Tuition and Fees

Costs of Attendance

For up-to-date costs of attendance at Bridgewater State University, as well as the breakdown of costs, see the Cost of Attending link.  It should be noted this schedule is subject to change.

Application Fees/Deposits

A nonrefundable undergraduate application and processing fee of $50 is required of all students applying for admission. Upon acceptance, an advance tuition deposit of $200 must be submitted by May 1 for commuter students accepted for the fall semester. Students accepted with on-campus housing must also submit a $300 residence hall deposit. Both the tuition deposit and residence hall deposit are nonrefundable.

All new students will be assessed an orientation fee upon entering the university. For students entering in the fall semester, the orientation fee will be $160 for freshmen and $80 for transfers and readmitted students. For the spring semester, the orientation fee is $80 for all students. The orientation fee is nonrefundable.

Tuition and Fees 2015-2016 Academic Year

Daytime Course Charges

Full-time day undergraduate students who are Massachusetts residents pay approximately $910 per year in tuition and $7,993 in required fees. Full-time day students enrolled in 21 or more credit hours will be charged a per credit rate for credits 21 and over. Students residing on campus are charged between $6,940 and $8,080 per year, depending on the facility occupied. Board for resident students is approximately $4,085 average per year. Please note that all figures are subject to change.

Evening Course Charges

Students enrolled in evening undergraduate courses will be charged all tuition and fees associated with the cost to provide the evening programs. As a result, full-time undergraduate day students who enroll in an evening (or weekend) course may incur additional charges. Evening tuition is charged at $38 per credit hour with no credit hour maximum. Evening fees will be charged at $327.63 per credit hour with no credit hour maximum. Full-time undergraduate students who are Massachusetts residents taking 12 credit hours for evening courses pay approximately $910 per year in tuition and $7,993 in required fees. Students residing on campus are charged between $6,940 and $8,080 per year, depending on the facility occupied. Board for resident students is approximately $4,085 per year. Please note that all figures are subject to change. Students who take credits in excess of 118 percent of required credit hours for degree completion will be assessed a surcharge of $235 per credit hour for these credits. For example, students enrolled in baccalaureate programs may take up to 142 credits (118 percent of 120 minimum credits) at no additional charge. Any credits taken in excess of 142 will be subject to the $235 per credit hour surcharge. In determining accumulated credit hours, students should exclude from their total any credits transferred in from other institutions.

Billing and Fee Payment

Students are billed through the Student Accounts Office twice a year prior to the start of each semester. eBill is Bridgewater State University’s official method for sending student account statements. Students will no longer receive paper statements (or bills) in the mail; rather, they will receive e-mail notification when new statements are available online through the Student Account Suite. This service is a secure method for viewing student account information and making online payments. eBill features online payment options to all students. 

In addition to receiving notification of new statements, students have the ability to add “authorized users” (typically parents or spouses) to their account. Authorized users will also receive e-mail notification of new online statements. Additionally, authorized users can make online payments with credit card or online personal check.

The Student Account Suite also allows students to elect to have their refund processed electronically into their personal checking account. 

Students simply login to the eBill system through the website. Click on the eBill icon. This will take the student to the Student Account Suite. Login under Students and Staff using your Banner Id and your InfoBear PIN. You must have a Bridgewater State University e-mail address in order to receive all correspondence regarding new statements. 

Bills must be paid by the due date indicated on the bill. Our system bills monthly and will generate additional billing reflecting changes in registration, financial aid or additional charges. Failure to comply with the university’s payment due dates may result in late payment penalties. The University reserves the right to cancel class schedules for students who still have outstanding prior semester balances on their accounts. Students will incur all costs of collection if it is necessary to place their accounts with a pre-collection/collection agency. Bridgewater State University is not responsible for any interest charge incurred on Visa/MasterCard/Discover accounts should a student withdraw from a course or if the university cancels a class. The university will assess a $25 fee for any check/electronic check that is returned not honored by a bank. Such a fee, when assessed, must be paid along with any unpaid tuition. It is the responsibility of the student to settle any fee or obligation arising from a returned check.

