Tuition and Fees

Tuition and Fees (General Information)
Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes
Appeals of Late Fees
Check Cashing
Past-due Accounts
Payment Procedures
Refund of Fees
Graduate Student Support Opportunities
Tuition Waivers


Tuition and Fees (General Information)

Required fees are established by the Board of Regents and the Florida State Legislature and are subject to change without notice. Fees are affected by residency status as noted in the “Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes” section in this chapter.

Tuition not paid by the payment deadline date for each term will result in late payment fees.

The following schedule applies to all University of Central Florida students.

A. Application Fee — $20.00.
Must be paid by U.S. check or money order (required with all applications for admission to the university unless the applicant has attended UCF previously). The fee is not refundable.
B. Registration Fees
per semester are shown below for main campus, area centers, and continuing education courses. Zero-hour registration students are assessed one credit hour at the Florida Resident Tuition rate at the course level for which the student is registered.


1997-98 Fee Schedule

Florida Resident Non-Florida Resident
Category Undergraduate Graduate Undergraduate Graduate
Course Classifications (0000-4999) (5000-7999) (0000-4999) (5000-7999)
Fees per Credit Hour:
Matriculation $43.92 $105.64 $43.92 $105.64
Non-Resident Fee -0- -0- 187.83 290.85
Building Fee 2.32 2.32 2.32 2.32
Capital Improvement Fee 2.44 2.44 2.44 2.44
Financial Aid Fee 2.19 5.28 2.19 5.28
Non-Resident Financial Aid Fee -0- -0- 9.39 14.54
Activity and Service Fee 6.95 6.95 6.95 6.95
Athletic Fee (capped at 12 hrs) 6.50 6.50 6.50 6.50
Total per Hour $ 64.32 $129.13 $261.54 $434.52


Other Fees: Resident and Non-Resident Students

UCF Health Fee (fall and spring terms - main campus course offerings) $47.30
UCF Health Fee (summer term - main campus course offerings) $35.20
UCF Materials and Supplies Fee (approved courses only - varies per course) $2.00-15.00
Campus Card Fee...............................................................$10.00
Campus Card Replacement Fee...........................................$15.00
Late Registration Fee (see “E” below)..................................$50.00
Late Payment Fee (see “E” below).......................................$50.00
Returned Check Fees:
Check amounts up to $50.00...............................................$25.00
Check amounts over $50.00 and less than $300.00..............$30.00
Check amounts over $300.00..............................................$40.00 or 5%,
...........................................................................................whichever is greater

C. Room and Board (estimated)
Residence Hall Rooms (per semester)........................$1,005.00-1,535.00
Charge for late housing payment.................................$50.00
Board plans (meal plans)............................................$700.00-900.00
University housing for graduate students is scarce, and graduate students should search for inexpensive off-campus apartments. Most apartments charge from $400 to $500 per month for a one-bedroom unit.
D. Books and Supplies per semester (estimated)
$300.00
E. Late Registration and Late Payment Fees
• A $50 late registration fee will be assessed all students who register during the late registration period and pay fees by the deadline.
• A $50 late payment fee will be assessed all students who pay fees after the deadline.
Both a $50 late registration fee and a $50 late payment fee will be assessed all students who both register late and pay fees after the deadline. All payments accepted after course cancellation notices are mailed, approximately the third week of classes, must be cash, cashier’s check, or money order.
F. Vehicle Registration (required of everyone operating a motor-powered vehicle on campus)
per calendar year for all students, including full-time students, part-time students, and courtesy students from other institutions. Student decal fee $68.00
G. Student Health Fee
The Student Health Fee is assessed to all students registered in main campus course offerings.
H. Transcripts
First two transcripts are provided at no charge. Each additional copy $5.00


Florida Residency for Tuition Purposes

To qualify as a Florida Resident for tuition purposes, students must:

Be a U.S. Citizen, Resident Alien, Parolee, Cuban National, Vietnamese Refugee, or other refugee or asylee so designated by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service,
AND
Have established a legal residence in this state and maintained that legal residence for 12 months immediately prior to the term in which they are seeking Florida resident classification. The student residence in Florida must be as a bona fide domiciliary rather than for the purpose of maintaining a mere temporary residence or abode incidental to enrollment in an institution of higher education, and should be demonstrated as indicated below (for dependent students, as defined by IRS regulations, a parent or guardian must qualify),
AND
Submit the following documentation (or in the case of a dependent student, the parent must submit documentation) prior to the last day of registration for the term for which resident status is sought:

• Documentation establishing legal residence in Florida must be dated at least one year prior to the first day of classes of the term for which resident status is sought. The following documents will be considered in determining legal residence:
A. Declaration of Domicile.
B. Proof of purchase of a home in Florida in which the student resides.
C. Proof that the student has maintained residence in the state for the preceding year (e.g., rent receipts, employment records).
• Documentation establishing bona fide domicile in Florida which is not temporary or merely incidental to enrollment in a Florida institution of higher education. The following documents will be considered evidence of domicile even though no one of these criteria, if taken alone, will be considered as conclusive evidence of domicile:

