Fees

Payment of Fees

Comprehensive fee charges are billed to student accounts in July for the fall term and December for the spring term. Students and their designated Authorized Users can view all activity posted to their student account via TouchNet (Vassar’s online billing and payment portal). 

Vassar does not mail paper statements. All billing notifications are sent to the student’s Vassar email address. Payment must be received by August 10th (Fall Term) and January 10th (Spring Term) to avoid late payment fees and/or the denial of student privileges. Students are responsible for logging in to their account monthly to review their balance and take action on any outstanding items.   

All payments must be in the form of United States dollars. Payments can be made online through TouchNet (domestic bank accounts and credit card payments), Flywire (international bank accounts), by mail, or in person at the Cashier’s Office. Vassar offers two monthly payment plan options for a $50 fee per term; a 5-month plan and a 4-month plan. Payment plans do not adjust automatically and do not automatically renew from the previous term. For more information on payment options and to make an online payment, visit the Student Financial Services website.

Fees are subject to change at the discretion of the college’s Board of Trustees and are reviewed on an annual basis.

Application Fee

Undergraduate Comprehensive Fee

In general, the college requires full-time students to live in college housing. Permission to live off-campus may be granted by the Director of Residential Life in the spring for the following academic year. If a student does not apply for permission by the posted deadline, the student will be liable for full housing and food charges. Housing assignments are secured through a room-draw process, which is based on academic seniority. Apartment units are generally not available to first-year students.

All full-time students are required to be on a meal plan.

The Student Activity Fee is required for all full-time students. These funds are transferred to the Vassar Student Association (VSA) for use by its various organizations.

The Health Service Fee is required for all full-time students and covers certain medical services provided by the college’s health clinic. Additional charges may be incurred during the academic year related to medications or gynecological services. A schedule of fees is on file at the Office of Health Services.

Other Fees and Deposits

Graduate Fees

Part-Time Student Fees

Music: Private Instruction

Private music lessons are not covered by tuition; the cost is an additional fee per semester.

If private music instruction is dropped prior to the first day of classes each semester, the fee will be removed. If the private instruction is dropped before the advertised drop deadline, the cost is pro-rated depending on the length of the individual lessons. If the lessons are dropped after the deadline,
the fee will be charged in full.

In the case of withdrawal, the fee will be prorated, with a minimum of two lessons charged.  No portion of the fee is refunded after the sixth week (after add/drop deadline).

Music majors are exempt from three semesters of fees during their junior and senior years (one area per semester).

Non-matriculated students are charged half the rate-per-unit fee plus the instruction fee.

Community members may take instruction without credit for $1,040 per semester.

Miscellaneous Fees

Student Deposits

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous fines may be imposed for violations of college regulations or failure to meet obligations. Students accept responsibility for damage to college property, including laboratory breakage, whether caused by individuals or groups. A schedule of fines is available in the Office of Residential Life. Unpaid obligations may lead to late fees, restricted swipe card access, or cancellation of pre-registration and housing.

Students whose accounts remain unpaid at the end of a semester may have their pre-registration and housing assignment for the following semester canceled. In this instance students cannot attend classes and are subject to leave of absence or suspension proceedings by the college.

VA Pending Payment Compliance

In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679(e), Vassar adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Chapter 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Chapter 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA.  This school will not:

• Neither prevent nor delay the student’s enrollment

• Assess a late penalty fee to the student

• Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding

• Deny the student access to any resources available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution, including but not limited to access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities.

However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:

• Produce the Certificate of Eligibility by the first day of class

• Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies. 

Other Expenses

The college estimates that a reasonable budget for incidental expenses (books and supplies, recreation, etc.) is $2,250 per year.  Some courses may require specific supplies or materials, the cost of which will be billed to the student account.

Refunds

Vassar College maintains an equitable refund policy for students who withdraw from their studies or when payment is in excess of the total charges. 

Tuition/Housing/Food: Subject to the refund schedule below.

Mandatory Fees: Health and Student Activity fees are non-refundable after the first day of classes.

Part-time and Special Student Fees are charged per unit and are refunded according to the refund schedule below.  

