Fees

Paying Your Registration BIll

Refund Policy

Withdrawal Policy

General

The student expense information provided in this catalog is based upon the rates for the 2014-15 academic year as submitted to and approved by The Montana Board of Regents of the Montana University System. The Board of Regents reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.  Current information may be obtained by contacting Business Services, Lommasson Center, University of Montana-Missoula, Missoula, Montana 59812. The phone number is 406-243-2223, email address um.statements@mso.umt.edu or visit the Business Servcies website. 

Paying Your Registration Bill

A student’s registration is not complete until it is "paid".  Paying the registration bill confirms registration of the courses listed on the registration bill and the student's acceptance of the associated tuition and fee charges.  Even if financial aid and/or scholarships cover the full cost of the registration bill, you must still complete your registration by clicking the “Pay Registration Bill” button in CyberBear.  FAILURE TO PAY YOUR REGISTRATION BILL WILL RESULT IN THE CANCELLATION OF CLASSES FOR THE SEMESTER.  Foreign and Canadian checks are not accepted. Credit card payment is accepted using VISA and MasterCard. Payment may be completed electronically in the student’s CyberBear account. Please see the published payment deadlines on the Business Servcies website or the Registrar's Calendar web page. 

Fee Schedule

The tuition and mandatory fee schedules are posted on the Business Services tuition and fees web page. Different fee schedules apply to each type of student – undergraduate lower/upper, Missoula College, graduate first/advanced, graduate TA/RA first/advanced, law fall/spring, WUE undergraduate lower/upper, WUE Missoula College, post-baccalaureate, distance undergraduate lower/upper, distance Missoula College, distance graduate first/advanced, distance post-baccalaureate.  The full schedule of fees and fee definitions are available at Business Services tuition and fees web page or by calling Business Services at 406-243-2223.  Students enrolled at 12 or more credits are assessed at the same rate.  Student enrolled less than 12 credits are assessed per credit.  Students enrolled for 6 credits or fewer have the option of paying an additional amount to cover the ASUM activity fee, campus recreation fee, health service fee and athletic fee.

Audited courses are assessed the same fees as courses taken for credit.

Delivery of Student Credit Balance Refunds

The University of Montana processes all student credit balance refunds electronically to deposit to a bank account (checking or savings) selected by the student. The bank account may be an existing account or the student is eligible to open an online bank account through Higher One. Each student will receive a UM Refund Choice Card (mailed in a bright green envelope) that they will use to access the UM contracted third-party system to make their choice on the Business Servcies refund web page. The student will need to make their choice only once unless they change or close their bank account. The card should be kept in a secure place in case the student needs to make changes to their current choice. Even if a student does not expect to receive refunds due to financial aid, it is still important to select a preference. For instance a student may have a credit balance if classes are dropped or they withdraw that would require refunding to them.

A student’s refund may be delayed if the student has not completed the setup of their electronic delivery choice.

Fee Schedule

The tuition and mandatory fee schedules are posted on the Business Services tuition and fees web page or call Business Services at 406-243-2223. Different tuition/fee schedules apply to each type of student (i.e. undergraduate lower/upper, WUE main campus/MC, MC, post baccalaureate, graduate first/advanced, distance only and law. The Board of Regents reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

Students enrolled for 6 credits or fewer have the option of paying an additional amount to cover the Activity Fee, Campus Recreation Fee, Health Service Fee and Athletic Fee. Please see the Fee Definitions on the Business Services Fee definition web page for details about these fees. Audited courses are assessed the same fees as courses taken for credit.

A Distance Learning fee is assessed on all online courses to partially defray costs associated with courses delivered online over the World Wide Web. On line courses are assessed an additional fee of $48.00 per credit. If a student is registered for all distance classes, they have the option to request a change to a distance only student. Distance Only students are not assessed some of the mandatory fees that apply to students enrolled in face-to-face courses.  The student needs to complete the request which can be found on the UM Online website.

The Board of Regents may approve additional fees at any time. Fees frequently are assessed for selected courses in subjects such as: Accounting Technology, Art, Biology, Biochemistry, Building Maintenance Engineering, Business, Chemistry, Computer Technology, Culinary Arts, Curriculum and Instruction, Dance, Diesel Equipment Technology, Drama, Educational Leadership, Electronics Technology, Forestry, Geology, Health and Human Performance, Heavy Equipment Operation, Journalism, Legal Studies, Mathematics, Metals Processes, Microbiology, Military Science, Music, Nursing, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Resource Conservation, Respiratory Therapy, Science, Secretarial Technology, Small Engines, Surgical Technology, Truck, Welding, and Wildlife Biology. This listing may not be all-inclusive and does not preclude a specific fee from being assessed.

