Choice and Predictability in Tuition (CAP-IT)

Missouri State University is already known as a great educational value. Cost comparisons have consistently shown that our fees are just below the average for public institutions in Missouri and the nation and our room and board rates are among the lowest in the state and well below the national average. Even so, Missouri State wants to do more to make its cost affordable and predictable for students. The CAP-IT program has three major components:

1. Tuition Plan Options: Tuition plan options are the primary feature of CAP-IT. The following three options, available to degree-seeking undergraduate students, are designed to provide choice and predictability in tuition.
   1. Standard Tuition Plan: Students will be assessed under the fee policy in effect for the current year, and fees will be subject to change from year to year. See Required Student Fees section for details.
   2. Two Year Fixed Tuition Plan: Students will pay slightly higher basic fees for one academic year but will pay the same rate for the following academic year, regardless of increases in the Standard Tuition Plan rates.
   3. Tuition Prepayment Plan (2-, 3- or 4-year): Students may make a lump-sum prepayment that will cover basic fees for all courses they take during the period of the plan (excluding summers), regardless of changes in the Standard Tuition Plan rates or the number of credit hours taken.
2. Graduation in Four Years: Another important way that students can manage the cost of their education is to graduate on schedule. By following basic guidelines, students can graduate in four years from nearly all undergraduate programs at Missouri State. For most programs, specific curricular maps are available to illustrate specific plans students can follow to ensure graduation in four years. Additionally, accelerated master's programs are available in several disciplines.
3. Financial Aid: We encourage students to be aware of the financial aid and scholarship opportunities available through federal, state, and institutional programs, as well as opportunities for student employment. The deferred payment plan is another tool that students can use to manage their payments.

For current details and answers to frequently asked questions, refer to the CAP-IT web site at www.missouristate.edu/capit. 

Required Student Fees for Fall 2008, Spring 2009, Summer 2009

Required Student Fees (tuition) are a combination of Basic Fees and Student Services Fees. Basic Fees are assessed based on the student's chosen tuition plan and the level, type, location, and delivery of the course. Audited courses are assessed the same fees as courses taken for credit. The Required Student Fees Schedule is subject to revision by the Board of Governors without notice.

Basic Fees

Regular Instruction (per credit hour rate)*

• Courses numbered 1-599: $186 for Missouri resident, $362 for non-Missouri resident
• Courses numbered 600-899: $214 for Missouri resident, $418 for non-Missouri resident

Non-Missouri residents are assessed resident student rates when enrolling in fewer than seven hours for the fall and spring semesters and fewer than five hours for the summer semester. Such students enrolling in enough hours to be charged the non-resident rate will be assessed the nonresident rate for all hours enrolled. This does not apply to non-Missouri resident students taking classes at the Fairfax, Virginia site. Classes at that site will be assessed at the nonresident rates regardless of number of hours taken.

*The CAP-IT 2-year Fixed Rate applies only to courses assessed at this rate.

Internet Instruction (per credit hour rate)

• Master of Science in Administrative Studies courses numbered 500-599: $206 for Missouri resident, $275 for non-Missouri resident
• Master of Science in Administrative Studies courses numbered 600-799: $235 for Missouri resident, $275 for non-Missouri resident
• Master of Science in Computer Information Systems courses: $410 for Missouri resident, $410 for non-Missouri resident
• All other courses taught via the internet: $275 for Missouri resident, $275 for non-Missouri resident 

For more detailed information regarding fees for BearNet sites, dual high school courses, and other exceptions, refer to the Costs and Fees web site at www.missouristate.edu/costs.

Student Services Fees

Student Services Fees are assessed for classes meeting on the Springfield Campus. Fees are based on an incremental scale based on the number of hours enrolled with the maximum amount being $338 for the fall and spring semesters, and $181 for the summer session. The Student Services Fees are committed to provide activities, programs, and services available to students and cannot be waived regardless of whether or not a student desires to utilize the activities, programs, or services offered. 

