Costs

• Costs
• Master Level Courses and Degrees
• Other Fees, Deposits and Charges
• Explanation of Deposits, Fees, and Other Charges
• Payments
• Refund Policies
• Separation From the School

Costs

Annual support by the United Methodist Church and income from designated endowments allow a substantial reduction of Theological School tuition for full-time degree candidates. Since it is the mission of the Theological School to prepare students for professional careers, much of the tuition structure is designed to encourage students to complete the program in a timely fashion and begin their professional service.

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Master Level Courses and Degrees
(2008–2009 Tuition Rates)

January courses are calculated in spring registration and are normally limited to three credits. Students may not exceed 15 credits in the fall or spring semester without permission from the Committee on Academic Standing. Given the rigor of the academic programs, overloads are discouraged. If a student's combined January and spring course load exceeds 15 credits, the additional credits are billed on a per-credit basis. The student's scholarship continues to apply to those credits.

While all tuition and fees are set by the University trustees in the spring when they meet to approve the next annual budget, the University reserves the right to adjust charges and regulations at the beginning of each semester. The University makes every effort to hold increases at a minimum; however, recent experience indicates that students should plan on cost increases at least equal to the inflation rate for higher education.

The Theological School (Excludes D.Min.)
2008–2009

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Other Fees, Deposits and Charges

The following 2008–2009 costs are figured on an annual basis unless noted otherwise:

During the three-week summer residence program, housing for families and single or double rooms are available on campus at prevailing student rates. Exact costs for housing and meals are announced well in advance.

*(2008-2009 rate; expect 2009/2010 cost to be higher)

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Explanation of Deposits, Fees, and Other Charges (2008–2009)

Tuition. Students pay $649 for each credit hour up to 11 credits. Students registered for 11 to 15 credits pay the full-time tuition fee of $6,939 per semester.

Audits. Full-time degree candidates paying full tuition for the current semester may audit additional courses free, provided these audits are not entered on the student's record (the student should not register for these unofficial audits). Auditors who are part-time students are charged at one-half of the per-credit-hour equivalent. Audits by full-time students, when the student registers to audit the course, will be reflected on the student's record and are charged at the audit rate. Spouses of full-time students may audit two courses a semester in the Theological School as outlined below.

Spouses of Students. Spouses of regular, full-time students may be admitted to two Theological School courses a semester as unofficial auditors without tuition charge (the spouse should not register for these unofficial audits). No fees are charged unless spouses take meals on campus or unless they are registered for credit courses or for auditor's privileges beyond the two courtesy courses available each semester. The approval of the instructors must be obtained in advance and attendance must be regular. Spouses who wish to have audits entered on the academic record or take courses for credit are charged at the regular audit or tuition rate and must register in the usual manner.

Room and Board. Reflects the cost of campus residency (and meals in the University dining hall, if contracted) on a full-week basis. Except as noted below, the rates listed are for the 2008–2009 academic year and do not include Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring, or other recesses.

A limited number of double and triple rooms are available for commuting students who need a room two or three nights each week during the semester. Commuters are not included in the regular meal plan, but may purchase a "debit card" plan.

The University reserves the right to increase room and board rates during the academic year if necessary. Rates have been adjusted to allow for the normal number of meals missed by students and are not subject to further revision for meals missed because of work or personal appointments.

Apartment Rentals, Married Students. On- and off-campus apartments are available to rent for the academic year. On-campus rentals include electricity, gas, telephone, and water. Students are responsible for utilities' expenses in off-campus apartments. Additional information for on- and off-campus units is available from the Housing Office.

Although charges for apartment rentals are billed by the semester, upon application to the Business Office, students may schedule payments on a monthly basis.

General Fee. The General fee is used to support the operation of the University Center and student activities under the jurisdiction of the Theological School student government organization. The General fee also entitles the student to diagnosis and treatment of minor illnesses. The Health Center has services for internal medicine, allergy, and gynecology. Part-time students are charged per credit-hour for the general fee.

Network Fee. The Network fee supports the University's campus-wide network; which enables students to 1) send and receive electronic messages, reports, and assignments from professors and fellow students; 2) access the University library's online catalog system to retrieve reference and bibliographic information; 3) access the Internet; 4) register and access student information online.

Computer Initiative. All faculty, students, and staff on campus are linked through computer, phone, and Internet to each other, to the Library and Archives, and to hundreds of sites off campus. Participation of full-time M.Div. students is required so that all students receive the same services and training from the Computer Center. The total cost of the computer package, standard programs, and service is prorated over six semesters.

Health Services, Family-in-Residence Plan. The basic general fee covers the enrolled student only. Students with spouses and/or children living with them on campus may obtain family coverage for an additional fee. International Students who have spouses and/or children living with them must obtain family coverage through the University. In 2008-2009, the approximate cost for this insurance was $2,530 for the spouse and $1,496 for each child in addition to the student health insurance cost of $1,415. Expect 2009-2010 costs to be higher.

