EXPENSES AND FINANCIAL AID
As a state-supported institution, the University recognizes its obligation to
provide educational opportunities to those who will benefit from them.
Considerations of space, availability of housing, and other limitations,
however, place some restriction on the number of students who can be admitted
to the University. For this reason, students are requested to apply as early as
possible.
Appalachian admits students at the beginning of the fall, spring, and summer
terms. Individual programs may have policies restricting when new students may
start. Anyone wishing to apply to the Graduate School should write to the Dean
of Graduate Studies and Research, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
28608, for full information and application forms, or visit the Graduate
School Website at http://www.acs.appstate.edu/department/graduate/.
EXPENSES
Tuition and fees are charged by the semester and are due and payable in advance
at the beginning of each semester in accordance with payment instructions
issued prior to each semester.
The charges payable each semester, as anticipated at the time of publication of
this catalog, are listed below. With the approval of its governing bodies, the
University reserves the right to make changes when circumstances require.
SEMESTER CHARGES
The established Tuition and Fees for the academic yar 2003-2004 are provided
below.
In-state Out-of-state
Full-Time Graduate Students (9+ hours): $1506.00 $6276.75
Students who register for up to and including eight hours are classified as
part-time for tuition. Students enrolled in an off-campus course conducted by
the Office of Extension Instruction are subject to field-based charges for
tuition (see below).
Part-Time Graduate Students (2003-204 charges), per semester:
Hours: 0-2 3-5 6-8
In-State
Charge: $402.65 $608.90 $1155.00
Out-of-State
Charge: $1595.40 $2994.40 $4589.55
FIELD-BASED CHARGES:
Tuition and fees for 2002-2003 is $83.50 per student credit hour for in-state
students and $529.00 per student credit hour for out-of-state students. A fee
of $5.50 is included for educational technology. The tuition and
fees for 2003-2004 have not been determined at the time of this
publication. It is anticipated that there will be a modest increase.
OTHER CHARGES:
Textbooks: Graduate students purchase their textbooks.
Late payment of charges: $40.00
Examinations:
The Counseling and Psychological Services Center administers the National
Teacher Examinations (NTE), Miller Analogies Test (MAT), Graduate Record
Examination (GRE), the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), the Law
School Admission Test (LSAT), and other examinations, charging fees, when
applicable, in accordance with the schedule of fees maintained in the Center.
Appointments can be made by telephoning (828) 262-6801.
SPECIAL NOTE. Before taking final examinations at the close of each semester, a
student is expected to settle all accounts. A student may not register for a
new semester until all charges have been settled. A student cannot receive a
degree, license, or transcript of credits until all accounts and loans have
been paid.
TUITION WAIVER FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
By North Carolina statute "State-supported institutions of higher education,
community colleges, industrial education centers and technical institutes,
shall permit legal residents of North Carolina who have attained the age of
sixty-five (65) to attend classes for credit or non-credit purposes without
the required payment of tuition; provided, however, that such persons meet
admission and other standards deemed appropriate by the educational
institution, and provided that such persons shall be accepted by the
constituent institutions of the University of North Carolina only on a
spaces-available basis." Under the statute, "tuition shall mean the amount
charged for registering for a credit hour of instruction and shall not be
construed to mean any other fees or charges or costs of textbooks." An
application for this waiver must be made each academic term--students are
asked to contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, located in John E.
Thomas Hall, (828) 262-2120.
REFUND POLICY
The term "refund" should be understood to mean either a) the repayment of
money received by the University for tuition and fees, or b) a reduction of
charges if tuition and fees have not yet been paid.
WITHDRAWAL FROM THE UNIVERSITY
If a student withdraws from the University (i.e., discontinues all classes and
formally notifies the Registrar's Office), a refund will be made according to
the refund table found in the "Schedule of Classes" published for the academic
term in question.
The refund calculation will be based upon the date of official withdrawal from
the University. (Students who wish to withdraw should immediately notify the
Registrar's Office, located in John E. Thomas Hall.)
The only refund granted is when the student goes through the official
withdrawal process from the University, and the meal account money refunded
will be from the current semester only.
