University of Southern Maine

USM Graduate Catalog 2008-2009

Tuition and Financial Aid

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Tuition
[Add/Drop | Deposits | Fees
New England Regional Program | Other Expenses
Payment Policies and Procedures | Room and Board
Rules Governing In-State and Out-of-State Tuition | Withdrawal Policy]

Financial Aid
[Application Procedures | Eligibility for Aid
How Financial Aid is Allocated | Types of Aid Available]

Tuition rates are established by the University of Maine System Board of Trustees. The University reserves the right to adjust these charges to respond to changing costs, state and/or federal legislative action, and other matters. Such adjustments may be made at any time. A student acknowledges this reservation by applying for admission or registering for courses.

There are three types of tuition charged: undergraduate, graduate, and law. The type of tuition charged is usually determined by the level of the course. Tuition charges are calculated by multiplying the number of credit hours attempted by a rate established by the Board of Trustees. Courses being audited are included in this calculation.

*The University reserves the right to adjust these charges to respond to changing cost, state and/or federal legislative action, and other matters. Such adjustment may be made at any time.

In addition to tuition, graduate students are assessed various fees. For more information, visit www.usm.maine.edu/buso.

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Fees

Fees for the 2008-2009 academic year are set by the University of Maine System Board of Trustees. Fees below are in effect for the 2008-2009 academic year.

Activity Fee This is a mandatory $20.00 fee charged students enrolled in law courses.

Application Fee A mandatory $50.00 fee is charged when a student applies for admission to a graduate or law degree program.

Community Standards Fee A $35.00 fee is charged to any student who is sanctioned under the Conduct Code.

Course Fees To defray the costs associated with some courses, additional fees ranging from $5.00 to $360.00 are assessed. These fees are associated with courses requiring additional instructional resources.

Distance Learning Course Support Fee Students registering for ITV and videoconferencing courses are assessed a $7.00 per credit fee to defray mailing costs.

Distance Learning Technology Fee Students registering for classes offered at USM’s off-campus centers or sites are assessed a $6.00 per credit fee to support the cost of the technology at the locations.

Graduate Student Enrollment Fee A one time $50.00 fee charged to newly matriculated graduate students.

Graduate Non-Matriculated Student Fee A $20.00 per semester fee charged to non-matriculated graduate students.

Insufficient Funds Fee A $25.00 fee is charged when a check is returned due to insufficient funds or when a credit card payment is declined.

Late Payment Fee A $50.00 fee (to a maximum of $200.00) is assessed to student accounts not paid when bill is due.

M.B.A. Orientation Fee An $80.00 fee is charged to all students admitted to the M.B.A. program. The fee covers the cost of a one-day experiential learning exercise, required during the first year of enrollment.

Online Course Enrollment Fee Students registering for classes offered via the World Wide Web are assessed a $25 per credit hour fee.

Payment Plan Fee A $30.00 fee is charged students enrolling in one of the USM installment plans. This fee covers mailing and administrative costs.

Specialty Accreditation Fee A $50.00 per credit hour fee is assessed to students enrolling in graduate courses offered by the School of Business. The fee will support research and scholarship activities that help assure the school's continued accreditation by an international organization.

Student Health Fee A mandatory $80.00 health fee is charged students registered for six or more credits of instructional activities emanating from the Portland and/or Gorham campus for fall and spring semesters. Such activities include independent study, internships, field experiences, etc. Credits for regular classes taken at off-campus locations are omitted when determining this fee. Optional coverage is available to students who register for fewer than six credits and/or during the summer. For more information about the services covered by the health fee, contact University Health Services at (207) 780-4211 or (207) 780-5411.

Student Health Insurance (Optional) Students may purchase optional insurance plans under policies made available by contract with the University of Southern Maine. These plans can provide coverage for health care costs incurred through University Health Services, family physicians, or other health care providers.

