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Financial Aid :: Student Parent Loans :: Payment Methods and Due Dates :: Tuition, Room, Board, and Fees

Northeastern University is eager to assist you in developing a plan for financing a Northeastern education. Through a variety of options—financial aid, Northeastern’s Monthly Payment Plan, supplemental loans, and your own resources—a plan can be designed that will make your education costs affordable. Visit us on the Web at www.customerservice.neu.edu or call 617.373.2270.

FINANCIAL AID

For many families, financial aid is a major element in making Northeastern University affordable. The Office of Student Financial Services provides a full range of options that help undergraduate and graduate students establish a comprehensive plan to finance their educations. To take advantage of Northeastern’s financial aid programs, freshmen must submit the FAFSA and CSS PROFILE forms and returning students must submit the FAFSA. For more information, please visit www.customerservice.neu.edu or contact the Office of Student Financial Services at 617.373.3190.

STUDENT/PARENT LOANS

In addition to the federal loans that may be on your Offer of Financial Assistance, there are additional loans that can assist you in financing your Northeastern education. Federal PLUS loans for parents/guardians are available at competitive interest rates; you may borrow up to the cost of your education less any financial aid or loans you are receiving. The MEFA loan, a family loan program, is available to all Northeastern families (regardless of state of residence), subject to credit requirements. For information about these and additional borrowing options, please contact the Office of Student Financial Services at 617.373.3190.

Northeastern’s Monthly Payment Plan

All full-time students have the option to enroll in Northeastern’s Monthly Payment Plan. This plan allows students and families to spread their annual tuition costs (less the financial aid) over eleven months. (See enrollment dates below.) The plan is administered by Academic Management Services (AMS). For additional information, contact the Customer Service Center at 617.373.2270 or AMS at 800.635.0120, or visit their Web sites at www.customerservice.neu.edu or www.tuitionpay.com, respectively.

Enroll by Monthly payments

June 15 Budget amount/11 payments
July 15 Budget amount/10 payments
August 15 Budget amount/9 payments
   
Three- and four-month payment plans for individual semesters are also available.

PAYMENT METHODS AND DUE DATES

The following are accepted methods of payment:

  • Check or money order made payable to Northeastern University.
  • MasterCard, VISA, American Express, or Discover. Payments may be made by calling our 24-hour automated charge line, 617.373.2319 or, outside Massachusetts, 800.937.4067.
  • Enrollment in Northeastern’s Monthly Payment Plan.

Full payment of tuition, residence hall fees, and other related charges are due two weeks prior to the start of each semester.

     Students are responsible for the prompt payment of all bills. If you have not received a bill by the first week of the semester, please contact the Customer Service Center and a bill will be generated for you.

     Discrepancies in your bill should be addressed in writing to the Customer Service Center. Include your name, account number, dollar amount in question, date of invoice, and any other information you believe is relevant. Address the correspondence to: Customer Service Center, 254 Richards Hall, Northeastern University, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 or email customerservice@neu.edu. If there is a billing problem, pay the undisputed portion of the bill to avoid responsibility for any late fees.

Overloads/Reduced Loads

Undergraduate day tuition is charged on a flat per-semester basis that includes the cost of each student’s normal academic curriculum requirements for that semester. An overload occurs when a student is enrolled in more courses than prescribed by the program’s curriculum. Undergraduate full-time day students may register for an additional 1 semester-hour course from a selected list, without added charge, as long as they are registered for a full course load. Adjustments are made for undergraduate full-time students with reduced loads only when the course load falls below twelve credits. Students taking a course when on a co-op placement are charged at the overload rate.

Delinquent Balances

In cases of student default on tuition payments, the student is liable for the outstanding tuition as well as for all reasonable collection costs and any legal fees incurred by the University during the collection process. Accounts may be subject to monthly interest charges. Transcripts and other academic records will not be released until all financial obligations to the University have been met.

Refunds and Complete Withdrawal

Students who officially withdraw during a semester will receive a tuition refund based on the refund policy stated below. Institutional funds awarded by Northeastern University will be adjusted based on the actual charges incurred during the semester. Funds from Title IV programs will be returned to the government according to federal regulations. The federal government “return of funds” policy dictates that a student’s eligibility for federal financial aid is determined by the number of days enrolled in the semester. The refund will be calculated from the date the student submits a notification of withdrawal to the Office of the Registrar.

Official Withdrawal Adjustment

Tuition credits are based on the date of the official withdrawal processed by the registrar’s office. Nonattendance does not constitute official withdrawal. Credit policies vary according to the duration of the course. Tuition adjustments are made according to the following schedule. Note that the first week ends on the Friday following the first day of classes.

