Tuition, Fees & Cost of Attendance

The general activity fee supports student functions related to co-curricular and extracurricular activities and operations, and payment of debt incurred for the construction, maintenance, repair, and equipping of student unions, athletic facilities, and wellness facilities as approved by the Board. Examples of activities funded by GAF are student organizations, cultural events, homecoming, student government, yearbooks, student newspapers, campus radio and television stations, child care, student activities, athletics, intramurals, student health services, and the operational and debt expenses for student unions. The general activity fee shall be assessed on all state-support courses delivered on campus.

1. Student Representation on General Activity Fee Committee: There shall be at least a simple majority of students on the committees that recommend to the president the establishment and allocation of the general activity fee. The president of the institution has the approving authority for the final recommendation to the Board.
2. Authorization to Waive General Activity Fee: Universities are authorized to waive the general activity fee for anyone enrolled in a workshop.

Special discipline fees shall be used to purchase instructional equipment and pay other operating costs, excluding salary enhancement, for the benefit of students enrolled in the discipline.

Universities may assess a program delivery fee to support the incremental costs of additional equipment, support staff, space or facilities, student services, business services or library, and related services for all courses in a program offered in an off-campus location.

The Board shall approve all board plans, and room plans for standard semesters and the weekly summer room rates.

1. Undergraduate Application Fee: Students will be assessed the application fee for each university to which they apply as a degree-seeking student. Any student that attended a Regental institution in the three terms prior to the term of the application is eligible for a fee waiver. Military personnel that have stopped out due to a call to active duty longer than the three previous terms are also eligible for a waiver. Students taking courses as a "special" student will not be assessed the application fee until they are accepted as a degree-seeking student.
2. Graduate Application Fee: The fee shall be assessed on all applications to graduate schools. A student will pay the fee multiple times if applying to multiple graduate schools at the same or different institutions. Students attending as special students will not be assessed the application fee until accepted as a degree-seeking student.

Students shall be assessed the transcript fee each time they request an original copy of their academic records. One-half of this fee will be retained on-campus for postage and handling.

Students who drop courses, withdraw, or are administratively withdrawn, suspended, or expelled from the Regental system within the drop/add period receive a 100% refund of tuition and per credit hour fees. Students who withdraw or are administratively withdrawn, suspended, or expelled from the Regental system after the date the first 10% of the term ends for the period of enrollment for which they are assessed may be entitled to a refund. No refunds will be processed for dropped courses after the drop/add period. Total withdrawal refunds will be based on a daily proration of the remaining portion of the semester up through 60%.

Students with a room contract who withdraw from the Regental system will receive a proportional refund at the time of withdrawal up to 60%, after which no refund is available.

Students with a food service contract who withdraw from the Regental system will receive a proportional refund at the time of withdrawal up to 60%, after which no refund is available. The balance of flex plan dollars will be refunded at 100%.

Students may return textbooks during the prescribed Board of Regents drop periods. The fall and spring refund periods begin when classes start and texts may be refunded for three days after purchase or BOR drop/add deadline, whichever comes first. The summer class refund period is two days after the beginning of class. Policy is stated on the printed register receipt and at the BHSU Bookstore. The original purchase price plus tax will be refunded if returned in the same condition as sold. A receipt is required. Some shrink-wrap books that have been opened may not be returned if noted on the package or shelf tag. Resalable condition is at the sole discretion of the bookstore manager. New books in less than perfect condition will be repurchased at 75% of the new book price.

Students required to withdraw from the Regental system before completing a semester may receive credit or refund privileges if they are regularly enrolled and belong to a military unit called for duty or are drafted and not eligible for deferment, and the discontinuance of class attendance is on the last practicable day before reporting for duty as determined by the student's home university.

Eligible students who are required to report for military duty not earlier than four (4) calendar weeks prior to the date a semester ends, or after completion of at least 75% of the enrollment period in a non-standard semester course, may — when authorized by the instructor — be given full credit for all courses for which they have an average of C or better.

Eligible students who receive credit, or an incomplete, in progress, or normal progress grade for any course for which they are enrolled shall not be entitled to any refund of tuition or fees paid. Eligible students who do not receive an incomplete, in progress, or normal progress grade or credit for a course in which they are enrolled shall be entitled to a full refund of tuition and academic fees.

Refund requests are made at the Business Office. A credit balance can be refunded to the student within 14 days after the credit balance is created. No refunds are made to the student until all charges are paid.

