View a plan comparison chart.

Tuition refers to the basic fee (amount per credit hour) charged for courses.  A student's total fee assessment (referred to as Required Student fees) is a combination of Basic Fees and Student Services Fees.  View the Costs and Fees page for more details.

Standard Tuition Plan

How is the Standard Tuition Plan different from the past?

This is the same tuition/basic fee policy that has existed for many years. Under this option, your tuition is likely to increase from year to year.

What are the advantages of the Standard Tuition Plan?

This plan is the best choice for students who know that they will be attending Missouri State for less than two years. For example, if you are a junior or senior and will graduate before the spring 2011 semester, you are unlikely to benefit by choosing either of the other plans.

Two-Year Fixed Tuition Plan

Note: For the 2009-10 academic year, the two year fixed tuition plan is not being offered because we have had modest to no tuition increase each of the last two years.

How does the Two-Year Fixed Tuition Plan work?

Under the two-year fixed tuition plan, students are assessed a slightly higher rate the first year but will lock into that same rate for the second year.

What are the benefits of the Two-Year Fixed Tuition Plan?

This plan can reduce the variability in your costs from year one to year two and may reduce your total cost.

Why is the Two-Year Fixed Tuition Plan not being offered for 2009-10?

The two-year fixed tuition plan is advantageous to students during periods when tuition increases are significant. The tuition increase for 2008-09 over 2007-08 was only 3.9 percent, and the tuition for 2009-10 will be the same as in 2008-09.

What fees are not covered by the Two-Year Fixed Tuition Plan?

This plan does not apply to student services fees, courses that are charged at a non-standard rate (e.g., courses offered via the internet and in off-campus locations; see the cost website for details), or graduate courses taken by undergraduate students (e.g., through accelerated master's degree programs). Fees for these courses will be assessed as they would be on the Standard Tuition Plan. This plan also does not cover course or section supplemental fees or the additional costs associated with study away programs.

Can I lock into a Fixed Tuition Plan for more than two years?

No; however, you may choose either a three or four year Tuition Prepayment Plan described below.

Tuition Prepayment Options 

What are the rates on the Tuition Prepayment Plans and what fees are covered under these plans?

The rates are as follows: 

	Two year	Three year	Four year
Missouri residents	$11,532	$17,484	$23,436
Non-residents	$22,444	$34,028	$45,612

 

 

 

 

Your prepayment will cover your basic fees for all fall and spring semester courses you take during the period of the plan, including fees for courses assessed at a non-standard rate (e.g., courses offered via the internet) and graduate courses (e.g., taken by students through an accelerated master's program or senior permission). Your prepayment must be paid as a lump sum prior to the fall 2009 semester.

Will I save if I use the Tuition Prepayment Plan?

The above amounts are calculated based on the current year rates at 62 hours for the two-year plan, 94 hours for the three year plan, and 126 hours for the four year plan. For example, the Missouri resident two-year plan rate was determined by multiplying $186 by 62. If you take more than the number of credit hours used to calculate the prepayment amount (for example, if you take more than 62 hours under the two year plan), you will save. The amount you save will be greater if tuition increases the second year.

Does this plan limit the number of credit hours I can take?

The number of credit hours you take is determined by academic policy, not your tuition plan. Normally, students may take up to 18 credit hours during fall and spring semesters. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog (www.missouristate.edu/catalog) for the policy regarding credit hour loads and overloads. If you are given permission to take more than 18 credit hours, the cost of all of your hours will be covered. In some cases, other academic considerations may limit you to fewer than 18 credit hours in a semester (e.g., if conditions are placed on your enrollment by a dean or if your academic program limits the umber of credit hours you take).

What fees are not covered by the Tuition Prepayment Plan?

This plan does not cover student services fees or supplemental fees. It also does not cover courses taken during summer sessions or the additional cost that may be incurred through participation in a study away program.

What happens if I choose a Tuition Prepayment Plan but leave Missouri State before the end of the period covered by the plan?

The plan allows for refunds. For full details, please consult www.missouristate.edu/prepaymentrefunds.

What if I am receiving a scholarship from the University?

Your scholarship will continue to be credited to your account on a semester-by-semester basis. If you have other outstanding charges (e.g., for room and board or books), your scholarship will be applied to those charges. Any remaining amount will be refunded to you. You cannot use your scholarship to reduce your lump sum prepayment amount.

The following is an example of how the Tuition Prepayment Plan might work for a Missouri resident receiving the University's Board of Governors Scholarship and the State of Missouri's Bright Flight Scholarship. This example is based on the four-year Tuition Prepayment Plan.

