Note: For complete Tuition, Fees, and other billing information, including updates made after this catalog’s publication, go to www.american.edu/finance/studentaccounts/index.cfm.
Tuition and Fee Explanation
Undergraduate students who register for fewer than 12 credit hours are charged tuition per credit hour based on the number of credit hours taken. Undergraduate students who register for 12 to 17.5 credit hours are charged for tuition at a flat full-time rate of $23,820.
Graduate and nondegree students are charged for tuition on a per credit hour basis.
Washington College of Law (WCL) students who register for 12 to 17 credit hours are charged for tuition at a flat full-time rate. WCL students who register for fewer than 12 credit hours are charged tuition per credit hour based on the number of credit hours taken. WCL students who register for more than 17 credit hours are charged the flat full-time tuition rate with an additional charge for each credit hour over 17.
The off-campus tuition rate differs from the rate for on-campus courses. However, full-time undergraduate students who register for courses both on and off campus are assessed tuition at the on-campus full-time rate.
Given the probable continuation of current economic conditions, as well as the need to continue to accelerate the academic development of the university, it is reasonable to expect that tuition and fee increases will be required each year in the near future.
Charges for institutes and other courses with special tuition rates are listed in the Schedule of Classes, Eagle Service, or publications or websites supplied by the offering university department.
Tuition
Undergraduate Students
Enrollment Status |
Cost |
Part-time (less than 12 credit hours, per credit hour) |
$1,587 |
Full-time (12-17.5 credit hours) |
$23,820 |
Above 18 hours (per additional credit hour) |
$1,587 |
Graduate Students
Enrollment Status |
Cost |
Full-time and part-time (per credit hour) |
$1,708 |
PhD Dissertation - Courses 898 and 899
Enrollment Status |
Cost |
Full-time and part-time |
$1,708 |
Professional MBA
Enrollment Status |
Cost |
Professional MBA (PMBA) - Cohort 5 (per credit hour) |
$1,563 |
Law Students (Washington College of Law)
Enrollment Status |
Cost |
Part-time (less than 12 credit hours, per credit hour) |
$2,058 |
Above 17 hours (per additional credit hour) |
$2,058 |
Full-time (12-17 credit hours) |
$27,786 |
Nondegree Students
Enrollment Status |
Cost |
Course level 100-400 (per credit hour) |
$1,587 |
Course level 500 and above (per credit hour) |
$1,708 |
Non-Standard Abroad at AU Fees
Enrollment Status |
Cost |
Abroad at AU International Non-Credit |
$11,910 |
Off-Campus Programs
Student Type |
Cost |
Auditors and Enrolled Students (per credit hour) Note: Auditors pay the same charges as students enrolled for credit and are subject to all applicable special fees. |
$1,439 |
Non-AU Study Abroad Fee
Term (AU undergraduate students participating in non-AU study abroad programs via a Permit to Study Abroad) |
Cost |
Fall or spring (per semester) |
$2,000 |
Summer |
$1,000 |
Room and Board Charges
The Housing and Residence Life Office is responsible for housing charges. Students must contact that office to make any changes to their existing housing. Residence Hall contracts are for the full academic year and can only be terminated through Housing and Residence Life. For more information regarding residence hall billing policies, please contact Housing and Residence Life at (202) 885-3370, via email at housing@american.edu, or go www.american.edu/ocl/housing/housing-rates.cfm.
Housing
Housing charges are per semester. All housing rates are inclusive of the $18 per person per semester Resident Hall Programming Fee.
Anderson, Hughes, Leonard, Letts, McDowell, and Roper Halls
Room Capacity |
Cost |
Single |
$6,388 |
Double |
$4,998 |
Triple |
$3,730 |
Berkshire Apartments
Room Capacity |
Cost |
Double, studio apartment |
$6,016 |
Double, small 1-bedroom apartment |
$6,684 |
Double, medium/large 1-bedroom apartment |
$7,687 |
Cassell and Nebraska Halls
Room Capacity |
Cost |
Single |
$7,183 |
Double |
$5,947 |
Centennial Hall
Room Capacity |
Cost |
Single |
$7,043 |
Double |
$5,620 |
Federal, Constitution, and Congressional Halls
Room Capacity |
Cost |
Single |
$7,113 |
Double |
$5,802 |
Meal Plans
Meal plan charges are by contract per semester. The One Card and Dining Services Office is responsible for meal plan charges. Students must contact that office to make any changes to their existing meal plans. For more information regarding meal plan billing policies, please contact One Card and Dining Services at (202) 885-CARD or via email at mealplans@american.edu.