The student services fees are assessed at the current semester rate regardless of students' chosen tuition plan. However, the student services fees will generally not be assessed for sections identified in the semester class schedule as: Workshop (WKSH), Dual Credit/High School Based (DUCR), Intersession (INTR), Cable TV (CBLE), Video Rental (VDEO), Cable TV and Video Rental (CBVR), Internet (INET), Interactive CD (INCD) and courses taught in any location other than Springfield Campus (SPFD). Sections identified as short (SHRT) will only be assessed Student Services Fees if the class is scheduled to meet on campus more than four times. Rates for the 2008-2009 academic year are provided below.

Fall 2008 and Spring 2009

1 credit hour: $100
2 credit hours: $133
3 credit hours: $165
4 credit hours: $197
5 credit hours: $230
6 credit hours: $262
7 or more credit hours: $338
 
Summer 2009
1 credit hour: $784
2 credit hours: $114
3 credit hours: $146
4 or more credit hours: $181
 
For more detailed information regarding the Student Services Fees, refer to the Costs and Fees web site at www.missouristate.edu/costs.

Supplemental Course Fees

Supplemental course fees may be assessed on individual courses to cover the cost of specialized supplies, equipment, or services for instructional purposes that are provided by the University to all students enrolled in the course and are in addition to routine instructional expenses. Such courses and fees are identified in the course description section of the catalog and will be assessed at the time of registration. Students should also be aware that other courses may require the student to purchase specialized materials.

For a complete listing of supplemental course fees, refer to the Costs and Fees web site at www.missouristate.edu/costs.

Calculating Required Student Fees

Multiply the number of credit hours for each course by the appropriate per credit hour fee based on the tuition plan chosen and the level, type, location, and delivery of the course. Sum the basic fees for all courses, and add the student services fees appropriate for the total number of credit hours enrolled that are assessed this fee. Add applicable supplemental course fees. 

Example for a Missouri resident utilizing the standard tuition plan for the Fall 2008 semester:

Course	Credit Hours	Per Credit Hour Charge	Basic Fees	Supplemental Course Fees
IDS 110	1	$186	$186	$0
ENG 110	3	$186	$558	$0
COM 115	3	$186	$558	$0
MTH 261	5	$186	$930	$0
PED 118	1	$186	$186	$45
CIS 101	2	$186	$372	$0
Total	15		$2,790	$45

Total Basic Fees: $2,790 + Total Student Services Fees: $338 + Total Supplemental Course Fees: $45 = Total fees: $3,173

Books and Supplies

Students purchase their own books. A full-time student will spend approximately $400 per semester for books and supplies. Actual book costs will vary based on the student's major, course load, and availability of used textbooks. The total cost can be reduced for by reselling used books.

Selected Other Fees

 

Policy on Residency for Fee Purposes

Because Missouri State University is a public, state-assisted institution, the fees for Missouri residents are lower than those for non-residents. A student's residence status is determined at the time of admission according to a policy established by the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education and adopted by the Missouri State University Board of Governors. The complete policy is available on the Admissions Office web site at: www.missouristate.edu/admissions/residency.htm. Current students seeking a change in their residence classification should contact the Office of Admissions.

Deferred Payment Plan

The University has a Deferred Payment Plan which allows students to defer payment of required student fees and residence hall charges. In addition, students, faculty, and staff will be allowed to use their identification numbers to charge miscellaneous charges and fines, including Taylor Health and Wellness Center charges, long distance telephone charges, Bookstore charges, and library fines. These miscellaneous charges are not deferred, but are due when billed. Finance charges accrue on the second statement produced.

Students must submit the required minimum payment of $60 toward the required student fees by the fee payment deadline in effect at the time of the student's registration. Failure to pay the $60 will result in the cancellation of the student's classes thereby making those seats available to other students. Fee payment deadlines are stated on each student's registration invoice. The remainder of the required student fees and residence hall charges, if applicable, must be paid in monthly installments with the balance being paid in full by the fifteenth of the month preceding the end of the semester. Use of the Deferred Payment Plan does incur the assessment of finance charges.

