Financial Information

Print-Friendly Page

Tuition and Fees

The following tuition and fees are based on the 2008-2009 academic year fee structure. The University reserves the right to change its tuition, fees, charges, rules and regulations at the beginning of any semester and without prior notice. Generally, the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama System considers proposals for changes in fee structure at its May or June meeting. These fees do not apply to any shortterm, off-campus, or noncredit offering. For additional information on these courses, see section on Division of Continuing Education. Current fees are available on the web at www.UAHuntsville.edu.

The University reserves the right to change its fees, charges, rules and regulations at the beginning of any semester and without prior notice.

College Laboratory and Instruction Fees Per Credit Hour

College of Business $13.50  
College of Engineering $35.00
College of Liberal Arts $8.00
College of Nursing $38.00
College of Science $14.00

Cooperative Education Fees

Parallel Work Semester is $40
Alternating Work Semester is $80

Orientation Fees

A one-time orientation fee of $95 is charged to all freshmen entering the university in the fall semester.

Transfer students and new students entering in the Winter and Summer terms are charged a $30 orientation fee.

Charger Card Fee

All newly admitted students will incur a one-time fee of $10.00 for an identification card with photograph.  In addition to its official proof of your affiliation with UAHuntsville, the Charger card can provide security access to buildings on campus and declining balance account privileges.

Acceptable Forms of Payment

Payment can be made in cash, by check or money order, or can be charged to a VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover charge card. Sponsoring agencies, faculty/staff or University tuition assistance supported by written documentation, or anticipated financial aid verified by the Office of Student Financial Services are also valid payment forms. Awards may be applied directly to a student’s account for charges incurred.

Billing and Payment Procedure

Tuition and fees should be paid in full by the first day of the semester. Payments may be charged to VISA, MasterCard, American express, or Discover by paying on the Web or calling (256) 824-2732. Students who do not pay bills in full by the first day of classes are assessed a $50.00 late fee. Students who do not pay bills in full by the end of the second week of classes for fall and spring semesters may be dropped from class rolls and enrollment will be canceled. The University assumes no responsibility for students who attend classes without official enrollment. For summer sessions, please check dates in the Schedule of Classes and on the UAHuntsville Website. Send payments to The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Cashier’s Office, University Center Room 213, Huntsville, AL 35899-5050.

Deferred Payment Plans

Students enrolling for at least three semester hours of credit are eligible for the deferred payment plans. These plans enable total tuition, housing and other current charges to be divided into two or four payments each semester.

Two Payment Plan: The first payment of at least half of the total amount of current charges is due by the first day of the semester. The second payment of the remaining balance is due the end of the sixth week of the semester. There is a $20.00 non-refundable administration fee that must accompany the deferment agreement form.

Four Payment Plan: The first payment of at least 25% of the total amount of current charges is due by the first day of the semester with monthly payments thereafter. There is a $50.00 nonrefundable administration fee that must accompany the deferment agreement form.

Deferment agreement forms are available in the Bursar’s Office (UC 214), Bursar’s Office website (bursar.uah.edu) and Charger Central (UC118). After completion, the deferment agreement form should be presented with the first payment to the Cashier’s Office. The deferred payment plans are only offered for the Fall and Spring Semesters and a deferment agreement form must be completed each semester. International student insurance and international student fees are not deferrable.

Balances

Past due balances are a debt owed the State of Alabama and appropriate action will be taken to collect all balances. Holds will be placed on all students’ accounts that have past due balances. This hold will prevent them from receiving grades, transcripts or registering for another semester at UAHuntsville. To the extent permitted by the laws of the State of Alabama, any costs to collect a past due account, to include collection agency charges and attorney fees, will be charged back to the student who shall be liable for payment of those charges.

Refunds

Students may drop a class through the second week of classes (fall and spring) and receive a 100% tuition refund. Please check UAHuntsville website for summer dates. A student desiring to drop one or more classes must complete a drop request form at Charger Central, University Center Room 118. The date of the drop request is the date the written request is received at the Office of Student Records.

