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2008–09 Graduate Tuition and Fees

Certification and Other Fees

Student Services/Placement File Fees

Medical Insurance Fees

Financial Arrangements and Services

Payment Policies

Refunds and Account Adjustments

ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ is committed to providing high-quality Christian education at a reasonable cost. This is achieved through a dedicated faculty that provides nationally recognized excellence without primary regard for personal remuneration; administrative staff who work continually to provide needed services with greater efficiency; and trustees, alumni, churches, and other friends of the University who provide necessary financial support.

All expenditures related to educational and support activities are carefully planned and budgeted. The trustees and administration are committed to a high level of stewardship in the handling of Seattle Pacific's financial resources, with a goal of maintaining financial stability for both current and future students.

All programs and policies at the University are under continual review. Therefore, SPU reserves the right to change its financial policies or charges at any time without previous notice. After the beginning of a quarter, however, no change will be made that is effective within that quarter. Every student is presumed to be familiar with the payment schedules and other financial policies and procedures published in this Catalog.

While every effort has been made to provide helpful and understandable explanations of the University's fees and financial policies, students may still have questions from time to time. , located in , is responsible for providing service to students regarding tuition and other fees, financial policies, financial aid, and payments on accounts. Staff are prepared to assist any student who has questions. The goal of the staff is to provide helpful, friendly service to all inquirers. It is the hope of ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ that students will not only have exceptional educational experiences, but they will also feel that same commitment to excellence and service throughout all of the support areas of the institution.

2008–09 GRADUATE TUITION AND FEES
(Summer 2008–Spring 2009)

Note: Above costs applicable to 6000–7000 graduate-level courses.

Continuing Education courses and fees are published in a separate bulletin. Undergraduate courses and fees are published in the .

Students enrolled in a combination of undergraduate courses (numbered 0000–4999) and graduate courses (numbered 6000–7999) will be charged according to each category without aggregation of the total credits. In other words, the total credits taken in courses numbered 0000–4999 will be charged according to the undergraduate rate schedule without regard to the number of credits taken in 6000–7999 level courses.

In general, courses will be charged the rate associated with the discipline or school offering the course as listed above instead of being based on the degree program the student is pursuing. Doctoral students who take 6000-level courses within their school/ department are charged at the doctoral rate. If doctoral students take 6000-level courses from other schools/departments they are charged at that program rate.

*A student who has been admitted to the University and subsequently registers for courses is considered a matriculated student. A matriculation fee of $50 is assessed only once, at the time of an admitted student's initial registration. This fee covers the costs associated with maintaining students' academic files over the duration of their stay at Seattle Pacific. A student's academic file may contain admission records, transcripts, and evaluations of coursework from other institutions, academic appeals, and graduation check sheet, etc.

**Students may register for evening courses (courses beginning at 4:30 p.m. and later) through the first class session; however, a $50 change of registration fee is charged when registration is completed after the first week of the quarter. See the University Calendar for dates.

++There is no charge for parking in commuter lots (C, N, NC, NW) after 4 p.m. weekdays, or on weekends. See the campus map (PDF) for location of lots. If students wish, they may obtain parking permits through the for $57 per quarter.

STUDENT SERVICES/PLACEMENT FILE FEES
Teacher, school counseling, and administrative placement file fees are paid every placement year (November–October) in which a file is actively used.

Mailing credits for prepayment of first-class file mailings are as follows:

• Teaching/school counseling placement files, $6 per mailing. (Excludes fax or special handling, which will incur additional costs.)
• Administrative placement files, $11 per mailing. (Excludes fax or special handling, which will incur additional costs.)
• Re-activation fee: If a placement file is not used during any given placement year(s), a reactivation fee of $5 will be charged.
• Psychological testing (administration, interpretation, and counseling with regard to aptitude, skills, personality, analysis, and placement), based on actual costs of materials and scoring.
• services (per session, variable).
• services, residential students, included in room-and-board charges. Commuter students, faculty, and staff, $15 per quarter on first visit.
• Tests and pharmaceuticals, based on actual costs of materials.