Dropped Courses: Course fees such as Emergency Medical Training, Studio Art and the Teacher Certification Fees are refunded in full when a student drops the course during the add/drop period (first six weeks of classes). In the case of withdrawal, the course fees are non-refundable.

Title IV Funds: Federal aid eligibility is recalculated based on the percentage of the semester completed. If a student completes more than 60% of the semester, 100% of aid is earned.

Leaves and Withdrawals

All notices of withdrawal must be made to the Office of the Dean of Studies in writing. The date that notice is received becomes the official withdrawal date and is used to determine refund eligibility and recalculate financial aid eligibility. Certain fees and deposits (as specified in the section above) are nonrefundable.  The charges for tuition, housing and food are subject to the refund schedule. Refunds will be credited first against financial aid awards, with the balance, if any, remitted to the student.

Return of Title IV Funds [§484B]

Students receiving Title IV aid (federal financial aid including: Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, and Federal Parent PLUS Loans) are subject to the Federal Title IV Refund Policy. In the event of a withdrawal or leave of absence, eligibility for federal aid will be recalculated according to federal regulations.

All notices of withdrawal must be submitted in writing to the Office of the Dean of Studies. The date that notice is received becomes the official date of withdrawal (last day of attendance) and is used to determine the percentage of Title IV aid the student has earned.

The percentage of Title IV aid earned will be equal to the percentage of the payment period completed by the student (number of days in attendance divided by number of days in the enrollment period/semester), so long as the period completed is less than 60 percent of the semester. The percentage of unearned federal aid must be returned to the Department of Education.  If the student’s withdrawal date occurs after the completion of 60% of the semester, 100% of aid is earned and no return will occur.

Unearned funds to be returned to Title IV programs will be credited in the following order:

• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Student Loans

• Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Student Loans

• Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans

• Federal Pell Grants

• Federal SEOG (Supplementary Educational Opportunity Grant)

• Other Title IV assistance for which a return of funds is required.

Tuition Refund Schedule

Upon withdrawal or leave of absence from the college, or upon withdrawal from courses, refund of  tuition, room/apartment and food, will be made at the following rates: 

No refund will be made after the ninth week of the semester.

No refund is made in the event that classes are temporarily canceled. The payment of tuition entitles the student to educational opportunities which are not dependent upon a specific number of classes, hours, or weeks of instruction.

No refund is made in cases of suspension or expulsion.

Housing and Food

Prior to the first day of classes in each semester, the college will refund 100 percent of the housing and food charges. No refunds of apartment/housing and food charges are made in cases of suspension or expulsion.

If a student requests a change in housing during a semester, the following will apply:

• Move from a Terrace Apartment, Townhouse, or South Commons Apartment Area to a Residence Hall:

  • If the move occurs during weeks 1–9, a $250.00 credit will be applied to the student account. Financial aid recipients will have their scholarship award adjusted accordingly.

  • After the 9th week of classes, there will be no change in the original housing charge.

• Moving from a Residence Hall to a Terrace Apartment, Townhouse, or South Commons Apartment Area:

  • Anytime during the semester if a student requests a move, the student account will be charged an additional $250.00. Financial aid recipients will have their scholarship award adjusted accordingly.

Credit Balance on Account

Students who have excess funds (negative balance) on their student account may receive a refund or keep the funds in the account to offset the next term’s charges. To receive a refund, the student must set up a Refund Profile on TouchNet and complete the Refund Request Form available on the Student Financial Services website.  Refunds are not automatically issued unless due to an excess in Title IV aid.

If the student is a Title IV financial aid recipient and if Title IV funds exceed allowable charges (tuition/fees/housing/food), the excess funds will be returned to the student/parent within 14 days of disbursement. However, with consent, the student/parent can authorize the College to apply the Title IV aid towards educationally related charges, including prior year charges, and/or allow the College to hold a credit balance and apply it towards a future semester.  The parent or student must complete the Title IV Credit Balance Authorization Form.  The authorization will remain in effect for the entire period the student is enrolled, including multiple academic years. At any time, the authorization can be changed or rescinded by contacting Student Accounts.