Students who have prepaid tuition and fees will be due a full refund if they
are academically ineligible to enroll. Students who do not enroll for reasons
other than academic ineligibility will be due a refund LESS any advance
payments made for tuition, fees and housing. Students who are suspended or
expelled for disciplinary reasons will be given a refund based on the
University's normal refund schedule.
REDUCTION IN CLASS SCHEDULE
If students reduce their class schedules (drop courses) during the first five
days of classes (during the "Drop-Add" period), one hundred percent of the
difference in tuition and fees between the original and revised schedules will
be automatically credited to their accounts and available for refund.
Students who reduce their class schedules (drop courses) after the first five
days of classes will not be eligible for a refund.
FINANCIAL AID RECIPIENTS
Please note that reducing your class schedule or withdrawing from the
University can affect your status as a financial aid recipient. Questions
about the effect of either schedule reduction or withdrawal from the
University should be directed to the Office of Student Financial Aid.
If a recipient of financial aid withdraws from the University and is deemed
eligible for a refund, that refund does not go directly to the student, but is
repaid to financial aid programs according to federal regulations and
University policy.
A student officially withdraws when she/he contacts the Registrar's Office
when she/he stops attending or plans to stop attending all classes.
A student is considered unofficially withdrawn when the student does not
successfully complete any of her/his classes, does not officially withdraw,
and the professors document that the student stopped attending the class prior
to the 60% point of the period of enrollment. The withdrawal date for an
unofficial withdrawal will be the mid-point of the period of enrollment. The
Policy for the Return of Financial aid Funds for Students Who Withdraw from
the University applies to official and unofficial withdrawals.
If a student withdraws on or before the 60% point of the term, a percentage of
the financial aid will be calculated as earned and a percentage as unearned on
a pro-rata basis. Once the student have been enrolled for 60% of the term,
the student is considered to have earned all of his/her financial aid.
Example: The student enrolls in a semester that has 113 days in the term, and
withdraws on the 18th day of the term, earned and unearned financial aid would
be calculated as:
18 days
113 days = 15.9% of your financial aid has been earned and 84.1% is
unearned.
The unearned amount must be returned to the federal financial aid programs in
this order:
Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan
Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan
Federal Perkins Loan
Federal PLUS Loan
Federal PELL Grant
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The same policy applies to state, institutional, and other types of aid and
will be returned in this order:
North Carolina Need-based Grant (NCNB)
Institutional Grants, Waivers, and Scholarships
Athletic Grants
North Carolina Student Incentive Grant (NCSIG)
Other State Aid
Outside Scholarships
Other Sources
The University will return to the appropriate financial aid program the lesser
of the total amount of unearned aid or the institutional charges of tuition,
fees, room, and board. The student is responsible for returning to the
appropriate programs any remaining amount.
If the student is required to return funds from the loan programs, those funds
will be repaid according to the normal repayment terms of the loan program.
If the student is required to return funds to the federal grant programs, the
student will be required to return only 50% of the federal grant amount that
they originally received. If the student is required to return funds from the
state, institution, or other sources, the student must return the entire
unearned percentage.
If the calculations result in a balance due from the student, a bill will be
sent to the permanent home address and will be due upon receipt.
If the student is a Federal Stafford Loan borrower, the student is required to
complete Exit Counseling at the time of the withdrawal. The student must
complete the Federal Stafford Loan On-Line Exit Counseling at
www.financialaid.appstate.edu. The Federal Stafford Loan lender will be
notified that the student is no longer enrolled, and the loan repayment
process will begin. It is important for the student to understand their
rights and responsibilities, and completion of the required exit counseling
will prepare the student for repaying the loan(s).
If the student is a Federal Perkins Loan borrower, they must contact the
Office of Student Accounts at 828-262-2113 to schedule a Perkins Loan Exit
Counseling session
RESIDENCE CLASSIFICATION FOR TUITION PURPOSES
The basis for determining the appropriate tuition charge rests upon whether a
student is a resident or a nonresident for tuition purposes. Each student must
make a statement as to the length of his or her residence in North Carolina,
with assessment by the institution of that statement to be conditioned by the
following.