Special fees are assessed for extended field trips in various departments.
An Educational Service Fee is charged for the off-campus M.B.A. and M.P.A. programs.
A fee is charged for cooperative education internships.
Purchase of supplies, equipment, or tools may be required by certain programs.

Law School Fees

The proposed 2014-15 School of Law fees for 15 credits are approximately $3,237 for autumn and $3,212 for spring for an in-state student and $11,175 for autumn and $11,150 for spring for an out-of-state student. The Health Service fee is included. Health Insurance coverage is available to students for an additional charge.

Law Special Fees

All persons who apply for admission to the School of Law must pay an acceptance fee of $300.00 ($150.00 is refundable if written notice is received by the due date if student does not want to attend) which is applied toward payment of fees upon entering and attending the School of Law in the semester for which application was made.

In addition to the above fees, Law School students must pay an additional $145.00 per credit per semester. The amount is applied to instructional costs.

All law students are assessed a $25.00 law activity fee during autumn. An additional academic facilities fee of $50 per semester plus $1.25 per credit hour is also assessed.

Continuing Education and Summer Programs

Fees, room and board costs for Summer Programs and fees for registration in Continuing Education are contained in separate publications. These publications can be obtained by contacting the School of Extended and Lifelong Learning and Summer Programs 406-243-2900, University of Montana-Missoula, Missoula, MT 59812 or by visiting the School for Extended and Lifelong Learning website.

Refund Policy

Refund for Dropped Classes

Students who have paid their registration bill may drop classes through the first fifteen days of the Autumn and Spring semesters.  Adjustments of the associated tuition & fees and financial aid will be made to their student account during that time.  Beginning with the sixteenth class day, there is no refund for classes dropped and there is a $10 fee for each class dropped.  Students who finalized with financial aid should always check with the Financial Aid office before dropping classes to make sure they fully understand the financial impacts as dropping classes may result in the student having to immediately repay grant aid they received or make them ineligible to receive aid that has not been disbursed yet.

Refund for Withdrawal from the University

If a student decides to withdraw from classes after finalizing the registration bill, the student should contact the University of Montana Registrar’s Office in Griz Central, located in the Lommasson Center, and complete a withdrawal form to begin the official withdrawal process**. This procedure will enable the University to prorate the fees assessed based upon the official date of withdrawal.

Students who desire to continue the Blue Cross Health Insurance must contact the Curry Health Center prior to withdrawal.  Otherwise, the insurance premiums will automatically be refunded and coverage will be lost.

For students receiving Federal financial aid, they must be attending classes to remain eligible for Federal Financial Aid. If a student drops courses, stops attending classes, never starts attending a class or withdraws from the University of Montana, the University and/or the student may be required to return federal funds awarded to the student. It is very important for students receiving Federal financial aid to contact Business Services at 406-243-2223 prior to withdrawing. If a student officially withdraws during the first fifteen days of class, the tuition and fees will be re-assessed for the semester based upon the official date of withdrawal. A student’s official withdrawal date is determined by:

• the date the student began the institution’s withdrawal process or officially notified the institution of intent to withdraw; or
• the midpoint of the period for a student who leaves without notifying the institution; or
• the last date of attendance by the student at a documented academically related activity.

Students who withdraw from the University for the Spring or Autumn semesters after finalizing the registration bill will receive pro-rated assessment of tuition and fees according to the following schedule.

Charges for room and board will be re-assessed on a pro-rated basis. During the final two weeks of the semester, room charges will not be re-assessed. Student who do not formally and completely withdraw are not eligible for a refund. The University of Montana will reassess the tuition and fees for students using the Deferred Payment Plan if the student officially withdraws during the first fifteen days of a semester. However, the student may still owe a balance to the University.

Return of Title IV Funds (Federal Financial Aid)

The University of Montana Refund Policy exists for calculating the refund of institutional charges when a student withdraws. 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 University and the student. The federal formula is applicable to a student receiving Title IV Funds if that student withdraws on or before the 60% point of time in the semester. The student may also receive a refund of some institutional charges through the University of Montana’s refund policy.