Date	Activity	(Credit/Payment) or Charge to Student Account	Student Account Balance
June 20	Student registers for fall semester for 15 credit hours.	$2,790 basic fees + $348 student services fee	= $3,138
June 21	Student purchases books at the University Bookstore	$420	=$3,558
July 15	Room and Board charges assessed (Blair-Shannon suite with 19 meal plan)	$3,080	=$6,638
July 20	Student's parent signs up and pays for the four-year Tuition Prepayment Plan ($23,436)	These funds are placed in a separate account (the prepayment account) on behalf of the student.	=$6,638
August 1	The prepayment account is used to pay the student's basic fees	($2,790)	=$3,848
August 11	Board of Governors Scholarship applied to all outstanding charges on the student's account	($2,976) (total semester value of Board of Governors Scholarship)	=$872
September 1*	Bright Flight Scholarship applied to student account	($1,000)	=($128) credit
September 2**	Any remaining funds (after all University charges are paid) are electronically transferred to the bank account specified by the student		=$0

As in this example, credits will go to any account the student specifies as a refund. This may be the student's account, the account of the person making the prepayment, or another designated account holder. The student should specify one account to which refunds will be directed at the time of registration. If students fail to specify an account for electronic transfer, refunds will be sent to the student's permanent address in form of a paper check (which may result in delay).

*Actual scholarship disbursement date is determined by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and varies each year.

** It is the policy of the University to return any unused balance of financial aid to the student and/or the students' designee.

General Questions

Why is the University offering these different plans?

These plans give students choices that can result in more predictability in the cost of their education and may reduce their total cost.

Missouri State University is already an exceptional educational value. The following chart compares our costs with other colleges and universities in the state and nation for 2008-09. 

	Average Tuition and Fees
Missouri State	$6,256
Missouri public four-year Universities	$7,198*
National public four-year universities	$6,585*
National private four-year universities	$25,145*

*  College Board Trends in College Pricing 2008 (enrollment weighted averages). Tuition and fee averages for public institutions are for in-state students.

How do I decide which plan is best for me?

You will need to make this decision based on a number of factors, such as how long you plan to remain enrolled, the number of credit hours you will take from year to year, and the source and amount of funds available to you.

How much have fees increased in recent years?

The following table shows the increase in basic fees for undergraduate students at Missouri State for the past four years. 

Academic year	Per credit hour fee (Missouri resident)	Dollar increase over previous year	Percentage increase over previous year	Per credit hour fee (Non-Missouri resident)
2009-10	$186	$0	0.0%	$362
2008-09	$186	$7	3.9%	$362
2007-08	$179	$6	3.5%	$349
2006-07	$173	$9	5.5%	$337
2005-06	$164	$10	6.5%	$328
2004-05	$154	$16	11.6%	$308

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How will these options work in conjunction with the deferred payment plan (DPP)?

You will be able to participate in the DPP regardless of the tuition plan you choose. On the Tuition Prepayment Plan, your lump sum prepayment must be paid in full and cannot be deferred; however, you can use the DPP for other charges. For details on the DPP, please see www.missouristate.edu/financialservices/deferredpaymentplan.htm

Are similar options available for on-campus room and board?

No; however, room and board and some other charges can be paid under the deferred payment plan.

Will my choice of a tuition plan affect the scholarships and/or financial aid that I am receiving through the University?

Your choice generally will not affect your eligibility for financial aid or scholarships administered by the University, nor will it affect the amount of aid or scholarship that you receive.

Are there any ramifications of these plans with respect to federal or state income tax?

We encourage you to consult with your tax advisor for questions regarding tax issues.

When can I choose my tuition plan?

You may choose a plan either before or during registration for a fall semester. We encourage you to make your decision before you register for the fall 2009 semester. If you begin during a spring or summer semester, you will be assessed under the Standard Tuition Plan rate for those terms but will have the opportunity to choose from other options when registering for your first fall semester. The deadline to choose the Tuition Prepayment Plan for the fall 2009 semester is August 17, 2009. Students who register after August 17 will participate in the Standard Tuition Plan.

How do I make my choice?

You do not need to take any action if you wish to be under the Standard tuition Plan, If you choose to participate in a Tuition Prepayment Plan, you will need to complete the Fall 2009 Tuition Prepayment Agreement and contact the Office of financial Services in person.

Can I change from one plan to another?

Yes. You must make your change by August 17, 2009.

• If you are enrolled in the standard plan on that date, then you will remain on that plan until you register for the fall 2010 semester, when you will have the opportunity to choose a different plan.
• If you are enrolled in a Tuition Prepayment Plan, it will remain in effect as stated on the agreement that you will sign with the Office of Financial Services.

Is this plan available to precollege, non-degree undergraduate or graduate students?

No. This plan is available only to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. If you are currently a precollege or non-degree undergraduate student and you have applied for regular admission, you will be eligible to choose a tuition plan the first fall semester for which you enroll as a degree-seeking student.

I am having a difficult time deciding what plan is best for me. What should I do?

We suggest that you choose the Standard Tuition Plan. You have the opportunity to change through August 17, 2009.

What office do I contact for more information?

Please contact the Office of Financial Services, Carrington Hall room 113, telephone 417-836-5635.