour over 18.

Full refunds of the additional per credit hour charges (for each credit over 18) are given if the credit load is reduced to 18 hours or fewer within the first 30 calendar days of the semester.

Summer session fee adjustments are different from fall or spring. Please refer to summer session under "Tuition & Fees."

Optional Student Medical Insurance

Students who have optional student medical insurance and want a refund or another change must contact the Cougar Center, VSSC 100 (546-9559) or be liable for the premium. No refunds will be made after September 7, 2007 for fall semester.

Special Course Fees

A full refund of special course fees will be granted to a student who withdraws within the first 10 days of instruction of the semester from a course requiring such a fee. There is no refund of special course fees after the tenth day of instruction of the semester. For an exception to this policy, refunds may be requested through the academic department that provides the course(s). A complete list of Special Course Fees is available on the Web by going to www.vancouver.wsu.edu/registrar and clicking on the Special Course Fees link under the appropriate semester. This information is also available at the Cougar Center, VSSC 100.

Tuition and Fees

Registration for courses at Washington State University constitutes a legal obligation to pay tuition and fees, subject to the University's Refund and Tuition Adjustment Policy if a student officially cancels enrollment. A $30.00 processing fee will be charged for any dishonored check drawn by the student or others for the student's account.

Questions about an account or information that would affect the balance of an account should be directed to the Cougar Center at 360-546-9559.

Billing Information To Top

No billing statements are mailed to students. Students can access their account information at any time through myWSU. Charges for each semester will post on the account one week prior to the start of the term.

Tuition is due the first day of the semester. The student should check his/her account online and make the necessary arrangements to have the tuition paid on time. If someone besides the student pays on the tuition owed, the student should make certain the party is aware of the amount owed in time to meet the payment deadline. Late charges are assessed for unpaid tuition and mandatory fee balances.

We encourage students to pay online to prevent the accrual of late payment service charges. myWSU has a link to the Web-based payment site.

Classes Added after Census Day

Any classes added after the 2nd Friday of the semester that result in additional tuition must be paid for before the credits will be added to the student's registration. Payment deadlines are still applicable and missed deadlines may result in the addition of late payment service charges to the student's account.

Late Registration

Students whose initial registration for a specific semester occurs after the term begins, will be assessed a late registration fee. Beginning the first day of classes through the second Friday of the semester, the fee is $25.00. Registration after the second Friday of the semester will not be permitted without prior approval from the Registrar's Office and the student will be assessed a $100.00 late registration fee.

Cancellation Fee

Cancellation of enrollment may result in the application of an administrative cancellation fee. Please read "Refund Policy" in this publication.

Academic Disenrollment

Accounts with unpaid tuition and fees at 5:00 p.m. on the published deadlines will be assessed the late payment service charges. Students with an unpaid balance at the end of the semester will be academically disenrolled from all classes. No grades will be recorded on the student's transcript until all financial obligations to the University have been resolved.

Past Due Accounts

In the event a student fails to pay the full amount due, causing the account to be referred to a collection agency, the student will be responsible for payment of the account, all additional costs of collection, attorneys fees, and related charges. Delinquent accounts are reported to credit bureaus which has a negative impact on the student's credit history. Registration will be blocked and transcripts and diplomas will be withheld until all financial obligations are resolved.

Checks Not Honored

Checks written for a student's account that are returned to WSU unpaid for any reason will result in a $30.00 unpaid check fee. If the returned check had originally been written to pay for tuition, it will be considered as no payment and late fees will be assessed if applicable. Transcripts and diplomas will be withheld for unpaid overdue accounts.

Instructions for Credit Refunds

To avoid long lines at the check pickup location, students are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit. Please complete the direct deposit request form included in the financial aid award letter and return it as soon as possible. Forms are also available on the Web or at the Cougar Center in VSSC 100.

Checks for credit balances may be picked up at the Cougar Center, VSSC 100, no sooner than the first day of each semester. Students must present photo identification to pick up a check. No one other than the student can pick up a credit balance check.

Refunds of credit balances will be dispersed to the student via direct deposit or WSU check as stated above. However, an overpayment created by a credit card payment will be refunded directly to the credit card company upon discovery. The student should monitor his/her account and contact the University regarding the disbursement of credit balances.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Current semester tuition and special course fees will be paid from financial aid before a refund check is issued. OTHER CHARGES MAY NOT BE COVERED by financial aid. It is the student's responsibility to carefully read his/her account summary to determine if a balance is still owed on the account.

Payment Instructions To Top

Tuition is due the first day of the semester. No billing statements will be mailed. If tuition is not paid by the published deadlines (refer to chart above), late payment service charges will accrue. Check the academic calendar for payment deadlines.