Full semesters  

During the first week 100% refund
During the second week 90% refund
During the third week 80% refund
During the fourth week 60% refund
During the fifth week 40% refund
After the fifth week no refund
   
Half semesters  

During the first week 100% refund
During the second week 75% refund
During the third week 50% refund
During the fourth week 25% refund
After the fourth week no refund

Medical and Nonmedical Leave

Medical and nonmedical leaves are granted when a student cannot complete the current academic period for health or personal reasons but is confident that he or she will reenroll within six months. Northeastern’s medical and nonmedical leave policy states that all tuition paid for such periods of leave will be held by the University and applied to future charges. Outstanding balances (including unpaid balances) for the semester in which leave is taken are still due the University during that semester. Financial aid recipients should contact their financial aid counselor to understand the effects on aid received. Note: Leave petitions are available in college deans’ offices and specify the conditions and procedures under which leaves may be granted. Leaves are described more fully in the Leave of Absence section.

Disability Resource Center Adjustments

Students who are registered with Northeastern’s Disability Resource Center are eligible to petition the center for tuition adjustments directly related to their documented disability. Further information is available from the Disability Resource Center.

TUITION, ROOM, BOARD, AND FEES PER SEMESTER 2003–2004 ACADEMIC YEAR

Full-time freshmen spend two semesters in classes and summer on vacation. Full-time upperclass students participating in the co-op program typically spend a full semester and a half semester in classes and six months on co-op. The number of semesters a transfer student spends in school depends on the curriculum of the student’s college. You are advised to verify your curriculum with your dean’s office so that you may plan accordingly.

The total costs for students living in our residence halls and enrolled in the nineteen-meal plan are as follows:
Tuition and fees Per full
semester
Per summer
half semester
Tuition $12,800 $6,400
Student center fee 70 35
Student activities fee 100*  
Room, board, and fees per semester
Residence activity fee 28 14
Housing range from
1,750–4,550**
1/2 of semester rate**
Fifteen-meal plan*** 2,100 1,050

** *Annual fee
* **Rates vary depending on occupancy and assignment. Visit www.housing.neu.edu for a detailed list of housing rates.
***See Meal Plan section for additional meal plan options.

To plan for tuition and fees better, please refer to the following tables showing the most commonly used class/cooperative education patterns of attendance.

Cooperative education in second half of summer and in fall:

Year Fall Spring Summer 1 Summer 2

1 Class Class Vacation Vacation
2 Class Class Vacation Co-op
3 Co-op Class Class Co-op
4 Co-op Class Class Co-op
5 Co-op Class    

Cooperative education in spring and in first half of summer:

Year Fall Spring Summer 1 Summer 2

1 Class Class Vacation Vacation
2 Class Co-op Co-op Class
3 Class Co-op Co-op Class
4 Class Co-op Co-op Vacation
5 Class Class    
         
No cooperative education:    
         
Year Fall Spring Summer 1 Summer 2

1 Class Class Vacation Vacation
2 Class Class Vacation Vacation
3 Class Class Vacation Vacation
4 Class Class    

Please note that not all of the above patterns are available in all academic programs and that some programs follow patterns different from those shown above.

     In addition to the expenses itemized above, families should plan on the normal costs of living that students incur for transportation, books, and personal expenses. These vary depending upon such things as lifestyle and distance from home, but for the purpose of approximating a student budget, the University estimates these items at $2,900/year for residents and $5,100/year for commuting students.

     Tuition rates, room and board charges, and fees are subject to revision by the Board of Trustees at any time.

The following fees are required of all students:

Application Fee

This nonrefundable $50 fee must accompany an application for admission.

Tuition Deposit

A nonrefundable tuition deposit of $200, which is applicable toward the first semester’s tuition, is due by May 1 from all students entering in September. Students entering at other times of the year should note the required deposit date on their letter of acceptance.

Summer Orientation Fees

A nonrefundable fee will be charged to the student’s account upon registration for the orientation session. This fee covers all program materials, meals, staffing, and housing. The fee is $125 for the two-day program for new students and $80 for the one-day program for transfer students. Any parent or family member wishing to participate in the concurrent parent and family orientation session may register and must also include a nonrefundable fee of $125 with his or her registration. There are separate fees for housing for the parent and family orientation programs.

Student Services Fee

Students pay a $70 per full semester or $35 per half semester student center fee to support the Curry Student Center and a $100 annual student activities fee to support student clubs.

Husky Card (Photo-Identification Card)

This card is issued to new full-time students at orientation and registration. Students must have a properly validated card to use most University facilities. A replacement card costs $10.