Student Health/Accident Insurance. Full time students are automatically billed for this basic medical insurance plan. Students may waive out of the student plan online by the deadline if they are enrolled in a comparable insurance plan.

Tuition Refund Insurance. A per-semester fee that provides for a pro-rata refund in the event of student withdrawal/leave of absence due to physical, mental or nervous disability in accord with the University's refund policy as described below. All students are automatically billed for tuition refund insurance. Students may waive this insurance by submitting an online waiver form available on campusweb.

Enrollment Deposit. A deposit paid upon acceptance of admission verifies the student's acceptance of the offer of admission and reserves a place in the class. The deposit is refunded at graduation or upon withdrawal from the University after outstanding fines, penalties, and/or miscellaneous charges have been cleared. In the case of withdrawals, the deposit is nonrefundable after July 1 for the fall semester and after December 15 for the spring semester.

Housing Reservation Deposit. This deposit for new resident students is payable with the Application for Housing. The deposit is nonrefundable except in cases where the University is unable to provide housing. In case of withdrawals prior to enrollment, the deposit is nonrefundable after July 1 for the fall semester and after December 15 for the spring semester.

Security Deposit. This fee is a one-time deposit and is payable with first tuition payment. The deposit is refunded at graduation or upon withdrawal from the University after any outstanding fines, penalties, and/or miscellaneous charges have been cleared.

Orientation Fee. All new M.Div. and M.T.S. candidates (and other students at the discretion of the school) pay an orientation fee. The fee covers all orientation costs, including several meals on campus during the first week of the semester. Students entering in the spring semester pay an adjusted fee.

Maintaining Matriculation. S.T.M. candidates and D.Min. candidates who are not registered for courses must maintain matriculation in the school through the payment of the Matriculation Fee. The fee must be paid at the beginning of each semester. Matriculation can only be maintained if all previous financial obligations to the University have been met.

Telephone Service. Campus telephone service is a part of on-campus housing for resident students. There is no charge for initial installation; however, a fee is charged for subsequent moves or changes. Students may receive an authorization code for toll/long distance calls by signing a payment agreement.

Microfilming Fee. D.Min. candidates are charged a $50 fee for microfilming professional projects. Copyrights may be obtained for an added fee of $35.

Transcripts of Record. Students may have official transcripts mailed to other institutions, prospective employers, or other agencies by completing a transcript request form available at the Registrar's office or by notifying the office by mail. All requests for transcripts must be in writing and bear 1) the signature of the record's subject, 2) the date of the request, 3) the dates of attendance, 4) the current address and telephone number of the record's subject, 5) the subject's name at the time of enrollment at Drew, and 6) the subject's Social Security number.

All transcripts must be requested at least seven working days in advance of the date they are to be issued. Students enrolled prior to fall 1994 receive the first transcript for normal processing free of charge, there is a $5 per copy transcript processing fee for all subsequent requests. Students enrolled in fall 1994, and thereafter have paid a one time, $25 transcript processing fee in their first year's tuition. Transcripts requested for same-day or one-day processing carry a charge of $10 per copy regardless of start term.

Issuance of a transcript or other form of grade report must be cleared by the Business office. The University withholds transcripts or grade reports if a student has an outstanding balance on a student account or if repayment of a loan granted by or through the University is in arrears. In addition, any necessary transcript fees must be paid before release of the record.

The University does not usually release official transcripts directly to the subject of a record. When such a direct release is required by a graduate school or scholarship agency, the University shall do so only in a secured envelope whose seal must remain intact for the transcript to remain valid.

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Payments

Bills are payable in advance, in the first week of August for the fall semester and the first week of January for the spring semester. Accounts not paid by the scheduled dates are subject to a late payment fee. Students who have delinquent accounts at the time of registration may not be permitted to register.

Checks should be made payable to "Drew University" and should be mailed to the address printed on the bill.

Deferred payment plans are available as additional payment options. The Drew University Tuition Loan Plan allows payment of up to $3,000 of the semester charges over the first four months of the semester. The current interest rate on this loan is 8%. Details on the Tuition Loan Plan will be provided with your semester bill in July. Students may also utilize the Drew University Monthly Payment Plan, administered by Tuition Management Systems (1-800-722-4867), which allows you to spread your payments over ten monthly payments, beginning in June prior to the Fall semester.