MEDICAL INSURANCE FEES
The University offers basic medical services for students. To provide complete health care coverage, the University recommends that all students review their current plan to determine if their current insurance will cover them out of their home area. The University offers information on a medical insurance plan for accidents and illness, which is available to all enrolled graduate students (and their families). The University recommends this medical coverage to cover unanticipated expenses, which could otherwise interrupt educational endeavors. Enrollment, benefit summary information, and applications for this voluntary plan are available in the Student Health Center and in SFS.

All international students are required to enroll in the University International Student Insurance plan. Any exceptions to this requirement are subject to the approval of the Health Center. Proof of comparable coverage meeting the following requirements is necessary for waiver approval:

1. Provisions defined in English and premium rates in U.S. dollars.
2. Coverage for all pre-existing conditions within a reasonable period. (The University plan has only a three-month waiting period.)
3. Inpatient and outpatient coverage for both illness and injury.
4. The deductible must not be in excess of $500 per person, per policy year.
5. Maternity benefits. Maternity benefits should be the same as benefits for illness. If they are not the same, the maternity benefit should meet all applicable waiver standards (i.e., deductible, maximum benefit, etc.).
6. Coverage for inpatient and outpatient treatment of mental and nervous disorders.
7. Maximum benefit of not less than $50,000 per injury or per illness.
8. Payment of benefits worldwide. (Exemption from coverage in an international student's home country is acceptable.)
9. Benefit for medical evacuation to an international student’s home country must not be less than $10,000.
10. Benefit for repatriation of remains to an international student?s home country must not be less than $7,500.
11. Coverage for HIV infection, including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), AIDS-related complex, and positive HIV test.
12. Coverage effective dates matching the University's international-student health insurance plan.

Waivers may be obtained only in the Health Center and must be completed prior to the 10th day of the quarter to ensure appropriate coverage enrollment. Any changes in coverage (i.e., addition or deletion of spouse or child) must be submitted prior to the 10th day of the quarter.

Expenses for 2008-09 Graduate Student, per year*

*Estimated

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS AND SERVICES

Registration
When a student has made a selection of preferred courses and accomplished the necessary preliminary steps of the enrollment process, registration materials are returned to the appropriate graduate office or for entry into the system. When the student's enrollment is accepted by SAS, the student is obligated to pay for the contracted services in accordance with the University's current schedule of charges. The registration contract between SPU and the student remains binding to both parties unless either party provides proper written notification (see also Refunds and Account Adjustments).

Student Account System
An electronic notification of an available online statement reflecting tuition and fee charges, payments, and past and current-due amounts will be sent to the student's SPU email address each month that there is activity on the account. Checks for the correct amount due should be made payable in U.S. dollars ($US) to SEATTLE PACIFIC UNIVERSITY, and should include the student's name and student identification number. Checks may be mailed to:

Seattle Pacific University

3307 Third Avenue West, Suite 114

Seattle, Washington 98119-1922

Or checks may be delivered in person to .

In addition to checks, the University accepts via an e-check (automated payment directly from a checking or savings account) toward student accounts. The University does not directly accept any credit cards for payment of student account balances. Rather, it has arranged for a third-party provider to facilitate this type of payment if desired. Additional fees apply for this service.

PAYMENT POLICIES

Students may choose to meet their financial obligations in three ways:

• (A) Payment in full by the payment-in-full due dates.
• (B) Combined-Installment Plan.
• (C) Three-Installment Payment Plan.

Students may choose only one option. Options A and C are available each quarter. Option B must be selected by August 15, 2008.

Option A: Pay in Full

Students meet their financial obligations each quarter by paying in full by October 10 for Autumn Quarter, January 12 for Winter Quarter, and April 10 for Spring Quarter.

If payment in full is not received by these dates, the account will be subject to late charges.  Students are automatically placed in this standard payment option, unless they are approved through the application process for Option B or C. 

 If payment in full is not received by these dates, the account will be subject to late charges at 1.25 percent per month, 15 percent per annum.