The Office of Student Accounts is  open for extended hours for the first two weeks of each semester.

Payment Options

You may pay your bill

1. online through the Student Account Suite by credit card or electronic check (ACH). The Bridgewater State University Student Account Suite accepts Visa, Master Card or Discover and electric check payments can be made via personal checking account(s) only.
2. in person at the Office of Student Accounts, Room 107, Boyden Hall with cash, check, money order, credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard or Discover). Photo identification is required for all credit card transactions handled in person.
3. by phone  at 508.531.1225 using Visa, MasterCard or Discover 
4. by mail using a check or money order made payable to Bridgewater State University. Mail to:
                                     The Office of Student Accounts
                                      131 Summer Street
                                      Boyden Hall, Room 107
                                      Bridgewater State University
                                      Bridgewater, MA  02325-0002
5. by setting up a payment plan. Bridgewater State University provides a convenient web-based, interest free, internal student payment plan. This plan will assist students and their families to budget the semester charges over the course of the semester. Visit www.bridgew.edu/paymentplan for more information.

Beginning September 3, 2013, all credit cards will be assessed 2.75% processing fee (minimum $3.00), whether paid online, in-person or over the phone. A convenient 24-hour drop box located in Boyden Hall on the first floor outside the Office of Student Accounts is available for your payments.

Financial aid may be used to pay your tuition, fees, room, board, books, as well as flex points or dining points on your Connect Card.

1. Students who have received an award letter from the Financial Aid Office may claim the award specifically designated for the semester.
    
2. Students wishing to claim credit for financial assistance from sources other than the Bridgewater State University Financial Aid Office (outside scholarships, waivers, loans, etc.) must do so by sending the official documentation to the Student Accounts Office prior to the bill deadline.
    
3. Flex points may be used for laundry, vending, bookstore items, and food services at any location on campus that accepts the Connect Card. For more information see the Connect Card website or call 508.531.2897.

Senior Citizens

Tuition and 1/2 fees in the day and/or 1/2 tuition and 1/2 fees for courses 4 PM or after are waived to any person 60 years of age or older. The person must bring proof of age to the Registrar’s Office to be eligible.

Student Support Fee

This fee is charged to all degree-seeking undergraduate students attending classes.

Other Fees 

Semester Residence Hall and Dining Charges

Room 

*Single rooms are $150.00 more per semester

Refund Policy

Notification Requirements

All undergraduate matriculated (degree seeking) students who withdraw from school must communicate that withdrawal in writing to the Academic Achievement Center.

All graduate matriculated (degree seeking) students who withdraw from school (program) must communicate that withdrawal in writing to the College of Graduate Studies.

All withdrawals from courses must be communicated by the student in writing to the Registrar’s Office.

Nonattendance at class does not constitute official withdrawal and will result in a failing grade. Upon official registration, students are responsible for all course charges except when an official withdrawal from university form is on file.

1. Standard and “Non-Standard Date” Semester Courses
   
   Refund policy applies to tuition and student fees.
   
   Policy 1.1. Full-Semester Courses. Refunds for full-semester courses will be awarded as follows: 100 percent refund during the drop/add period; 85 percent refund in the second week, during the four weekdays after the drop/add period has ended; and a 70 percent refund during the third week of the semester. No refund will be available thereafter.
   
   Policy 1.2. Seven-Week Quarter Courses. Refunds for seven-week quarter courses will be awarded as follows: 100 percent refund during the drop/add period; 70 percent refund during weekdays 4 and 5 of the quarter. No refund will be available thereafter.
   
   Policy 1.3. Odd-Day, Non-Standard Courses. The refund for odd-day, non-standard courses will be a 100 percent refund during the drop/add period. No refund will be available thereafter.
    