University Health Insurance

Massachusetts state law requires that all full-time and three-quarter-time matriculated college students be enrolled in a health insurance plan that meets the state requirements. Northeastern University Student Health Insurance Plan (NUSHIP) meets and exceeds state requirements and is required for those students who do not have comparable coverage with another health insurance plan. If you have comparable health insurance coverage, you may waive NUSHIP by completing a waiver form by the designated deadline date. For more information on the state regulation, please visit www.state.ma.us/dhcfp/ or visit www.chickering.com for more information regarding NUSHIP.

Sports Pass Fee (Not Required)

This $70 annual fee allows students to attend all regular home games without additional charges. This fee can be waived via myNEU Web Portal (myNEU.neu.edu) or through the telephone voice response system (617.373.8000).

Other fees may include the following:

Housing Prepayment

New students seeking on-campus housing must submit a non-refundable $400 prepayment along with a completed housing application form to complete the housing application process. The upperclass housing prepayment is $200 for one semester or $150 per semester for two or more semesters.

Residence Hall Activities Fee

All students living in the residence hall system pay a full-semester $28 fee or half-semester $14 fee for activities sponsored by the Residence Student Association.

Late Fees

All accounts not paid in full by the indicated due dates will be subject to a late fee.

International Student Fee

A one-time fee of $200 is charged to new undergraduate international students, payable after their acceptance at Northeastern University. The fee supports services available at the International Student and Scholar Institute (ISSI).

Room and Board

Room Rates per Semester, 2003–2004

Please visit the Department of Residential Life Web site,www.housing.neu.edu, for a complete display of room rates and residence halls.

Termination Fee and Room Rate Adjustment Policy

The University provides on-campus and leased accommodations that are assigned each semester. Students are billed at the beginning of each semester and are obligated to pay the full charge for the semester. The high demand for on-campus housing makes it necessary for Residential Life to strictly enforce its cancellation policy.

     It is imperative to note that a student whose Residence Hall and Dining License Agreement is revoked for disciplinary reasons is subject to the same financial assessments as outlined below.

Termination Fee Policy for Withdrawal from the University

Full Semester:
Official withdrawal
from University
Percentage of full
semester room charge
During the first week 0%
During the second week 10%
During the third week 20%
During the fourth week 40%
During the fifth week 60%
After the fifth week* 100%
   
*Students withdrawing after the fifth week incur a 100% room charge for the full semester.
   
Half Semester:  
   
Official withdrawal
from University
Percentage of half
semester room charge


During the first week 0%
During the second week 25%
During the third week 50%
During the fourth week 75%
After the fourth week** 100%

**Students withdrawing after the fourth week incur a 100% room charge for the half semester.

Termination Fee Policy for Withdrawal from the Residence Halls

Failure to provide timely written notification of cancellation of housing will result in a charge to students for their assigned space. If the cancellation deadline has passed, students who can demonstrate a significant change in academic, co-op, financial, or personal circumstances may petition for a waiver of this fee. See cancellation fee schedule that follows:

Amount Charged Fall Notification Spring Received Summer 1 and 2
Deposit refunded;
no charge
Before 6/16/03 Before 11/1/03 Before 3/1/04
25% of semester room charge*** After 6/16/03 After 11/1/03 After 3/1/04
50% of semester room charge*** After 7/15/03 After 11/15/03 After 3/1/04
75% of semester room charge*** After 8/1/03 After 12/1/03 After 4/1/04
100% of semester room charge*** After 8/15/03 After 12/15/03 After 4/15/04

***The student’s deposit for the semester is applied to the cancellation charge assessed.

University Dining Service

All students who live in traditional University residence halls and suites are required to participate in the food plan run by University Dining Service.

Meals per week Full semester   Summer half semester

19 $2,275 $1,150
15 2,100 1,050
10 1,825 925
5 (upperclass only) 925 475

Husky Account

Students deposit funds into a Husky Account and, using their Husky Cards, may purchase books, groceries, tickets, and snacks at convenient locations on and off campus. The account accrues no interest. Contact the Customer Service Center at 617.373.2270 or visit www.customerservice.neu.edu\huskycard.html for additional information. To add funds to your Husky Account using your credit card, call 617.373.2319 or, outside Massachusetts, 800.937.4067, or to bill it to your tuition account, call 617.373.8000, choose option 4.


Financial Aid :: Student Parent Loans :: Payment Methods and Due Dates :: Tuition, Room, Board, and Fees

Questions?
Contact the Registrar's Office
120 Hayden Hall
(617) 373-2300
registrar@neu.edu
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