Option B: Combined Installment Plan
Students who would like to enroll in a payment plan for the entire academic year (Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters) and wish to pay one annual application fee may choose this payment option. This plan will divide estimated costs (less any financial aid*) into three payments per quarter, for a total of nine payments for the year. will provide a payment plan schedule each quarter that will notify you of your estimated payments.** Please refer to your monthly statement for actual amounts due.

In order to participate in this plan, you must return a completed application (pdf) along with along with a $80 application fee to SFS by August 1, 2008 (a new application and fee must be submitted each academic year). If payments are not received by these dates, the account will be subject to late fees and registration/transcript holds (please see Late Charges and Payments).

Option C: Three-Installment Plan
Students who would like to enroll in a payment plan on a quarter-by-quarter basis, may choose to use this payment option. If you choose this agreement with SPU option, your total estimate charges (less any financial aid*) will be divided into three payments per quarter. Student Financial Services will provide a payment-plan schedule that will notify you of your estimated payments.** Please refer to your monthly statement for actual amounts due.

In order to participate in this plan, you must return a completed (pdf) along with along with a $40 application fee each quarter to SFS according to the following schedule. If payments are not received by these dates, the account will be subject to late fees and registration/transcript holds (Please see Late Charges and Payments.)

Example of Payment Alternatives
An M.B.A. student registers for 9 credits per quarter. The total balance per quarter is:

Students and families have three options to meet their University cost obligation:

Option A: Payment in full
$3,238 due October 10, 2008

Option B: Combined Installment Payment Plans
$80 Application Fee and Application due August 1, 2008
$3,238 balance owed for each quarter
$3,238÷ 3 = $1079.33 (due monthly in Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters.)
$1079.33 is the monthly payment plan amount and follows the Option C schedule:

Option C: Three Installment Payment Plan
(Autumn Quarter Example) $40 Application Fee and Application due August 1, 2008 $3,238÷ 3 = $1079.33 is the monthly payment plan amount and follows the Option B schedule for Autumn Quarter.

*Financial Aid includes SPU scholarships, federal state grants and scholarships, outside scholarships and grants, and student loans. Work study cannot be used in the calculation of payments.

**If financial aid and/or account charges change after an enrollment in the payment plan, the estimated payment with change. Please consult your monthly electronic statements for actual payment amount due.

Late Payments
Students who don’t pay their account in full or who fail to make a Combined Installment Plan or Three Installment Plan scheduled payment will have a late fee assessed to their student account. The monthly late fee of 1.25 percent will be assessed on the balance owed after the payment-in-full due dates. Students with past-due account balances, including any balance that is adjudged to be discharged, will not be permitted to register for future quarters or obtain an official academic transcript.

Employer Reimbursement Program/Third-Party Billing

If your tuition is reimbursed by your employer or a third party (such as an embassy or government agency), you may be eligible for the Employer Reimbursement or Third-Party Billing Program.

Documentation confirming enrollment in an employer reimbursement program is required annually and allows approved student account charges to be deferred up to approximately 30 days after the quarter ends.  If a third party is involved, the University will bill the third party directly, provided SFS has been given the appropriate documents, such as a purchase order, official authorization, etc. All other account charges will be due when billed. 

If you participate in the Boeing Tuition Voucher program, your eligibility is subject to approval by the Boeing Company. Until SFS receives an approved voucher from the Boeing Company for participation in its Third-Party Billing Program, you will receive monthly account statements and be responsible for all charges. Once the process has been completed, the Boeing-approved charges will be paid on your student account.  You will continue to receive monthly statements if you incur charges not covered by Boeing. For more information about this program, .

Late Charges and Payments
If you are not able to pay your account in full (less financial aid), or you do not meet your payment-plan financial obligations, you will have a late fee assessed to your account.

The monthly late charge of 1.25 percent (15 percent per annum) will be assessed on the balance owed after the payment-in-full due dates. If you have a past-due account balance, you will not be permitted to register for future quarters or obtain an official transcript. Continued unpaid accounts may result in the referral of the delinquent account to an outside agency for collection of the total amount due, plus all applicable collection costs.

Change of Registration Charges
A change of registration fee of $50 is charged if a student changes his or her class schedule after the first week of the quarter. Refer to the University Calendar for specific dates. Students may register for evening courses (courses beginning 4:30 p.m. or later) through 5 p.m. on the fifth day of the quarter.