A moderate cost, 12-month basic insurance plan is available to students registered for six or more credit hours. Students who have enrolled in the prior academic year must re-enroll each year and cannot re-enroll in the basic plan if not a USM student.

An extended health care insurance plan is also available to students registered for three or more credit hours who want financial coverage for potential severe or catastrophic health problems. The extended care plan reimburses only after the first $10,000 of health care is already paid by the student or any basic insurance plan. Further information about either policy and coverage is available through University Health Services.

Transportation Fee A mandatory fee assessed to all students registered for courses that are held on the Portland and/or Gorham campuses. It funds parking and other transportation-related projects, as well as busing between campuses. It eliminates the need to pay for required parking decals./p>

Lewiston-Auburn College Parking Fee A $3.00 per credit hour fee is assessed to students registered for courses being held on the LAC campus.

Unified Fee A mandatory $24.00 per credit hour fee assessed to cover fixed costs of providing educational services not already supported by tuition charges.

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Room and Board

Room University residence halls are located on the Gorham campus and at 645 Congress Street, Portland. Information about housing is available from the Department of Residential Life, Room 100, Upton Hall, Gorham, (207) 780-5240. Limited parking may be rented for $100.00 per semester plus the annual cost of a parking decal at Portland Hall. Current room and board rates are available at www.usm.maine.edu/reslife.

Board The University offers a variety of meal plans. Information about the meal plans is available from the Department of Residential Life, Room 100, Upton Hall, Gorham, (207) 780-5240.

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Other Expenses

Books and Supplies Students are responsible for the purchase of books and supplies. Payment is made at the time of purchase.

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Deposits

Students admitted to the School of Law must pay a nonrefundable $200.00 tuition deposit by April 15 or within two weeks of acceptance if admitted after April 1. An additional $200.00 deposit is due by June 15. Checks should be mailed directly to the School of Law. This deposit will be applied to tuition charges if the student registers and remains enrolled; otherwise it is forfeited. With permission of the Law School, payment may be postponed in cases of extreme hardship. Graduate programs requiring a $200.00 deposit include occupational therapy, extended teacher education program, and the nursing option for non-nurses with baccalaureate degrees. Other graduate programs do not require a deposit.

Newly admitted students who are approved for on-campus housing must also pay a $75.00 room deposit. After a student registers, these deposits are applied to his or her account. These deposits are forfeited if an applicant for September admission withdraws after May 1, or if an applicant for January admission withdraws after January 1. Applicants who provide the Admissions Office with written notification of withdrawal before the previously mentioned dates will have the deposit refunded.

The Department of Residential Life establishes and publicizes dates for room selection each spring. Students who are registered for spring semester and request on-campus housing for fall are required to pay a $75.00 room deposit. Usually, this deposit is applied to the fall bill. If a student notifies Resident Student Services that housing is not desired before May 1, this deposit will be refunded. If notification is received after May 1, the deposit is forfeited.

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Payment Policies and Procedures

Billing Students can access MaineStreet billing statements, specific semester due dates, and other important Student Billing information at www.usm.maine.edu/buso. The University is not obligated to mail paper billing statements.

It is critical that official University e-mail accounts are checked often by all students. In many cases, it will be the only means of receiving important information from Student Billing and other University departments.

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all addresses recorded on MaineStreet are correct.

How to Make Payment The University offers a variety of payment options.

• Cash Cash payment may be made at the Student Billing Office or at an off-campus center. Cash should not be mailed.
• Checks Checks should be made payable to the University of Southern Maine. The student’s name and student I.D. number should be shown on the check.
• Credit/Debit Cards The University accepts Discover credit card, as well as MasterCard or Visa credit and debit cards. The University is not able to accept debit or ATM cards that do not have the MasterCard or Visa logo.
• Financial Aid from USM The University offers eligible students grants, scholarships, loans, and employment opportunities. Grants, scholarships, and loans are credited for payment of University charges. Additional information can be obtained from Student Financial Aid.
• Installment Payment The University offers a variety of payment plans. Automated credit card processing plans are also an option. Additional information about these plans and enrollment deadlines can be found on the Student Billing Web site at www.usm.maine.edu/buso.
• Outside Scholarships Students must notify Student Billing of any non-University scholarships, to be used to pay University charges, prior to the date payment is due. Upon receipt of proper documentation, the University may extend the payment due date.
• Third Party Payments A student must give Student Billing written authorization from the agency/employer prior to the payment due date. No conditional payment offers will be accepted. Please note: If, for any reason, the third party does not pay, the student is liable for all charges.

