General Fee Information

Tennessee State University reserves the right to increase the charges listed herein or to add new fees whenever such increases or additions become necessary. All fees and housing rents detailed below are those approved for the academic year 2014-2015 and are subject to change by action of the Tennessee Board of Regents. The listing of any fee or incidental charge in this catalog in no way constitutes a contract between the University and the student. As a condition of registration, each student must pay the appropriate fees in effect and confirm attendance at the time of registration. Bills will not be mailed. Students can access myTSU at http://myTSU.tnstate.edu to view account balances. Fees assessed at the time of registration are subject to audit and correction at a later date. For fees for subsequent years please visit the TSU website at http://www.tnstate.edu/bursar. 

The Office of Admissions determines a student’s residency classification for fee-paying purposes. If a student is incorrectly classified, he/she will be charged for additional fees owed or refunded fees overpaid. 

Checks given in payment of fees, including charges for University housing and board that are subsequently dishonored by the bank must be paid by cash, cashier’s check, money order or credit card. 

The University assumes no responsibility for monies lost through the mail. Students are advised not to send cash. All monies should be sent to the Vice President for Business and Finance, Tennessee State University, 3500 John A. Merritt Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37209-1561 or paid at the Bursar’s Office in the Administration Building. Use “myTSU” to make payments by personal check and credit card (MasterCard, Visa or American Express), unless otherwise specified. 

Registration and Other Fees

NOTICE: The fee amounts listed below are those approved for the 2014-2015 academic year. Fees for the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 academic years will be published on the University’s website when approved by the Tennessee Board of Regents. 

Registration Fees: 

All fees are subject to change by the Tennessee Board of Regents. Changes, if made, will be effective July 1, 2015 and/or July 1, 2016. 

Program and Service Fee (2014-2015)

Regents Online Campus Collaborative (ROCC) Registration Fees: 

ROCC students must pay for every hour, even if their total hours exceed full-time status (i.e., twelve hours for undergraduates or nine for graduates). ROCC students are not required to pay student government, post office, debt service, general access, or student activity fees. If ROCC students desire to attend campus activities, they may request to pay the additional student activity fee. 

Regents Online Campus Collaborative (ROCC) courses are charged per hour and are charged separately from TSU courses. Registration fees for ROCC courses are computed in addition to any registration fees for TSU courses and to the full-time maximum for TSU registration fees. ROCC courses will not even exchange with TSU courses when dropping and adding after the term begins. ROCC classes can be identified by section number R50. 

Residence Facility Fees:

Meal Plans:

Residents of on-campus apartments are required to participate in the “0 Meals + $200 dining dollar” Meal Plan. All other residents are required to participate in the “300 Meals + $200 Dining Dollars” Meal Plan if they have less than thirty (30) credit hours earned, or a MINIMUM of the “160 Meals + $300 Dining Dollars” Meal Plan if they have thirty (30) or more credit hours earned.

Other Fees

Other Applicable Charges

(Fees are subject to change without notice.)

*No charge for employees/students. Some patients on sliding fee scale.

NOTE: Additional charges may be assessed for courses that require materials and supplies in excess of the average required for other courses within the department.

Application Fee

A one-time non-refundable fee of $25.00 is charged to any individual who applies for undergraduate admission and $35.00 for graduate admission. (Since these are one-time fees, there is no additional undergraduate reapplication fee and no additional graduate reapplication fee.)

New Student Orientation Fee - $40.00

A one-time non-refundable fee of $40.00 is charged to undergraduates enrolled for 12 or more hours for credit their first semester (or 6 credit hours if the first enrollment occurs in a summer term). All other undergraduates are charged this one-time fee after they have accumulated 36 semester hours.

Late Registration Fee - $100.00

Students who complete registration during the late registration period will be charged a $100.00 late fee.

I.D. Card Replacement - $10.00

Each student is issued an identification card which certifies that he/she is enrolled as a student at the University. There is no charge for the original card. A non-refundable fee of $10.00 is required for replacement. This identification card bears the student’s photograph and is required for registration, all financial transactions, library privileges, entrance to campus activities and other identification purposes.

Program Service Fee

A fee is assessed for the following programs or services at an hourly rate: campus access, technology access, student activity, athletics, graduation, international education, debt service, student government, postal service, and health service.

Returned Check Charge - $30.00 Per Check

Students with proper identification may pay fees by personal check. Personal checks will not be accepted for students who have returned checks. A $30.00 returned check fee will be assessed on all returned checks in addition to a $100.00 late fee, if applicable.

