Costs and Financial Policies

Students are billed each semester for tuition, fees and other expenses such as housing, meal plans and book vouchers. It is Vaughn’s policy that students must clear their tuition accounts prior to registering for subsequent semesters. Financial arrangements constitute setting up a deferred payment plan with consistent payments, which are defined and agreed to by the office of student accounts, and the student filing for financial aid, if applicable.

Under no circumstances will students be permitted to register if they have tuition due for more than one semester. Appeals of this policy can be made to the vice president of finance and business services for a final determination.

A fee of $25 will be charged for all checks that are not honored. Tuition and fees are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the College.

Acceptance Deposit

A nonrefundable acceptance deposit of $200 ($600 US for international students) is required within one month after the applicant is notified of acceptance. The acceptance deposit reserves the student’s place in class and is credited in full toward tuition, provided that the applicant begins classes within one year of the originally scheduled enrollment date. Requests for waiver of the one-year limit should be submitted to the director of admissions.

Tuition

Graduate tuition for the 2024-2025 academic year is $1035 per credit.

Room and Board

For the 2024-2025 academic year, the per-semester cost for a room in Vaughn’s residence hall is $6,370 for a single ; $5,440 for a double ; $4,780 for a triple; or $4,620 for a quadruple . A $250 housing deposit is required. Most residents live in either a two-person or four-person suite with a semi-private bath. The residence hall has laundry, study and kitchen facilities in a common area within the building. Residence hall rooms are supplied with a bed, dresser, closet, desk and chair for each student. Each room is also equipped with a phone, cable TV hookup and computer port.

Meal plan options include $1,650, $1,200, $880 or $595 per semester.

Housing Cancellations and Refunds

Students who are assigned housing and who fail to move in will forfeit their deposits and remain responsible for any housing charges due. Students who move into the residence and who then leave or cancel their assignments at any point during the academic term will forfeit all deposits and be charged for the full-semester housing costs.

Students who cancel housing by notifying the office of residence life in writing prior to July 1 for the fall semester, or by January 1 for the spring semester, will be refunded the $250 housing deposit less any assessed damages. After these dates, the deposit will not be refunded.

The housing deposit will be held by the College as a damage deposit. At the end of the student’s residence, the room will be inspected to determine the amount, if any, of the deposit that will be refunded to the student upon moving out. In the event damages to the room and/or common area exceed the $250 deposit, the student will be responsible for paying the additional damage amount. Failure to receive a specific type of housing is not a justifiable reason to be refunded the $250 deposit or to decline or move out of the residence.

If a student is removed from the residence hall for judicial reasons, he or she forfeits the right to a refund of the housing charges and housing deposit and remains liable for the full amount.

Residents who were enrolled for the fall semester and have been released from their agreement for the spring semester due to withdrawal from the College must vacate their rooms, check out with a staff member and return room keys within 24 hours after their last final exam for the fall semester; their liability for further charges will be assessed at that time.

Fees

Application Fee

A nonrefundable application fee of $75 is required with the application for admission. A re-entry fee of $75 is due by all graduate students re-entering the College after withdrawal (more than one semester of absence) and is nonrefundable.

Summary of 2023-2024 Graduate Fee Schedule

Locker Rental

Residence Hall Room Rates

Meal Plans

Plan 1: (Continuing students only) $880
Plan 2: $1,200
Plan 3: $1,650
Plan 4: (Continuing students only) $595
Declining balance loaded at the start of each semester; additional funds may be added at any time by visiting Student Accounts; commuters encouraged to add funds to save on sales tax
Note: Plans 1 and 2 are open to returning residents only; plans 3 and 4 are open to all residents.

Residential Fees

Maintenance of Matriculation Fee

Students who plan to take a leave of absence for a semester are encouraged to maintain matriculation by paying a $250 maintenance of matriculation fee. Matriculation forms are sent to students following late registration. Maintaining matriculation affords students the opportunity to stay within the curriculum and requirements of their current program. Students cannot maintain matriculation for more than two consecutive semesters or in programs that have been canceled. Students must have a zero balance to maintain matriculation.

Semester Fee

A nonrefundable semester fee of $ 450 is required for each enrolled student. This fee is part of the general fund and is used to offset the cost of student registration, computer usage, orientation, identification cards and other student services.

Graduation Fee

A graduation fee of $100 is required when the graduation declaration form is submitted.

Late Registration Fee

A nonrefundable $75 late registration fee will be applied to students who register for classes on or after the first day of the semester.

Billing

Payment of tuition and fees is due by the first day of the semester. At that time, students must make payment, in full, using one or a combination of the following methods: check, money order, credit card, federal or state financial aid, Vaughn College scholarship or grant, private grant or a third-party payment plan.

International Student Billing

First-year international students must pay tuition and fees in full two weeks prior to the first day of classes. In subsequent years, international students are permitted to participate in the College’s deferred payment plan. Students who fail to regularly meet their financial commitment after joining a payment plan will be immediately removed from the program.

