2015-2016 Samford University Catalog

Nov 21, 2024

2015-2016 Samford University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Financial Information


Sections Tuition and Fees Payment Policy-All Students Payment Method Options for Students and Parents Payment/Refund Schedules for All Students Other Services, Requirements, and Costs Financial Aid Information Drop and Add Policy for All Students Withdrawal Refund Policy for All Students Brief Definition of Terms Used in Financial Policies	Tables General Fees for All Students Billing Schedule Refund Schedule Undergraduate Day Student Tuition & Fees Undergraduate Day Student Special Course, Program, or School Fees International Student Tuition & Fees English as a Second Language Tuition & Fees Graduate Student Tuition & Fees Graduate Nursing Tuition & Fees Evening Studies Student Tuition & Fees Beeson School of Divinity Tuition & Fees Cumberland School of Law Tuition & Fees McWhorter School of Pharmacy Tuition & Fees

This policy provides the rates for tuition, fees, room, board and deposits, effective with the beginning of the fall semester 2015 through summer 2016.

We urge you to familiarize yourself with the information in this policy so that you are aware of all charges before registration. Within these pages you will find billing dates, payment and refund policies, and other important information.

The University makes every effort to hold increases to the lowest figure possible while providing quality programs of good value. Tuition and fees cover approximately 70 percent of Samford’s educational and general expenditures. For the remainder of its operating needs, the University relies primarily on the generous support of the Alabama Baptist State Convention, with which the University is affiliated, investment earnings, and gifts and grants from alumni, individuals, businesses, foundations, and other supporters.

Samford reserves the right to change tuition, other charges, refund procedures, and other policies.

Samford University is an Equal Opportunity Institution and does not discriminate in its educational and employment policies on the basis of race, color, sex, age, disability, or national or ethnic origin.

Tuition and Fees Payment Policy-All Students

Tuition and Fees Payment Guidelines

E-bill: E-bill notification that a new e-bill has been generated is sent to students via the Samford University e-mail system which remains the official means of communication with students; paper statements are not provided. Students are advised to check their e-mail regularly. Students and authorized users can access the e-bill system at any time.

Students registering during the early registration period will receive an e-bill approximately 15 days prior to the payment due date. The e-bill reflects activity up to the date the e-bill was generated. Any activity transpiring after the e-bill generation date can be viewed on the Current Activity section of the online e-bill system. The Current Activity page provides the current account balance that is due, including any unbilled charges and payments. To review the detail by term, select the appropriate term from the drop down box. Payment for term e-bills will be due in accordance with the schedule as seen below. Students who register/make schedule changes/add room and board, etc., after the e-bill generation date must consult the online system to view their account summary and arrange payment for all charges by the due date for the term regardless of whether or not the charge(s) have been billed.

Late Fee: A late fee of 5% (capped at $100) on the past due tuition, room, board and mandatory fees balance will be assessed on the day after the payment due date. The payment for the entire e-bill, including charges incurred after the e-bill generation date, must be received in the Bursar’s Office on or before the due date to complete financial settlement for the current term.

Late Fee Appeals: To appeal the late fee, students may file an on-line appeal via the portal at https://portal.samford.edu/cp/home/displaylogin (go to the BANNER tab, the Student Financial Aid Tab and select Bursar: File a Late Fee Appeal). Students must file appeals timely with the Bursar’s Office. Decision of the Appeal Review Committee is final.

Registration Cancellation: Students not paying their bill by the due date are subject to having their registration cancelled until payment is received. A student may be reinstated by paying the balance in full, plus a $100 reinstatement fee. Following this payment, the student will receive a clearance slip from the Bursar’s Office to provide to the Office of the Registrar as required to re-establish the student’s class schedule. Late fees are not reversed upon reinstatement.

Students making changes to their schedule after the e-bill has been sent (usually at the beginning of a term or during drop/add) are required to make payment in full by the e-bill due date for the term, including additional charges resulting from the changes even though they may not have received an e-bill for these additional charges. Failure to make full payment will result in registration cancellation the next business day after the end of the drop/add period as noted in the academic calendar for your classification.