The terms and conditions of the Deferred Payment Plan are included in the web registration Enrollment Agreement, and are printed on the reverse of the Registration Request form and the monthly accounts receivable statement. Statements are produced the evening of the last business day of each month. Students can view their account and monthly statements using the Account Balance/Direct Deposit option of My Information. Students who violate the terms and conditions will be removed from participating in the plan and will be required to pay fees in full by the due date. 

Fee Payment Guidelines

In order to retain their registration, students enrolled in the Deferred Payment Plan (DPP) must pay a $60 required minimum payment. Students who have had the privilege of participating in the DPP revoked by the Financial Services Office must pay full fees according to the fee payment deadlines based on date of initial registration. Students may appeal to the Financial Services Office to be reinstated to the DPP. The $60 required minimum payment will not be refunded, once paid, if the student withdraws from the University. It is the student's responsibility to complete payment as stated on the student's registration invoice whether or not additional statements are received. Payments must be received and processed by the Bursar's Office, not postmarked by the due date specified. In addition, students who withdraw from the University may continue to owe fees if the withdrawal is not requested in writing on or before the 100 percent refund deadline for the course(s) enrolled. Refer to the "Refund Policy for Drops and Withdrawals" section for further information. Financial aid, employee waivers, graduate assistant fee waivers and/or credit balances are not always automatically applied towards outstanding fees. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that aid or waivers are applied properly or to request a credit balance from a previous semester be applied to the appropriate fees prior to the applicable deadline(s). Students who do not complete payment of their Required Student Fees and Housing Fees by the deadline will:

1. Be removed from the Deferred Payment Plan  
2. Be encumbered until paid 
3. Have their future registration(s), if any, cancelled (thereby making those classes available to other students)

Fee Payment Methods and Locations

Payments can be made using any of the following forms: cash, personal check, money orders, cashier's check, traveler's check or credit cards (Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Discover). Payment methods are listed below:

• Online payment with credit card at: www.missouristate.edu/bursar, 7:00 am-11:59 pm CST. Note: If you make an online payment, keep in mind that such payments are posted to your account the next business day. Therefore, you must make your online initial payment the day before the deadline in order to retain your schedule. If your initial payment is not posted to your account by the deadline, your registration will be cancelled. Saturdays, Sundays, and all observed holidays are not considered business days by the University.
• In person at the cashier windows, first floor of Carrington Hall, 8:30 am-4:30 pm, Monday through Friday
• In person via the drop box located next to the Bursar’s Office in Carrington Hall, room 102, Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm, and on Saturday from 8:00 to 2:00 pm.
• Phone with credit card (417) 836-5128, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
• Mail payment to: Bursar’s Office, Missouri State University, 901 South National Ave, Springfield, MO 65897

Policies Regarding Non-Payment of Fees

All charges assessed by the University are due and payable within 30 days of the date the debt was incurred. If a student makes payment by check and that check is not honored by the student's bank, the student will be notified and must make restitution within ten days from receipt of notification. 

When a student has unpaid charges which are over 30 days past due or has otherwise failed to make satisfactory arrangements for the settlement of a University account, the University may: place an encumbrance on the student's record which will prevent registration for future semesters and the release of transcripts and diplomas, as well as access by the student to other University services except where an emergency medical situation may exist; offset the student's payroll checks (for student employees) or refunds issued through University offices until the debt is repaid; assess a late registration fee (when a check for required student fees is not honored by the student's bank); remove the student from University housing; and/or disenroll the student. Failure to repay short-term loans by the specified date could make a student ineligible for future financial assistance. Charges which remain unpaid after an extended period of time may be reported to the Credit Bureau of Springfield for credit reporting and collection purposes. The reported data are compiled on the debtor's permanent credit file. Past due charges may also be reported to the Missouri Department of Revenue to be offset against the debtor's Missouri income tax refund.

Inquiries regarding unpaid charges should be directed to: Financial Services Office, Missouri State University, 901 South National Ave, Springfield, Missouri 65897, phone (417) 836-5632. Should a student feel that a notification of indebtedness is incorrect, the student may submit a written appeal, citing the grounds for the appeal, through the Vice President for Student Affairs Office within ten school days from the date of notification.

