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Undergraduate Catalog 2008-2010

Tuition and Fees

As a public honors university attracting outstanding faculty and very talented students, UMBC is a great higher-education value. This chapter details the university’s tuition and fees and describes typical expenses for housing, meals and textbooks.

NOTE: Notwithstanding any other provision of this or any other university publication, the university reserves the right to make changes in tuition, fees and other charges at any time, such changes are deemed necessary by the university and the University System of Maryland Board of Regents.

Application Fee

The non-refundable $50 application fee for undergraduate programs and summer and winter sessions helps defray the cost of processing UMBC admissions. By written request, students may update their applications by one semester or term without paying an additional application fee.

Application fees may be deferred when payment would cause serious financial hardship. Requests for deferral should be accompanied by a written recommendation from a teacher, counselor, minister or other responsible member of the community.

Enrollment Fee

A non-refundable $100 enrollment confirmation deposit is required of all new degree-seeking freshmen and transfer students. This deposit is applied toward tuition and fees.

Enrolling students are charged a one-time, non-refundable $125 orientation fee.

Matriculation Fee

A non-refundable $100 matriculation fee will be charged to all undergraduate students, their first semester at UMBC.

Tuition and Fees (Estimated)

Please use the figures below as a guide, but be aware that these figures will change.Please visit www.umbc.edu/bursar/tuition for each semester’s current charges.

Full-time, Fall 2008

Expenses for full-time undergraduates enrolled for 12 or more credits:

Maryland residents:
Tuition: $3,242
Mandatory fees: $1,148
Semester total: $4,390

Residents of other states and countries:
Tuition: $7,608
Mandatory fees: $1,148
Semester total: $8,756

Part-time, Fall 2008

Mandatory fees for part-time undergraduates enrolled in fewer than 12 credits (those taking 12 credits in a regular semester pay full-time fees):

Maryland residents:
Tuition (per credit): $270
Mandatory fees: $102
Per credit total: $368

Non-resident tuition:
Tuition (per credit): $633
Mandatory fees: $102
Per-credit total: $731

Explanation of Mandatory Fees

Non-refundable athletic fee supports intercollegiate athletics, intramurals and recreation programs.
Non-refundable University Commons supports services and programs available at The Commons.
Student activities fee covers costs of various student activities and student publications administered by the Student Government Association.

Auxiliary and recreational facilities fees support the development and maintenance of facilities essential to UMBC’s programs.

Technology Fee

The technology fee is in support of the Board of Regents Technology Committee to develop a revenue stream for improving IT services for students. These funds are used to purchase site licenses of software for academic use and to provide upgrades, enhancements and replacement of PCs in instructional computer labs.

Other Fees

Fees are charged to students receiving services at University Health Services.

International students on certain non-immigrant visas are required to have health insurance and will be charged appropriately each semester. To determine the exact amount and conditions that apply, contact University Health Services at 410-455-2542.

The Shriver Center requires a fee for enrollment in a mandatory practicum course linked to all center programs, including cooperative education, internship, community service and learning, and international work and service programs.

Music Performance Fees

Half-hour lesson/weekly

$150 (majors)
$300 (non-majors)

One-hour lesson/weekly

$300 (majors)
$450 (non-majors)

Audit Fees

Audit fees are the same as those charged for credit courses. Audited credits are added to hours taken for credit to determine semester fees assessment.

Orientation Program Fee

$125

Charged to all new degree-seeking undergraduate students.

Golden ID

Tuition is waived for Golden ID students. Golden ID students are responsible for the fees below:

Degree Seeking:

Orientation Fee
Matriculation Fee
Technology Fee (per credit-hour)
Transportation Fee (per credit-hour)

Non degree-seeking:

Technology Fee (per credit-hour)
Transportation Fee (per credit-hour)

Please refer to the “Admissions to UMBC” section of the catalog, for admission requirements for Golden ID students.

Expenses

Lodging and Meals per Semester

Students living in residence halls are required to have a meal plan. Students living in the residence apartments are not required to have a meal plan, however many elect to do so.

Residence Halls

Estimated charges:
Residence Halls $2,750.00
Single Room $3,000.00
Apartments $2,850.00

Meal Plans

Estimated charges based on actual Fall 2007 charges
19 meals per week $1,676
14 meals per week $1,560
10 meals per week $1,348
Any five meals
plus flex $ 753

Textbooks and Supplies

Textbooks and classroom supplies purchased at the bookstore will vary with each course pursued, but typically average $500 per semester.

Billing

Billing is electronic. All students are required to enroll in e-billing.

Bills may be paid online by credit card (Discover, MasterCard and American Express only) or ACH checking or saving account. A convenience fee will be charged for all online credit card payments. Cash and money orders will be accepted in person.
Checks and money orders will be accepted by mail and should be made payable to UMBC and should indicate the student’s name, address and student ID. For more information please visit www.umbc.edu/ebilling.