E-bill generation, payment, late fee assessment and registration cancellation dates for each semester/monthly e-bill are noted on the payment schedule at:

Student link: http://www.samford.edu/bursar/
Parent link: http://www.samford.edu/parents/
Make payment - e-bill system link: https://secure.touchnet.com/C20180_tsa/web/login.jsp
International students wire payment option: https://www.samford.edu/global-engagement/wire-payment-service

Holds: Students may not register for the next semester, receive transcripts, participate in commencement or receive a diploma until past due amounts are cleared. Other departments, such as University Health Services, may also have holds in place to restrict next semester registration, transcript requests, and commencement participation or to receive a diploma. Students must contact that department to resolve the hold placement. The Bursar’s Office does not have permission to release the holds placed by another department.

Collections: Past due accounts assigned to a collection agency may be reported to the credit bureaus and students may be responsible for attorney fees, collection fees, and interest. The University may charge interest on all amounts past due.

Payment Method Options for Students and Parents

Students may authorize parents or other designated individuals to access the e-bill system and make payments on their behalf. To enable this feature, a student MUST access the e-bill system and set up those individuals responsible for payment of their student account as an “Authorized User.” Students may set up an Authorized User by clicking on the link in their e-bill message, selecting the Authorized User tab, and following the instructions.

Authorized Users will receive e-mail notification when a new e-bill statement is issued. Click on the link in the e-mail or enter the link in your browser to access the e-bill system and make a payment.

Current link: https://secure.touchnet.com/C20180_tsa/web/login.jsp

Online Payments with Check

Payment by electronic check using the e-bill system is the most efficient and cost-effective payment option. Payment by electronic check can be made by using the following link: https://secure.touchnet.com/C20180_tsa/web/login.jsp

Online Payments with Credit Card

MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express can be used to make online payments. A 2.75% (minimum of $3.00) convenience fee will be assessed by the third-party web processor for payments made with a credit/debit card. Ebill payment link: https://secure.touchnet.com/C20180_tsa/web/login.jsp

International Wire Payments

International Students can make wire payments at https://www.samford.edu/global-engagement/wire-payment-service

Other Payment Options

The Bursar’s Office continues to accept payment by check through the mail, but the University is not responsible for delays of the postal service and late fees will apply if payments are received after the due date. Payment by check or cash can be made in person.

Payment Plans

In an attempt to offer an alternative to additional borrowing, Samford University provides interest-free payment plan options for all students enrolled in fall and/or spring semesters. Below is a brief description of the options available for the 2015-2016 academic year. For students who participated in past years, please note the plan details have changed and will operate differently. Samford no longer offers estimated plans. Please take time to explore the information below concerning the new plans available for the 2015-2016 academic year. Failure to enroll in the Spring 2016 payment plan will make balances due in full by January 25, 2016.

Eligibility Requirements

It is recommended that students be fully registered and have room and board charges (if applicable) in place before enrolling in a plan and have all financial aid paperwork and processing completed
Changes in tuition, room and board charges, and/or financial aid after enrolling in a plan will affect remaining payments
No outstanding or past due balance from any prior terms
Charges must be in excess of $1,000
Enroll in a plan during the specified open enrollment period (there is no late enrollment period)

Spring 2016 Payment Plan

Four-Payment Option

Note: There will not be a five-installment option for Spring 2016. Due to complications associated with possible Jan Term enrollment for some students and multiple starting points for the spring term, Samford has decided to offer just this one option. No other options will be made available.

Enrollment in plan opens on January 12, 2016, and closes on January 29, 2016
25% down payment required for assessed eligible charges is due immediately at the time of enrollment, plus a $75 non-refunded enrollment fee
Three remaining payments due on the first day of March, April, and May
Payments are due regardless of day of the week or holidays
Down payment and three subsequent payments are based on assessed eligible charges and financial aid on the student’s account at the time of enrollment. Charges in financial aid, tuition, fees, meal plans, housing, etc., will result in plan adjustments.

Eligible Charges

Prior balances cannot be rolled into the plan, including Jan Term
Tuition charged for spring
Room and Board charged for spring
Mandatory fees charged for spring
- Technology Fee
- Campus Life Fee
- Class/Lab specific fees
- Other program specific fees

Ineligible Charges

Library fines
Student Health insurance
Student Health charges
Parking/traffic fines
Residence hall cleaning fees
Other non-mandatory fees, charges, and fines

Other Details

No late enrollment available
Late installment payments may jeopardize ability to continue in the current plan and any future plans
A $100 late fee will be assessed for any remaining plan balance above $250
Evening Studies students must be enrolled or plan to enroll in Term A or both Terms A and B
Evening Studies students enrolled in Term B only are not eligible

Note: Since the 2015-2016 catalog went to press in late fall, payment plan options for Fall 2015 are not included.