Meal Plans
Block Plan with Eagle Bucks and Dining Dollars |
Cost |
250 Block Plan (plus $200 in Eagle Bucks, $200 in Dining Dollars) |
$3,052 |
225 Block Plan (plus $200 in Eagle Bucks, $200 in Dining Dollars) |
$2,806 |
200 Block Plan (plus $200 in Eagle Bucks, $200 in Dining Dollars) |
$2,711 |
175 Block Plan (plus $200 in Eagle Bucks, $200 in Dining Dollars) |
$2,442 |
125 Block Plan (plus $200 in Eagle Bucks, $200 in Dining Dollars) |
$1,872 |
100 Block Plan (plus $200 in Eagle Bucks, $200 in Dining Dollars) |
$1,588 |
50 Block Plan (plus $100 in Dining Dollars) |
$695 |
Fees
Note: The following fees are not included in tuition rates and are nonrefundable.
Additional program and travel fees are also nonrefundable and are listed in the Schedule of Classes at: www.american.edu/provost/registrar/schedule/index.cfm
Registration
Registration Fee Per Semester |
Cost |
Late Registration (effective the first day of the term) |
$100 |
Sports Center Full-time (mandatory for all students) |
$65 |
Sports Center Part-time (mandatory for all students) |
$30 |
Technology Full-time (mandatory for all students) |
$120 |
Technology Part-time (mandatory for all students) |
$40 |
Metro U-Pass Full-time (mandatory for full-time students in on-campus programs) |
$136 |
Faculty/Staff Registration (for employees of the university or their spouses or domestic partners registering under the tuition remission benefit) |
$50 |
Alumni Audit Program Registration |
$150 |
Alumni Audit Late Registration |
$10 |
Student Accounts
Payment Plan Fees |
Cost |
American Payment Plan (APP) Program Fee (per semester) |
$30 |
American Payment Plan (APP) Late Fee for Installment Plan payments (per month) (all other late student account payments are based on account balance. Please see Late Payment and Financial Restrictions ) |
$40 |
Registration Reinstatement Fee |
$100 |
Returned Check Fee (for all paper check and online eCheck payments not honored by the bank) |
$25 |
Student Health Insurance Premiums (2018-2019)
Annual and Semester |
Cost |
Annual (August 1, 2018-July 31, 2019) |
$1,960 |
Fall (August 1, 2018-December 31, 2018) |
$850 |
Spring/Summer (January 1, 2019-July 31, 2019) |
$1,145 |
Summer only (May 1, 2019-July 31, 2019) |
$500 |
Parking (per year)
Type |
Cost |
Student Commuter |
$1,013 |
Part-time Student Commuter (undergraduate and law students, fewer than 12 credit hours; graduate students, fewer than 9 credit hours; proof of part-time enrollment must be provided) |
$387 |
Resident Student |
$1,013 |
Student Motorcycle |
$387 |
Faculty/Staff |
$1,512 |
Part-time Staff |
$769 |
Staff Motorcycle |
$504 |
Daily (or $2.00/hour) |
$16 |
Graduate Students
Fee Type |
Cost |
Activity Fee (mandatory for all full-time and part-time graduate students each semester) |
$30 |
Maintaining Matriculation (per semester) |
$150 |
SIS Master’s Program Fee (per semester): Full-time (9 or more credit hours) |
$750 |
SIS Master’s Program Fee (per semester): Part-time |
$500 |
Joint degree (SIS/CAS) (per semester): Full-time (9 or more credit hours) |
$375 |
Joint degree (SIS/CAS) (per semester): Part-time |
$250 |
Master’s and Doctoral Comprehensive Examination Application Fee (if in absentia) |
$100 |
Student ID Card Replacement |
$20 |
Diploma Replacement: Domestic order |
$50 |
Diploma Replacement: Domestic order (rush) |
$75 |
Diploma Replacement: International order |
$100 |
Diploma Replacement: International order (rush) |
$150 |
Transcripts |
no charge |
Application fees: refer to individual school (CAS, KSB, SOC, SIS, SPA, WCL) website for fee amount and application information. |
varies |
Undergraduate Students
Fee Type |
Cost |
Activity Fee (mandatory for all undergraduate degree students each semester): Full-time |
$88.50 |
Activity Fee (mandatory for all undergraduate degree students each semester): Part-time |
$15 |
Student ID Card Replacement |
$20 |
Diploma Replacement: Domestic order |
$50 |
Diploma Replacement: Domestic order (rush) |
$75 |
Diploma Replacement: International order |
$100 |
Diploma Replacement: International order (rush) |
$15 |
Transcripts |
no charge |
Undergraduate Application/Readmission |
$70 |
Law Students
Fee Type |
Cost |
General Fee (per semester): Full-time |
$255 |
General Fee (per semester): Part-time |
$186 |
General Fee (per semester): Summer |
$41 |
JD Application |
$70 |
LLM Application |
$55 |
Readmission |
$70 |
Admission Testing Fee |
$5 |
Student ID Card Replacement |
$20 |
Payment of Charges
Online Payment
Payments can be made online by eChecks (using a checking or savings account) and by credit cards (using Visa, MasterCard or Discover). Credit Card Convenience Fee Disclosure Statement: A non-refundable convenience fee (2.55% of the charge amount) will be charged to your credit card account when making credit card payments applied to your student account bill. Convenience Fees are not charged for enrollment deposits (tuition deposits and housing deposits).
