Financial Information

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and Fees* academic year 2010-2011

Note: Some courses taken for audit require full tuition; consult the course descriptions for complete details.

Laboratory Fees (per course)

*Tuition and fees are subject to change each academic year.

Note: Students registering for courses after courses have met twice will be charged a $100 late registration fee.

Payment of Bill

Tuition and fees must be paid in full at the time of registration unless students are receiving financial aid. Students with financial aid should present their award letter at the time of registration. Only checks, money orders, and credit cards (Visa or MasterCard) will be accepted as forms of payment. Students registering through CyberFriar must complete the online tuition payment using a MasterCard or Visa credit card at the time of registration. Students who do not submit payment at the time of registration will be dropped for non-payment.

Tuition remission approvals from employers, government, and any other source must be received with the student’s registration. Students whose tuition is paid by these third parties should inform them of this policy to ensure that payment is made on a timely basis so they will not be dropped from class. Students who do not submit payment at the time of registration will be dropped for non-payment. Students dropped from a course(s) who wish to re-register will be allowed registration only on a space-available basis.

Tuition Discounts

Alumni

A 25 percent standby discount is offered for alumni taking School of Continuing Education courses. Alumni are defined as students holding a bachelor’s degree from Providence College. (The alumni discount does not apply to courses taken on an audit basis, directed study, or courses taken through a contract program offered through the School of Continuing Education.)

Procedures for registration are as follows:

1. Mail or fax a completed Registration Form or register in person for the course(s) of your choice.
2. If seats are available in the class at the end of the regular registration period, individuals will be contacted and invited to register at the reduced rate. Seats will be offered to alumni according to the order in which the registrations are received.

Religious and Clergy

A 25 percent standby discount is available on all School of Continuing Education credit courses. This discount does not apply to courses taken for audit.

Persons 65 and Over

On a standby basis, persons 65 and over may take courses for $50 per course, plus lab fees as required. A completed Registration form should be submitted to the SCE Office. As seats are available, registrants will be notified. Course participants are encouraged to make a contribution to the SCE Rev. Michael Murphy Scholarship Fund or Rev. John F. Cunningham Diversity Scholarship Fund to assist other adult students in need of financial aid.

Return of Title IV Funds

Providence College is required by federal and state regulations to make known the following information to financial aid recipients: Upon withdrawing from the College during the first 60 percent of the enrollment period, a student earns Title IV funds in direct proportion to the length of time he or she remains enrolled. That is, the percentage of time during the period that the student remains enrolled is the percentage of disbursable aid for that period that the student earned. Again, written withdrawal notification serves as the date of a withdrawal. In cases where a student unofficially withdraws from the College (defined as having earned NO grades during that semester) the student will be subject to a similar refund calculation based on the last day of academic-related activity or back to the 50-percent point of the semester. A student who remains enrolled beyond the 60-percent point earns all aid for the period.

Refund Distribution

Prescribed by law and regulation

1. Unsubsidized loans
2. Subsidized loans
3. Federal Perkins Loans
4. PLUS Loans
5. Federal Pell Grants
6. Academic Competitiveness Grant
7. National Smart Grant
8. Federal SEOG

Tuition Refund Policy

Tuition and lab fees are refundable according to the following schedule. Other fees are nonrefundable.

Financial Aid

School of Continuing Education (SCE) students who are enrolled in a degree or certificate program half-time or more (i.e. at least six credits) are eligible to apply for federal and state financial aid and may do so by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA can be completed online at www.fafsa.gov. If you (and your parent, if applicable) want to sign the FAFSA application electronically, you must apply for a federal Personal Identification Number (PIN) at www.pin.ed.gov.

Financial aid applications usually require 10 to 20 business days to process and should be submitted at least four weeks prior to the semester in which the student plans on matriculating. Please note, Rhode Island residents should complete their FAFSA no later than the March 1 deadline in order to ensure consideration for the Rhode Island State Grant. Students who are not Rhode Island residents should check with their individual states regarding their state scholarship deadlines.

In determining financial aid awards, Providence College distributes financial assistance based on a number of factors, including federal and state policy, academic qualifications, and the availability of other resources. The College reserves the right to modify a student’s financial assistance at any time if the federal law or College policy subsequently changes.

Providence College primarily uses the Federal Methodology required by the Higher Education Act (1992), as amended, to determine a student’s eligibility for federal financial aid programs. This methodology allows the College to distribute federal financial aid to eligible students in accordance with federal guidelines.

Sources of Federal and State Aid

Grants and Loans

Federal and state funds in the form of grants and loans are available to School of Continuing Education students, primarily in the programs described below. Specific information regarding eligibility, institutional or federal policy, and procedures can be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid, Harkins Hall, Room 215, 401.865.2286.

The Federal Pell Grant

Federal Pell Grant awards are a type of assistance that does not have to be repaid. This grant is restricted to undergraduate students who have not earned a baccalaureate degree. For the 2010-11 academic year, the annual Pell Grant awards can range from a minimum of $659 to a maximum of $5,550. Specific Pell Grant amounts are determined by the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) generated from the FAFSA and the number of credits for which a student is registered and billed for at the end of the add/drop period in each semester.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) funds are a type of assistance that does not have to be repaid. This grant is restricted to undergraduate students who have not earned a baccalaureate degree. Priority for this fund is given to students who are eligible to receive a Pell Grant. Grants range from a minimum of $250 to a maximum of $1,000 and are highly subjective to availability of funds.