For questions regarding payment plans, please contact the payment plan administrator at pthornto@samford.edu or (205) 726-2773. Questions about student financial accounts at Samford University may be answered by contacting the Bursar’s office at broffice@samford.edu or by calling 1-800-888-7214. For questions concerning financial aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at ofa@samford.edu or by calling 1-800-888-7245. See also the following Web site for information: https://www.samford.edu/admission/payment-plans

The Samford University Portal and associated online Student Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, except for scheduled maintenance and unforeseen circumstances. Maintenance is scheduled in advance with notice to all students.

Should you encounter log-in problems, please contact the Personal Technology Group at (205) 726-2662.

NOTE: While every effort has been made to provide accurate and up-to-date information, specific financial details are subject to change. Please see the Bursar’s Office Web site for the latest information: http://www.samford.edu/bursar/

Payment/Refund Schedules for All Students

A 5% late fee (capped at $100) will be assessed according to the schedule below. Any student with a past due balance will not be eligible to register for the next semester or obtain his/her transcript or diploma. Registration cancellation will be processed for all students with unpaid tuition, mandatory fees, room and board (billed and unbilled) on the date in the schedule below.

Refunds

Refunds are first available within seven (7) to ten (10) business days after financial aid has been credited (disbursed) to the student’s account. Refunds will not be available before that time. Disbursement of aid on a student account is regulated based on the first day of class as indicated on the academic calendar for the student’s classification. The refund availability dates below are the earliest dates that the refunds will be available. These dates are subject to satisfactory completion/submission of all needed information by the student. The dates are subject to change and may be adjusted to comply with federal regulations governing refunds to students.

DIRECT DEPOSIT OF REFUNDS IS NOW AVAILABLE. LOG INTO THE E-BILL SYSTEM AND SIGN UP. NOTE: DIRECT DEPOSIT REFUNDS FOR JAN TERM AND SPRING ARE NOT GUARANTEED TO BE RELEASED TO THE BANK UNTIL JANUARY 11, 2016.

Other Services, Requirements, and Costs

Activity Fees

Tennis, swimming, racquetball, and many other recreational activities are available without charge. The field house has an indoor jogging track. Outdoor activities such as white-water rafting, rappelling, etc., are sponsored by the Student Government Association. Fees are charged to cover the actual cost of these activities.

Books and Supplies

The estimated cost of books and supplies for an academic year is listed in the tuition and fees tables. Students enrolled in the professional schools may expect to pay more for books and supplies.

Check Cashing

The Bookstore and Bursar’s Office are authorized to cash checks up to $50 per day for a student whose account is in good standing. The face of the check must have the student’s name, local address, telephone number, and student identification number. Students must present a valid photo ID. A student who presents a check to Samford University that is not honored by the bank will be charged $30. If that check is not redeemed within 10 days of notification, the student may be subject to disciplinary or legal action. All check cashing privileges are revoked after the third returned check.

Medical Insurance for Students

Samford students are required to carry health insurance while enrolled at Samford.

Students in the Schools of Nursing and Pharmacy are required to provide proof of current personal health insurance coverage. Each semester, students in the Schools of Nursing and Pharmacy are automatically enrolled in the University sponsored student health insurance plan. There is a charge for this coverage. To have the charge removed from his/her Samford account, a pharmacy/nursing student must provide proof of insurance by completing the insurance waiver at http://www.firststudent.com/schools/SamfordUniversity/waive_insurance.html.

International Students: Based upon federal regulations and University policy, all F and J visa holders are required to carry insurance that meets certain coverage requirements. Information about specific policy carriers, minimum coverage, and premium costs is available from the Office of Global Engagement at (205) 726-4334.

Membership Fees

Some student organizations have an annual membership fee. In addition, Greek organizations have monthly dues along with an initiation fee. These fees are charged directly by such organizations and will not be posted on student accounts.

Personal Property Insurance

Students at college have a large investment in desktop computers, laptop computers, television sets, CD and DVD players, radios, cell phones, cameras, PDAs, calculators, mini-refrigerators, clothing, text books, CDs, DVDs, albums, and other personal property. A college or university is not liable for these losses simply because the loss occurs on campus.