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Refund Policies

Tuition and General Fee Add/Drop Policy
Students wishing to adjust their schedules may do so without penalty during the first two weeks of classes. They may add or drop classes only with the approval of their advisers. Any charges made for tuition for courses officially dropped or added during this period are adjusted in full. A reduction in the number of courses carried may result in a reduction in the level of financial aid. Please consult with the Office of Financial Assistance if you have questions. No financial adjustment is made for courses dropped after the first two weeks of the semester. This policy does not apply to withdrawals or leaves of absence (students are not permitted to drop all courses without withdrawing or taking a leave of absence).

Students in intensive courses wishing to adjust their schedules must do so prior to the first day of class in consultation with the Associate Academic Dean or the Director of the Doctor of Ministry program.

Refund Policy for Withdrawal/Leave of Absence
The University's refund policies for students withdrawing or taking a leave of absence are described in the paragraphs below. The policy applicable to an individual student is determined by the particular circumstances of the student, including the timing of the withdrawal/leave of absence, whether or not the student is a participant in a federal or state financial assistance program, and whether or not the student will receive a refund under the Tuition Refund Plan. No refund is paid to any student who is suspended or required to withdraw or who leaves without first securing the written consent of the Associate Academic Dean.

Students Not Receiving Federal or State Aid
Students who take a leave of absence or withdraw for any reason during the first three weeks of the semester and are not eligible to receive a refund under the Tuition Refund Plan are entitled to a prorated refund of certain Institutional Charges (see list of refundable institutional charges below). Prorated charges are based upon the date of actual withdrawal (as determined by the University in accordance with the withdrawal/leave of absence procedure) according to the following schedule:

Any refunds calculated under this formula will first be used to refund any institutional aid to the University, with any amount left over refunded to the student.

Students Receiving Federal or State Aid
Students receiving Federal or State aid and who take a leave of absence or withdraw for any reason and who are not eligible to receive a refund under the Tuition Refund Plan will receive a prorated refund as described above. In the event the University is required to return federal and/or state funds (see Refunds of Federal and State Aid below) in excess of the refund of charges as calculated above, then the student will receive a refund in institutional charges equivalent to the amount that is returned in federal and/or state funds. However, if total financial aid exceeds the amount of institutional charges, a refund will be made of a percentage of institutional charges less non-federal aid equal to the percentage of federal aid returned plus an amount equivalent to any state aid returned.

Students Covered by the Tuition Refund Plan
Students who are enrolled in the Tuition Refund Plan and are eligible to receive a refund under the Tuition Refund Plan will receive a refund from the insurance company as described in the plan materials. The Tuition Refund Plan provides prorated refunds to students who withdraw or take a leave of absence due to physical, mental or nervous disabilities. All students are billed for the Tuition Refund Plan with their Fall semester bill. Students who decline this coverage must sign a waiver form and are not enrolled for the academic year. Please consult the plan brochure or the University Business office for additional details. In the event this refund is less than the amount that would be provided under the refund policies above, the University will refund the difference. Any refunds calculated under this policy will first be used to refund federal and state aid and any institutional aid to the University, with any amount left over refunded to the student.

Refundable Institutional Charges
Tuition
General Fee
Board

The housing charge and all other fees are nonrefundable.

Refunds of Federal and State Aid
When a student takes a leave of absence or withdraws from the University, federal and state regulations may require the University and/or the student to return a portion of the aid received as described below.

Refunds of Federal Aid
When a student takes a leave of absence or withdraws before completing 60 percent of the enrollment period, federal regulations require the University and/or the student to return that portion of federal aid funds which has not been earned. This is calculated as follows:

The percentage of federal aid earned is calculated by dividing the number of days of the enrollment period completed by the total number of days in the enrollment period.

The amount of federal aid earned is calculated by multiplying the percentage of federal aid earned by the amount of federal aid that was disbursed plus the amount of federal aid that could have been disbursed. (Please note that funds that have not met the requirements for disbursement will not be disbursed to the student.)

The student is entitled to keep all earned federal aid which has been disbursed and is entitled to receive a post-withdrawal disbursement of all earned federal aid which could have been disbursed.

All other federal aid will be returned or canceled.

Refunds of State Aid
When a student withdraws and receives a refund of Institutional Charges, state regulations require the return of a percentage of state aid received. This is calculated as follows:

Determine the percentage of total aid that is state aid by dividing the amount of state aid (excluding work earnings) awarded by the total amount of financial aid (excluding work earnings) awarded.

Calculate the amount of state aid to be returned by multiplying the percentage of total aid that is state aid by the amount of institutional charges refunded.

If a student utilizes any part of an award, it will be treated the same as a full semester payment in calculating the number of semesters of eligibility. Therefore the student may decline the state award and repay the award for the payment period.

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Separation From the School

Drew Theological School reserves the right, upon recommendation of the deans, to separate from the school any student who fails to meet the standards of academic or community life; or whose character, or personal maturity raises reasonable doubts about the student's fitness for ministry or theological education.

Students may also be separated from the school for failure to meet their financial obligations.

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