Students receiving financial aid or funds from a third party might not personally receive a refund check. Refunds may be credited against financial aid received or to a third party and not to the student, regardless of how the bill was paid.

Direct Deposit is the preferred method for student refunds. You may sign up for Direct Deposit through Self-Service. Click "Direct Deposit Refunds" to enroll, or "Student Personal Information" to enter a mailing address for check delivery.

General Information

The US Department of Education requires institutions to apply the Return to Title IV Funds policy for students withdrawing from a University who receive Title IV financial aid. Title IV programs include: Federal Pell Grants, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants, TEACH Grants, Direct Loans, Direct Plus Loans, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOGs), and Federal Perkins Loans.

The requirements for Title IV program funds when you withdraw are separate from any refund policy that the school may have. Therefore, you may still owe funds to the school to cover unpaid institutional charges. BHSU will charge the student for any Title IV program funds that BHSU was required to return.

A student who withdraws after the 60% point of a semester is entitled to retain all Title IV aid for that semester. If the student withdraws prior to the 60% point of the term, unearned Title IV funds as determined by federal policy must be returned. These funds must be returned even if the University provides no refund to the student, meaning the student could owe the University and/or the U.S. Department of Education a significant amount of money.

Post Withdrawal Disbursement

If the student did not receive all of the funds that were earned prior to withdrawing, a post-withdrawal disbursement may be due. If the student is eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement of a grant, it must be disbursed within 45 days. If the post-withdrawal disbursement includes loan funds, the student must give permission before the funds can be disbursed. Students will be notified within 30 days of the date of the withdrawal determination of any direct loan eligibility. The student and/or parent have 14 days to respond to this notification.

Documenting Attendance

Before processing a Return to Title IV Funds, the University must verify the student began attendance in all classes used to determine financial aid eligibility. The University will contact all instructors to verify class attendance. If a faculty member indicates that a student never attended, the University will first adjust the disbursed aid if there is a resulting change in eligibility and then calculate the Return of Title IV Funds. If the student never attended any classes, all aid will be cancelled and the student billed for all outstanding charges.

Determining Earned Aid

Title IV financial aid is earned by the calendar day, not class day. This includes weekends, holidays, and breaks of less than five consecutive days. The University is required to determine the amount of Title IV aid the withdrawing student has earned and then either disburse any additional funds the student may be entitled to, or return funds in excess of the amount earned.

Title IV funds are earned at a fixed rate on a per-day basis up to the 60% point in the enrollment period. Title IV funds are 100% earned if the withdrawal date is after the 60% point.

The following formula is used to determine the percentage of unearned aid to be returned:

• The percent earned equals the number of calendar days completed up to the withdrawal date, divided by the total calendar days in the payment period (less any scheduled breaks of at least 5 days).
• The percent unearned equals 100% minus the percent earned.

Example: If $1,000 in federal aid is disbursed and the student withdraws at the 30% point of the term, $700 of the aid is unearned and must be returned.

Order of Aid to be Returned

Returned Title IV Funds are allocated in the following order:

• Direct Unsubsidized Loans
• Direct Loans (subsidized)
• Direct PLUS Loans (Graduate student)
• Direct PLUS Loans (Parent)
• Federal Pell Grants
• Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
• Federal SEOG
• TEACH Grant
• Other Federal Sources of aid
• Other State, Private and Institutional Aid

Grant Overpayment

Any amount of unearned grant funds the student must return is called an overpayment. The maximum amount of a grant overpayment the student must repay is half the grant funds received or scheduled to receive. The student does not have to repay a grant overpayment if the original amount is $50 or less. Arrangements must be made with BHSU or the Department of Education to return the unearned grant funds. The student will be notified of any grant overpayment within 30 days of the date the school determined the student withdrew.

Notification to Student

Once the Return to Title IV Funds calculation has occurred, the Financial Aid Office will notify the student of the results and the aid that was returned. The Business Office will notify the student of any outstanding balance now due to the institution.

Credit Balances Upon Withdrawal

If after the Return to Title IV funds and the institutional refund calculations are applied to the student's account a credit balance results, the credit balance will be disbursed as soon as possible but no later than 14 days after the date of the Return to Title IV calculation.

Unofficial Withdrawals

Title IV aid recipients who fail to withdraw but stop attending class are considered unofficial withdrawals. BHSU will calculate the earned amount based on the last day of attendance. If the student stopped attending prior to the 60% point of the term, the student will be billed for any outstanding charges. Unofficial withdrawals are processed within 30 days of determining the student was an unofficial withdrawal.