When Payment is Due Each semester, the University establishes specific dates payment is due and notifies students of these dates on bills, through University publications, and on the Student Billing Web site at www.usm.maine.edu/buso.

Adding Courses Costs associated with credit hours added after the semester begins must be paid at the time of registration.

Other Charges After the semester starts, additional charges must be paid as they occur.

A late fee is charged if payment is not received by the due date. Students with past due charges are not allowed to re-register. Students who show a pattern of late payment may be required to pay all University charges before registration is accepted. The University also reserves the right to cancel a current semester’s registration, preventing a student from receiving grades or credit for courses, if outstanding charges are not paid.

Transcripts, certification of graduation, and other records will be withheld from students who have not paid all bills and loans due the University. This includes bills for damage to University property and unpaid charges or fines owed to other University departments.

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Add/Drop

The schedule adjustment period begins with the first day of scheduled University classes and includes weekends and holidays. Students may add a course during the first week of the semester. For late afternoon and evening and weekend courses that meet once a week, adds will be accepted through the day following the second class meeting.

A student who remains registered is not charged for any course dropped during the first two weeks of the semester. The number of times a class meets is not a factor in this determination. Students who drop after the second week receive no refund. Drops do not require an instructor’s signature. They may be processed at the Registrar’s Office, Advising Services Center, Lewiston-Auburn College, or a University of Maine System Center. The date the drop form is received at one of these offices is used to determine if charges should be reduced.

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Withdrawal Policy

The charges assessed students who withdraw from all classes are adjusted in accordance with the schedules shown below. The date the Registrar receives written notification of withdrawal is used when calculating refunds. A semester begins with the first day of scheduled University classes and includes weekends and holidays.

Failure to notify the Registrar promptly will increase financial liability. A student who feels the withdrawal was caused by reasons beyond his or her control (extended illness or military service obligations, for example) may petition for special consideration. Such requests will be considered only if received within 90 days of the end of the semester involved. Charges will not be reduced for voluntary absence from classes. Contact the Student Billing Office for additional information about this procedure.

Tuition refunds Student charges will be reduced for those students who are withdrawing from the University of Maine System in accordance with the schedules and provisions set forth below.

For purposes of calculating tuition reductions, the attendance period begins on the opening day of scheduled campus classes, includes weekends and holidays, and ends on the date the student notifies the Registrar in writing that she or he is withdrawing.

Schedules For All Returning Students

Summer Session Refer to the Summer Session catalog for summer drop/withdrawal policies.

Requests for exemptions to the refund policy must be filed with the executive director for Financial Resources within 90 days of the end of the semester involved.

Board Refunds Students who withdraw from the University are charged for meals at an established daily rate. Additional information is available from the Department of Residence Life.

Room Refunds Students who vacate University housing, will be charged in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Residence Hall contract.

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Rules Governing In-State and Out-of-State Tuition

There are many factors that will be considered in determining residency for in-state tuition purposes. No one factor can be used to establish domicile; rather, all factors and circumstances must be considered on a case-by-case basis. A domicile or residency classification assigned by a public or private authority neither qualifies nor disqualifies a student for University of Maine System (UMS) in-state status.

