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    Dec 02, 2024  
American University Catalog 2016-2017 
    
American University Catalog 2016-2017 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Tuition, Fees, and Other Charges


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 $22,023.  Undergraduate students who register for 18 credit hours are charged a flat tuition rate of $23,490 with an additional charge for each credit hour over 18.

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 or in publications or websites supplied by the offering university department.

Tuition

Undergraduate Students  
  Part-time (less than 12 credit hours, per credit hour) $1,467
  Full-time (12-17.5 credit hours) $22,023
  Full-time (18 credit hours) $23,490
  (Above 18 hours, $1,467 per additional credit hour)  
Graduate Students
  Full-time and part-time: (per credit hour) $1,579
PhD Dissertation - courses 898 and 899  
  Full-time and part-time $1,579
Professional MBA  
  Professional MBA (PMBA) - Cohort 3 $10,313
  Professional MBA (PMBA) - Cohort 4 (per credit hour) $1,534
  Professional MBA (PMBA) - Cohort 5 (per credit hour) $1,563
Law Students (Washington College of Law)  
  Full-time (12-17 credit hours) $25,938
  (Above 17 hours, $1,921 per additional credit hour)
  Part-time (less than 12 credit hours, per credit hour) $1,921
Nondegree Students  
  Course level 100-400 (per credit hour) $1,467
  Course level 500 and above (per credit hour) $1,579
Non-Standard Abroad at AU & SPExS Fees  
  Abroad at AU International Non-Credit $11,012
  Washington Semester International Non-Credit Program $11,012
  Washington Semester WINS Program $20,010
  SPExS Graduate Professional Studies Program $11,162
Off-Campus Programs  
  (per credit hour) $1,331
Note: Auditors pay the same charges as students enrolled for credit and are subject to all applicable special fees.
Non-AU Study Abroad Fee  
  For all AU undergraduate students participating in non-AU study abroad programs via a Permit to Study Abroad.
  Fall or spring (per semester) $2,000
  Summer $1,000

Room and Board Charges

The Housing and Dining Programs Office is responsible for housing and meal plan charges. Students must contact that office to make any changes to their existing housing or meal plans. Residence Hall contracts are for the full academic year and can only be terminated through Housing and Dining Programs. For more information regarding residence hall and meal plan billing policies, please contact Housing and Dining Programs at (202) 885-3370, via email at housinganddiningprograms@american.edu, or go www.american.edu/ocl/housing/housingrates.cfm.

Housing

Housing charges are per semester. All housing rates are inclusive of the $18 per person per semester Resident Hall Programming Fee.

Anderson, Clark, Hughes, Leonard, Letts, McDowell, and Roper Halls
Single $6,263
Double $4,900
Triple $3,657
Cassell and Nebraska Halls  
Single $6,771
Double $5,606
Centennial Hall  
Single $6,705
Double $5,350
East Campus  
Single $6,771
Double $5,523

Meal Plans

Meal plan charges are by contract per semester.

250 Block Plan (plus $200 in Eagle Bucks, $200 in Dining Dollars) $2,949
225 Block Plan (plus $200 in Eagle Bucks, $200 in Dining Dollars) $2,713
200 Block Plan (plus $200 in Eagle Bucks, $200 in Dining Dollars) $2,622
175 Block Plan (plus $200 in Eagle Bucks, $200 in Dining Dollars) $2,363
125 Block Plan (plus $200 in Eagle Bucks, $200 in Dining Dollars) $1,815
100 Block Plan (plus $200 in Eagle Bucks, $200 in Dining Dollars) $1,542
50 Block Plan (plus $100 in Dining Dollars) $672

Fees

Note: The following fees are not included in tuition rates and are nonrefundable.

Additional course and laboratory fees are also nonrefundable and are listed in the Schedule of Classes at: www.american.edu/provost/registrar/schedule/index.cfm.