To view your current balance, billing statement, account activity, and payment history, log in to myBHSU/SNAP. Go to the Financial Aid & Billing tab at the top and select View My Bill on the Billing card. Once in SDePay go to “vie & Pay Accounts”

Your balance may change after your initial bill is created if:

• You add or drop classes.
• Housing or meal plan charges change.
• Additional courses added or removed.
• Financial aid is revised.
• New charges are added, such as parking permits or bookstore charges.

Your balance is due in full at the beginning of each term. The payment is due is listed on your statement and will be published each semester. If your balance is not paid by the deadline, you may be subject to late fees, enrollment holds, or cancellation of future classes (if applicable).

Payment Due Date Information

 

If your financial aid has been awarded and all requirements have been completed, your anticipated aid may appear as pending on your account until it disburses.

If your aid is enough to cover your balance, you may not need to make a payment before disbursement. If your aid will not cover your full balance, you are responsible for paying the remaining amount by the payment deadline.

Note: financial aid will not pay late fees or charges unless you complete the authorization form to cover miscellaneous charges. Since late fees will not be covered with aid; all late fees must be paid personally. 

Financial aid generally disburses shortly before the semester begins, provided you:

• Have submitted all required documents.
• Are enrolled in eligible coursework.
• Meet all eligibility requirements.
• Have accepted any loans you wish to borrow (if applicable).

If your financial aid exceeds your university charges, the remaining funds will be refunded after your aid has been applied to your student account.

Refund processing times vary depending on your refund preference and banking institution. We highly encourage students to set up direct deposit for more seamless processing.

Financial Aid

• Federal grants
• Federal Direct Loans
• Parent PLUS Loans
• Scholarships
• Private/Alternative Loans

3^rd Party Payments

• Military & Veteran Benefits
  • Contact Military & Veteran Support Services
  • Apply each term
• Employer payments directly to the school
  • Employers usually pay after the term, and you have received a grade. Therefore, you must plan on paying with another payment method by the due date.

Personal Payment Methods

• In person at the Cashier’s Office
  • Cash’
  • Check
• Online (preferred Method)
  • Credit Card – small processing fee charged by Nelnet
  • eCheck (ACH withdrwal) – NO FEE.
    • Use your bank account number and routing number
  • Payment Plan – must sign up each term.
• 529 College Savings Plan
  • Make sure they mail it in time to arrive by the due date

BHSU offers a payment plan through Nelnet that allows you to spread your balance over several payments instead of paying the full amount at once.

Payment plan highlights:

• There is an enrollment fee of $45 each semester.
• No interest is charged
• Sign up online through SDePay each term.
• If using a credit card/debit card, a small processing fee is charged for each payment
• Echecks – Are free

Additional Payment Information

 

Payment deadlines are important to keep track of. If your balance is not paid in full or on a payment plan, you may:

• Be charged a late payment fee.
• Have a hold placed on your account.
• Lose eligibility to register for future semesters.
• Have future classes dropped for nonpayment (if applicable).

Your financial aid offer shows the aid you may receive, while your bill shows your actual university charges and payments applied to your account.

Your balance may differ because of:

• Changes in enrollment.
• Housing or meal plan changes.
• Additional fees.
• Bookstore charges.
• Parking permits or other optional charges.

Yes. Parents, family members, or other authorized users may be able to make payments on your behalf.

Students can setup or remove access for an authorized payer through SDePay. The person you set up will have their own login information.

Note: This is different from a FERPA. If the person calls and asks questions about your account information will not be given without a FERPA.

Authorization for others to make a payment

Federal student loans require additional steps before they can be disbursed, including:

• Accepting the loan.
• Completing Entrance Counseling (first-time borrowers).
• Signing a Master Promissory Note (MPN).

If any of these steps are incomplete, your loan cannot be applied to your account.

Payment arrangements must be made by the established due date. You can contact the Cashier's Office to discuss your payment plans and options.

Student Financial Aid Office for questions about:

• FAFSA
• Scholarships
• Grants
• Student loans
• Financial aid eligibility

Email: BHSUFinancial@BHSU.edu

Phone: 605.642.6145

Cashier/Accounts Receivable for questions about:

• Payment deadlines
• Payment plans
• Refunds
  • Refunds are sent weekly once you have a credit balance on your account.
• Billing Statements & Charges

Contact info:

Email: AccountsReceivable@bhsu.edu 

Phone: 605.642.6531