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Costs
Account statements are available in GoldLink after registration. Bills for tuition and fees are not mailed. For the most current information about university tuition, program service fee, course fees, and deposits see What You Should Know about Tuition. Estimate costs with the online Tuition Estimator. Tuition and fees of the university are subject to change at any time by the Tennessee Board of Regents. The listing of fees in the catalog does not constitute a contract between the university and the student.
Maintenance Fee
Undergraduate maintenance fees are assessed at the full per-credit-hour rate for hours 1-12 and are assessed at a reduced per-credit-hour rate for each additional hour. Graduate maintenance fees are assessed at the full per-credit-hour rate for hours 1-10 with a reduced rate for each additional credit hour. The full per-credit-hour rate applies to all credits in the summer and winter terms. Fees are presented in the ETSU Tuition and Fee Schedule.
- Audit Enrollment - Disabled persons suffering from a permanent disability which totally incapacitates them from employment and persons 60 years of age or older may audit courses without the payment of regular maintenance fees. Fees associated with the course are an additional expense to the student. Admission to Audit will be limited based on space availability.
- Credit Enrollment - Disabled persons described above and persons 65 years of age or older may enroll for credit at the cost f 50% of the regular rate per credit hour for graduate or undergraduate courses, not to exceed $70 per term. Fees associated with the course are an additional expense to the student.
- Limited to persons who are domiciled in Tennessee as defined by the Regulations for Classifying Students In-State and Out-of-State.
Program Service Fee
In addition to the maintenance fee, students are required to pay a program service fee that covers the cost of campus programs and services. Program Service Fee is based on the number of credit hours in which a student is enrolled and is capped at eight credit hours. The program service fee includes activity, technology access, postal services, graduation, drop/add, CPA, debt service, international education, and other fees.
Consult the ETSU Tuition and Fee Schedule for more information.
Out-of-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition is charged for non-residents of the State of Tennessee in addition to maintenance fees. Undergraduate non-resident students are assessed full per-credit-hour out-of-state rate for 1-12 credit hours and a reduced rate for 13 credits hours and above; graduate non-resident students are assessed full per-credit-hour rate for 1-10 credit hours and a reduced rate for 11 credit hours and above. Residency classification is determined by the ETSU Office of Admissions for undergraduate students or the ETSU School of Graduate Students for graduate students.
ETSU Course Fees
ETSU Course Fees (Incidental Fees) are assessed by academic departments to support specialized instruction, academic technology, and/or materials.
eRate Fees
ETSU eRate Fees are available for students classified as non-Tennessee residents and registered for all online credits. Students meeting these criteria pay the eRate. The eRate is 150% of the approved undergraduate or graduate maintenance fee. Contact the Online Student Success Coordinator (Chelsie Lawson) at 439-8616 for additional information.
TN eCampus
The TN eCampus Degree Program is an online Tennessee Board of Regents campus collaborative. The six fully-accredited TBR universities deliver and award bachelor degrees and master degrees through this program. For information about TN eCampus costs, see Fee Schedule.
Short Session Fees (Summer and Winter)
The summer term is divided into multiple short sessions. Additionally ETSU offers a short session (winter) between fall and spring semesters. Students may enroll for all sessions before the beginning of the term or separately during the term. If enrolling separately, fees are due before each session begins. Summer and winter maintenance fees and out-of-state tuition are assessed at the full per-credit-hour rate for all credit hours.
Housing and Residence Life Costs
Housing and residence life costs include dorm or apartment rent and meal plans. There are a variety of choices for students in housing and meal plans. The Housing and Resident Life office has additional information about deposits, rates and amenities. Meal plans are available for resident and commuter students.
Other Costs
Additionally, books and supplies are needed for courses. Consult the ETSU Bookstore. Costs that can be avoided include late registration fee, returned checks, parking fines, and library fines
Fee Payment
Students are expected to make payment for all classes for which they are enrolled on or before the payment deadline. Payments may be made through GoldLink or at the cashier windows, second floor, Dossett Hall. Students may not re-enroll, graduate, or receive a transcript of records until all debts to the university are paid. Regulations governing fee payment can be found in the ETSU Fee Payment Policy.
Fee Payment for Financial Aid Recipients
The final step in registration for financial aid recipients is payment of fees. Fee Payment for Financial Aid Recipients provides detailed information on confirmation and fee payment. The student’s responsibility depends on whether full or partial financial aid is received.
Payment in Full by Financial Aid: The student must confirm fee payment through GoldLink when the award is complete and fees are paid in full. This action completes registration.