Library Fines

All fines imposed by the University Library become due to the University and must be paid at the Library or the Bursar’s Office. Fines may be imposed for late return of books, lost or damaged books, or other related charges as specified by the Library.

Class Audit Fees

Persons other than regularly-enrolled students may be permitted to audit classes with the approval of the course instructor. Such persons must follow regular registration procedures and pay fees equivalent to those required for courses taken for credit.

Traffic Fines - $15.00-$200.00

All fines imposed by the University for parking and traffic violations must be remitted to the Bursar’s Office.

65-Year-Old/Disabled Student Discounted Fee 

In accordance with T.C.A. Section 49-7-113, persons 65 years of age or older and persons permanently and totally disabled who are domiciled in Tennessee may register for classes for credit on a space-available basis after regular registration is completed by paying a minimum registration fee. The fee is one-half the semester hourly rate, up to a maximum of $70.00. No late fee is charged. An application fee may also be required. In addition, the applicant must be eligible for admission and submit proof of age or disability. Eligible persons are advised to check with the Office of Admissions prior to attempting to register for courses. 

Financial Regulations 

No student is allowed to register or obtain grades, diplomas, degrees, or transcripts until all accounts are paid. A student is not officially enrolled until all fees are paid/or covered by appropriate third parties, and registration has been confirmed. Balances are subject to collection. The student is responsible for all attorney fees and other reasonable collection costs and charges necessary for the collection of any amount not paid when due. Any default on payments may be disclosed, along with other relevant information, to collection agencies and credit bureau organizations. 

Confirmations

All students including those who use deferments/aid to pay all or a part of their fees MUST CONFIRM (i.e., those with loans, grants, scholarships, state or disabled veterans’ vocational rehabilitation benefits, veterans’ benefits, certain veterans’ dependents education benefits, senior citizen benefits to audit classes, staff scholarships, etc.). Confirmation affirms that students plan to attend the classes for which they are registered and gives the university permission to apply financial aid. Students who register/confirm and subsequently decide not to attend must drop all classes before the first day of classes to avoid a penalty. To confirm access myTSU at http://myTSU.tnstate.edu. 

Refund of Fees 

Registration fees will be refunded for canceled classes and in the case of a student’s death. No refund of rent, tuition, or other fees will be made to students who are dismissed or suspended. 

Fall and Spring Semesters 

Students who withdraw from the University before the first day of classes will be refunded 100% of fees assessed. 

Refunds are calculated based on liable credit hours during the 75% and 25% periods for the Fall and Spring terms. Therefore, in some instances, a refund may not be applicable. Students are encouraged to better plan their schedules and retain their full-time status on their way to a timely and successful graduation. Specific dates applying to each session are listed at http://www.tnstate.edu/bursar. 

If you simultaneously drop a class and add a class on or after the first day of classes, please note that the add and the drop must be processed ON THE SAME DAY. If you are enrolled in one class and want to drop and add another, you must add first. 

ROCC courses cannot be evenly exchanged with TSU courses when students drop/add on or after the first day of classes. ROCC classes can be identified by section number R50. ROCC courses are charged separately from TSU courses. 

Summer Session

The 75% and the 25% periods will extend a length of time that is the same proportion of the Summer sessions and Intersession as the 75% and 25% periods are of the regular terms. Students who have pre-registered for the second Summer session but drop or withdraw before the first day of class for Session II classes will be refunded 100%. Otherwise, the regular refund schedule will apply. Specific dates applying to each session are listed at http://www.tnstate.edu/bursar.

Refunds of Housing Expenses 

Rent: 

Full rent will be refunded if: 

1. The student is prevented from entering or returning to the University because of medical reasons confirmed in writing by a licensed physician. 
2. The student is denied admittance or re-entry to the University or the residence halls. 
3. Residence hall space is not available. 

Refunds will be pro-rated on a weekly basis (a week is to consist of three days) when a student is forced to withdraw from a residence hall because of personal medical reasons confirmed in writing by a licensed physician or at the request of the University for other than disciplinary reasons. 

Withdrawals for other reasons will be subject to the same 75% - 25% policy as are refunds of enrollment fees. Specific dates applying to each session are listed at http://www.tnstate.edu/bursar. 

Housing/Room Deposit 

A $100.00 non-refundable housing deposit is required for all students who apply for university housing. The non-refundable deposit is paid once a year to reserve an on-campus housing space for the upcoming academic year. The $100 is deducted from the housing fee for the fall semester or whichever term is applicable. Charges for damage, defacement or missing fixtures and/or furnishings or cleaning in excess of the housing deposit will be assessed to the student. 

