Tuition, Fees and Expenses
For the most current and complete information see http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/fees/
All tuition, fees, expenses, and policies listed in this publication are effective summer session 2011 and are subject to change without notice by Iowa State University and the Board of Regents, State of Iowa.
Tuition and fees are based on credit load at 5:00 p.m. on the 10th day of class, which is the last day for adjustments downward in tuition and fee assessment.
Tuition
Enrollment is not complete until fees are paid. Tuition is charged based upon the number of credits in which a student is enrolled. Maximum charges start at 12 credits for undergraduate and veterinary medicine students. Maximum charges start at 9 credits for graduate students.
Students who are not residents of Iowa pay a higher tuition rate each semester. Nondegree undergraduate students and noncollegiate students pay the same fees as undergraduates. Tuition and fees are assessed in accordance with regulations of the Board of Regents, State of Iowa. Information about these regulations are found in this catalog under Admissions and Registrar.
Fees
Following are the descriptions of several commonly assessed fees for Iowa State University students. The list is not inclusive. All fees are subject to change without notice.
Activity, Services, Building and Recreation: The activity, services & building fee is a mandatory fee that supports a variety of activities and services for all students. It is not based on whether or not a student uses an individual activity or service. This fee provides several benefits such as student admission rates to concerts and athletic events and, unlimited use of CyRide, the Ames bus system. In addition, the fee provides support for campus recreation facilities, the Memorial Union, and campus organizations and services as allocated by the Government of the Student Body. All students will be charged a maximum of $317.80 each fall and spring semester, and $159.50 per summer semester. The activity, services, building and recreation fee includes assessments of the following amounts for each fall and spring semester.
| Fee Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Student Activities | 35.35 |
| Student Services | 94.10 |
| Building | 27.55 |
| Recreation | 160.80 |
| Total | 317.80 |
Exemptions are granted for students exclusively registered for the following: distance education courses (sections beginning with X); courses for which no tuition is assessed; continuous registration status courses, and high school students enrolled under the Post-Secondary Enrollment Options Act. Students in exemption categories named above may elect to pay this fee and will be assessed based upon their enrollment status.
For students who withdraw or change to an exempt status as defined above, the tuition adjustment schedule will also be used for the activity fee.
Additional Billing Fee: A student can authorize the ISU Accounts Receivable Office to mail a billing statement to another individual. The cost of the Additional Billing Fee to mail a monthly paper statement is $7.50 per semester. This remains in effect as long as the student is enrolled or until discontinued by the student.
Application: The application fee for domestic undergraduates and graduate students is $40, the fee for international undergraduate students is $50, while the fee for international graduate students is $90. All applicants for Veterinary Medicine pay an application fee of $75. This is a nonrefundable fee and must accompany the application for admission. This fee does not apply to special students or workshop applicants, and is subject to change without notice.
Applied Music (Private Instruction): The music fee is charged to students receiving private music instruction and is in addition to regular tuition. The fee offsets the costs of one-on-one instruction. One credit of instruction is $150; the fee for two credits is $190.
Camp: A special tuition rate is assessed to students participating in camp programs. The undergraduate assessment is $268 per credit and the graduate rate is $416 per credit. Summer camp programs entitled to the special rate are Anthropology and Geology. Students will be charged other fees in addition to tuition for enrolling in these programs. To obtain total fee information, students should contact the director of the individual program.
Career Services: The career services fees vary among college-based career services offices ranging from $0 - $25 per student.
Delivery: Some distance education courses charge a delivery fee to offset additional expenses incurred in offering a course at a distance. Applicable delivery fees are listed with the specific course in the Schedule of Classes available at http://classes.iastate.edu. Delivery fees also appear on each student's schedule detail available on AccessPlus.
Developmental: A developmental course fee is charged in addition to the tuition charged for other courses on the student's schedule. For example: A student taking 12 credits plus a developmental course will pay full-time tuition for the 12 credits, plus the developmental course fee(s). These fees are intended to cover the direct costs of offering these developmental courses. Developmental course fees are listed with the specific course in the Schedule of Classes available at http://classes.iastate.edu/
Diploma Replacement: Individuals who have lost their diploma may request a replacement for $25.
Graduation: Undergraduate and graduate students are charged a $50 nonrefundable graduation fee the term they receive their degree.
Health Facility: All students are charged an $8 Health Facility Fee each semester except for students exclusively registered for the following: distance education courses (courses with sections beginning with X); courses for which no tuition is assessed; continuous registration status courses; and high school students enrolled under the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act. These exceptions do not apply to international students (except where noted) or graduate students on graduate assistantships. For students who withdraw or change to an exempt status as defined above, the refund schedule for tuition will be used for the health facility fee.
Students who carry the ISU sponsored student health insurance must also be assessed the health facility fee.
