Tuition & Fees

Tuition and Fee Change

Tuition and fees are subject to change and may be changed without prior notice.

Application Fee

A nonrefundable application fee of $40 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents or $65 for international applicants must be submitted with each application.

Tuition

Graduate students pay tuition at the following (Fall 2008 rates: residents of Massachusetts — $110 per credit hour up to $1,320 per se-mester; “regional students” — $165 per credit hour up to $1,980 per semester; nonresidents — $414 per credit hour up to $4,969 per semester.

In order to enroll as a Massachusetts resident for tuition and fee purposes, a student must have on file a Residency Statement. Students originally classified as nonresident who believe they have met the residency requirements may appeal their classification before the beginning of the semester. Forms are available from the Graduate School.

The Summer Session tuition charges and fees are stated in the Summer Session course listing.

Estimated Annual Tuition and Fee Expenses for 2008-07 (12 credits)

Estimated Annual Tuition and Fee Expenses for 2005-06 (12 credits)

Tuition and fees are calculated on an annual basis for a graduate student carrying 12 credits per semester. Tuition and fees are prorated for fewer than 12 credits. Graduate Assistants with a Graduate Employee Organization (GEO) tuition waiver pay annually about $1,300 in mandatory fees.

Service Fee

The Service Fee provides students access to Fine Arts Council events, reduced ticket prices, and the transit system. It covers all bond issue debt service obligations of the University of Massachusetts Building Authority for Amherst campus facilities and projects.

Graduate Student Entering Fee

First-semester graduate students are required to pay a fee that covers the student identification card (UCard), graduate transcript fee, graduate commencement fee, the fee for binding the thesis or dissertation, and the career services fee. The one-time fee provides lifetime free transcripts, covers binding two copies of a master's thesis or doctoral dissertation for the library, and replaces the former commencement and career services fees. The student identification card functions as a library card, meal plan ticket, and on-campus debit card and provides access to residence halls. The Career Services portion of the fee is used for programs and services to help students and alumni identify and pursue satisfying careers and to assist employers who are seeking talented students or alumni.

Off-campus and non-degree graduate students pay a reduced fee that provides services limited to those specific groups..

Health Services Fee

The Basic Health Fee is a per semester mandatory fee for all students enrolled for 5 or more credits. This fee supports the medical, psychiatric, and health services provided by the University Health Center, including 24-hour urgent care, mental health, and a wide array of other medical services including the detection and treatment of communicable diseases. Additional information is available in the University Health Services entry under "Special Services" elsewhere in this Bulletin.

Graduate Student Senate Fee

This fee supports graduate student government and various agencies providing services and activites for graduate students.

Curriculum Support Fee

The fee supports the educational and general mission of the campus, allowing it to remain a comprehensive university offering a wide variety of programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Off-Campus Fee

Students completing their thesis, dissertation, or internship at an "off-campus" site may be eligible for a reduction of the General Fee. Contact the Graduate Records Office for a form and more information.

Late Payment Fee

Any student who does not make payment of his or her semester charges by the date specified may be required to pay a Late Payment Fee of $50. The Late Payment Fee is also assessed when a personal check is returned to the University as uncollectable.

Program Fee

Graduate students not enrolled for any course credits but who are candidates for a degree, must pay a program fee each semester (excluding summer terms) for continuous registration until the degree for which the student has been accepted has been formally awarded. Deadline for enrollment under this option is the end of the add/drop period. Any student who does not pay this fee by the appropriate deadline and later seeks readmission or applies for graduation, shall pay the accumulated program fees plus a readmission fee of $75. Students seeking readmission must file a written request, endorsed by the appropriate Department Head or Graduate Program Director, with the Graduate Dean.

Student Health Insurance Plan

In addition to the Basic Health Fee, Massachusetts state law requires Hospitalization/Major Medical Coverage for all students enrolled for five or more credits. If covered under a similar hospitalization policy, a student may waive enrollment by completing an online waiver form before the end of the Add/Drop period each semester. If the waiver is not filed by the deadline, the fee must be paid. Students enrolled for four or fewer credits or on Program Fee are not automatically covered but can contact University Health Services to opt into the plan.In addition to the Basic Health Fee, Massachusetts state law requires Hospitalization/Major Medical Coverage for all students enrolled for five or more credits. If covered under a similar hospitalization policy, a student may waive enrollment by completing an online waiver form before the end of the Add/Drop period each semester. If the waiver is not filed by the deadline, the fee must be paid. Students enrolled for four or fewer credits or on Program Fee are not automatically covered but can contact University Health Services to opt into the plan.