All students, especially those who live in residence halls, should insure their personal property either through their parent’s homeowner’s insurance or through a private insurance policy. The University has established an insurance program through National Student Services, Inc. This insurer provides personal property insurance for students at over 1,000 colleges and universities. For more information on student personal property insurance, see www.nssi.com or pick up a brochure at the Residence Life Office, 106 Beeson University Center.

Residence Hall Special Fees and Fines

Students are expected to show good stewardship of their rooms and furnishings and to abide by all University policies. There are fines for key and lock replacement, damage to facilities, and failure to follow proper procedures for room change and checkout. If imposed, these charges will be placed on a student’s account, along with other fees established for special services or other purposes.

Students canceling their housing contract prior to the end of the term of the agreement are subject to a substantial cancellation fee. Students occupying rooms during scheduled break periods will be charged substantially for extra housing stay.

Residence hall rooms are furnished with beds, desks, chairs, chests, and blinds. Students may wish to add approved appliances and decorations. It is recommended that this be done in communication with their roommate prior to or after arrival on campus. Washing machines and dryers are available in each residence hall. All washers and dryers are free to use.

The Samford Card and Bulldog Bucks

All students are required to have an official Samford University photo ID (Samford Card) made and recorded by the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management. The ID offers students a convenient, safe, and easy way to make purchases and utilize campus services. It is used as an identification card, meal card, library card, and for access to certain facilities. With activation of Bulldog Bucks, the Samford Card can be used to make purchases on campus. Bulldog Bucks work similarly to a checking account in that deposited funds are debited each time a student makes a purchase.

The following Web site, http://bulldogbucks.samford.edu, will allow students, parents, and employees to deposit money online, without any credit card fees, into Bulldog Bucks. By using the link, http://bulldogbucks.samford.edu, cardholders can budget their account by tracking spending and reporting a lost or stolen card at any time.

Student Telephone Services

Local telephone service is included in housing charges. Telephones are not included and must be provided by the student. Resident students can dial any local or intra-campus call with no additional charge.

Samford no longer provides long-distance services to students. Most students use the long-distance services provided by their own cellular telephone service plan. Students who need long distance services should make arrangements with a long distance carrier and use that carrier’s access (usually dialing an 800 number) to make long-distance calls. For more information regarding telephone service, contact Telephone Services at (205) 726-2996.

Financial Aid Information

Students seeking financial aid should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.gov. Our priority date is March 1 for the upcoming academic year. Students who filed the FAFSA on or before that date will comprise the first group for which we package and award financial aid for the upcoming academic year. FAFSAs filed after March 1 will be processed in the order they are received.

Students may obtain information regarding financial aid online at www.samford.edu/financialaid or by telephone at (205) 726-2905 or toll free at 1-800-888-7245. Students are encouraged to use these resources for information or questions regarding financial aid at Samford University.

Drop and Add Policy for All Students

Class Drops and Adds

Drops, adds, and other changes in a student class schedule that do not involve complete withdrawal from school are subject to the following rules:

During drop/add, if a schedule change results in a reduction of the student’s total credits (less than full-time), tuition may be adjusted within 30 days. Any reduction in a student’s course load may result in an adjustment in the student’s financial aid.
After the last day to drop a course(s), dropping a course(s) will not result in a reduction of charges for tuition or fees.
There are no refunds of fees unless the course related to the fee is dropped within the drop/add period, or one withdraws as outlined below.

Charges will be adjusted according to these financial policies and the credits taken by the student. Complete withdrawal from the University is covered under the refund and withdrawal policy. (See also Elective Withdrawal in the Academic Policies and Regulations section of this catalog.)

Withdrawal Refund Policy for All Students

Student Withdrawal

The University is required to contract for a substantial amount of goods and services in advance. Most of these expenses are fixed and are not subject to change on short notice. Under certain circumstances, refunds are available to students who officially withdraw from the University. A student desiring to withdraw from the University must obtain an official withdrawal form from the Office of the Registrar. The form must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar when it is completed. This policy applies to all terms including semesters, fall and spring terms A and B, summer terms and Jan Term. If a withdrawal results in a tuition reduction and the student has received financial aid, some of the aid could be required to be returned by the University. In such cases, the student will be required to reimburse the University. (See also Elective Withdrawal in the Academic Policies and Regulations section of this catalog.)

Withdrawal Refund Policy for Fall and Spring Semesters (excluding Fall P4s and A and B Terms)

Fall and Spring Full Term refunds are based on the days following the last day to drop/add, as follows.