Fees
Application Fee
This non-refundable fee of $30.00 must accompany the application for admission for domestic students. International students pay an application fee of $50.00. This fee is payable only once, upon initial application.
Tuition
The tuition charge for graduate courses is $650.00 per credit hour for the 2019-2020 academic year. The tuition for the Master of Science in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Master of Health Administration, Master of Public Health, and Occupational Therapy programs is $715.00 per credit hour. The tuition for the Master of Business Administration program is $2,500.00 per course. The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies tuition is located on the University tuition web page. Auditors pay the tuition rate for the program in which the course is offered.
Graduate students may not enroll in undergraduate courses unless approved by the respective dean of the graduate program. If the undergraduate coursework is related to the student’s program of study, the graduate student may be permitted to enroll in the course at the graduate tuition rate.
Selected graduate programs may require preparatory work at the undergraduate level prior to full admission. When students have been admitted with the condition of undergraduate coursework, the tuition charge may be assessed at the graduate rate. Each case is subject to the review of the respective dean of the graduate program.
General Fee
A non-refundable fee of $260 is charged to all full-time graduate students ($130/part-time) in Fall and Spring semesters for administrative costs, use of computer network services, library services, and so on. The fee also permits students to use all recreational facilities and the health center (full-time students only), and to attend athletic and cultural events. Off-campus students are charged a reduced part-time graduate student fee of $65 each Fall and Spring semester.
Performance Music Fees
The University encourages students to continue performance music instruction by charging modest fees for private lessons. Students pay a fee of $400.00 per semester per course for instruction in private or class lessons in performance music. There is no additional charge for use of an instrument or practice room.
Students taking private lessons are responsible for making arrangements with the instructor to complete all lessons during the semester. If the student is unable to complete within the semester the series of lessons for which he was assessed, a report should be made immediately to the chair of the Department of Music by the student.
Seat Deposit
Admitted applicants to some programs may be charged a deposit (usually $100, but sometimes between $1,000 and $3,000) in order to hold their place in the program. After a specified period of time, the deposit becomes non-refundable but may be applied to the tuition charges for the semester of admission.
Transcript
Official transcripts ordered through the online transcript service are $5, with an additional charge applied for any applicable shipping costs. A pickup option is also available for $30. No transcript of a student’s record is released until the student has met in full all obligations, financial or otherwise, to the University.
Vehicle Registration
All vehicles (including motorcycles and mopeds) parking on Valparaiso University property must be registered with the Parking and Transportation office and must display a valid registration permit. Students may only park in designated parking lots corresponding to the colored permit affixed to their vehicle. Valparaiso University has three types of parking lots for student use: Long Term, Resident, and Commuter. All permits will have access to Long Term parking lots (Green), in addition to the specific lots as granted by the permit. Resident parking is granted by either a Red or Blue Permit and Commuter parking is granted by an Orange Permit. Additional details
including regulations, fines, and maps are available at: www.valpo.edu/aux/parking.
Graduate students may purchase either a Green, or Blue Permit. A Green permit is $100 per semester, or $165 per academic year. A Blue Permit is $140 per semester, or $250 per academic year. A $15 fee will be charged for a replacement Registration Permit. A summer permit is $55 for the summer academic term.
Payment
Tuition, fees, and any other charges are due at the time registration is complete, August 15th for the Fall Semester and December 31st for the Spring Semester. Drafts, checks, and money orders should be made payable to Valparaiso University. Students may also pay with American Express, MasterCard, or Discover Card through DataVU. An installment plan for tuition may be arranged through Tuition Management Systems. For more information, contact Student Accounts at Valparaiso University.
Refund Policy
Withdrawal from All Classes
Students who withdraw from Valparaiso University may be eligible for a refund of a portion of the tuition charges for the semester of their withdrawal. The University and/or the student may be required to return some of the federal financial aid, if any, awarded to the student. If the student received financial aid from state, University, or private funds (other than family), a portion of the refund may also be returned to the grant, scholarship, or loan source from which it was received.
Valparaiso University’s refund policy exists for calculating the refund of institutional charges. The federal “Return of Title IV Funds” formula dictates the amount of Federal Title IV aid that must be returned to the federal government by the school and the student. The federal formula is applicable to a student receiving federal aid other than Federal Work Study, if that student withdraws on or before the 60% point in time in the semester. The student may also receive a refund of institutional charges through the University’s refund policy (below). The amount of refund of institutional charges will be the greater of the amount the school must return to federal Title
IV programs or the amount determined by the University’s refund policy.
