Undergraduate Financial Information-Tuition and Fees

Brenau is an independent, private, nonprofit institution and, as such, does not receive tax support. Its sources of income are principally from student fees, gifts and endowment.

It is Brenau’s policy to keep its charges at the very lowest point possible without affecting the quality of instruction, service and accommodations offered. Realizing the desirability of stabilized educational expenses, Brenau makes every effort to avoid increases. However, Brenau does reserve the right to change tuition and other charges at the end of any semester if conditions should make this necessary.

Tuition and Fees

Since Brenau must contract for its faculty and support services on an annual basis, registration is considered a binding contract between the student and the institution for the academic year or the specific semester of enrollment. Consequently, the student accepts as binding and contractual all tuition costs, fees and regulations set forth in this Catalog.

Payment Options

Since Brenau must contract for its faculty and support services on an annual basis, registration is considered a binding contract between the student and the institution for the academic year or the specific semester of enrollment. Consequently, the student accepts as binding and contractual all tuition costs, fees, and regulations set forth in this Catalog.

Brenau recognizes the need for many parents of residential students to budget and pay for college expenses with a monthly payment plan. Brenau offers 4 types of payment options outlined below:

One Payment Option Tuition charges are due on or before the first day of each semester during the academic year. Tuition may be paid at scheduled registrations, by mail, through CampusWEB, or in person. In-person payments should be made to approved Brenau personnel at an official Brenau Campus/Site. The student will pay the required tuition charges by the first day of the semester and, if not paid, will be assessed a $200 late payment fee.

Three Payment Option The student signs a Deferred Payment Contract to pay one-third of the semester’s tuition and the $35 Payment Fee on the first day of the semester. The other two thirds of the tuition will be paid in equal payments 30 days and 60 days from the first day of the semester.

Four Payment Option The student signs a Deferred Payment Contract to pay one-fourth of the semester’s tuition and the $50 Deferred Payment Fee on the first day of the semester. The remaining three-fourths of the semester’s tuition will be paid in equal payments 30 days, 60 days and 90 days from the first day of the semester. This option is available fall and spring semesters.

Full Year Payment Option (Undergraduate/Graduate Day Programs Only) The student signs a Deferred Payment Contract to pay 10 monthly payments based on an estimate of the full academic year’s tuition/fees for fall and spring combined and the $75 Deferred Payment Fee on the first day of the semester. The remaining tuition will be paid in 9 equal payments due each month thereafter over the full academic year.

If payments are not received by the Brenau Accounting Office by the due date on the payment plan, a delinquent fee of 1.5% per month of the past due balance will be charged to the account for each late payment.

This Catalog statement is considered sufficient notice of the time of payment. Statements are sent periodically during each semester as reminders of payment and/or to advise students about the status of their accounts.

Change of Tuition Rates and Special Fees
At the discretion of the Board of Trustees of Brenau or the administration of the institution, all charges specified herein are subject to change on 30 days notice.

Women’s College Tuition and Fees

This includes tuition (18 hours per semester), double room dormitory accommodations, board, student activities, infirmary and other services during fall and spring semesters.

Terms of Payment:

The payment schedule is as follows:

Residential Student Policy: All single female Women’s College students age 21 or under are required to live on campus in residence halls. Students, 21 years of age (as of the opening day of school) having a 3.0 cumulative GPA may live in Brenau student apartments. The only exceptions to this policy apply to students who live within commuting distance and who are residing with their parents. This policy applies for the full year, including summer sessions. In the event that a student reaches the age of 21 years or more as of the opening day of school, the student will be allowed to live off campus during that year. In the event that the student does not reach 21 years of age on the opening day of school, she will be considered to be a resident student for the entire year. The Student Services Office must be notified prior to any change in status.