Health (Student Health): A $98 student health fee, which partially finances the services of the Thielen Student Health Center, is charged to all students each semester. This fee is not assessed to students enrolled for four or fewer credits or students exclusively registered for the following: distance education courses (courses with sections beginning with X); courses for which no tuition is assessed; continuous registration status courses; Lakeside Laboratory courses; and high school students enrolled under the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act. (These exemptions do not apply to international students or to graduate students on graduate assistantships.) Students who are exempt from the mandatory health fee may use the services of the Thielen Student Health Center on a fee for service basis, or may elect to pay the $98 Health Fee and $8 Health Facility Fee, which allows participants to receive services at the Thielen Student Health Center for the same rate as students who pay the mandatory health fees. Spouses/domestic partners of students who wish to use the Thielen Student Health Center must pay the $98 Health Fee and $8 Health Facility Fee.
Students who withdraw or change to an exempt status as defined above will receive a credit adjustment of 100 percent through the 10th day of classes, with no credit adjustment after the 10th day of classes. Students who add courses at any time during the semester will be assessed the student health fee if applicable according to the guidelines stated above. Students who carry the ISU sponsored insurance must also be assessed the student health fee. If spouse or domestic partner is covered under the insurance plan, the spouse (domestic partner) must also be covered under the Health Fee and Health Facility Fee.
Health Insurance: All international students and their accompanying dependents must enroll in the ISU Student and Scholar Health Insurance Program. ISU requires nonimmigrant international students and their dependents to purchase and maintain coverage through the ISU health insurance plan for the duration of their tenure at the university. Insurance plans purchased outside the university may be used for supplemental coverage, but cannot be substituted for the ISU plan. Students not assessed the mandatory Student Health Fee and spouses of students should contact the Student Health Insurance Office at 515-294-4820 for more information.
Identification Card (ISUCard) Replacement: All students receive their first identification card free of charge. Those cardholders who have lost or misplaced their identification cards are assessed a $25 fee to cover the cost of replacement.
Late Fee Payment: If payment of the minimum due is not made by the deadline printed on the billing statement, all fees become due immediately. A one-percent finance charge will be assessed on the total amount due at that time. These students will also have a hold placed on their registration until payment of the total amount due has been made.
Late Registration: Undergraduate students who do not complete their registration before the first day of classes are charged a $20 late registration fee. Graduate students who do not complete their registration before the first day of classes are charged a late registration fee of $20 during the first week of classes, $50 the second week of classes, and $100 the third week of classes or anytime later.
New Student Programs: A nonrefundable fee of $195 is assessed to all new degree-seeking undergraduates (including new direct from high school and new transfer students). The fee covers full costs associated with orientation and Destination Iowa State programming, including publications, mailings, programming, and student assistants who provide services to students and their families during orientation and Destination Iowa State.
Returned Check/Direct Debit Charge: This $30 fee is a charge against the person who writes a dishonored check or authorizes a direct debit to an account that has been closed or has insufficient funds.
Schedule Change: Starting the sixth day of classes a $12 fee is charged for course drops, additions, and section changes. One fee is assessed for multiple changes processed at the same time for the same term.
Senior: A $2 fee covers the cost of special senior activities. This fee is optional and is assessed spring term only.
Special Course: Some courses have expenses above the cost of tuition that enhance the instruction. These fees may cover the cost of field trips, use of equipment, materials or supplies, or professional support. Applicable special course fees are listed with the specific course in the Schedule of Classes available at http://classes.iastate.edu/. Special course fees also appear on each student's schedule detail available on AccessPlus.
Sponsored International Student: This fee is assessed to the sponsor of international students as a way to compensate for the special record keeping, billing requirements, correspondence, and the deferred payment option extended to sponsoring agencies. The current fee will be 5 percent of the total tuition charge billed the sponsor. In succeeding years, the fee may be raised after 90 days advance notice to the sponsoring agency.
Study Abroad: Tuition assessment for study abroad credits, up to a maximum of 12 credits, is above and beyond tuition for other courses taken during the same term.
Technology: All students will be charged a technology fee each semester.
Full-time graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Engineering (including Systems Engineering, Agricultural Systems Technology, and Industrial Technology) are charged $223 per semester.
Full-time graduate and undergraduate students majoring in Computer Science are charged $223 per semester.
Full-time undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Business are charged $135 per semester, while full-time graduate students are charged $112 per semester.
All other full-time undergraduate students are charged the standard technology fee of $115 per semester. Full-time graduate students are charged an $92 per semester technology fee.
Students enrolled less than full-time are assessed prorated technology fees according to the number of credits for which they are enrolled.
High school students enrolled under the Postsecondary Enrollment Options Act; or students enrolled exclusively in courses for which no tuition is assessed are not assessed a technology fee.
For students who withdraw, technology fee adjustments will be made according to the tuition adjustment schedule. Adjustments for a reduction in credits below a full time load is 100 percent through the 10th day of classes, with no refunds after the 10th day of classes. Students who change their major will be charged the full technology fee for the major into which they transfer if the change occurs before the 10th day of classes. If the change occurs after the 10th day of classes, then no change in the technology fee assessment will occur.
Thesis Fee: This $100 nonrefundable fee is charged to any student who submits a master's degree thesis or doctoral dissertation to the Graduate College.
Transcript: Students may obtain an official transcript of their student academic record for $15. An additional $5 service charge for each transcript is assessed for same day service.
Workshops: The fee for one-credit workshops, with no other course enrollments, is $268 for undergraduate students and $416 for graduate students.