Third-Party Billing

You may seek a deferment of payment based on a third-party plan (e.g., employer reimbursement). To do so, you must submit a letter on company letterhead, signed by a benefits officer, stating the terms and conditions for reimbursement. This letter must be presented to the office of student accounts no later than the last day of late registration each semester you apply for a deferment.

Payment Plans

Vaughn uses Nelnet Business Systems, a third party, to administer the student payment plans. Students who are interested should see the office of student accounts for information. Students who pay their tuition bill in full by cash, check or money order and subsequently withdraw will have their refund calculated according to the tuition refund schedule on page 16. Refund checks are mailed directly to the student’s home by the assistant director of student accounts. Students who have made a partial payment on their bill will have their tuition liability calculated according to the schedule on that page. A reduction in tuition charges may not necessarily result in a refund and, in some instances, a tuition balance may still be due.

Refunds to Students Who Withdraw

All students who want to withdraw from courses for any reason must officially notify the College; to receive a refund or credit, they must withdraw during the official refund periods. Students officially withdraw using the add/drop or total withdrawal form, submitting the form in person at the campus registrar’s office and/or emailing a copy to Beatriz Novoa-Cruz, associate vice president of enrollment services: registrar of student accounts, at beatriz.cruz@vaughn.edu. Regular attendance is an essential ingredient for satisfactory academic performance. All students are encouraged to attend their courses on a regular basis and abide by the departmental and course-specific attendance requirements (as provided in course syllabi). Failing to meet this minimum requirement can affect a student’s registration in the course(s) for that semester.

Non-attendance in a course, verbal communication with College offices or instructors, or stopping payment on a check or payment plan are not official ways to drop classes. The official withdrawal is the only form of withdrawal that qualifies a student for a refund of tuition and nonrefundable fees.

The College’s withdrawal procedure applies to all students, including those who receive student loans and financial aid. Withdrawal can affect eligibility for financial aid and/or loans, and some students who withdraw, as a result, are liable for amounts due and are billed by the College accordingly.

Program Adjustments and Withdrawal

If you have pre-registered and an adjustment is necessary as a result of failure to successfully complete a prerequisite course(s), you may add, drop or change a course section anytime after the pre-registration period and before the first day of classes, without penalty. Other adjustments must be made during the program adjustment period, usually on or after the first day of classes, and will be assessed the appropriate fee ($10 per add/drop). Use the add/drop form to make all program adjustments. Because program adjustments can affect your financial aid eligibility, it is important that you refer to the refund schedule in the current catalog, to understand your tuition liability. Failure to follow the proper withdrawal procedures can result in the student being financially liable for full or partial tuition and fees. Students receiving a pro rata reduction of federal student aid when withdrawing before 60 percent of the semester is completed can be liable for any outstanding tuition due.

Students withdrawing entirely from the College must complete and file the total withdrawal form with the office of the registrar. Students who do not officially withdraw from a course will receive one of the following grade codes:

WX-Withdrawal due to administrative reasons. An appropriate Title IV refund calculation will be performed based on last day of attendance.

FX-Withdrawal due to administrative reasons (excessive absences). Academic penalty will be computed into the grade point average as a grade of “F.” Title IV refund will be calculated if the withdrawal is before 60 percent of coursework is completed.

Financial Policies

Payment of tuition and fees is due by the first day of the semester. Students must make payment in full, or arrange to pay with the office of student accounts by that time. Students who register after that date must make arrangements to pay at that time. Acceptable arrangements to pay include evidence of eligibility for financial aid, alternative educational loans, Veterans Affairs benefits, employer education benefits, the College’s or another payment plan, the College’s and/or private grants and scholarships. Students who fail to regularly meet their financial commitment after joining a payment plan will be immediately removed from the program and refused participation in subsequent semesters.

Students who make acceptable financial arrangements to cover their tuition with the office of student accounts and make a good-faith effort to meet their financial obligations will be allowed to maintain their enrollment each semester without interruption. Failure to meet your financial obligation to the College can result in any or all of the following actions against you:

• Denial of permission to register for future semesters
• Denial of participation in commencement exercises (graduating students)
• Denial of receipt of diploma (graduating students)
• De-registration for the semester
• Surrender of your account to a collection agency (affects your credit rating)

Before de-registration, students affected are notified by first-class mail and given 10 business days to take corrective action. Once de-registration takes place, a program adjustment form is sent to the student by first-class mail and the student is dropped from the class roster. This action cannot be reversed; the student is liable for tuition in accordance with the College’s refund schedule. A grade of WX is issued.

Appeals of Financial Decisions

Students may consult with the vice president of enrollment services regarding the appropriate procedure to appeal a financial determination.

Financial Arrears Policy

Vaughn reserves the right to withhold registration material and all information regarding the record of any student who is in arrears in the payment of tuition, fees, loans or other charges (including charges for activities or services) as long as arrears remain.

Tuition Refund Schedule

Academic Calendar 2024 - 2025*

* All dates are subject to change. Check the website: www.vaughn.edu.

Fall Semester 2023

Spring Semester 2024

Academic Session I Summer 2024

Academic Session II Summer 2024

Academic Session III Summer 2024 (Entire Summer)