Appeals Procedures for Fees and Refunds 

A student may appeal the assessment, application calculation, or interpretation of any University fee, charge, deposit, refund, or any University action connected with fees or charges. Questions should be discussed with personnel in the Bursar’s Office. If the student is not satisfied with the resolution of the problem offered by the Bursar’s Office, a written appeal can be made to the Associate Vice President for Business and Finance, whose determination may be appealed to the President of the University. The decision of the President is final.

All Student Financial Aid Recipients 

A student who received Federal Financial Aid assistance and withdraws officially or unofficially from the university must return any unearned funds to the Student Financial Aid Programs. The institution must calculate the amount of the funds that were unearned, up through the 60% point in each payment period or period of enrollment. A pro rata schedule will be used to determine how much SFA Program funds that a student has earned at the time of withdrawal. 

NOTE: The amount of refundable (or balance outstanding) institutional charges will be set by the University policy. If there is a balance owed from these adjustments, the student is responsible for payment.

Financial Aid

Tennessee State University has a broad based financial aid program. Therefore, an applicant may apply for and receive aid from one or more programs at the same time. Since the University cannot supply funds to cover the financial need of all its students, students are urged to investigate and seek aid from outside sources. Fair and equal consideration is given to all applicants without regard to race, color, sex, disability, or religious beliefs. The financial aid office is located in the Floyd/Payne Campus Center Suite 343 (615) 963-5701. 

All students who wish to be considered for federal financial aid are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application is available online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. To be eligible for Title IV Programs a student must: 

• Meet program eligibility requirements 
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree seeking program 
• Comply with selective service and anti-drug requirements 
• Not be in default on a student loan or owe a repayment to a Federal Title IV Program 
• Make Satisfactory Academic Progress 

Sources of Federal Aid 

Federal Work Study Program - Provides part-time employment on campus and in off-campus community service organizations. 

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program - Provides federally funded grants to our neediest students until funds are expended. 

Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program - Provides federally funded grants for students who have a 3.25 minimum GPA and are fully admitted to the Teacher Education Program. Recipients are required to teach full time for at least four years within eight years of completing their program of study as a (1) highly qualified teacher; (2) at a Title I school; (3) in a specified subject area (mathematics, science, a foreign language, bilingual education, special education, as a reading specialist, or other high-need field). Failure to complete the teaching requirement results in grant being converted into a Direct Unsubsidized Loan. 

Federal Perkins Loan Program - Provides low interest loans to eligible students until available funds are expended. 

Federal Pell Grant Program - Provides entitlement grants to eligible students. 

Federal Direct Student Loan Program - Provides low interest loans from the Department of Education. 

Tennessee Student Assistance Award - Provides grants to assist undergraduate Tennessee students in financing a post-secondary education. Must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Awards are made by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation until state appropriated funds are expended. 

Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) - Provides loans to parents of undergraduate dependent students directly from the Department of Education. 

Tennessee Educational Lottery Scholarship - Provides scholarships to Tennessee residents who meet specific requirements (see our website www.tnstate.edu/finaid for link to requirements). As a Tennessee Lottery Scholarship recipient you are required to remain in school on a continuous basis to stay eligible. If you enroll and withdraw or change your enrollment status anytime during the semester, you risk losing future eligibility. 

Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid 

Satisfactory Academic Progress Overview: Federal regulations require that all federal financial aid recipients be enrolled in a degree-seeking program, be taking courses required for that program and maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) toward their degree to maintain eligibility. Tennessee State University complies with this requirement by monitoring each student’s academic progress against three standards: cumulative grade point average (GPA), completion rate and maximum time frame for completion of a degree, consistent with the provisions of this policy. All federal and state financial aid programs administered by Tennessee State University are governed by this policy. 

Satisfactory Academic Progress Standard Measurements: 

Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) 

A student is in violation of maintaining SAP for financial aid purposes if he/she: 

• has a cumulative GPA of less than 1.5 for 0-15 attempted hours 
• has a cumulative GPA of less than 1.7 for 16-30 attempted hours 
• has a cumulative GPA of less than 1.8 for 31-45 attempted hours 
• has a cumulative GPA of less than 1.9 for 46-59 attempted hours 
• has a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 for 60 or more attempted hours 
• has a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 if pursuing a second bachelor’s degree (including all undergraduate courses as recorded by the Records Office) 
• has a cumulative GPA of less than 3.0 if pursuing a graduate degree 

Completion Rate 

Students must earn 66.7% of their total attempted credits to remain eligible for federal and state financial aid, including Stafford Loans. 