Electronic Payments

The University strongly recommends utilizing an electronic form of payment as it is generally faster, easier, and less expensive. Payments may be submitted electronically on the Web at www.wsu.edu/payment. The following information must be known to the person making the payment(s):

  • Student's WSU identification number
  • Student's month and day of birth
  • Credit card number and expiration date of the card

If using the electronic check method, the person making the payment will need to provide his/her financial institution routing number. Electronic checks are available for United States financial institutions only.

Payments made by electronic check or by credit card before 3:30 pm Monday-Friday should be posted to the student's account by the next business day. Electronic check or credit card payments received after 3:30 pm Monday-Friday should be posted to the account by the second business day.

U.S. Mail

Make the check payable to Washington State University and write the WSU student identification number on the check. Mail to Washington State University Cashier, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98686. The cancelled check serves as the receipt. Do NOT mail cash.

Payments sent through the U.S. Postal Service will be posted to the student's account the first business day after receipt. Late fees will be applied to the account if payment sent through the U.S. Postal Service arrives after the published due dates.

Pay in Person

The cashier is located in the Cougar Center, VSSC 100. In-person payments made before 4:00 pm Monday-Friday should be posted to the student's account by the next business day. In-person payments received between 4:00 and 5:00 pm Monday-Friday should be posted to the account by the second business day.

Drop Box

Students may deposit a payment in the drop box outside the Cougar Center. Do NOT pay with cash if utilizing the drop box. Payments made at the drop box may not be posted to the student's account until the second business day.

Be sure and check your account after each payment to ensure it was properly applied.

Third-Party Payments

If a company or government agency is paying tuition on behalf of a student, please direct them to forward the necessary paperwork to the WSU Student Accounts Office, French Administration Building, Room 342, Pullman, WA 99164-1039. This will authorize a credit to the student's account and the company/agency will be billed by the University.

Payments from Non-United States Sources

Suggested methods of payment are International Postal Money Orders or Checks, traveler's checks, and bank money orders which are payable through a United States financial institution. Other methods of payment may subject a student to charges for expenses incurred by Washington State University to collect U.S. funds.

Change in Residency To Top

  • If a student is classified as a NON-RESIDENT and has established or has information to establish residency, he/she will need to submit a Residency Questionnaire. This form can be found at the Web site www.registrar.wsu.edu by clicking on the "Residency Information" link. Complete the form, and attach all supporting documentation and submit the packet to the Cougar Center in VSSC 100. Applications for residency status must be submitted in the first 30 calendar days of fall or spring semester. For fall 2007, the deadline is September 18, 2007 and for spring 2008, the application must be received by February 5, 2008.
  • The definition of resident status is available at the same Web site noted above.
  • If your claim is based on employment with a Washington institution of higher education (student, student's spouse, or student's parent working 20 hours or more a week), then application may be made for a full or partial waiver of the non-resident portion of tuition and fees. Graduate students should apply through the Graduate School, French Administration Building Room 324, WSU, Pullman, WA 99164-1030. Early application is encouraged because these limited awards are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Students must pay the resident portion of their fees by the published deadline or late fees begin to accrue. If resident status is denied, the remainder of the tuition and fees must be paid immediately to avoid late payment service charges.

Scholarships To Top

If WSU has received scholarship funds for a student, the amount is included on the account summary.

  1. If a scholarship has been awarded by WSU but does not appear on the student's account summary, report to the WSU Vancouver Office of Financial Aid in VSSC 100 or call 360-546-9559.
  2. If the student expects an award from a service, fraternal, or similar group, he/she should contact the donor if the award does not appear on the account summary. However, fees must be paid by the published deadlines to avoid late payment charges.

Perkins National Direct Loans, Health Profession & Nursing Loans  To Top

The student's account summary reflects these loans ONLY if the necessary forms have been signed. If these awards do not show on the WSU student account summary, report to the WSU Vancouver Office of Financial Aid, VSSC 100, or call 360-546-9559.

Operating Fee Waivers To Top

Graduate students holding graduate service appointments such as teaching, research, or staff assistant may be qualified for a waiver of the resident operating fee portion of tuition and fees. Non-resident students holding half-time assistantships also may qualify for a waiver of the non-resident portion of tuition. To qualify, a student must:

  1. Be registered as a full-time graduate student (10 to 18 credits)
  2. Be appointed for the entire semester
  3. Have an appointment which qualifies for the waiver.

Upon verification that the above conditions have been met, the resident operating fee waiver may be credited to the student's account. If a student believes he/she qualifies for the waiver but has not received it, he/she should bring a copy of the Personnel Action form(s) to the Cougar Center, VSSC 100.