A. Declaration of Domicile.
B. Florida voter registration.
C. Florida vehicle registration.
D. Florida driver license.
E. Proof of real property ownership in Florida (e.g., deed, tax receipts).
F. A letter on company letterhead from an employer verifying permanent employment in Florida for the 12 consecutive months before classes begin.
G. Proof of membership in or affiliation with community or state organizations or significant connections to the State.
H. Proof of former domicile in Florida and maintenance of significant connections while absent.
I. Proof of reliance upon Florida sources of support.
J. Proof of admission to a licensed practicing profession in Florida.
K. Any other factors peculiar to the individual which tend to establish the necessary intent to make Florida a permanent home and that the individual is a bona fide Florida resident, including the age and general circumstances of the individual.
• No contrary evidence establishing residence elsewhere.
• Documentation of dependent/independent status (notarized copy of most recent IRS tax return).
OR

Become a legal resident or be married to a person who has been a legal resident for the required 12-month period,
OR
Be a member of the Armed Forces on active duty stationed in Florida, or a spouse or dependent,
OR
Be a member of the full-time instructional or administrative staff of a state public school, community college or university in Florida, a spouse or dependent,
OR
Be a dependent and have lived five years with an adult relative who has established legal residence in Florida,
AND
File a notarized residence affidavit with Graduate Studies - Admissions (AD 144).

Graduate Studies reserves the right to require additional documentation as seen necessary to accurately determine the resident status of any student.


Appeals of Late Fees

Students who wish to appeal a late registration, late payment, or return check service charge fee may make their appeal to the Fee Appeals Committee by initiating a student petition (Form 41-561). This form can be obtained from Enrollment and Academic Services, Student Affairs, the University Cashier, or the Student Accounts Section of Finance and Accounting. Students must submit their petitions to Student Accounts, Room 112, Administration Building, and may appear (not mandatory) before the committee. To avoid complications, students should pay all fees, including late fees, and if the appeal is granted, they will receive a refund of the late fees.


Check Cashing

The University Bookstore cashes personal checks not exceeding $50.00. The university collects service fees on all checks returned. Future check-cashing privileges may be denied.


Past-due Accounts

All financial obligations to the university must be met if good standing is to be maintained. Failure to meet obligations can result in the withholding of grades and transcripts and in the denial of registration and readmission to the university. The services of a professional collection agency and recourse to the courts may also be invoked if deemed necessary. All costs of collection, including attorney’s fees, are borne by the debtor.


Payment Procedures

Payment may be made in the Cashier’s Office, AD 108. Hours are Monday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Tuesday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Credit cards are not accepted. Payments (NO CASH) may be placed in the Cashier’s night depository on the north (pond) side of the Administration Building; INCLUDE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ON CHECK OR MONEY ORDER. Payment guidelines for off-campus registration are contained on the off-campus registration form.

Mailed payments (check or money order only) must be postmarked no later than the due date to be considered on time and avoid the late fee. Address payment to: University Cashier, University of Central Florida, P.O. Box 620000, Orlando, FL 32891-8449.

Do not assume your registration will be canceled if you do not pay fees or attend classes.


Refund of Fees

A refund of fees will be made under the following conditions upon presentation at the Student Accounts Office of a Certification of Withdrawal issued by the Registrar. No refunds will be made under this policy except upon proper application. Any debts to the university will be deducted up to the full amount of the refund.

A. A full refund when:
1. Any class is dropped before the end of the Add/Drop period.
2. Cancellation of the course by the university.
3. Student is denied admission to an offered course by the university for whatever reason.
B. Partial refund (25% of the total tuition paid):
Complete withdrawal from the university prior to the end of the fourth week of classes, during a 16- or 17-week semester, or at the end of the first quarter of classes during a mini-semester or summer semester (rounded out to the end of the week in which the first quarter occurs). Student must present withdrawal slip and request the refund from Student Accounts.
C. Refunds for exceptional circumstances
at any time upon withdrawal for one or more courses. Up to 100% of tuition and registration fees due to circumstances determined by the university to be exceptional, including but not limited to sickness, death, involuntary call to military service, or administrative errors created by the university.

D. Pro rata refunds for first term at UCF students:
Between 40% and 90% of tuition and dorm charges for students who fully withdraw before 60% of the term has elapsed. Applies only to UCF students in their first term. An administrative fee defined as the lesser of 5% of all charges or $100 will be deducted from the refund.


Graduate Student Support Opportunities

Graduate students may receive financial assistance in the form of fellowships, tuition waivers, loans, or assistantships. Students may inquire about these opportunities at the following offices:

Fellowships Coordinator (AD 144)............................................407-823-6497
Fellowships Fax: .......................................................................407-823-6442
Student Financial Assistance Office (AD 120) .............................407-823-2827
Loans..................................................................................Fax: 407-823-5241
Holds on records, graduate status.........................................Fax: 407-823-6442

An on-line financial aid information web page is available from the Office of Student Financial Assistance for specific information concerning financial aid, grants, and student loans.