Registration Petitions
It is expected that all students adhere to registration deadlines. However, registration petitions are requests for exceptions to regular policies and procedures. The petition process provides students and faculty with the possibility of a response outside the normal bounds of policy when extenuating circumstances are judged to warrant such a response. Extenuating circumstances include illness, injury, death in the family, or problems with immigration. Registration holds unresolved by the deadline do not constitute extenuating circumstances and are not grounds for petition. The petition must not only voice the request, but it must also substantiate the validity of the request.

(pdf) are available here and on the forms rack in the lobby (first floor). Instructions for completing this process are listed on the back of the petition.

A student seeking late registration must seek permission from the instructor to sit in the class while the petition is pending. In all cases, the final decision to approve or deny a petition will be made by SAS. SAS reserves the right to deny any petition for any reason. Each approved petition will incur a $50 change of registration fee.

Credit Balances
If financial aid overpays the student account, SFS will contact the student via their SPU email account when the credit balance is available. Checks are delivered via or mailed to the student's current address on file.

REFUNDS AND ACCOUNT ADJUSTMENTS
If a student decides to add or drop courses, withdraw from school, or delete other contracted services, an official change of registration must be processed.

This may be handled by filing the change-of-registration form in Student Academic Services or in the . If you plan to withdraw from University housing (i.e., cancel the room and meal plan contract), proper notification must also be provided to .

If a student does not provide proper written notification to the University or via Banner, financial obligations will remain binding, regardless of whether or not classes were attended or whether or not any of the contracted services were utilized.

Refunds or additional charges for courses are posted to a student’s account when the official change of registration form is received and processed or the transaction is completed using Banner. Charges for added courses are made at the full quarter’s rate, regardless of when the course is added.

In the event that enrollment changes result in a refund, SPU will refund tuition according to the schedule that follows. If the refund results in a credit balance on the account, SFS will contact the student via their SPU email account when the credit balance is available. If there is an owing balance on the account or a past-due balance on a Campus-based Loan program, such as the SPU Institutional, Federal Perkins and Federal Nursing Student Loan programs, the refund will first be applied to the owing balance. Any questions regarding tuition refunds should be referred to SFS.

Schedule of Tuition Refunds for Day and Evening Classes
A week is defined as five business days beginning on the first day of the quarter. The summer refund policy and schedule is published in the Time Schedule.

Examples: Tuition Refunds and Adjustments
A student who was originally enrolled for 9 M.B.A. credits drops one 3-credit course the second week of class. The refund is as follows:

A student completely withdraws from all M.B.A. courses in the second week:

Effect on Financial Aid
Dropping courses may affect a student's current and continued eligibility for financial aid. Please refer to Satisfactory Progress. It is recommended that a student discuss the impact of dropping credits with their SFS counselor prior to completing the drop or withdrawal process.

Complete Withdrawal
If, during a quarter, a student who receives financial aid completely withdraws from the University, the tuition refund is calculated as described above. However, if the student received, or was entitled to receive, any Title IV funds, the return of the Title IV funds will be calculated by determining the percentage earned and applying this percentage to the total amount of Title IV assistance disbursed (and that could have been disbursed) to the student for the period of enrollment as of the student’s withdrawal date.

The percentage of Title IV funds earned is equal to the percentage of the period of enrollment that the student completed as of the withdrawal date if it occurs on or before the completion of 60 percent of the period of enrollment. The percentage of Title IV funds that have not been earned by the student is determined by taking the complement of the percentage of Title IV funds earned. The unearned Title IV funds will be returned to financial aid sources based on federal guidelines in the following order: unsubsidized federal Stafford Loan; subsidized federal Stafford Loan; other Title IV aid programs; other federal, state, private, or institutional aid; and the student.

Drop in Credits
If a student who receives financial aid drops courses during any given quarter to below the number of credits that were listed on the post-baccalaureate/graduate information sheet given to SFS, a reassessment of the financial aid award may be made for that quarter. This may affect the amount actually credited to the student account. Contact an SFS counselor for further information.

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