Even with an operating fee waiver, THERE ARE ADDITIONAL FEES. The student is responsible for timely payment of the remaining fees to avoid late charges.

Claims To Top

A student's account may include other claims besides registration charges. All claims must be paid or settled by September 4, 2007, for fall semester or February 5, 2008, for spring. Only the department originating the claim can cancel it.

Tuition Waivers for WSU and State Employees  To Top

Eligible Individuals (some restrictions apply):

WSU Employees—

  • Civil service employees holding half-time or greater appointments and having permanent status by the tenth day of class for fall and spring semesters or first day of class for the summer session.
  • Civil service employees on trial service appointments meeting the above criteria.
  • Faculty and administrative professional employees holding half-time or greater appointments.

The following individuals are eligible for the fee waiver on a space available basis—

  • Employees of other state of Washington agencies or higher education institutions meeting the WSU employee eligibility requirements are eligible for benefit for fall and spring semesters ONLY.
  • USDA/ARS and ROTC faculty and staff employed at WSU locations who meet WSU employee eligibility requirements as outlined above.

Non-eligible Individuals

The following are not eligible for the fee waiver:

  • Individuals who are not employed by Washington State University other than those listed above under "Eligible Individuals."
  • WSU adjunct appointment holders.
  • Retired employees. (Such individuals may be eligible for the Senior Citizen Fee Waiver program. Contact the Registrar's Office for more information.)
  • Hourly employees.
  • Students, including assistants, associates, or others holding positions with student status.
  • Probationary civil service and collective bargaining unit employees who do not complete probation prior to the deadlines indicated above under "Eligibility."

Enrollment Limit Employees may enroll for up to six semester hours each semester, fall and spring. These hours may be any combination of credit and audit hours. Employees enrolling for more than the 6 credit hour limit are not eligible for the tuition waiver program.

Charges Employees enrolled in the fee waiver program pay a $5.00 nonrefundable application fee plus any special course fees, laboratory fees, or late registration fees. Fees must be paid by the second Friday of the semester to avoid late payment fees.

Student Benefits Employees enrolled under the fee waiver program are not entitled to student benefits.

Course Exceptions The following classes are not covered under the fee waiver program: internships, tutorials, private lessons, practicums, distance degree program classes, self-sustaining courses, flexible enrollment courses (e.g., correspondence courses), independent study including, but not limited to, courses numbered 499, 600, 700, 702, and 800.

Approval Individuals must obtain the approval and original signatures (no stamps) as indicated on the form front prior to submittal. Note: For WSU employees, Human Resources does not sign the form until makeup arrangements are indicated and the head of the employing department has signed the form.

Admission Employees must be admitted to WSU to receive University credit. Contact the Office of Admissions or the Graduate School for admission information.

Registration Turn in the completed Tuition Fee Waiver Request to the WSU Vancouver Cougar Center, Student Affairs Building Room 200, 14204 NE Salmon Creek Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98686 on or after the first day of instruction but before the end of the fourth week of the term. Employees registering without this form at the time of registration will be charged full fees and will not qualify for the waiver for the current term. Each request to audit a class requires the instructor's signature on the form or on a Permit to Audit Lecture Course card.

Course Enrollment Denied Regular fee-paying students have first priority in WSU courses.

It is the student's responsibility to check his/her schedule using myWSU to verify registration has been completed. If the enrollment is denied, WSU does not refund the $5.00 fee.

Refer to the BUSINESS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL 60.70 for complete employee instructions. The WSU BULLETIN provides policies and procedures for other fee waiver programs and are available at the Registrar's Office or from the Web site at www.registrar.wsu.edu.

Tuition Waiver for Persons age 60 and over

Eligibility

Senior citizens who are residents of Washington and who are age 60 or over are eligible. Participants must apply and be admitted to Washington State University according to published deadlines.

Procedures

Pick up the authorization form at the Cougar Center, VSSC 100. Students may not pre-register because of the space available provision of RCW 28B.15.540.

Limitations

  • Courses taken under this fee waiver cannot be used towards credentials or salary schedule increases and will not apply toward degrees.
  • No more than two classes may be taken each semester under the exemption program. Students registered for more than two classes will be charged full tuition for all credits.
  • Tuition waiver cannot be used for any self-supporting courses (including all summer session courses) or for individualized instruction such as independent study, thesis, dissertation, research, internships, tutorials, private lessons, or practicums.
  • Tuition-exempt participants will be admitted to courses when space and facilities are available. If class size is limited, senior citizen waivers have lowest priority.
  • As a tuition-exempt participant, the student is responsible for paying a nonrefundable $5 registration fee plus special course fees when applicable, course withdrawal fees, and other fees as appropriate.
  • Students are not eligible for student benefits under this program.