The date of withdrawal and basis for calculating all refunds will be the date on which the student notifies the Office of Student Affairs of their intent to withdraw from the University, provided the withdrawal form is completed and submitted to the Office of the Registrar no later than the end of the next working day. Each semester, a schedule of the applicable refund dates is available in the Finance Office, the Office of Financial Aid, and the Office of the Registrar.
Valparaiso University’s refund policy is as follows: Students who withdraw from the University will receive a prorated refund of tuition and room fees according to the following schedule. There will be no refund of general, special, and laboratory fees.
Full Semester Enrollment
| During the add/drop period |
100% |
| During the second week of classes |
90% |
| During the third week of classes |
80% |
| During the fourth week of classes |
70% |
| During the fifth week of classes |
60% |
| During the sixth week of classes |
50% |
| During the seventh week of classes |
40% |
| During the eighth week of classes |
30% |
| During the ninth week of classes |
20% |
| During the tenth week of classes |
10% |
| After the tenth week of classes |
none |
7 Week Sessions (short terms)
| During the add/drop period |
100% |
| Through 12th day of the session |
80% |
| Through 22nd day of the session |
80% |
| Through 29th day of the session |
30% |
| Through the 34th day of the session |
10% |
| On or after the 35th day of the session |
none |
If a student is receiving financial aid, University and state funds will be reduced according to the above University refund policy. However, the schedule is different for federal funds. If a student withdraws on or before the 60% point of the semester, the percentage of funds that must be returned to the federal government is equal to the number of calendar days remaining in the semester, divided by the number of calendar days in the semester. Scheduled breaks of more than four consecutive days are excluded. The calculation of the return of these funds may result in the student owing a balance to the University and/ or the federal government.
Note: If funds are released to a student because of a credit balance on the student’s account, then the student may be required to repay some of the federal grants if the student withdraws. Students considering withdrawing from all classes should consult with the staff in the Student Accounts and/or Financial Aid Offices if they are concerned about the financial impact of withdrawing.
Dropping Courses
Students may drop one or more courses during the add/drop period. Tuition charges will be reassessed at the end of that period. There will be no adjustments to tuition for courses dropped after the add/drop period. There will also be no refund of the special, laboratory, or general fees. The financial aid award, if any, will be reviewed at the end of the add/drop period and, if needed, will be adjusted to reflect enrollment at that time.
Financial Aid
There are several scholarship and grant resources for graduate students at Valparaiso University. Scholarship opportunities are available for both domestic and international students. In most cases, scholarships are designed to supplement a portion of the cost of tuition. By limiting scholarship amounts, a higher percentage of graduate students will receive some assistance. In some cases, specific scholarships are available through a specific college such as the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Most scholarships are administered through the Graduate Admissions Office. Students will be automatically considered for scholarships that are available without additional application required. For Valparaiso University scholarships requiring specific application, materials will be included with the student’s graduate admissions application material. Students should inquire with the Graduate Admissions Office.
In addition to Valparaiso University Scholarships, a major resource for graduate students in all programs is the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program.
Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loan
This loan has a fixed interest rate of 6.54% and there is a loan origination fee of 1.057% deducted from the loan before it is credited toward charges. This loan is not based on financial need, and students may borrow up to the cost of education less other aid, or $20,500 annually, whichever is less. Interest accrues while the student is in school and may be paid while enrolled or deferred until repayment of principal begins six months after the last date of half-time enrollment.
Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans
This loan is available to graduate students who have been awarded their maximum Federal Unsubsidized Loan and who still need additional loan funds to cover educational expenses. Students must be enrolled at least half-time and meet the federally defined credit worthiness standards. The interest rate on this loan is fixed at 7.54% and there is a loan origination fee of 4.288% deducted from the loan before it is credited toward charges. Repayment begins 60 days after the loan is disbursed. However, they may apply for an inschool deferment. If approved, students may defer repayment until 6 months after they are no longer enrolled at least half time. To apply
for this loan, complete the Graduate PLUS Loan Data Sheet. It can be found at studentaid.gov.
Application for Financial Aid
The process is as follows:
- Apply for admission to the Graduate Office. Loans may not be processed until the student is admitted to a graduate degree program.