Partial Payment with Financial Aid: The student also must confirm fee payment and pay the balance of fees with credit card, debit card or electronic check through GoldLink. This action completes registration.
Deferred Payment Plan
Although all charges are due and payable at the beginning of each term, students in good financial standing at ETSU may request a deferment of up to 50 percent of maintenance fees, tuition, program service fee, course fees, and housing for fall and spring semesters.
Students who choose the deferred payment plan pay a service fee and are required to pay 50% when fees are due at the beginning of the semester. Additionally, the remainder may be paid in two installments.
Fee Adjustment and Refund Policies
East Tennessee State University adheres to The Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) system-wide policy for calculating fee adjustments and refunds. This refund policy primarily affects full-time students who adjust their schedules to part-time status, including complete withdrawal, after the conclusion of the 100% fee adjustment/refund period. Students will be assessed a pro-rated fee for the dropped hours. TBR policy is available online (see section XII. Refunds).
Fee adjustment and refund policies for maintenance fees, out-of-state tuition, program service fee and course fees are outlined below. Fee adjustments and refunds typically are processed two weeks after changes in enrollment status. See the Tuition and Fee Payment Calendar for fee adjustment and refund dates and calculate the amount of adjustment or refund with the Tuition Refund Estimator.
Refund Appeals Procedures
Students contesting the refund policy may file a refund appeal. Please follow the instructions on the form and return it to the Records Office, 101 Dossett Hall. Students must provide written documentation substantiating reasons for the appeal. Refund appeals may be granted for withdrawals or reductions in course load due to personal illness or injury, death in the immediate family, or other extenuating circumstances. A personal illness/injury appeal requires a statement from a licensed medical physician stating withdrawal was necessary due to the health of the student. Death in the immediate family can be verified with a copy of the obituary. Immediate family includes spouse, child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, foster parent, parent-in-law, sibling, grandparents, and grandchildren.
A student may file a refund appeal request, including verifiable documentation of extenuating circumstances, within one academic year from the last day of the appeal term.
Refund of Residence Hall Rent
Refunds of residence hall rent after registration are prorated on a weekly calendar basis if a student has to leave a residence hall only under two conditions: personal medical reasons confirmed in writing by a licensed physician, or at the request of the institution for reasons other than disciplinary ones.
Withdrawals, except disciplinary reasons, are subject to the same 75/25 percent amounts and time periods as maintenance fee refunds. Full refund will be made in the case of death of the student.
A student who is suspended or expelled from the university or residence facilities is not eligible for a refund of housing rent/deposit or university fees.
Refund of Residence Hall Deposits
Residence hall deposits can be refunded under these conditions:
- the institution is notified in writing before June 2 or 14 calendar days before the first orientation at which time new students register.
- the student is prevented from entering the university because of personal medical reasons confirmed in writing by a licensed physician,
- residence hall space is not available, or
- death of the student.
Financial Aid
Important Information about Applying and Receiving Financial Aid at ETSU
The Office of Financial Aid at East Tennessee State University provides a broad spectrum of programs to assist students in financing their college education. The university is committed to providing access to students through a variety of resources. Types of financial aid include scholarships, grants, fee discounts/waivers, fellowships, assistantships, work-study, and student loans.
In order to receive financial aid, students must meet student eligibility requirements and comply with the ETSU Office of Financial Aid Policies and Procedures. Students are advised to familiarize themselves with the requirements and comply with the information for financial aid.
The ETSU Office of Financial Aid has answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about General Financial Aid, Verification, GoldLink, Tuition & Fees, Loans, Scholarships, Student Work Programs, Withdrawals/Dropping Classes, Transferring, and Other Information.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
Steps to streamline the financial aid application process need to be followed in order to have a successful application for financial aid. Paperwork should be started shortly after January 1 of each year by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the most important action needed to secure funds to assist financing the student’s education. Use the ETSU Office of Financial Aid Steps to start to assist in the process.
The application may require several weeks for processing; therefore, ETSU suggests early application and regular follow-up. We strongly recommend (not require) that the Federal Income Tax Return be completed prior to the FAFSA.
Each year at least 30% of financial aid recipients are randomly selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education. After the FAFSA has been submitted and processed, a student will receive notification that the Student Aid Report is ready to review. Students need to read the comment section to see if they have been selected for verification. If selected for verification, the student must provide the requested documents to the ETSU Office of Financial Aid before financial aid can be credited to a student’s account. This documentation may include, but is not limited to, federal tax return transcripts, W-2 forms, and proof of untaxed income of the student and/or spouse/parents/stepparents.