Online Payments are made through your student portal (myAU.american.edu). Under “Personalized Links” select “Finances,” then select “Eagle Finance.” Proceed to the “Make A Payment Page” to make your payment.
Payment by Mail
Payments by check may be sent to the address below. Please write your student AU ID number and name on your check.
American University
Student Accounts
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016-8073
Payment in Person
Payments by check or money order may also be made in person at AU Central, Asbury 201, Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Correspondence/Inquiries
All other correspondence/inquiries (not payments) should be sent to:
aucentral@american.edu
or
American University
AU Central
Asbury 201
4400 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington, DC 20016-8077
Priority Registration/Direct Registration
Students registering during priority registration with billing for the semester must pay the balance due on or before the particular semester due date (fall-by August 1; spring-by January 6; and summer-by May 1).
Students registering after the priority registration period (direct registration) must pay the balance due, less expected financial aid, on the day they register.
American Payment Plan
The American Payment Plan (APP) is available to all students. For more information, please go to www.american.edu/finance/studentaccounts/Payment-Plan-Overview.cfm.
The American Guaranteed Tuition Single Payment Plan (AmeriPlan)
Available to incoming freshmen who do not receive any financial aid, this plan allows students to stabilize tuition expenses by prepaying four years’ tuition at the entering academic year rate. For more information contact the Associate Director of Student Billing at 202-885-3554 or via email.
Late Payment and Financial Restrictions
A finance charge will be assessed against a student’s account for failure to meet the initial payment due date. The university will use a rate of 0.5 percent per month to compute the finance charge.
Late payments will result in a financial restriction being placed on the student’s account. The financial restriction places a “hold” on the student’s academic records, including transcripts and diplomas, and results in denial of priority registration and use of the payment plan or other credit privileges. Students who incur financial obligations in the parking and traffic office, library, health center, or athletic department may be subject to late payment fees and financial restriction procedures. Students who fail to pay tuition or fees will be responsible for all costs of collection.
Employer or Agency Tuition Assistance
A student requesting employer or agency billing arrangements must furnish Student Accounts with a valid contract or purchase order before the first day of classes.
A contract or purchase order must contain the following information: (1) student name and ID number, (2) term of attendance, (3) specific costs (and dollar amounts) to be paid by the sponsor (tuition, books, supplies, fees), (4) sponsor’s billing address, and (5) contract or purchase order number or accounting appropriation, if applicable. Documentation submitted in lieu of a valid purchase order will not relieve a student of financial responsibility.
In case of partial assistance, the student is required to pay the balance of his or her tuition costs at the time of registration in order to be considered registered. A student portion which qualifies for one of the university payment plans is to be paid according to that plan. Failure to comply will result in the assessment of a 0.5 percent per month finance charge. (See Late Payment and Financial Restrictions section.)
A student entitled to Campus Store credit may obtain a book voucher from Student Accounts. Purchases are permitted through the end of the Add/Drop period.
Failure to submit vouchers in a timely manner may result in the assessment of late fees. A student is responsible for payment of any billed amounts which have been disallowed by his or her sponsor.