Residence. To qualify as a resident for tuition purposes, a person must become
a legal resident and remain a legal resident for at least twelve months
immediately prior to classification. Thus, there is a distinction between legal
residence and residence for tuition purposes. Furthermore, twelve months legal
residence means more than simple abode in North Carolina. In particular it
means maintaining a domicile (permanent home of indefinite duration) as opposed
to "maintaining a mere temporary residence or abode incident to enrollment in
an institution of higher education." The burden of establishing facts which
justify classification of a student as a resident entitled to in-state tuition
rates is on the applicant for such classification, who must show his or her
entitlement by the preponderance (the greater part) of the residentiary
information.
Initiative. Being classified a resident for tuition purposes is contingent
upon the student's seeking such status and providing all information that the
institution may require in making the determination.
Parents' domicile. If an individual, irrespective of age, has living parent(s)
or a court-appointed guardian of the person, the domicile of such parent(s) or
guardian is, prima facie, the domicile of the individual; but this prima facie
evidence of the individual's domicile may or may not be sustained by other
information. Further, nondomiciliary status of parents is not deemed prima
facie evidence of the applicant child's status if the applicant has lived
(though not necessarily legally resided) in North Carolina for the five years
preceding enrollment or re-registration.
Effect of marriage. Marriage alone does not prevent a person from becoming or
continuing to be a resident for tuition purposes, nor does marriage in any
circumstance insure that a person will become or continue to be a resident for
tuition purposes. Marriage and the legal residence of one's spouse are,
however, relevant information in determining residentiary intent. Furthermore,
if both a husband and his wife are legal residents of North Carolina and if one
of them has been a legal resident longer than the other, then the longer
duration may be claimed by either spouse in meeting the twelve-month
requirement for in-state tuition status.
Military personnel. A North Carolinian who serves outside the state in the
armed forces does not lose North Carolina domicile simply by reason of such
service. And students from the military may prove retention or establishment of
residence by reference, as in other cases, to residentiary acts accompanied by
residentiary intent.
In addition, a separate North Carolina statute affords tuition rate benefits to
certain military personnel and their dependents even though not qualifying for
the in-state tuition rate by reason of twelve months legal residence in North
Carolina. Members of the armed services, while stationed in and concurrently
living in North Carolina, may be charged a tuition rate lower than the
out-of-state tuition rate to the extent that the total of entitlements for
applicable tuition costs available from the federal government, plus certain
amounts based under a statutory formula upon the in-state tuition rate, is a
sum less than the out-of-state tuition rate for the pertinent enrollment. A
dependent relative of a service member stationed in North Carolina is eligible
to be charged the in-state tuition rate while the dependent relative is living
in North Carolina with the service member and if the dependent relative has met
any requirement of the Selective Service System applicable to the dependent
relative. These tuition benefits may be enjoyed only if the applicable
requirements for admission have been met; these benefits alone do not provide
the basis for receiving those derivative benefits under the provisions of the
residence classification statute reviewed elsewhere in this summary.
Grace period. If a person (1) has been a bona fide legal resident of the
required duration, (2) has consequently been classified a resident for
tuition purposes, and (3) has subsequently lost North Carolina legal
residence while enrolled at a public institution of higher education, that
person may continue to enjoy the in-state tuition rate for a grace period of
twelve months measured from the date on which North Carolina legal residence
was lost. If the twelve months ends during an academic term for which the
person is enrolled at a State institution of higher education, the grace
period extends, in addition, to the end of that term. The fact of marriage to
one who continues domiciled outside North Carolina does not by itself cause
loss of legal residence marking the beginning of the grace period.
Minors. Minors (persons under 18 years-of-age) usually have the domicile of
their parents, but certain special cases are recognized by the residence
classification statute in determining residence for tuition purposes.
(a) If a minor's parents live apart, the minor's domicile is deemed to be North
Carolina for the time period(s) that either parent, as a North Carolina legal
resident, may claim and does claim the minor as a tax dependent, even if other
law or judicial act assigns the minor's domicile outside North Carolina. A
minor thus deemed to be a legal resident will not, upon achieving majority
before enrolling at an institution of higher education, lose North Carolina
legal residence if that person (1) upon becoming an adult "acts, to the extent
that the person's degree of actual emancipation permits, in a manner consistent
with bona fide legal residence in North Carolina" and (2) "begins enrollment at
an institution of higher education not later than the fall academic term next
following completion of education prerequisite to admission at such
institution."