Time Limitations 

For an undergraduate degree, students are allowed to attempt up to 150% of the number of hours required for that degree which is 180 attempted hours (college level course hours, excludes remedial hours). 

For graduate degrees, students are allowed to attempt up to 150% of the number of hours required for that degree as published in the Tennessee State University Graduate Catalog. 

Loss of Financial Aid Eligibility 

Satisfactory Academic Progress will be measured annually at the end of each SPRING term. Students who are not in compliance with the cumulative GPA and/or completion rate or 150% time limitation standards will lose eligibility for Title IV aid (grants, loans, work-study), state funded programs, and any other aid programs requiring that students meet SAP standards. Students who were previously placed on ACADEMIC PLANS will be measured at the end of each term. Failure to meet the requirements of your plan will result in loss of eligibility for aid. Students may appeal their suspension if not already on an Academic Plan. If a student fails to meet the provision of his/her Academic Plan appeal, second appeals will only be considered for unforeseeable, unavoidable situations that occur during the term student is on plan. These will be reviewed on a case by case basis for consideration.

Review, Notification and Appeal Process 

Effective May 2014, Satisfactory Academic Progress will be measured ANNUALLY at the end of each spring term for everyone and at the end of each term for those on Academic Plans. Students will be notified via letter, email and on “myTSU” if they are in violation of the standards. Students who are in violation of the GPA and/or Completion Rate Standards AND have not been previously granted continued eligibility on an academic plan will have the opportunity to appeal to the financial aid SAP committee. The SAP appeal must include a letter explaining the circumstances surrounding the violation along with supporting documentation and a program of study prepared and signed by the student’s academic advisor. Those who are in violation of the time limitation rule may appeal to the Director of Financial Aid. Time limitation appeals must include a graduation plan signed by the student’s academic advisor or major department representative. Satisfactory academic progress guidelines are reviewed annually and updated based on institutional policy and/or federal regulatory changes. 

Academic Plans for Continuing Financial Aid Eligibility 

Tennessee State University has instituted an academic plan program to allow students who violate the financial aid satisfactory academic progress standards to continue their aid eligibility if they meet certain requirements. Students who can complete their program of study within the 150% timeframe may be allowed to participate. Academic plans allow financial recipients to have their academic progress measured on a semester by semester basis rather than cumulatively. Academic plan requirements are more stringent than the published standard. The conditions for students who are granted aid continuation based on academic plans are: 

Academic Plan for Grade Point Average (APGPA) 

Students who violate the satisfactory academic progress guidelines due to cumulative GPA agree to maintain a 2.25 semester for each semester they are on the academic plan until such a time that the student’s cumulative GPA meets the published standard. 

Academic Plan for Completion Rate (Attempted Hours vs. Completed Hours APHRS) 

Students who violate the satisfactory academic progress guidelines due to not successfully completing 66.7% of all attempted hours agree to complete 75% of all attempted hours for each semester they are on the academic plan until such a time the overall completion rate meets or exceeds the 66.7% benchmark. 

Academic Plan for Grade Point Average and Completion Rate (APBTH) 

Students who violate the satisfactory academic progress guidelines due to not maintaining the required cumulative GPA AND not successfully completing 66.7% of all attempted hours agree to maintain a 2.25 GPA AND complete 75% of all attempted hours for each semester they are on the academic plan until such a time that the student’s cumulative GPA meets the published standard and overall completion rate meets or exceeds the 66.7% benchmark. 

Due to U.S. Department of Education requirements for University’s electing to allow participation in academic plans for financial aid, appeals will not be accepted. Violation of your plans agreement will result in the loss of your financial, including student loans, until you raise your GPA, completion rate or both and are able to meet the minimum standards. 

All Financial Aid Recipients 

Enrollment is measured on the 14th day of class for financial aid purposes. Financial Aid is adjusted based on the actual enrollment on this date. A student who received Federal Financial Aid assistance and withdraws completely officially or unofficially from the university must return any unearned funds to the Student Financial Aid Programs. The institution must calculate the amount of the funds that were unearned, up through the 60% point in each payment period or period of enrollment. A pro rata schedule will be used to determine how much SFA Program funds that a student has earned at the time of withdrawal. NOTE: The amount of refundable (or balance outstanding) institutional charges will be set by the University policy. If there is a balance owed from these adjustments, the student is responsible for payment. Students must regularly attend courses pursuant to the attendance policy of the University and individual instructor. Failure to attend courses for which you have been paid aid may result in adjustments to your financial aid awards.