Employee Remitted Tuition Benefits
Only full-time permanent faculty or staff employees of American University are eligible for tuition benefits. There is a nonrefundable $50 registration fee each semester, in addition to any special program fees, and mandatory sport, technology, and activity fees. Late registration fees are not applicable to faculty and staff using employee tuition benefits.
The Tuition Remission Application is available online at the student portal (myau.american.edu). For more information, contact Human Resources at 202-885-2591.
Refunds and Cancellations of Charges
Course Drops
Students who reduce their course load (except for full-time undergraduates maintaining 12 credit hours or more) by dropping courses during the refund period of the semester will have the course tuition cancellation calculated as of the date of the course drop. The student’s account must show a credit balance before a refund will be processed.
MBA modules and all other courses on nonstandard schedules have refund policies, percentages, and dates based on the university formula. Students should check with the appropriate office for specific guidelines.
Discontinuing attendance from class or notifying an instructor does not constitute an official course drop. Without an official course drop, students still will be responsible for all tuition and related fees.
Tuition Cancellation Schedule
When students withdraw from courses with a standard face-to-face schedule during a regular semester (fall/spring), refunds are based on the published dates in the Academic Calendar. The cancellation percentage is based on the date of the course drop or withdrawal:
- 100 percent tuition refund for course drop/withdrawal through the second calendar week of classes
- 50 percent tuition refund for course drop/withdrawal through the third calendar week of classes
- 25 percent tuition refund for course drop/withdrawal through the fourth calendar week of classes
- No refund for course drop/withdrawal after the fourth calendar week of classes
Refunds for face-to-face courses for summer sessions and courses with non-standard meeting times are calculated proportionately, based on the percentage of the course meeting times completed.
Online course refunds are calculated proportionately using percentage of days elapsed from the first day of class until the last day of class.
- If an online course falls within the regular term, the published dates and refund percentages in the Academic Calendar (100 percent through the second week, 50 percent through the third week, and 25 percent through the fourth week) for the regular term are used.
- If an online course has non-standard beginning and end dates, the 100 percent, 50 percent, and 25 percent refunds are based on the percentage of days elapsed from the first day of the course until the last day of the course.
Note: The calendar week for cancellation of tuition ends on Friday. Students should check the Academic Calendar for specific dates for each semester.
Housing
Requests for cancellation of room charges must be initiated by the student through their AU Housing Portal in the Cancellation and Termination Form by the withdrawal deadlines. The student must then request any applicable refund through Student Accounts.
More information regarding policies and procedures for campus housing may be obtained from the Housing and Residence Life website (www.american.edu/ocl/housing/housing-cancellation.cfm).
Meal Plan
Students will only be permitted to decrease or drop their meal plan during the first 10 business days of the semester. Meal plan adjustments are made on a daily prorated basis, not by the number of meals used. Requests for meal plan cancellations must be initiated by the student through One Card and Dining Services. Students then may request any applicable refund through Student Accounts. Meal plan increases or sign-ups may be done at any time during the semester through One Card and Dining Services.
More information regarding policies and procedures for campus dining may be obtained from the One Card and Dining Services website (www.american.edu/ocl/dining).
Federal (Title IV) Financial Aid Recipients of Title IV Funds Policy
For information regarding the Title IV Funds Policy, see Undergraduate Financial Aid or Graduate Financial Aid , or visit the Financial Aid Policies website at: www.american.edu/financialaid/withdrawals.cfm.
Medical Withdrawal Policy
No special waiver or refund of tuition and fees is made when a student discontinues attending classes due to medical reasons. However, when a student is hospitalized on an emergency basis and is therefore unable to formally withdraw from classes, the Associate Dean may contact the Registrar and request a retroactive withdrawal based on the last date that the student attended class. The student must file with the Dean of Students evidence of his or her hospitalization and the date of last attendance in class as documented by the instructor. Provided that the retroactive withdrawal date falls within the tuition cancellation period, and the evidence is received within the same semester, the student’s account will be adjusted accordingly.
Tuition Refund Insurance (Optional)
American University has partnered with GradGuard(tm) by Allianz Global Assistance to provide Tuition Insurance for students. Allianz Global Assistance is a private insurance program offering tuition insurance that acts as an extension to American University’s published refund policy.
Tuition Insurance helps minimize financial losses should a student suffer serious illness or an accident that results in withdrawal from the university before the end of the semester.
To enroll please contact:
GradGuard(tm) by Allianz Global Assistance
Web: www.gradguard.com/tuition//american
Phone: (866) 724-4384
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