Commuting Students of the Women’s College will be charged tuition at the rate of $1033 per credit hour up through 11 hours, a flat tuition rate of $15,500 for 12 to 18 hours and for over 18 hours a flat rate of $15,500 plus $1033 per each additional hour. This charge is due and payable on the first day of the semester. For commuting students and parents desiring to pay over a period of months, there are two payment plans available. Women’s College students taking 12 or more hours may use the infirmary service at no extra charge.

Commuting Health-Field Students  of the Women’s College enrolled in the day program for health related majors (example: Nursing) will be charged tuition the rate of $1033 up through 11 hours, a flat rate of $15,500 for 12 - 18 hours and a flat rate of 15,375 plus $1033 per each additional hour over 18. This charge is due and payable on the first day of the semester. For commuting students and parents who desire to pay over a period of months, there are two payment plans available. Women’s College students taking 12 or more hours may use the infirmary service at no extra charge.

Tuition Deposit  To confirm acceptance and ensure enrollment, a $350 non-refundable deposit is required of all Women’s College students. This also includes some University program students transferring to day programs. For fall semester enrollment, the advanced payment, which will be applied to tuition charges, is due by May 1. For January entrance, the prepayment is due by December 1. Residential students who have decided to attend Brenau may wish to submit the prepayment upon receipt of the acceptance letter. On-campus housing is assigned in the order that tuition deposits are received and priority is given to the student with the earliest deposit date in the room selection process.

International Student Fees Residential fees for international students for the academic year will be similar to those for all other residential students. Students should make every effort to pay these fees by the due date. Students will not be allowed to register until fees are paid. International students are advised that they must bear the additional cost of any special tutoring that may be required due to insufficient English language skills. Such tutoring costs are not included in the Comprehensive Fee.

Undergraduate School Tuition and Fees

Tuition Discounts

Military Tuition Discount - Active Duty

Active duty military personnel receive a discount on all courses taken at Brenau. The discounted rate is $250 per credit hour. The qualifications for this discount are evaluated yearly and the proper documentation must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office. The following students may apply for the full military discount:

• Active duty U.S. military personnel
• National Guard
• Reservists

This discount applies to tuition only and can not be combined with any other discounts.

Military Tuition Discount-Veterans/Retirees/Spouses & Dependents of Active Duty

Brenau offers a 10% discount on all courses to veterans, retirees and dependents of active duty personnel. The proper documentation must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office to qualify for the discount. The following students may apply for the 10% discount:

• Honorably discharged veterans
• U.S. Military retirees
• Spouses and dependents of active U.S. military personnel.

This discount applies to tuition only and can not be combined with any other discounts.

Corporate Discount

Brenau University partners with several corporations to offer discounted tuition to their employees. The discount provided is outlined in the contract signed between each corporation and Brenau University. This discount applies to tuition only and can not be combined with any other discounts.

Refunds

Brenau discourages students from withdrawing within the academic year. Should this become necessary due to medical or other verified reason, adjustments may be made to the student account. Students who wish to drop courses or withdraw must first see their advisor to fill out the required Drop/add Form. If they desire a refund of any credit balance that might result from dropping or withdrawing, students must request in writing a refund of any credit balance from the Director of Student Accounts of the university. No other institutional officials may authorize refunds.

Advisors/coordinators/directors have no authority to make commitments concerning refunds or to grant refunds. Refunds will generally be processed within thirty (30) days after all necessary documentation (Drop Form, written request for refund) has been submitted.

Refund of Tuition

Brenau’s institutional tuition refund policy is as follows:

Refund of Room and Board. Students will receive 100% credit for room and board charges only when they have withdrawn prior to the first day of the semester. After the first day of the semester, room and board charges will be refunded based on the number of weeks remaining in the semester after the week of withdrawal. Refunds of room and board for federal financial aid recipients will be calculated along with tuition charges according to the return of Title IV funds policy as stated below.