The federal formula requires a return of Title IV aid if the student received federal financial assistance in the form of a Federal Pell Grant, TEACH Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Direct Loan (subsidized or unsubsidized), or Federal PLUS loans and the student withdraws on or before completing 60% of the semester. The percentage of Title IV aid to be returned is equal to the number of calendar days remaining in the semester (effective on the official withdrawal date) divided by the number of calendar days in the semester (scheduled academic breaks of five consecutive days or more are excluded). After all Title IV aid return requirements have been satisfied, remaining credit balances will first be applied to satisfy outstanding University tuition, fees, and institutional charges. Any remaining credit balances will then be refunded to the student. Once you have completed more than 60% of the semester, you have earned all (100%) of your assistance.

If you withdraw from the University of Montana before completing 60% of the semester, you may have to repay any unearned financial aid funds that were already disbursed to you. Please contact staff in The University’s Business Services, located in Griz Central or call 406-243-2223, if you have any questions about refund of tuition and fees or the calculation of the return of federal financial aid PRIOR TO WITHDRAWING.

Distribution Priority for Return of Title IV Funds

1. Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan
2. Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan
3. Federal Perkins Loan
4. Federal Graduate PLUS Loan
5. Federal Parent PLUS Loan
6. Federal Pell Grant Program
7. Federal SEOG Program
8. TEACH Grant
9. State, Private, or Institutional Aid
10. The Student

Hardship Withdrawal Policy

A hardship withdrawal may be granted to a student who experienced a catastrophic unanticipated condition or event after the fifteenth class day of a semester, if the condition prevents the student from completing academic course work. If medical, this must be documented by a health care provider. A medical hardship withdrawal will only be granted in cases of extreme hardship resulting from a serious or life threatening medical condition. In order for a student to petition to receive a hardship withdrawal from The University of Montana, the student must contact the Registrar’s Office or Business Services Office to start the hardship withdrawal process. Upon approval of a hardship withdrawal, the Registrar's Office  will enter the appropriate withdrawal information on the student’s academic record. Each  student's circumstances are different, and the Hardship Withdrawal Committee will determine the criteria for awarding a hardship withdrawal. At minimum, the student must meet the following criteria:

1. Is a degree seeking student, and
2. Is either a resident or non-resident student, and
3. Is a continuing student, and
4. Is maintaining satisfactory progress based upon The University of Montana’s academic regulations.

Business Services will calculate the tuition credit amount for all approved hardship withdrawals and will notify the Financial Aid Office.

Students withdrawing during the first fifteen class days of a semester for medical reasons should contact the Curry Health Center in order to maintain the health insurance coverage. Otherwise, the medical insurance premiums will be automatically refunded and coverage will be lost.

The hardship withdrawal process is not the appropriate venue to resolve or petition academic matters. Such concerns must be addressed in the student’s respective department, school, or college. In addition, the hardship withdrawal process is not an alternative means to drop classes after the normal drop date, to remove unwanted grades, or preclude resulting academic/financial aid actions (warning, probation, suspension, etc.)

Other Costs and Policies

Late Registration

A student who does not complete registration, including payment of tuition & fees in CyberBear, by the fifth class day is assessed a late registration fee of $80.00. After the fifteenth class day, a petition is required to register and, if approved, an additional $80.00 will be assessed for a total late fee of $160.00.

Returned Checks

A charge of $25.00 will be assessed on checks (paper or electronic) returned from the bank. Any paper or electronic check tendered in payment of registration fees and not honored by the bank upon which it is drawn may result in cancellation of a student's registration. The student will be assessed the late registration fee of $80.00 maximum in addition to the $25.00 service charge.

Fee Policy on Drop/Adds

Students must pay for all courses for which they are enrolled at registration. However, within the first fifteen class days, they may drop or add courses. The courses for which students are enrolled on the fifteenth class day will determine any fee adjustments (see fee schedule) or financial aid adjustments. Beginning the sixteenth class day, courses dropped will not result in a reduction of fees but courses added will increase credit hour enrollment and may result in an additional charge. Payment is due within 10 days of the day courses are added.

CyberBear will not allow a student to drop all courses.  Dropping all courses is considered a withdrawal from the University.  Please refer to the Withdrawal Policy section in the catalog for information on how to withdraw and the associated Refund Policy.