- File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.fafsa.gov. List Valparaiso University as one of the schools with school code 001842. Additional documents, such as tax returns, may also be required for submission to the Office of Financial Aid.
- The University’s Office of Financial Aid will send an award letter with loan eligibility and other information. In addition, you will be required to complete an electronic Direct Loan Master Promissory Note if you do not already have one on file, as well as online Loan Entrance Counseling if you have not previously done so. Both of these may be completed at studentaid.gov. Once the promissory note and entrance counseling have been completed and all required documentation has been submitted and reviewed, the loan proceeds are credited to the student’s account. If the credit exceeds tuition charges, the student may apply for a refund.
Cost of Education
The Office of Financial Aid constructs the financial aid budget for loan eligibility based on the number of hours enrolled, and the student’s reported living arrangements. Typically, students will spend between $11,700 and $15,600 for tuition/fees as a full-time student (18-24 credit hours per year). If living off-campus, another $12,000 is allotted for living expenses. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid for specific program information and budgets.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Financial Aid recipients must maintain minimum standards of satisfactory academic progress for receipt of federal, state, and most University aid programs. All students receiving financial assistance must maintain matriculated status in a degree program. Regulations require a maximum time frame for degree completion, a quantitative measurement (credits earned toward a degree), and a qualitative measurement (cumulative grade point average). These three criteria are checked at the end of each academic year in May to determine whether students are maintaining satisfactory academic progress.
Specific Requirements
Graduate students may not receive financial aid for credits which exceed 50 percent above that required for their graduate degree. Graduate programs vary in length from 30 to 101 credit hours. Students must complete at least two-thirds of all credit hours attempted each academic year. The minimum cumulative grade point average requirement is 3.000.
Incompletes, Withdrawals, Repeated Courses
Incompletes will count as hours attempted but not completed. If Incompletes are later completed, this will be reflected when progress is again checked, or sooner if the student appeals. Repeated courses will add to total hours attempted and, if credits are earned, towards hours completed; however, the grade will be replaced by the new grade in the calculation of the grade point average, which will be considered when progress is again checked, or sooner if the student appeals.
Appeals and Reinstatement
Students whose academic progress is not in compliance with these standards will be notified in writing after the spring semester that their eligibility for aid has been terminated. They will also be advised of the appeal and reinstatement policy at that time. Students may appeal termination of their financial aid eligibility based on extenuating circumstances, which may include illness, death in the family, other circumstances beyond the student’s control, or special academic circumstances. Students who do not appeal, or whose appeal is denied, will not regain financial aid eligibility until the semester after they have attained the appropriate grade point average
and achieved credit hours standards. Appeals should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid Appeals Committee.
Related Considerations
Summer school credits may be considered in evaluating attainment of the academic progress standards on an appeal basis. Certain aid programs have shorter time-frame limits and different grade point average requirements. Federal loan programs have cumulative limits that may be reached before the maximum time-frame limits are exhausted.
Other Considerations
Tax Deduction/Credits
The Internal Revenue Service may allow deductions for some educational expenses. Consult your financial advisor to determine whether your expenses meet the IRS requirements.
Employer Assistance
Many corporations and agencies offer some type of tuition assistance to those employees who are continuing their education. Students are encouraged to investigate such programs at their place of employment.
Veterans’ Programs
In addition to working with the Veterans’ Administration (VA), military veterans should consult with the Office of Financial Aid as soon as possible when preparing to enroll at Valparaiso University. The University does participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program under the Post 9/11 GI Bill otherwise known as Chapter 33. The University awards the Patriot Award which in conjunction with the base Chapter 33 benefit and the additional Yellow Ribbon benefit will cover up to 100% of tuition and general fee for graduate students pursuing a master’s level degree. The University does limit the number of Yellow Ribbon recipients it funds and priority goes to returning students already in the program and then on a first come, first served basis for new students. If University scholarships/grants are part of the veteran’s financial aid award, the total resources including VA scholarships and stipends may not exceed the veteran’s cost of attendance as determined by the Financial Aid Office. Veterans may elect to decline University scholarship/grant aid in order to utilize federal student loan assistance which allows the veterans to receive aid in excess of the cost of attendance. Veterans are asked to meet with Office of Financial Aid staff to discuss their options before enrolling.
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