Fee Payment
The Accounts Receivable Office bills students for tuition, room, meal plan, and various other university charges. A statement of new charges is available on the first of each month on Access Plus and each student will receive an email message at that time at their Iowa State e-mail address telling them that their bill is available. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that the university has a correct e-mail address and to regularly check their Iowa State e-mail account. Students who do not receive a billing statement before the term begins or are unable to use AccessPlus to view their bill, should contact the Accounts Receivable Office to learn the amount of their account balance due. Failure to receive a billing statement or view their account on AccessPlus will not exempt students from late penalties or from having a hold placed on their registration. Payments for fall semester are due August 20. Payments for spring semester are due January 20. Payments for summer semester are due May 20.
Students may pay their university bill by direct debit through AccessPlus. They may also pay by mail by sending a check or money order (along with the bottom portion of the billing statement printed from AccessPlus) to Iowa State University, Treasurer's Office, 1220 Beardshear Hall, Ames, IA 50011-2044. Payments may also be made in person by taking the personal check or certified funds to the drop box that is located behind the Student Answer Center on the ground floor of Beardshear Hall.
Deferred Payment
Each term, students who do not pay their first installment in full by the due date will automatically select the deferred option, and will be charged a $20 administrative fee.
University fees may be paid in three installments each academic term. Payments for fall semester will be due August 20, September 20, and October 20. Payments for spring semester will be due January 20, February 20, and March 20. Summer fees will be due May 20, June 20 and July 20.
Monthly Payment Plan
Under the Monthly Payment Plan, students pay the academic costs for fall and spring semesters in 12 installments beginning April 20 and ending the following March 20. A $50 enrollment fee is due with the first monthly payment. All payments are deducted from a designated bank account. For more information about the Monthly Payment Plan, contact the Accounts Receivable Office.
Past Due Accounts
If students have past due accounts receivable charges prior to the beginning of classes, they may be dropped from enrollment if these past due charges are not paid by the Friday before the first day of class. Students that are subject to being dropped will be notified via their Iowa State e-mail account.
Refunds
Refunds are available for students who cancel or withdraw their registration within the appropriate time period. To cancel their registration, students must notify the Office of the Registrar before the first day of the semester to avoid tuition assessment. Beginning on the first day of the semester, it will be necessary for students to formally withdraw from the university to terminate their registration. More information about canceling registration and withdrawing from classes can be found at http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/registration/responsibilities.shtml.
Tuition adjustments for all students are made for withdrawals of registration according to the following schedule:
Withdrawal Date/Student Pays
Before first day of classes 0%
During class days 1-5 10%
During class days 6-10 25%
During class days 11-15 50%
During class days 16-20 75%
After the twentieth day of classes 100%
Students who wish to appeal tuition and fee assessment for withdrawals should contact the tuition and fees area of the Office of the Registrar. Decisions of the Office of the Registrar will be based on the existence of extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the student.
Students who wish to appeal the decision of the Office of the Registrar must do so in writing within 10 calendar days after receiving the decision. Such appeals will then be reviewed by the Tuition Appeals Review Committee. Students who wish to appeal the decision of the Tuition Appeals Review Committee may make a request to do so in writing to the Office of the Provost.
Fee refund for students with a reduction in credits below full-time:
100 percent if change is made through the 10th day of classes. No adjustment is made after the 10th day of classes. Prorated adjustments in the tuition adjustment schedule are made for summer session courses, or any courses which are less than one semester in length (79 days).
Workshop and Short Courses Refunds
Students who drop workshops or short courses of one or two weeks on or before the first class meeting receive a 100% tuition adjustment for the course. No tuition adjustment will be made after the first day of classes. Students who drop three-week courses receive a 100% adjustment if they drop on or before the first day of classes, a 90% adjustment if they drop on the second day of classes, and no adjustment after the second day of classes.
Tuition Schedule Per Semester
In effect for Summer 2011. Subject to change without notice.
Full Time Rates Resident Nonresident
Undergraduate (12 or more credits) $3,204 $9,140
Agricultural Systems Technology and Industrial Technology Juniors and Seniors $3,496 $9,432
Business Juniors and Seniors $3,995 $9,922
Engineering Juniors and Seniors $4,247 $10,132
Graduate (9 or more credits) $3,738 $9,596
Engineering Graduate $4,308 $10,140
Seed Technology and Business $4,887 $10,746
Veterinary Medicine (12+ credits) $8,728 $19,995
For students enrolled for less than a full course load and for the most current and complete information, see the Fee Schedule Per Credit list at http://www.registrar.iastate.edu/fees/.
Additional information:
Audits and zero credit courses: assessed according to contact hours; maximum charge for zero credit courses is three credit hours
R credits: assessed for the minimum fee only if no other credits are taken.
Continuous registration fee for graduate students: $70.
Partial credits (.5): assessed on the next larger whole number of credits, e.g., 6.5 credits is assessed as 7 credits.
Summer session: based on per credit as indicated in the fee schedule.
Tuition assessment for study abroad credits: up to a maximum of 12 credits, is above and beyond tuition for other courses taken during the same term.