Tuition, Room and Board Charges 2009-10

Tuition, Room and Board

Notes:

• The actual cost of enrollment for 2009-10 is reduced through a budgetary operating subsidy from the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
• Tuition for part-time students is $230 per credit.
• Graduate tuition is $235 per credit.
• Depending on individual circumstances, education students living off campus pay a fee of up to $840 ($590 for housing and $250 for 9 weeks of supervision) during the professional semester in lieu of room and board.
• Depending on individual circumstances, staff ministry and parish music interns living off campus pay a fee of up to $1510 ($1075 for housing and $435 for 18 weeks of supervision) during the professional semester in lieu of room and board.
• The MLC Governing Board reserves the right to revise charges and procedures as economic conditions warrant.

Variable Costs

The cost of books, supplies, travel, laundry, personal and miscellaneous expenses varies according to the individual. For 2009-2010 the estimate per individual is $3900.

Incidental Charges

Automobile registration ranges in cost from $40-80. This fee is paid directly to the Student Life Office.

Payment Policies

• Students select one of various payment plans by June 15 (or November 15 for students matriculating the second semester). Each student is responsible for meeting his or her obligation for tuition, room and board according to the plan selected.
• If a student does not choose a plan by June 15 (or November 15 for students matriculating the second semester), the full-semester plan is assigned by default.
• Fees must be paid on schedule and in full before participating in semester final exams.
• Bookstore purchases may not be charged to the student account. The bookstore does accept MasterCard, Visa or personal checks.
• Parking tickets, fines for dormitory infractions or past-due library books, and charges for the damage of school property are due immediately upon receipt.
• Semester grade reports and transcript requests will be held if a student account is past due.

Payment Plans

Students pay the cost of attending school through a combination of scholarships, grants, credits for having attended a synodical preparatory school, school arranged loans, privately arranged loans, work-study programs, private funds and jobs. Financial Aid and Financial Services counselors provide planning assistance to students upon request. Prior to the beginning of the school year (see details under Payment Policies), students will be asked to select one of the following options for meeting their financial obligations:

• FULL-SEMESTER PLAN: Payment in full for semester one by August 15, 2009, and payment in full for semester two by December 15, 2009.
• TWICE-A-SEMESTER PLAN: Payment in two equal installments for semester one by August 15, 2009, and September 30, 2009. Payment in two equal installments for semester two by December 15, 2009, and January 30, 2010.
• MONTHLY PLAN: Payment in ten installments through MLC’s tuition management plan. Students enroll in this plan at an annual cost of $50 and make monthly payments (July-April) via automatic withdrawal on the 16th of each month from a checking or savings account they have designated.

Students who believe that extenuating circumstances make all three payment plans personally unsuitable may request an exceptional payment plan subject to the approval of the Director of Finance. An annual fee of $50 is also charged for this service.

Billing Procedures

• The Financial Services Office will mail an initial billing statement the first week of July. Depending on the payment plan chosen, the first payment is due either July 15 (monthly plan) or August 15 (semester plans) and considered past due 10 days later.
• For students matriculating the second semester, the initial billing is mailed first week of November. The first payment is due December 15 for all payment plans and considered past due 10 days later.
• Subsequent statements are distributed each month from August through April.
• Each payment includes a prorated portion of tuition, room and board charges for the year. The payment amount varies according to the plan selected.
• Failure to meet payment deadlines places a student in delinquent status. A 10-day grace period follows each due date. Failure to make appropriate payment by the end of the grace period typically will result in termination of enrollment. All students have the right of appeal to the president.
• A $50 charge applies when an insufficient fund notice is received from the bank on behalf of a student.
• Initial billing statements reflect financial aid allotments if application and other deadlines have been met; loans or aid received after these deadlines will be reflected on later statements.
• Duplicate billing statements may be sent to parents or another party for a yearly $20 processing fee and upon signing a release form. The school observes federal laws regarding confidentiality by sending statements only to students or persons designated by them. A separate consent form is required for students directing the college to communicate account information to other individuals.
• The college does not accept credit cards for payment on student accounts.

Refunds/Withdrawals

• A flat fee of $75 per day on campus is charged when a student discontinues during the first quarter of a semester. Any account balance will be refunded during this period. Students discontinuing after the first quarter of a semester will not receive a credit for tuition, room and board.
• A $100 severance fee is charged for early termination of enrollment.
• A portion of any withdrawal refund may be used to repay financial aid programs.
• Students who withdraw during the first thirty days of a semester will not receive any institutional grants or scholarships administered by Martin Luther College.
• Federal regulations require that a percentage of Title IV funds be returned if withdrawal occurs before completion of 60% of a semester.
• Minnesota State Grant regulations require that any unearned portion of Minnesota State Grant be returned upon withdrawal from MLC.

Questions

Questions with regard to payment policies or procedures should be directed to the Financial Services Office. Call (507) 354-8221.