A student applying for admission to a degree program is classified as eligible, or not eligible, for in-state tuition at the time of acceptance to the University. A non-matriculated (non-degree) student is classified as eligible, or not eligible, for in-state tuition at the time of registration. The decision, made by the executive director for Financial Resources, or other officials designated by the campus, (this authority is granted to all admissions directors), shall be made based on information and documentation furnished by the student and other information available to the University. No student is eligible for in-state tuition classification until he or she has become domiciled in Maine, in accordance with University guidelines, before such registration. If the student is enrolled full-time in an academic program, as defined by the University, it will be presumed that the student is in Maine for educational purposes, and that the student is not in Maine to establish a domicile. A residence established for the purpose of attending a UMS campus shall not by itself constitute domicile. The burden will be on the student to prove that he or she has established a Maine domicile for other than educational purposes. An individual who has lived in the state of Maine, for other than educational purposes, one year prior to registration or application to a campus is considered an in-state student.

In general, members of the Armed Forces and their dependents will be granted in-state tuition during such periods of time as they are on active duty within the state of Maine or if their military state of residency is Maine as evidenced by appropriate official documentation. A Maine resident who is absent from the state for military or full-time educational purposes will normally remain eligible for in-state tuition.

A student, spouse, or domestic partner of a student, who currently has continuous, permanent full-time employment in Maine before the student decides to apply for degree status at the University will be considered in-state for tuition purposes.

A student who is dependent on his/her parent(s) and/or legally appointed guardian (or to whom custody has been granted by court order) is considered to have a domicile with the parent(s) for tuition purposes.

In-state tuition is not available to anyone who holds a non-immigrant U.S. visa. If an individual is not a domiciliary of the United States, they cannot be a domiciliary of the state of Maine.

A student who attended an out-of-state educational institution at in-state tuition rates in the immediately preceding semester, shall be presumed to be in Maine for educational purposes and not to establish a domicile. Again, the burden will be on the individual to prove that he or she has established a Maine domicile for other than educational purposes.

To change tuition status, the following procedures must be followed:

1. A “Request of Change in Tuition Status” must be filed with the executive director for Financial Resources or designee on or before the campus’s first day of classes for the summer session, fall or spring semester for which residency is requested. All applications shall be prospective.
2. If the executive director for Financial Resources’ written decision, to be issued within 30 days of the first day of classes, is considered incorrect by the student, the student may appeal that decision in writing, within 30 days, to the chief financial officer of the campus.

In the event that the executive director for Financial Resources, or other designated official, possesses facts or information indicating a student’s change of status from in-state to out-of-state, the student shall be informed in writing of the change in status and will be given an opportunity to present facts in opposition to the change. The student may appeal the decision of the executive director for Financial Resources or other designated official as set forth in the preceding paragraph.

Applications for “A Request for Change in Tuition Status” are available on the Student Billing Web site at www.usm.maine.edu/buso or at the Student Billing Office, 110 Corthell Hall, Gorham, or the Business Office, 118 Payson Smith, Portland. Completed applications should be returned to the Portland Business Office.

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New England Regional Program

In cooperation with the New England Board of Higher Education the University offers certain graduate programs of study to qualified candidates from the New England States. Tuition rates for regional candidates approved by the Board of Trustees will be that of in-state tuition plus a surcharge of 50 percent. Because the listing of available programs varies from year to year, candidates should consult the New England Regional Student Program Graduate Catalog. This catalog is available for review in the Office of Graduate Studies (Portland and Gorham). Copies may be obtained from the New England Board of Higher Education, 45 Temple Place, Boston, MA 02111.

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Financial Aid

Students admitted to a master’s degree program at the University are eligible to apply for financial aid from a variety of sources. The Student Financial Aid Office administers loans and employment programs for financially needy students. Maine lending institutions offer eligible students low interest student loans. Some employers offer assistance in the form of tuition reimbursement, flexible scheduling, or paid educational sabbaticals. Scholarship assistance may also be available from organizations, clubs, or religious groups of which the student or his or her family is a member. The University is also approved by the Veterans Administration for payment of veteran’s benefits.