Registration  
  Late Registration (effective the first day of the term)
  (per semester) $100
  Sports Center Fee (mandatory for all students)
  Full-time (per semester) $65
  Part-time (per semester) $30
  Technology Fee (mandatory for all students)  
  Full-time (per semester) $120
  Part-time(per semester) $40
  Metro U-Pass (mandatory for full-time students in on-campus programs)  
  Full-time (per semester) $130
  Faculty/Staff Registration  
  For employees of the university or their spouses or domestic partners registering under the tuition remission benefit. 
  (per semester) $50
  Alumni Audit Program Registration  
  (per semester) $100
  Alumni audit late registration $10
Student Accounts
  American Payment Plan (APP)  
    Program Fee (per semester) $30
  Late fee for Installment Plan payments (per month) $40
All other late student account payments are based on account balance. Please see Late Payment and Financial Restrictions .
  Registration Reinstatement Fee $100
  Returned Check Fee $25
  (for all paper check and online eCheck payments not honored by the bank)  
Student Health Insurance Premiums (2016-2017)  
  Annual (August 1, 2016-July 31, 2017) $1,750
  Fall (August 1, 2016-December 31, 2016 $780
  Spring/Summer (January 1, 2017-July 31, 2017) $1,035
  Summer only (May 1, 2017-July 31,2017) $460
Parking (per year)  
  Student Commuter $1,013
  Part-time Student Commuter $387
  (undergraduate and law students, fewer than 12 credit hours; graduate students, fewer than 9 credit hours; proof of part-time enrollment must be provided)
  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  
  Activity Fee (mandatory for all full-time and part-time graduate students each semester)
    Full-time and part-time students (per semester) $30
  Maintaining Matriculation (per semester) $150
  SIS Master’s Program Fee (per semester)  
    Full-time (9 or more credit hours) $750
    Part-time $500
    Joint degree (SIS/CAS) (per semester)  
      Full-time (9 or more credit hours) $375
      Part-time $250
  Master’s and Doctoral Comprehensive Examination  
    Application Fee (if in absentia) $100
  Microfilming of Master’s Thesis or Case Study $45
  Microfilming of Doctoral Dissertation $55
  Student ID Card Replacement $20
  Diploma Replacement  
    Domestic order $50
    Domestic order (rush) $75
    International order $100
    International order (rush) $150
  Transcripts no charge
  Application fees vary by school; refer to individual school (CAS, KSB, SOC, SIS, SPA, WCL) website for fee amount and application information.  
Undergraduate Students  
  Activity Fee (mandatory for all undergraduate degree students each semester)
    Full-time students (per semester) $88.50
    Part-time students (per semester) $15
  Student ID Card Replacement $20
  Diploma Replacement  
    Domestic order $50
    Domestic order (rush) $75
    International order $100
    International order (rush) $150
  Transcripts no charge
  AEL (Assessment of Experiential Learning) Program
    Portfolio Assessment $250
    Posting Portfolio Credit on Academic Record  
    (per credit hour/ maximum of 30 credits) $20
  Undergraduate Application/Readmission $70
Law Students  
  General Fee (per semester)  
    Full-time $255
    Part-time $186
    Summer $41
  JD Application $70
  LLM Application $55
  Readmission $70
  Admission Testing Fee $5

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” being placed 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 course 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 in writing to Housing and Dining Programs by the withdrawal deadlines. The student must then request any applicable refund through Student Accounts. The cancellation percentage is based on the date of withdrawal:

  • 75 percent for withdrawal in the first calendar week of the semester
  • 50 percent for withdrawal in the second calendar week of the semester
  • 25 percent for withdrawal in the third calendar week of the semester
  • No refund for withdrawal after the 3rd calendar week of the semester

More information regarding policies and procedures for campus housing may be obtained from the Housing and Dining website (www.american.edu/ocl/housing/).

Note: Academic dismissal will result in a prorated charge for the weeks the student resided in university housing.

Meal Plan

Students will only be permitted to decrease or drop their meal plan during the first 15 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 Housing and Dining Programs. 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 Housing and Dining Programs.

More information regarding policies and procedures for campus dining may be obtained from the Housing and Dining website (www.american.edu/ocl/housing/).

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)

Tuition Refund Insurance Fee: $120.00 per semester

The Tuition Insurance Plan, provided by A.W.G. Dewar Inc., pays for 75% reimbursement of tuition and on-campus housing following the University’s scheduled reimbursement dates. This plan applies for injury, sickness and mental health withdrawals that are officially processed by the University, and it requires a complete withdrawal from the University. The reimbursement does not cover meal plans and mandatory fees. Enrollment in the plan must take place by the first week of classes.

The plan is coordinated through the Student Health Center. For more information, go to: www.american.edu/ocl/healthcenter/Tuition-Refund-Plan.cfm.