GoldLink is the entryway to ETSU’s financial aid online services. Students are advised to check the status of their financial aid often. Complete all the steps on the GoldLink Guide to Financial Aid to avoid delays in receiving financial aid. Consult the Steps to start to successfully navigate your way through the financial aid process.
Important Dates and Deadlines for Financial Aid
The university recommends consulting the Important Dates & Deadlines for Financial Aid guide for dates and deadlines each year.
Types of Financial Aid
The Office of Financial Aid at ETSU offers a variety of financial aid programs that include:
Scholarships for Undergraduate Students; Grants; Loans; and Work Study Programs.
Most grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree, and do not need to be repaid. Subsidized, unsubsidized, and PLUS loans are borrowed and processed through the Direct Loan Program administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Students must be registered and attending at least 6 credit hours in order to be eligible for federal loans. Work Study Programs are funded from federal and institutional resources and allow students to earn part of their educational expenses by working part-time. Other Resources such as Veterans’ Benefits, Vocational Rehabilitation, and Disability Benefits may be available to assist students with educational expenses.
Consult the ETSU Office of Financial Aid before dropping classes because you may owe funds back to the university.
Maintaining Eligibility for Financial Aid
Maintain Satisfactory Progress
Federal regulations require that each student financial aid recipient adhere to the ETSU Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP). In order to assure that a student makes progress toward a degree, in terms of number of hours completed and cumulative GPA, progress is measured by the student’s cumulative grade point average, percentage of credit hours earned in relation to those attempted, and the length of the academic program. SAP is required to receive the Tennessee Educational Lottery Scholarship. (See “Don’t Lose Hope”)
Attend Class and Consult Advisor
Class attendance helps students succeed! Class Attendance is required to continue eligibility for federal grants, loans, work study, scholarships, and lottery scholarships. ETSU participates in Title IV financial aid programs and has to report student attendance and withdrawal from the university. Students are advised to consult the Unofficial Withdrawal Policy and Student Attendance for information that may affect them.
Repeating, dropping, withdrawing, or canceling classes may impact financial aid eligibility, including lottery scholarship, both current and/or future. Students should review the SAP Policy and contact an ETSU Office of Financial Aid Counselor BEFORE repeating, dropping, withdrawing, or canceling a class and read Things You Should Know When Withdrawing. FastPass Appointments are available with the ETSU Office of Financial Aid.
Scholarships
Finding ETSU Scholarships
Many scholarship programs are available to assist students, including those awarded by the ETSU Scholarship Office, individual Colleges and Academic Departments, the University Honors College, and the Roan Scholars Leadership Program. Athletic scholarships are also available and are awarded by Intercollegiate Athletics. For more information on athletic scholarships, contact the head coach regarding a particular sport.
Applying for ETSU Scholarships
Search and Apply for ETSU scholarships and apply online for general scholarships. Begin the scholarship application process with a search to determine eligibility for ETSU scholarships. Just answer the questions and then click the submit button to retrieve a list of possible scholarships.
At the end of the search, apply for general ETSU scholarships that are awarded by the Scholarship Office. Do not use this application for College/Departmental Scholarships or University Honors College Scholarships. Please contact the appropriate office for an application or more information.
Tennessee residents apply for the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Scholarship Application Deadlines
Early application every year remains the most important action in securing funds to assist the student.
Academic Performance Scholarships
New Freshmen must apply for admission by December 15
New Transfer students must complete scholarship application by May 15
General University Scholarships
All students must complete scholarship application by March 1
Information about other important financial aid deadlines guides the application process.
Applications must be received in the Scholarship Office by the appropriate deadline. Late applications are not considered.
Other ETSU scholarships (e.g. University Honors College Scholarships, College/Departmental Scholarships, and the Roan Scholars Leadership Program scholarship) may have different deadlines and may require special applications. Please read the scholarship descriptions carefully or contact the appropriate office.
Maintain Scholarship Eligibility
Initial eligibility criteria and renewal criteria vary from one scholarship program to another. Unless otherwise stated, scholarships, research grants, and awards are not renewed automatically. A scholarship recipient should refer to the information sent with the award notification, the scholarship announcement, or contract. Additionally, the recipient may ask the program coordinator for renewal information. Lottery scholarship recipients should read Don’t Lose Hope.
Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarships (TELS) Program
Students who wish to be considered for a Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid each year.
Consult information on earning initial eligibility for TELS and maintaining eligibility.
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