Non-degree-seeking post-baccalaureate students are not eligible for financial aid.


Tuition Waivers

Full-time graduate assistants are eligible to receive tuition waivers for part of their tuition costs. Students should contact the departmental program coordinator and fill out a Request for Tuition Waiver Form when they register for classes. Fee waiver monies are used to assist graduate students to progress toward their degrees. Instate tuition waivers are available for qualified Florida residents. Out-of-state tuition waivers are offered to qualified non-Florida residents. Part-time students and post-baccalaureate students are not eligible to receive tuition waivers.

Graduate Teaching and Research Assistants must be enrolled full-time (six credit hours in the fall and spring terms and three credit hours in the summer) to receive a tuition waiver. Students taking only thesis or dissertation hours are required to be enrolled in at least one hour of thesis or dissertation to be considered full-time and receive a tuition waiver. Graduate Teaching and Research Assistants who are pursuing a non-thesis option and are in their graduating semester, as determined by their college, may also receive a waiver at the discretion of the college. Full-time graduate teaching and research assistants and associates are eligible for FICA and FUTA exemptions if they work less than 20 hours per week.

Rules that govern the use of tuition waiver monies for graduate students are:

  1. Graduate students must be full-time students (defined above) and in good standing with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The student must be enrolled in classes full-time for the term in which they receive the waiver and employed as a graduate teaching or research assistant for at least 10 hours/week (0.25 FTE) on average, or receiving a fellowship in the amount of $3250 or higher for the academic year.
  2. If more than one unit employs a student who creates the waiver, the waiver money generated by the student is credited to both units proportional to the contribution of the student stipend.
  3. The units of those students on fellowships will receive credit for the waiver generated by the fellowship student.
  4. Fee waiver money is to be allocated to the colleges and institutes, rather than administrative offices such as Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, etc.; Graduate students who work in these offices should go to their units for tuition fee waiver support.
  5. If a student drops a course for which a fee waiver has been received but remains full-time, the waiver money received for the class must be returned to the university. Holds on student records will prevent students from registering for classes, receiving transcripts, or receiving grade reports until the money is returned.
  6. If a student drops a course for which a fee waiver has been received and becomes part-time as a result, all waiver money must be returned to the university. Any such funds will be reallocated to the unit from which they originated. Holds on student records will prevent students from registering for classes, receiving transcripts, or receiving grade reports until the money is returned. (In extreme cases, a student may petition for an exception to this.)
  7. If a graduate student assistant is dismissed or resigns at any point during the semester, tuition waiver funds received by the student must be returned to the university.
  8. Waiver money is only provided for courses taken as necessary for progress toward a student’s degree.
  9. Waiver money is limited to 9 terms for master’s students, 12 terms for doctoral students beyond the master’s degree, or 21 terms for doctoral students without a master’s degree.

All graduate assistants and fellows (the fellowship pays at least $3250 per academic year), regardless of their tax status, are eligible to receive tuition waivers and will generate tuition waiver authority according to Board of Regents guidelines.

Tuition Fee Waivers for State of Florida Employees

State employees, faculty, and staff who use a tuition fee waiver for course work (up to 6 credit hours) without payment of the registration fees must register on the day and time provided by the Registrar. Employees who register prior to the prescribed time and date will have an invalid fee waiver and will be liable for all applicable fees on courses enrolled. It is the responsibility of the employee to register only on a space-available basis; and this is only during the prescribed time as indicated by the Registrar. In addition, the tuition fee waiver cannot be used for courses that require increased costs. These courses include, but are not limited to: courses offered through the Center for Continuing Education, independent study, supervised research, supervised teaching lab, thesis hours, dissertation hours, internship, co-ops, practicum or applied, individualized instruction in music, art, or dance, etc.

Tuition Fee Waivers for Senior Citizens

Persons 60 years of age or older who meet Florida residency requirements may register to audit classes without payment of tuition and application fees. Registration is on a space-available basis during the last hour of Add/Drop Registration. The tuition fee waiver cannot be used for courses that require increased costs. These courses include, but are not limited to: courses offered through the Center for Continuing Education, independent study, supervised research, supervised teaching lab, thesis hours, dissertation hours, internship, co-ops, practicum or applied, individualized instruction in music, art, or dance, etc. A Florida Residency Affidavit is required in order to establish Florida residency. A completed Student Health History must be filed prior to registration. Inquiries should be directed to Enrollment and Academic Services, AD 210, 823-2691.

State Tuition Exempt Program (STEP)

Eligible members of the active Florida National Guard may receive a waiver of 50 percent of tuition and lab fees. Registration is on a space-available basis only during the time designated by the Registrar.




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