Housing Charges

Suites: Single Students: Academic Year Room Rates, 9-Month Rates, & 12 Month Rates

Note: All Housing rates include basic utilities and basic television cable for each suite and internet access in each bedroom. Students assigned to suites must pay the full semester’s rent at the beginning of the semester. A student who fails to complete payment of fees due or fails to file a payment deferment request with the Cashier’s Office by the first day of the semester will have his or her registration canceled. Students assigned to private apartments or to an FRSO house may pay their rent in equal installments on a monthly basis. Rent payments are due the first day of each month. If a student officially withdraws from the University while residing in University Housing, he or she may qualify for a prorated refund of rent. This is determined by the date of the student’s official check-out from Housing.

Food Contract Rate

The on-campus freshman resident meal plan requirement is $2,124 for the academic year (Fall & Spring semesters) payable in two semester installments of $1,062 each. Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors living in CCRH, FFH and NCRH are required to have a minimum of $700 for the academic year payable in 2 semester installments of $350 each. The meal plan program is optional for Southeast Campus Housing and Fraternity and Sorority residents.

These rates are effective beginning Fall Semester, 2009. The University reserves the right to adjust housing and meal plan rates at any time.

If a student officially withdraws from the University while residing in University Housing, he or she may quality for a prorated refund of room and board. This is determined by the date of the student’s official check-out from Housing:

     During the first week of the academic semester - 80% refund 

     During the second week - 60% refund

     During the third week - 40% refund

     During the fourth week - 20% refund

     After the fourth week no refund.

Financial Aid

Students who are receiving financial aid are responsible for completing the necessary paperwork far enough in advance to assure the proper credits to their accounts. For further information, please check with Student Financial Services, University Center, Room 212, or the Cashier’s Office, Room 213.

Undergraduate Student Aid

UAHuntsville has several programs to assist students in financing their college education. Comprehensive, updated information on all financial aid offered through the Office of Student Financial Services is available in a booklet published annually. It includes detailed information about kinds of aid, eligibility guidelines, application procedures, criteria for awards, disbursement methods and regulations, and institutional policy followed in administration of aid. These booklets and necessary forms are available in the Office of Student Financial Services.

Students of academic promise who can demonstrate financial need are encouraged to apply for assistance. Realistic financial planning is an essential part of college preparation. UAHuntsville helps qualified students find employment, scholarships, and loans as its resources permit. In planning a program of financial assistance, consideration should be given to the advisability of combining scholarships, loans, and part-time employment since one kind of aid alone is inadequate in most cases.

Students should make financial plans well in advance of entering the University. There are two important priority dates for student aid—December 1 for scholarships and April 1 for federal aid. The priority dates are the dates by which completed applications are certain to be included in the first round of review.

Applicants are advised to write the Office of Student Financial Services requesting a copy of the financial aid booklet at the time of application to the University. Applications for student aid should be filed at the Office of Student Financial Services before the priority date of April 1, for the following school year. A new application must be submitted by this priority date each year.

Types of Financial Aid

Scholarships

(See Web for Scholarships)

Loans

UAHuntsville participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. Student loan funds are made available directly from the U.S. Department of Education without the necessity of secondary marketers such as private lending institutions. Although it is sometimes necessary to borrow money to finance an education, caution is advised. Generally, a student should not rely primarily on loans and is advised not to borrow more than half of what is needed to meet expenses. Additional information regarding eligibility amounts, loan limits, application procedures and suggested application timelines is published in the brochure “Making College Affordable.” This and other valuable information regarding the financial aid process are available in the Office of Student Financial Services as well as Charger Central.

Tax Credit

As part of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, Congress has enacted legislation that allows taxpayers to take certain portions of tuition paid in the prior year as a direct tax credit. Students or those who pay tuition on behalf of students should consult a tax advisor for more detailed information. General information is also available from the U.S. Department of Education’s web site at www.irs.gov, or by contacting the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-829-1040.

