Graduate 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.

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 or in person at the Brenau Accounting Office, Gainesville campus or at the Atlanta campuses. 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.

In addition to the above, Brenau also offers a three payment option plan and a four payment option plan. Fees for these plans are $35 and $50, respectively.

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.

A delinquency fee of $50 for each payment date will be imposed on any Brenau University student who fails to honor the terms of a Deferred Payment Contract by failing to make scheduled payments at the regularly prescribed due date within the semester as specified in the contract.

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.

2011-2012 Tuition Rates

 ** Students will be charged tuition at the rate of $732 per credit hour up through 11 hours, a flat tuition rate of $10,978 for 12 to 18 hours and over 18 hours a flat rate of $10,978 plus $732 per each additional hour.

Fees may vary from location to location depending on cost factors.

Refunds

In the event a student must withdraw for medical or other verified reasons, two types of tuition adjustment may be made: a credit to the student’s account for the current or next semester and/or a refund of that credit balance. If a course is cancelled, students receive a 100% refund. Brenau’s institutional refund policy related to tuition charges is as follows:

Students who wish to drop courses or withdraw must first see their advisers 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 Accounting Office. No institutional official other than the Controller or Student Accounts Manager may authorize refunds of tuition. Advisers/coordinators/directors have no authority to make commitments concerning or to grant refunds. Refunds will generally be processed within 30 days after all necessary documentation (drop/add, written request for refund) is submitted.

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 will elect to leave on deposit with Brenau any funds to which the student is entitled and the student has not requested to be returned, so that the student may apply the funds toward future purchase of items or services from Brenau. The student may request at any time for unused funds be refunded to the student.

Return of Title IV Funds

Students who receive federal Title IV aid and 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 aid 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 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 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  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.

All financial records must be cleared and paid for in compliance with institutional procedures in order for the student to be identified as “in good standing.” In addition, no recommendations, degrees, transcripts of credit, diplomas, or other correspondence will be issued on behalf of the student until all financial obligations are satisfied.

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 the 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 and 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 to 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.

On-ground to Online Course Replacement Policy

A student may take an online course for the cost of an on ground course provided they meet the following criteria:

• The student registered for an on ground course that was cancelled
• The student replaces the on ground course with the same course online.
• The student must be considered a “senior” or graduate student with the anticipation of graduating in the current academic year (the following academic year for summer courses).

The request for a rate adjustment should go through the Associate Vice President for Nonresidential Programs with the final approval made by the Controller in the Accounting Office.