Return of Deposited Funds to Students

It is the responsibility of any student who graduates or otherwise is no longer enrolled at Brenau to verify with the Accounting Office if there are funds deposited with Brenau which belong to the student. It is also the student’s responsibility to keep Brenau informed as to the student’s current mailing address in order that Brenau can refund any funds to the student for which the student is entitled. Alternatively, a student may choose to donate to Brenau any funds for which the student is entitled or leave on deposit such funds with Brenau for the future purchase of items or services. A student must notify Brenau if the student wishes to donate such funds when the student is no longer enrolled. Brenau will assume that a student elects to receive a refund if notification is not received from the student. Refunds are mailed to the address on file unless otherwise requested in writing by the student.

Return of Title IV Funds  Students who receive federal Title IV assistance and completely withdraw from all coursework in any semester will be subject to the Return of Title IV funds policy mandated by the U.S. Department of Education. Federal Title IV assistance includes Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Academic Competitiveness Grant, National Smart Grant, Federal Work-Study, Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan and PLUS Loan. This policy assumes that a student earns his or her assistance based on the period of time he or she remains enrolled. During the first 60% of the semester, a student earns Title IV funds in direct proportion to the length of time he or she remains enrolled. A student who remains enrolled beyond the 60% point earns all for the semester. The percentage of the semester that the student remained enrolled is derived by dividing the number of days the student attended by the number of calendar days in the semester, excluding breaks of at least 5 calendar days. 

Any unearned Title IV funds, other than Federal Work-Study earnings, must be returned. Unearned is the amount of disbursed Title IV that exceeds the amount of Title IV earned by the student. Unearned funds must be returned to the following sources in this order: Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, Subsidized Stafford Loan, Perkins Loan, PLUS Loan, Pell Grant, Academic Competitiveness Grant, National Smart Grant and SEOG.

Example of Return of Title IV Funds. Karen is enrolled in the spring semester at Brenau University and is receiving Title IV . The spring semester is 117 calendar days in length, with a spring break of 7 days, making the length of the semester for Title IV purposes 110 calendar days. Karen finds she must withdraw from all classes in the 22nd day of the semester. The percentage of the semester that Karen remained enrolled is derived by dividing 22 days by 110 days, resulting in 20%. Karen has earned 20% of her Title IV; therefore, 80% of her Title IV assistance must be returned to the source(s) of funding according to the procedures prescribed by the U.S. Department of Education.

The detailed rules for the calculation of the return of Title IV funds are available on request from the Office of Financial Aid or the Office of Business and Finance.

Delinquent Accounts

Brenau University students whose accounts are not paid by the appropriate due date will be charged a $200 late fee. This fee will be billed to the student’s account and must be paid along with any other unpaid fees.

Students whose accounts are delinquent forfeit their right to attend classes, take final examinations or otherwise participate in the academic program until satisfactory arrangements have been made with the Accounting Office to meet financial obligations. Diplomas, certificates and transcripts are issued only when the students’ accounts have been paid in full. Students whose accounts are delinquent as of the payment due dates for each semester will not be permitted to register for the following semester, nor will they receive final grades for the semester in which they are currently enrolled. In addition, transcripts (official and non official) and transient letters are not issued to students with obligations to Brenau.

Responsibility for Property

Damage. Students are responsible for any damage to Brenau’s property at any location where classes are offered, beyond normal wear and tear. For such damage, a minimum charge of $50 or the cost of repair, whichever is greater, will be assessed.

Student’s Personal Property. Although Brenau endeavors to protect the property of its students in the same manner as its own, the institution will not be responsible for the loss, theft, or damage of any personal property of its students at any location where classes are offered.

Special Expenses
Books and Supplies. Books and other academic supplies may be purchased at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore located on the Gainesville Campus. The cost of books and supplies for any academic year will vary with the courses selected. Students taking courses, online or on ground, can go online to brenau.bncollege.com to order books to be shipped. Besides pickup, this is the preferred method of ordering. The bookstore can also be contacted by telephone at (770) 534-6208.