Rhode Island State Grant (RISG)

Rhode Island State Grant funds are assistance that does not have to be repaid. Eligibility is determined by the Rhode Island Higher Education Assistance Authority (RIHEAA). Amounts for the 2010-11 academic year have not yet been determined. (In the 2009-2010 academic year, RISG’s ranged from $250 to $900 depending on the recipient’s financial need.)

Consideration for these funds is given to undergraduate students who have not earned a baccalaureate degree, are legal residents of Rhode Island, AND meet the state’s March 1 deadline for filing the FAFSA.

Federal Direct Loan Program

Providence College participates in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. A Federal Direct Loan is available to those students admitted and enrolled in a degree program and registered for at least six credits each semester. A student may be awarded a Federal Direct Loan that is either subsidized, unsubsidized, or a combination of both. A subsidized loan is awarded based on need as determined by the FAFSA and the cost of the individual student’s program. If a student qualifies for a subsidized loan, the federal government will pay the loan interest during in-school deferment periods. An unsubsidized Direct Loan is available to students regardless of the determination of need on the FAFSA application and cost of the student’s individual program. The unsubsidized Direct Loan requires that student borrowers pay interest during in-school deferment periods. For borrowers who take out a Subsidized Direct Stafford Loan beginning with the 2010-2011 academic year, this loan will have a fixed interest rate of 4.5% and the Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loans will have a fixed interest rate of 6.8%. Repayment on the principal loan amount is deferred until six months after graduation and may extend up to 10 years for repayment. The annual borrowing limits for undergraduate students are listed in the chart below.

Since the Direct Loan Program is administered by Providence College, the FAFSA is the only application required in order to be considered for these funds. The Student Loan Office at Providence College will electronically provide information on how to complete the Master Promissory Note and Entrance Counseling for all student borrowers. The Office of Financial Aid will determine a student’s eligibility and the Student Loan Office will process all paperwork involving the Direct Loan Program. Throughout the academic year, students will receive communications from both offices regarding these loans.

Federal Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

The Federal Direct PLUS Loan Program is available to parents interested in borrowing loan funds to meet educational costs for their student. Since this program is a part of the Federal Direct Loan Program, all loan transactions will be handled by the Office of Financial Aid in conjunction with the Student Loan Office at Providence College. Parents of dependent students who are admitted and enrolled in a degree program and have registered for at least six credits each semester may borrow up to the cost of education minus any financial aid they are already receiving.

Interested parents may request a PLUS Loan application by calling the Student Loan Office at 401.865.2050 or by visiting the Forms Section on the Financial Aids website. PLUS Loan borrowers are subject to a credit check, and a onetime origination fee is deducted from the loan amount.

Providence College SCE Scholarships

In addition to the FAFSA, students must submit a scholarship application to the SCE Office by August 1 for consideration for the fall semester, January 1 for consideration for the spring semester, and May 1 for summer awards. Scholarship applications are available in the SCE Office and on the SCE Web site.

The Rev. Michael Murphy Scholarship Fund provides limited, short-term scholarship assistance directly from the School of Continuing Education at Providence College. These non-renewable awards for accepted degree or certificate program students are based on academic achievement and financial need.

The Rev. John Cunningham Diversity Scholarship Fund supports students whose native language is not English and/or who are members of under-represented minority groups and others who have experienced challenging circumstances, or demonstrated financial need, and do not already have an undergraduate degree. The scholarship provides a two-thirds reduction in tuition for two classes per semester during the first three semesters of study. Eligibility is determined by a formal application request and an interview.

The SCE Women’s Scholarship Fund—established through the generosity of an SCE alumna—provides up to $5,000 per academic year to one or more female SCE students, based on financial need and academic performance. The application process is competitive, with recipients determined by a standing committee. For more information, contact the SCE Office.

The SCE Alumni Scholarship Fund—established through the generosity of an SCE alumna—provides $600 per academic year to a student not receiving other forms of financial assistance and earning a salary within a maximum range. For more information, contact the SCE Office.

The Eleanor Casserly Memorial Scholarship was established in 1980 to support SCE students who attend school at least half-time and work full-time. Students must demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA.

Other Resources

Company (Third Party) Reimbursement Plan

Many firms will reimburse their employees in full or in part for educational expenses. Students should check directly with the benefits officer regarding their company’s policy.

Income Tax Deductions for Educational Expenses

Under current regulations, educational expenses that have not been reimbursed—such as tuition, books, supplies, and related travel and living costs—may be deducted under certain conditions. Please consult the appropriate income tax agency (state/federal) for detailed information.

Veterans Administration (VA)

Providence College has been approved for training veterans. Students who have performed military service may be eligible for financial assistance. For applications or questions regarding eligibility, contact the Office of Academic Records, Harkins Hall, Room 207, 401.865.2982.

Helpful Financial Aid links

The U.S. Department of Education maintains a student portal (http://studentaid.ed.gov) that allows students to get all the information they need from just one place. At that site, you can access department publications, apply for a PIN, file the FAFSA on the Web, access the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), link to information about your state’s scholarship or grant program, link to searches for private scholarships, and much more.