Grants

A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant provides aid to undergraduate students who would not otherwise be financially able to attend college. A student must be accepted for enrollment, show evidence of academic promise, and be capable of maintaining good standing in the chosen course of study. Grants may be renewed for the four years of undergraduate study, subject to the availability of funds, unless a major change in the family’s financial condition causes the student to be ineligible. Grants are awarded in compliance with eligibility based on federal guidelines.

The Federal Pell Grant Program assists eligible students by providing help in meeting the cost of postsecondary education. To be eligible, a student must meet the following criteria: (1) establish financial need; (2) be enrolled in an eligible program; (3) be a U.S. citizen or in the U.S. for other than a temporary purpose and intend to become a permanent resident or be a permanent resident of the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands.

The Alabama Student Assistance Program is a state/federal aid program designed to provide Alabama residents financial assistance for undergraduate postsecondary education. Grants are awarded for one year. The grants are renewable, but new applications must be made each year. All awards are determined by student eligibility requirements, available funds, and student need. Students should contact the Office of Student Financial Services for information regarding eligibility, application, selection, and awards procedures.

Federal Financial Aid Repayment

Federally funded student financial aid (Pell, SEOG, Stafford) awarded to a student who withdraws after registration but before the end of the refund period will be repaid to the respective program source. When withdrawal or reduction of class load occurs after the end of the refund period, full-tuition charges will be paid from the aid source. The unused portion of the aid will be repaid to the respective aid source. Specific regulations governing this policy may be found in Student Financial Aid, a brochure available in the Office of Student Financial Services.

Federal Work-Study Program

The College Work-Study Program provides employment for students who need financial assistance. A student works part-time while attending the University and during vacation periods. Students engaged in this program work on campus or in a non-profit agency. In determining eligibility, preference will be given to students with the greatest financial need.

Tuition Assistance

Some businesses and industries provide tuition assistance to employees attending UAHuntsville. An employed student should consult the personnel office of his or her place of employment to determine its policy regarding tuition assistance.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Students with a physical disability may obtain grants-in-aid covering fees, books, and supplies through the Vocational Rehabilitation Service, which is supported by federal and state appropriations. For further information, write to: Alabama Vocational Rehabilitation Service, 2939 Johnson Rd Huntsville, Alabama 35805 or the Director of Vocational Rehabilitation, Room 416, State Office Building, Montgomery, Alabama 36104.

Veterans Affairs

UAHuntsville offers a full range of services to the student attending under the Veterans Administration Educational Assistance Program. These services include veterans’ advisement, educational loans, and the Veteran Tutorial Program. Under the current Veterans Educational Assistance Programs, which affect most veterans, the veteran receives an allowance directly from the government. The veteran is responsible for paying fees directly to the University and meeting payment deadlines applicable for all students.

The Veterans Administration will make full payment only when the student carries a full academic load. To facilitate the prompt and accurate reporting of the student’s status and course load, the veteran must complete a brief form every semester enrolled. This form must be turned in to the veterans affairs clerk in the Office of Student Financial Services, Room 212, University Center.

It is the student’s responsibility to remain in good standing with the Veterans Administration and to respond to notification of changes in regulations. For additional information, write to: Veterans Administration Regional Office, 474 South Court Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104. Many students who are children of veterans of World War I, World War II, or the Korean War may be eligible for benefits under the War Orphans Educational Assistance Act (PL 634). Write the nearest Veterans Administration Regional Office for additional information. The Alabama G.I. and Dependents Education Benefits Act grants tuition assistance to eligible veterans, their children, widows and wives. Tuition is paid directly to the school. For additional information, write to: Assistant to the Director, Department of Veteran’s Affairs, P.O. Box 1509, Montgomery, Alabama 36102.