Monthly Payment Plan

The university offers a monthly payment plan for those who would find it more convenient to pay tuition, fees, board and lodging in this manner. There is a nominal fee charged per semester to enroll in the monthly payment plan. For more information, please visit www.umbc.edu/bursar/mpp.

Refunds

In cases where a student has been awarded a grant or scholarship, the award amount will be credited to the student’s account. If the financial assistance exceeds the amount owed, a refund check will be generated and mailed to the student. Plus loan refunds will be sent to the parents.

Entrance Counseling

Students accepting Federal Perkins loans and Stafford loans must complete entrance counseling prior to the first disbursement of their loans. For more information on entrance counseling for Stafford loans, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship at 410-455-2387. For information on Perkins entrance counseling, please visit www.umbc.edu/bursar/perkins.

Fines and Penalties
  • Late payment fee: $150
    • A late payment fee of $150 will be charged if a tuition bill is not paid within 20 business days, (including holidays) of the due date on the bill.
  • Late registration fee: $20
  • Replacement of common card: $15
  • Parking fines, general: $20
  • Parking illegally in handicapped space or fire lane: $250
  • Bad checks (NSF, stop payments, etc.)
    • Up to $50: $15
    • More than $50: $30
  • Overdue library material 25 cents per day, per item, with a maximum of $10
  • Lost or mutilated library material, per item replacement cost and $21 processing fee and $5 fine
  • Overdue recalled library material $2 per day to a maximum of $20
  • Overdue reserve material
    • $1.50 first hour, 75 cents each hour thereafter, with a maximum of $15
  • Special borrowers card $30 for non-USM $2 for UMBC alumni $2 for high school
    students
  • Locker key replacement fee: $15

Payments for library fees are accepted at the library for 30 days after the first billing. After 30 days, unpaid fees will be assessed a service fee and must be paid through the Bursar's Office.

Student Debts to the University

Debts incurred during each semester must be satisfied before students will be allowed to register for a subsequent semester. UMBC will deny requests for transcripts or diplomas pending clearance of all debts. Any refunds or payments due to students first will be applied to existing debts.

Uncollected debts will be turned over to the Central Collections Unit (CCU). Accounts transferred to CCU will be reported to the Credit Bureau. Accounts turned over to CCU will be assessed a minimum collection charge of 17 percent of the outstanding debt, plus attorney and court fees if applicable. The university and the Central Collection Unit reserve the right to make changes in fees and other charges as may be found necessary. These fees are the student’s responsibility.

Requests for official transcripts will be denied to defaulted borrowers of a Federal Family Education Loan (Stafford), Federal Perkins loan or any education loan made, guaranteed or reinsured in whole or part by the federal or Maryland state government made or received for attendance at an institution in the University System of Maryland.

Refund of Fees

Change in Registration

Your billing may change as a result of adding or dropping courses in the first two weeks of classes. The semester’s Schedule of Classes outlines the registration refund policy.

Withdrawal

If a student is compelled to leave UMBC at any time during the semester, he or she must file an application for withdrawal (see instructions in the Academic Regulations section). Refunds are computed according to the date the signed application is received in the Registrar’s Office. Students are entitled to a full refund of fees and/or cancellation of the bill when a written request for withdrawal is received by the Registrar’s Office prior to the official first day of the university’s semester. Stop payment on a check, failure to pay the semester bill or failure to attend classes does not constitute withdrawal.

Refund for Withdrawal From a Semester

(This refund schedule applies only when a student withdraws from all courses for a semester.)

Percentage refund, excluding non-refundable fees, after classes begin:

Two weeks or less 80 percent
Between two and three weeks 60 percent
Between three and four weeks 40 percent
Between four and five weeks 20 percent
More than five weeks 0 percent
Calculation of Title IV Refunds for Students Who Withdraw

The Federal Return of Title IV Funds policy mandates that students who officially or unofficially withdraw from all classes may only keep the financial aid they have “earned” up to the time of withdrawal. Financial aid funds that were disturbed in excess of the amount “earned” must be repaid.

Federal financial aid includes:

  • Pell, SEOG, ACG and SMART grants
  • Perkins, subsidized/unsubsidized Stafford and Plus loans

Calculations are done on a case-by-case basis after the withdrawal date is established.

The federal calculation determines the amount of Title IV aid the student is eligible to retain; however, the amount the student is charged for the semester is based on the Institutional Refund Policy. The application of these policies may result in the student owing a balance to the university that cannot be covered by Title IV financial aid.

For additional information about the Return of Title IV Aid policy, please visit the Financial Aid Web site at www.umbc.edu/financialaid