Drop/Add Processing Fee

A $10.00 processing fee will be charged for each course that is added or dropped after the fifteenth instructional day. See the summer class schedule for summer session deadlines.

Deferred Payment Plan

The University of Montana offers a payment plan to help students and their families pay their tuition, mandatory fees, room and board. 

Eligibility is based on the following criteria:

1. Making payments as scheduled
2. Maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress
3. Adequate financial resources to repay the loan
4. Use all UM Financial Aid offered
5. Fully complete and sign all required documents

The plan provides for the payment of at least one fourth of the total fees along with a $30.00 administrative charge at the time of registration, payment of one fourth approximately 30 days after registration and payment of the full balance approximately 90 days after registration.

Registration, tuition and mandatory fees less any Financial Aid may be deferred.  Student insurance and non-mandatory/course fees may not be deferred. 

Deferred Payment Plan (DPP) applications must be submitted via CyberBear. The instructions (at right) will lead you to the DPP application. Be prepared to fill out the necessary application forms including parent and spouse information and two references.  Your application will be reviewed by Business Services within 3 business days and you will be notified by UMConnect on the status of your application.

The signing and adherence to the terms and conditions of a promissory note will be required and no fees may be deferred by any person who owes the University any fees, fines, loans or other charges or who has previously deferred fees and failed to make timely payments. A $15.00 fee will be assessed each time a payment is late.

This plan is not available for the summer session.

Monthly Bill Statements

Monthly bill statements will be mailed to the student’s current mailing address displayed in CyberBear. In addition, an electronic notification will be e-mailed to their official University of Montana e-mail account .  It is the student’s responsibility to check their mail and official University of Montana e-mail account for these statements and notices. Payments for billed amounts are due by the due date indicated on the statements and electronic message. Failure to make timely payments will result in an interest charge assessed on balances not paid in full by the following monthly billing. Payments can be made (1) online in CyberBear; (2) at the cashiers station located in Griz Central (2nd floor Lommasson Center); or by mailing payments to Student Accounts, Business Services, The University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive #2304, Missoula, MT 59812-2304.

Non Payment

A student who owes regular fees and charges including room and board or has an overdue debt owed to the University for any fees, fines, or other charges will not be able to register, secure any transcript or record, or access any University facilities or services until the full amount due has been paid or satisfactorily resolved with Business Services. Interest may be charged at the rate of 10% on the balance due from the day after the due date until the full amount has been paid and any attorney's fees or other costs or charges necessary for the collection of the amount owed may be added to the balance due.

Determination of In-State Fee Status

The Montana University System classifies all students as either in-state or out-of-state. This classification affects admission decisions and fee determinations. The basic rules for making the classification are found in Board of Regents' Policy. It is each student's responsibility to secure and review a copy of the policy. Failure to be aware of the rules will not be cause for granting any exceptions to them. A copy of the policy is available from the Admissions Office or the Registrar's Office. It is important to bear in mind that each residency determination is based on the unique set of facts found in each individual's case. Students participating in the Western Undergraduate Exchange or the National Student Exchange programs are not eligible to gain residency. If you have questions concerning your particular case, be sure to contact the unit to which you are applying for admission or at which you are already enrolled. Generally, the Admissions Office or the Registrar's Office will be able to assist you.

With certain exceptions, in order to be eligible for in-state status, a person must meet a 12-month durational residency test. You will have to demonstrate a bona fide intent to become a Montana resident. The 12-month period does not start until some act indicative of intent to establish residency is taken. Mere presence in Montana, enrollment at a unit or rental agreements will not serve to start this period. Sufficient acts to start the period are registration to vote, obtaining a Montana driver's license, registration of a motor vehicle in Montana, purchase of a home in Montana or filing of a resident Montana tax return. The 12-months must be completed by the 15th instructional day to qualify for that term.

Your actions during the 12 month waiting period will be used to determine whether you are in the state as a bona fide resident or merely for educational purposes. The decision on your residency will not generally depend on just one factor. The following are the things you need to do that will support a claim of bona fide residency.