(b) If a minor has lived for five or more consecutive years with relatives
(other than parents) who are domiciled in North Carolina and if the relatives
have functioned during this time as if they were personal guardians, the minor
will be deemed a resident for tuition purposes for an enrolled term commencing
immediately after at least five years in which these circumstances have
existed. If under this consideration a minor is deemed to be a resident for
tuition purposes immediately prior to his or her eighteenth birthday, that
person on achieving majority will be deemed a legal resident of North Carolina
of at least twelve months duration. This provision acts to confer in-state
tuition status even in the face of other provisions of law to the contrary;
however, a person deemed a resident of twelve months duration pursuant to this
provision continues to be a legal resident of the State only so long as he or
she does not abandon North Carolina domicile.
Lost but regained domicile. If a student ceases enrollment at or graduates
from an institution of higher education while classified a resident for tuition
purposes and then both abandons and reacquires North Carolina domicile within a
12-month period, that person, if he or she continues to maintain the reacquired
domicile into re-enrollment at an institution of higher education, may
re-enroll at the in-state tuition rate without having to meet the usual
twelve-month durational requirement. However, any one person may receive the
benefit of the provision only once.
Change of status. A student admitted to initial enrollment in an institution
(or permitted to re-enroll following an absence from the institutional program
which involved a formal withdrawal from enrollment) must be classified by the
admitting institution either as a resident or as a nonresident for tuition
purposes prior to actual enrollment. A residence status classification once
assigned (and finalized pursuant to any appeal properly taken) may be changed
thereafter (with corresponding change in billing rates) only at intervals
corresponding with the established primary divisions of the academic year.
Transfer students. When a student transfers from one North Carolina public
institution of higher education to another, he/she is treated as a new student
by the institution to which he/she is transferring and must be assigned an
initial residence status classification for tuition purposes.
University regulations concerning the classification of students by residence,
for purposes of applicable tuition differentials, are set forth in detail in A
Manual to Assist The Public Higher Education Institutions of North Carolina in
the Matter of Student Residence Classification for Tuition Purposes. Each
enrolled student is responsible for knowing the contents of this manual, which
is the controlling administrative statement of policy on the subject. Copies of
the manual are available for review on request at the reference desk in Belk
Library.
STUDENT FINANCIAL AID
Appalachian State University recognizes that some students do not have the
financial resources to meet their educational expenses. Through student
financial aid programs, Appalachian makes every effort to assist students in
financing their education. With the exception of certain Appalachian academic
scholarships, all students interested in receiving financial assistance must
complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the Web
(FOTW) or the Renewal Free Application for Federal Student Aid on the Web
(Renewal FOTW). The student must have a U.S. Department of Education PIN to
complete the FOTW. Obtain the PIN at www.pin.ed.gov. Complete the FOTW at
www.fafsa.ed.gov. The paper FAFSA may be completed, but the processing of
the paper FAFSA will take longer than the FOTW.
In order to receive priority consideration, the FOTW should be completed as
soon after January 1 as possible and before Appalachian's priority deadline of
March 15 for the upcoming year. The FOTW may be completed after the March 15
filing deadline, but the student will not receive priority consideration for
need-based grants.
Appalachian State University offers grants; loans and work opportunities for
which a student will be considered once the FOTW data have been received.
Several of these programs are briefly described on the following pages.
Further information may be obtained from the Office of Student Financial Aid,
which is located on the second floor of John E. Thomas Hall or at
www.financialaid.appstate.edu.
Students must reapply for financial aid each year. Financial aid funding does
not transfer from one institution to another. It is the student's
responsibility to inquire about Appalachian's financial aid application
procedures for the academic year or for summer school.
If you have questions concerning the financial aid process, please contact the
Office of Student Financial Aid by phone at (828) 262-2190 or by fax at (828)
262-2585. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.,
excluding University observed holidays.