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Eligibility for Aid

To receive financial assistance, a student must be admitted into a degree program at the University and must be enrolled in 6 credit hours that can be applied to the graduate program requirements for a semester. Aid can be granted only to U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens. You must also be registered with the Selective Service if you are a male, at least 18 years old, and born after December 31, 1959. If you believe you are not required to be registered, please call the Selective Service Office for information regarding exemption.

It is important to remember that financial aid is intended to supplement a student’s resources. A basic principle of financial aid programs is that the student and his or her family are expected to contribute, when able, from income and assets to meet college costs.

The deciding factor in the establishment of a student’s eligibility for most financial aid programs is that of documented financial “need”; that is, when an applicant has been determined to have insufficient family resources to meet the cost of attending the University of Southern Maine, she or he is eligible for assistance. Since the federal government provides most of the funds the University allocates to its students, family resources are assessed in accordance with a formula required by the U.S. Department of Education.

Aid applicants must also meet standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress in their chosen course of study. These standards are set by the University in accordance with federal financial aid regulations and are in addition to the requirements established by the dean or director of an academic program. A full explanation of these standards may be found in a separate publication entitled “Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy” available in the Student Financial Aid Office, and at the following Web site: www.usm.maine.edu/fin.

A student must not owe a refund on a federal grant or be in default on a federal educational loan. Students who are in default or owe a repayment are not eligible for assistance.

No student should fail to apply for admission because she or he cannot pay the full cost of an education. The Student Financial Aid Office administers a significant and versatile program. When a student’s financial resources are insufficient to meet educational expenses, loans or employment can usually be made available. If funds are not available from the University, the Student Financial Aid Office helps students explore other potential sources of aid.

Eligibility for Financial Aid During Doctoral Studies

To be eligible for federal financial aid (including deferment of student loans) a matriculated Ph.D. student must meet one of the following conditions:

• are enrolled in at least 6 academic graduate credits
                or
• has obtained a certificate of satisfactory progress from the chair of the committee, indicating that the student is continuing to actively pursue studies leading to the doctoral degree, and is registered for GRS 701. (Note: This applies to students taking anything less than 6 academic credits.)

GRS 701 is a 1-credit course that permits doctoral degree candidates to retain eligibility for financial aid, including University-funded fellowships, scholarships, and graduate assistantships, and access to University services including the USM Libraries and Internet.

Ph.D. students may continue to be eligible for externally funded research assistantships, but not for federal financial aid or University-funded graduate assistantships provided the student maintains continuous enrollment by registering for GRS 601 and provides a certificate of satisfactory progress from the committee chair.

Upon completion of the dissertation proposal, the student must register for 12 credits of PPM 799 Dissertation. These credits may be taken in any semester(s) of the student’s choice, but the student remains subject to the rule of continuous enrollment at USM and should take into account individual needs to be designated as full- or part-time students and register for these 12 credits accordingly.

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Application Procedures

To apply for financial assistance from the University of Southern Maine, you should file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or your Renewal FAFSA on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Students are encouraged to apply for assistance as early as possible. To ensure a fair distribution of funds, a priority filing date is established. To meet USM’s deadline, applicants must ensure that their FAFSA data is received at the institution by March 1. Students should submit the FAFSA on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov by February 15 to meet the USM March 1 deadline.

Applications are accepted after the priority filing dates, although the type and amount of aid offered may be reduced subject to funding limitations. Applicants who file after the priority filing date will probably receive delayed notification and may not have funds available in time to pay semester bills.

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How Financial Aid is Allocated

The University begins reviewing student aid applications in early spring. Once a student is accepted, all necessary financial aid application materials are received, and the University is told how much federal aid it will have for students, a notice of eligibility is sent. If a student receives outside scholarship funds, the amount of aid from the University may have to be reduced.

The amount a student receives is determined by subtracting the student’s resources from a budget computed by the Student Financial Aid Office. This budget is based on typical living and educational costs for students and may be adjusted if unusual non-discretionary expenses exist.