Student Finances

Students should arrive on campus with enough cash on hand to pay their tuition, fees, and insurance bills as well as room and board for at least one month after registration. (Students receiving financial assistance from or through the University will not receive their first checks for approximately three to four weeks after registration.)

Waivers of Tuition

(Tuition waivers do not apply to courses given through the Division of Continuing Education.)

Graduate Assistants and Fellowship Recipients

Tuition and curriculum fees are waived during the academic semester for graduate teaching and research assistants and associates and for fellowship recipients, provided that the formal service assignment pays not less than one-half of the full-time teaching assistant stipend.

Full-Time University Faculty and Staff Members

See section titled Admission of Faculty and Staff Members to Graduate Study.

Other Employees of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Full-time employees of the Commonwealth who have completed at least six months of service at the time of enrollment and who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement or a tuition remission personnel policy are eligible for a full tuition waiver, but not fees. Forms are available from the Graduate Admissions Office.

Spouses and Dependent Children of University Employees

Spouses and/or dependent children of full-time University employees are eligible for full tuition waivers. Further details such as definitions of spouse, dependent children, and full-time status should be referred to the University Human Resources Office.

Senior Citizens

Beginning with fall 2005, all entering senior citizens (Massachusetts residents 60 years of age or older), shall be granted a waiver of tuition for graduate courses offered by the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Individuals receiving this categorical tuition waiver will be responsible for payment of all other associated fees and charges in conjunction with their enrollment including, but not limited to, Continuing Education course fees.

National Guard Tuition Exemption

Tuition exemptions for members of the Massachusetts National Guard have been authorized by the Massachusetts state legislature. The National Guard, Air or Army, must certify in writing that the individual concerned is a member in good standing in the Guard. In order to enable this exemption, such certification must be made each semester and presented to the Bursar's Office.

International Students

A limited number of tuition waivers are available on a competitive basis for foreign students enrolled in degree programs. For further information contact the Foreign Students and Scholars Office.

Tuition and Fee Refunds

A student who leaves the University for any reason before a semester is completed, except as specified below, will be granted a pro rata refund of tuition and fees that applies for the first five weeks of the semester only. A student who makes an advance payment and then for any reason does not attend any part of the next semester or term at the University will be given full refund of tuition and fees. If academic credit is given, there will be no refund.

Refunds are first applied to reimburse scholarships or loan funds (up to the full amount), and any remaining amount is refunded to the student.

Refund Schedule

Regular Term

a. Within the first two weeks from the beginning of semester or term (Registration Day) — 80%

b. During the third week — 60%

c. During the fourth week — 40%

d. During the fifth week — 20%

e. After the fifth week — no refund

Room Rent

The average room rent charge in University residence halls for graduate students is $1,850 per semester, and there is an additional surcharge for a single room, if such space is available.

Room Rent Refunds

Room rent refunds are granted less any applicable room reservation prepayments or cancellation fees. (These amounts are subject to change on a pro rata basis which applies for the first five weeks of the semester, according to Trustee policy.) No rent refunds are granted after five weeks.

Board

University Food Services, tel. 545-2472, offers menus with a wide selection of food at each meal. These menus, prepared by a registered dietitian, are based on sound nutritional patterns, on actual surveys of student food preferences, and on verbal and written comments from students and staff members.

The 2005-06 schedule for board costs per semester is:

Food service is available on weekends for those on the Basic and Value plans or may be purchased individually on a cash basis. Kosher dinners are available Monday through Friday in Hampden Dining Hall for a $200 additional charge per semester to any meal plan.

Board Refunds

Authorized refunds will be made on a pro rata basis. A student who is suspended or expelled from the University for disciplinary reasons forfeits all rights to a refund.