INFORMATION TO VETERANS, DEPENDENTS OF DISABLED OR DECEASED VETERANS, MEMBERS
OF NATIONAL GUARD/RESERVES
The University is approved for training veterans and dependents of deceased or
disabled veterans under the following programs administered by the Department
of Veterans Affairs:
Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty Educational Assistance (Chapter 30)
Montgomery GI Bill-Selective Reserve Educational Assistance Program (Chapter
1606)
Post-Vietnam Era Veterans' Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 32)
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35)
Restored Entitlement Program for Survivors (REPS)
Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31)
Persons eligible to receive these benefits must process an application and
enrollment data sheet with the VA Certifying Official, Office of Student
Financial Aid.
Children of disabled or deceased veterans, who are North Carolina residents,
may be eligible for a scholarship from the North Carolina Division of Veterans
Affairs, Raleigh, North Carolina that pays tuition, some fees, room, and
meals. Applications may be obtained from a veteran's service officer located
in the prospective student's hometown or county.
Members of the North Carolina National Guard may be eligible for tuition
assistance. National Guard Members should contact his or her unit to obtain an
application.
Additional information regarding VA related benefits may be obtained by
contacting the VA Certifying Official, Office of Student Financial Aid,
Appalachian State University, Boone, North Carolina 28608, and (828) 262-2583.
STUDENT EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS
Student employment programs are maintained to help students pay educational
expenses while attending classes. Students participating in the programs are
employed in administrative offices, in colleges and academic departments, and
in service facilities such as the bookstore, the library, the food service
areas, University Recreation, and the Student Union.
The on-campus student employment programs consist of the Student Temporary
work program and the Federal Work-Study Program.
On- and off-campus job information is provided by the Student Employment Office
located in the Career Development Center in John E. Thomas Hall. The function
of this office is to provide referral information for on and off-campus jobs
for enrolled students. In addition, Student Employment is responsible for
placing Federal Work-Study students. You may access our online job board at
http://www.studentemployment.appstate.edu. Choose Student Employment to find
links to some of our larger campus employers, or choose the Job Board to
search for on and off-campus jobs by category.
Generally, students may work up to 15-20 hours per week in University-operated
work programs. The student and work supervisor, with the understanding that
class schedules have first priority, will arrange work schedules.
STUDENT LOAN PROGRAMS
Eligible students must be enrolled at least half-time (five credit - not audit
- hours) to receive a federal student loan. Detailed information concerning
student loan programs will be included with the financial aid award letter or
at www.financialaid.appstate.edu. General information is also available in The
Student Guide (published by the Department of Education), which may be
obtained from any post-secondary institution or by accessing the Office of
Student Financial Aid Web Site at www.financialaid.appstate.edu.
Loans available to Appalachian students include:
· the Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan (based on financial need) and
· the Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan (not based on financial need).
SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS
A number of scholarships and fellowships are available to qualified graduate
students. The Graduate School awards some scholarships to students who have
been selected by the Graduate School's Scholarships Committee; individual
programs and departments make other awards. Graduate scholarship and
fellowship information may be found at www.graduate.appstate.edu
NORTH CAROLINA MINORITY PRESENCE GRANT PROGRAM -- GENERAL PROGRAM
The University of North Carolina System funds the Minority Presence Grant
General; Programs, Parts I and II. Funds from General Program Part I are
allocated to historically white and historically black institutions for the
purpose of recruiting financially needy North Carolina minority students.
General Program Part II consists of grant funds for Native Americans,
Hispanics, and Asians.
NORTH CAROLINA NEED-BASED GRANT (NCNB)
In order to be considered for this grant, a student must be a resident of
North Carolina and have exceptional need. This grant may be awarded to
graduate students who meet the above requirements and enroll for at least 9
credit (not audit) hours as a graduate student. Complete the FOTW to apply for
the NCNB grant.
GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS, SCHOLARSHIPS
Competitively awarded graduate assistantships involving teaching, research, or
service to the University are available in most departments for the regular
session. Assistants will devote up to 20 hours a week to instruction, research,
or service for the University. In some cases, Assistants may give
proportionately less time to their assistantships. Assistants usually receive
academic-year stipends and are permitted to carry an academic load of up to
twelve semester hours depending upon the classification of the assistantship.
Certificate-only students and students admitted provisionally are not eligible
to hold graduate assistantships. The average single assistantship carries a
stipend of $6,000. Appalachian offers only a limited number of graduate
assistantships for the summer session, with stipends ranging from $480 to
$770 for each term.