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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 Fees
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.
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, 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 departmentsto 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 Dubay) at 439-8616 for additional information.
Regents Online Campus Collaborative Fees (RODP)
The Regents Online Campus 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 RODP 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 Residence 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 vverifiable 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 by June 1.
- 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 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 Step-by Step Guide 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 Step-by Step Guide to successfully navigate your way through the financial aid process.
Important Dates & 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:
Graduate Assistantship or Tuition Scholarship; Loans; Scholarships, Grants, and Awards for Graduate Students and Work Study Programs.
Once admitted to a graduate program, students may apply for a graduate assistantship or tuition scholarship. Unsubsidized, and PLUS loans are borrowed and processed through the Direct Loan Program administered by the U.S. Department of Education. 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 are available to assist students with educational expenses.
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, pprogress 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.
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, both current and/or future. Students should review the SAP Policy and contact their Financial Aid Counselors BEFORE repeating, dropping, withdrawing, or canceling a class and read Things You Should Know When Withdrawing.
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, and the University Honors College. 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.
Scholarship Application Deadlines
Early application every year remains the most important action in securing funds to assist the student.
General University Scholarships … … … 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 and College/Departmental Scholarships) 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.
Graduate Assistantships and Tuition Scholarships
Handbook for Graduate Assistants and Tuition Scholars - Guidelines and policies pertaining to graduate assistantships and tuition scholarships are available in the Graduate Assistant Handbook.
Graduate Assistantships - Graduate Assistantships are available in the various graduate programs, in the residence halls, in the Division of Student Affairs, and in other administrative offices on campus. Students normally do not hold graduate assistantships for more than two years.
Applicants are not approved for assistantships or tuition scholarships until admission to graduate degree programs and registered for at least nine graduate credit hours. International students must sit for Oral Proficiency Interviews before contracts can be approved.
A student receiving a graduate assistantship must register for at least nine graduate hours per semester within the student’s approved graduate program unless a waiver is obtained from the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. During the summer terms, graduate students on assistantships must register for a total of six graduate credit hours.
Graduate Assistants may not take more than 15 hours of graduate credit per semester without prior permission from the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. Submit the Application for Graduate Course Overload to the dean. Information on the maximum terms of eligibility and conditions of service can be found in the Graduate Assistant Handbook.
Graduate Program/Departmental Assistantships - To be considered for a graduate assistantship or tuition scholarship in a department or program, the student should so indicate interest in the appropriate place on the degree application for admission to Graduate School. When the degree application is forwarded to the department or program, the student’s qualifications for an assistantship or tuition scholarship are reviewed as part of the admission process.
Residence Hall Assistantships - Students who receive a residence hall graduate assistantships may serve as a Resident Directors where they supervise and are assisted by an undergraduate staff. Resident Directors are responsible for the overall management of a residence hall such as staffing, counseling, group advising, program development and housing administration. Preference is given to those majoring in psychology, guidance and counseling, education, educational administration and with residence life experience and/or group work of a related nature. Selection is based on the above listed criteria, acceptance into the School of Graduate Studies, letters of recommendations, a personal interview and a background check. Appointment is for a nine-month period with the possibility of summer work when available. Remuneration includes a furnished apartment with utilities, maintenance and out-of-state fee waiver and a monthly stipend. Further information and applications are available from the Department of Housing and Residence Life, ETSU Box 70723, Johnson City, TN 37614-1710 or email housing@etsu.edu.
Division of Student Affairs: Several graduate assistantships are available through the Division of Student Affairs involving a wide range of experiences and opportunities such as the Counseling Center and Campus Recreation. Students from all majors are eligible to apply. Efforts are made to match abilities, interests and degree programs with the assistantships. Most Student Affairs GA’s work 20 hours/week on a nine month contract, although exceptions exist. For more information, contact the Office of Student Affairs by phone, 439-4210 or by email, lees@etsu.edu.
Other Administrative Offices: The School of Graduate Studies posts graduate assistantship and tuition scholarship vacancies at the request of the contracting unit. A student who wishes to be considered for an assistantship or scholarship in programs or offices outside the discipline should submit a letter of interest and a current resume directly to the office or department posting the vacancy.
Tuition Scholarships - A limited number of tuition scholarships are available to qualified first-time graduate students. A tuition scholarship award waives the tuition and maintenance fees for in- and out-of-state recipients. Tuition Scholarship recipients must register for at least nine graduate hours each term and perform eight hours of service per week at an assigned location.
Resignations - Graduate assistants who resign positions during a term must notify the Graduate School immediately upon resignation and are responsible for a prorated portion of tuition and fees accrued during that term.
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