Even after a student is allocated funds, the amount of aid may be adjusted if the student’s financial situation changes. Students must promptly report any of the following to the Student Financial Aid Office: a change in residence; a change in the number of credit hours attempted; or the receipt of financial aid from sources other than the Student Financial Aid Office.

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Types of Aid Available

Graduate Assistantships are available in most programs. Graduate assistantships serve three purposes: to provide financial support for students, to enhance students’ professional and scholarly development, and to support faculty scholarship and teaching. The assistant is required to pursue graduate studies (at least 6 hours of credit per semester). In compensation, the assistants are paid a yearly grant. Some assistantships are accompanied by a limited tuition waiver. Assistantships are awarded by the Office of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the individual graduate programs. Interested students should first contact their graduate program director or the Office of Graduate Studies.

Federal Work Study is a program funded by the University of Southern Maine and the federal government. A student’s financial need governs the amount that can be earned.

Federal Perkins Loans are funded by the federal government, the University, and former borrowers repaying loans. No repayment is required until after the student ceases his or her education. Once repayment begins, the student is charged 5 percent simple interest on the amount borrowed. While the monthly repayment amount varies with the amount borrowed, a minimum of $40 must be repaid each month.

Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans is a program sponsored by the federal and state governments that allows students to secure low-cost loans. Eligibility for subsidized Stafford Loans is based on demonstrated financial need.

Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans is a program under the Federal Family Education Loan Program that provides access to borrowing for students who do not qualify for need-based assistance. The student is responsible for the interest as it accrues.

PLUS Loans This program sponsored by federal and state governments allows graduate and law students to secure relatively low-cost, credit-based loans. Graduate and law students are able to borrow up to their cost of attendance minus other estimated and actual financial assistance under the PLUS Loan program. Graduate and law students must file a FAFSA and must have their annual loan maximum eligibility under the Stafford Loan program determined before they apply for a PLUS Loan. PLUS Loan request forms for graduate and law students are available at the Student Financial Aid Office or at www.usm.maine.edu/fin/plus.htm.

Alternative Loans are credit-based loan programs which provide long term financing options for qualified students. Additional information about these programs may be obtained from the Student Financial Aid Office. Some lenders may also have their own private educational loan programs. Check with the lender for more information.

North American Indian Programs Tuition, mandatory fees, and on-campus room and board will be waived for qualified and eligible North American Indians residing in Maine. Eligibility is extended to 1) the person whose name is included on the current census of either the Passamaquoddy or Penobscot Tribes; and 2) the person who has resided in Maine for at least one year and whose name, or the name of at least one of their grandparents, was included on the census of a North American Tribe OR held a band number of the Maliseet or Micmac Tribes with direct blood lineage. For additional information, contact the Wabanaki Center at (207) 581-1417 or download the North American Waiver and Scholarship Program form.

University Tuition Waivers A limited number of tuition waivers are granted to outstanding entering graduate students. Students are nominated by faculty admission committees. Applications for admission to graduate study must be completed and received by January 15.

Veterans Educational Benefits Students eligible for educational assistance from the Veterans Administration are encouraged to contact the Veterans Affairs Office 30 days before the start of each semester. The Veterans Affairs Office is located in the Enrollment Services Center.

Trustee Tuition Scholarships A limited number of scholarships is available. The awards are based on academic achievement and promise, special talents, potential to make unique contributions to the University community, and USM’s commitment to expanding the pluralistic character of its student body. Further information may be obtained from the individual graduate programs.

For additional information, contact the Student Financial Aid Office, University of Southern Maine, Corthell Hall, College Avenue, Gorham, Maine 04038 or telephone (207) 780-5800, or online at www.usm.maine.edu/fin.

Offers of financial aid are conditional upon receipt of funds from all funding sources. The Student Financial Aid Office reserves the right to revise offers of financial aid at any time during the year based on availability of funds and/or changes in regulation and/or procedures mandated by University, state, or federal authorities.

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