1. Register to vote if you are a voter
2. License a vehicle if you operate one in Montana
3. Obtain a driver’s license if you drive
4. Be physically present in Montana, not out of the state of Montana, for more than a total of 30 days
5. Can Not be claimed as a tax exemption by residents of another state or file taxes as a resident of another state
6. Provide at least 51% of your own financial support (this means you will need to document to us that you have contributed approximately $6000 towards your support during the twelve month waiting period)
7. File a Montana resident income tax return (this is important for all who claim residency in Montana, regardless of the amount of earnings)
8. Only register for six (6) credits or less per semester (including summer school) during the twelve month waiting period. Registering for more than 6 credits creates a strong presumption that you are here for educational purposes, and may disqualify you from achieving in-state status.

Be certain to secure the Board of Regents residency Policy and questionnaire from the Registrar’s Office in the Lommasson Center 201 or at the Registration Counter in Griz Central . At the end of your twelve month waiting period you must complete the residency questionnaire and attach copies of your driver’s license, vehicle registration, voter’s registration and proof of your earnings for the twelve months and return it to the Registrar’s Office for review. This documentation can be submitted to the Registrar’s Office up to 30 days in advance of the petitioners start date and not later than the 15h instructional day of the semester for which the status is sought. When a student petitions or meets the requirements after the 15th instructional day, a change in classification, if granted, will not be retroactive and will become effective for the next term. Reclassification is not automatic and will not occur unless the individual so petitions. It is the student’s responsibility to meet any filing deadlines that are imposed by the appropriate unit of the System. All students should check with the appropriate office to determine the time limits for filing. The appeal process is given in the Regents' policy.

Costs of On-Campus Services

Housing and Dining Services

Students living in University residence halls are required to contract for a meal plan with Dining Services. Room and board rates are the same for in-state and out of-state students. Occupants may select any meal plan to obtain the number of meals preferred and choose from a variety of room options.

Students who are approved to move out of the residence halls and terminate their meal plan contract will receive a prorated refund based upon the days remaining in the semester less the cancellation fee.

Residence Halls

*Rates subject to change*

2014-2015 Autumn/Spring Semester room rates in University residence halls are:

Rates include $6.00 per semester social fee.

Early arrival prior to opening day costs an additional $20.00 per day.

Dining Services

Dining Services meal plan prices 2012-2013 academic year.

*The prices below are subject to approval by the Board of Regents and may change.

Students living in residence halls are required to contract for one of the two meal plans. All meal plans are available to off-campus students, faculty and staff.

Lewis and Clark Village

Rent is $452.00 per month per person regardless of which size apartment you are assigned to. Each resident will be responsible for their own rent payment. Residents may choose to pay either by the semester or by the month. Rent includes a furnished apartment with all utilities paid including cable TV. You must make your own arrangements for telephone service.

University Villages

*Rates subject to change*

University Villages housing is available. An application together with $25 processing fee should be submitted to Residence Life Office, 101 Turner Hall, Missoula, MT 59812. A $300 deposit will be required when apartment is assigned.

Housing Apartment Rates (monthly)

NOTE: These rates are monthly and effective July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015. All rates include cable TV, water, garbage, and sewer. Tenants are responsible for telephone service and utilities.

Vehicle Registration Fee

All vehicles parking on campus must display current campus vehicle registration between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday year round. Students, staff or faculty may purchase window or hanger decals for $185.00 per year. Students have the option of purchasing semester decals for $92.50. Reserved parking is available on a first come, first serve basis for $555.00 a year. Car pools of three or more commuting drivers may register for $10.00 per person for the year.

Motorcycles are issued decals at $35.00 per year. Day passes (all day parking) for $3.00 per day may be purchased from the Office of Public Safety or the University Center and are valid in all "A" decal required lots only. Hourly pay parking is available for $1.00 per hour. The above prices are subject to change pending approval by the Board of Regents.

Partial refunds on decal are available only through the 15^th class day. No refunds will be given on motorcycle, car pool or half semester vehicle registrations.

If a vehicle is sold, transferred or destroyed, the parking decal must be removed and returned to the Office of Public Safety for replacement. There is a $10 replacement fee for all decals lost, stolen or not returned.

More information can be found at the UM Police parking web page.

Other Campus Services

On campus there are other services provided such as the swimming pool, laundry facilities, locker rental, a full service bookstore, prescription pharmacy, testing programs, etc. The rates charged for these services are too varied to present in this publication. If more information is required concerning these services, contact the department providing the service.

Veterans' Benefits for Education Assistance Under Public Law 95-202 and Public Law 815

For Veteran information visit the UM Veterans website.