2. Noncredit Courses Offered Through Continuing Education
   
   Policy 2.1. Nontechnology Courses. The refund for nontechnology courses will be a 100 percent refund prior to the start of the course. No refund will be available thereafter.
   
   Policy 2.2.A. Technology Courses (deposits). The refund policy for deposits for technology courses will be a 100 percent refund five or more days (including weekend days) prior to the start of class; no refund for four or fewer days (including weekend days) prior to the start of class.
   
   Policy 2.2.B. Technology Courses (course fees). The refund policy for course fees for technology courses will be a 90 percent refund up to the end of the first class; no refund thereafter.
    
3. Summer Courses
   
   Refund policy applies to tuition and student fees.
   
   Policy 3.1. Five-week Summer Courses. Refunds for five-week summer courses will be awarded as follows: 100 percent refund during the drop/add period; 70 percent refund during weekdays four and five of the summer session; and no refund thereafter.
   
   Policy 3.2. 10-Week Summer Courses. Refunds for 10-week summer courses will be awarded as follows: 100 percent refund during the drop/add period; 70 percent refund during the three weekdays after the drop/add period has ended; and no refund thereafter.
   
   Policy 3.3. Odd-Day, Non-Standard Courses. The refund for these courses will be 100 percent during the drop/add period; no refund thereafter.
4. Housing, Meal Plan, and Dining and Flex Dollars
   
   Policy 4.1. Housing. Refunds for housing will be awarded as follows: 100 percent refund prior to the first day of occupancy. Pro-rated refund from the first day of occupancy until the Monday after the last day of the drop/add period. No refund thereafter.
   
   Policy 4.2. Meal Plan.  Refund for meal plans will be awarded as follows: 100 percent refund prior to the first day of a meal plan. Pro-rated refund from the first day of a meal plan until the Monday after the last day of the drop/add period. No refund thereafter.
   
   Policy 4.3.A. Flex Dollars (Students). Flex dollars carry from year to year and balances greater than $20* are refundable at the time of graduation/withdrawal from the university.
    
   • If the student’s university account is paid in full, a refund will be issued to the cardholder within 60 days of graduation or withdrawal.
   • If the student has an outstanding balance with the university, the flex dollars balance will be applied to that account.

Policy 4.3.B. Flex Dollars (Employees). Flex dollars carry from year to year and balances greater than $20* are refundable at the end of employment with the university. A refund will be issued within 60 days of the end of employment.

*There will be a $20 processing fee deducted from the balance prior to refund.

Return of Financial Aid Policy

Students who receive financial aid and withdraw from the university during the semester may not be eligible for their entire financial aid award. A revised financial aid award notice will be mailed to students once awards have been adjusted. Bridgewater State University must return federal and state grants, loans and scholarships to the federal or state government based on the student’s length of enrollment. The student may retain only a prorated portion of the federal and state aid awarded based on the length of the term and the student’s withdrawal date. The remainder of the student’s financial aid must be returned by Bridgewater State University to the Department of Education or Commonwealth of Massachusetts. If the student received a cash disbursement of aid, he or she may owe a repayment to Bridgewater State University or to the federal government.

The Return of Title IV Funds requirement remains in effect until the 60 percent point of the semester. See website for actual dates in the current semester. After those dates the student may retain all financial aid.

Bridgewater State University uses the Federal Return of Title IV Funds formula and dates to calculate the amount of institutional scholarship/grant funds a withdrawn student may retain.

It is very possible that a student who receives financial aid and withdraws during the Return of Title IV funds period will owe a balance to the Bridgewater State University Student Accounts Office and may be required to repay funds to the U.S. Department of Education.

All undergraduate, matriculated (degree seeking) students who withdraw from school must notify, in writing, both the Academic Achievement Center and the Financial Aid Office.

All graduate, matriculated (degree seeking) students who withdraw from school (program) must notify, in writing, both the College of Graduate Studies and the Financial Aid Office.

Note: Federal, State or Institutional regulations, and/or action by the Department of Higher Education may necessitate revision to the above Return of Financial Aid Policy.