Refund Policy for Drops and Withdrawals 

Students who withdraw from the University or drop a course may receive a partial refund of the required student fees (or a change in their fee assessment if all fees have not been paid) provided they complete the formal drop or withdrawal process by the established deadlines appropriate to the length or delivery method of the class. Students are responsible for the amount of unpaid fees after the refund or re-assessment.

If a student receives a scholarship, grant, or loan from the University the refund may be used to repay the scholarship, grant, or loan. A refund is made to the student only if the refund exceeds the amount of the award from the University. For students who are recipients of Federal Title IV student aid, refunds will be made in accordance with all applicable federal regulations. Examples of refund calculations for Title IV aid recipients are available in the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Once paid, the $60 is designated as a non-refundable required minimum payment. The fee is retained by the University if the student withdraws from all courses, but not for students who drop only some of their courses.

Refer to the "Academic Regulations" section of this catalog for information regarding the drop and withdrawal policies and procedures. Refund deadline dates are available on the web at www.missouristate.edu/costs and on the Missouri State Master Academic Calendar.

Refund/Credit Deadlines

The refund/credit granted for drops and withdrawals is based on the date the transaction occurred. A withdrawal date becomes effective the date the student completes the withdrawal request form and has it processed in the Office of the Registrar, Carrington Hall, Room 320; or the postmark date of withdrawal requests submitted by mail to the Office of the Registrar, 901 S. National Ave, Springfield, MO 65897; or the date a withdrawal request is faxed to (417) 836-8776. A drop date becomes effective the date the student completes the drop on the My Information system or submits a change of schedule form to an authorized registration center for processing. Specific refund/credit deadlines are available at www.missouristate.edu/registrar/costs.htm or on the web master calendar; they are based on the guidelines listed below.

If a student drops or withdraws from a full-semester course during the fall or spring semester, the refund shall be as follows:

• On or before the second day of the semester: 100% of Required Student Fees (less $60 if student drops all courses)
• Days 3 through 10 of the semester: 90% of Required Student Fees (less $60 if student drops all courses)
• Days 11 through 20 of the semester: 50% of Required Student Fees (less $60 if student drops all courses)
• Days 21 through 40 of the semester: 25% of Required Student Fees (less $60 if student drops all courses)
• After the 40th day of the semester: No refund 

Non-Standard Courses 

Refunds for block courses, extended courses, and the summer session are proportionate to the length of the above refund periods. Specific dates and deadlines are published in the semester Registration Guide and on the Office of the Registrar's web site.

The refund for intersession, short courses and workshops is 100% of Required Student Fees (less $60 if student drops all courses) if the class is dropped before the first day of class. Supplemental fees will be refunded at 100% with the exception of fees that have already been expended on behalf of the student. After the first class meeting, refunds for intersession, short courses and workshops are made on the basis of the number of class meeting days. Refer to the Costs and Fees web site at www.missouristate.edu/costs for more information. 

Courses in the Master of Science in Computer Information Systems program, which combine an intensive on-campus residency and distance learning in an extended semester format, will utilize a special refund schedule adapted to the specific time frames of the individual courses. The College of Business Administration will maintain the refund schedule and authorize refunds for such courses.

Please Note: Routine exceptions are made to the above refund schedule for students who drop and then replace those hours with added hours during the Change of Schedule period only (the first five days of the fall or spring semester). Such drops are credited at 100 percent for an even exchange of hours. Because courses should not be added after the change of schedule period, dropped courses and added courses (including section changes) will not be considered an even exchange and will result in an additional financial obligation for the student. Exceptions may be granted when the department of the course(s) dropped and added provides written verification to the Office of the Registrar stating that the change was required or recommended by the department.

Exceptions to the Fee Refund Policy

Exceptions to the drop and withdrawal fee refund policy are generally granted when a documented University error has occurred or when the deadline is missed by a few days due to documented extenuating circumstances which were beyond the control of the student. Appeals to the refund policy must be made in writing to the Office of the Registrar, Carrington 320, within one month of the drop or withdrawal and must be accompanied by documentation of the circumstances.

Room and Board Costs

See "Housing" section of catalog.