Expenses and Financial Policy

The fees indicated are estimated for the 2007-2008 academic year and are subject to change by the Board of Visitors at any time.

Longwood University assesses Tuition & Fee charges to all (full-time and part-time) students on a per credit hour basis, according to course type/method of instruction.

For academic and financial aid purposes, an undergraduate-level student must be registered for at least 12 credit hours, per semester, to be considered “full-time”.  Undergraduate-level students registered for fewer than 12 credit hours, per semester, are considered “part-time”.

Special Note: Students who audit courses pay the same tuition and required fee rates as students taking courses for academic credit.

For All (full and part-time) students, the following per credit hour tuition and fee rates apply:

Per Credit Hour Tuition & Fee Charges for Virginia Residents (In-State Students) Taking Undergraduate-Level Courses (100-400 Level Courses):  

Per Credit Hour Tuition & Fee Charges for Non-Virginia Residents (Out-of-State Students) Taking Undergraduate-Level Courses (100-400 Level Courses):     

Per Credit Hour Tuition & Fee Charges for Virginia Residents (In-State Students) Taking Graduate-Level Courses (500 Level & Above Courses): 

Per Credit Hour Tuition & Fee Charges for Non-Virginia Residents (Out-of-State Students) Taking Graduate-Level Courses (500 Level & Above Courses):        

* Note: For purposes of this policy and most other listings throughout the Expenses and Financial Policy section of this catalog:

On-campus rates apply to most credits offered through the Farmville, Virginia campus.  On-campus credits will include, but are not necessarily limited to: credits associated with classroom instruction, technology-assisted courses, student teaching and internship assignments, and/or independent study assignments.

Online rates apply to Internet course sections beginning with “B” (for Blackboard).

Off-campus rates apply only to course sections numbered 90 and above.

Off-campus and Online rates apply to those types of courses regardless of the term.

Intersession rates apply only to credits associated with classroom-based courses and/or Longwood University faculty-lead tours (abroad) beginning after the end of the fall semester and ending before the normal start date of the spring semester.

Per Semester Room & Board Charges—For All Students (Virginia and Non-Virginia Residents):

Students living in Longwood-managed properties are required to purchase a meal plan.  Those living on the Main Campus must choose from the following: Unlimited+$50 Plan, 14+$150 Plan, 10+$50 Plan, 10+$150 Plan, or the Block 150+$75 Plan.  Those students living in Longwood-managed apartments, since they are provided with kitchen facilities, can choose from those listed above, as well as from the 5+$100 Plan and the 5+$50 Plan.  Commuting students can opt to purchase any of the offered meal plans.  For those living in the Main Campus residence halls, the default is the 14+$150 Plan.  For those living in our Longwood-managed apartments, the default is the 5+$50 Plan.

OTHER FEES

Course Fees: Some academic course offerings require additional course and/or lab fees. These fees will be assessed to all students enrolled in the course at the end of the Add/Drop period. Fees typically range from $5 to $300.

Field Courses: Since charges vary for students enrolled in student teaching, semester rates may be obtained in the Office of Student Teaching.

College Plus Program:  A fee of $350.00 is charged, first semester, to new students admitted to Longwood under the College Plus Program.  This program provides a supported learning environment during the first semester for new freshman who show a strong potential for academic success at Longwood.  The program is for the fall semester, but students are encouraged to remain in contact with the Director for as long as a need remains.

On-TRAC / Strengthening Academic Success (SAS) Program:  A fee of $500.00 is charged to all re-admitted students returning to Longwood following academic suspension.  The curriculum covers academic regulations as well as re-thinking study and time management strategies.  Much of the curriculum is driven by student need / request.

Commencement Fee: A fee of $50 will be charged for a Bachelor’s diploma or a Master’s diploma. This non-refundable fee is payable to Longwood at the time application is made for graduation.

Automobile Registration: A fee is charged for each automobile registered. Parking on main campus or on Longwood-managed properties is permitted only if the permit issued on payment of the fee is displayed. For information regarding parking regulations and/or parking fees, please visit the Longwood University Public Safety web-site: http://www.longwood.edu/police/ , and select the options: Parking Services, and View Parking Regulations.

Returned Check Fee: A fee of $30 is charged for each check returned due to non-sufficient funds, stopped payment, account closed, etc.

Reinstatement Fee:  If a student is administratively withdrawn for non-payment of tuition and fees and wishes to be reinstated*, he/she must pay a $50.00 reinstatement fee in addition to any outstanding charges.

* Note: If administratively withdrawn, original course schedule may not be available and the student must work with her/his advisor and the Office of the Registrar to create a new schedule.

Meals for Guests: Students entertaining guests in the Longwood dining hall are charged the following rates, tax included: breakfast-$4.00, lunch/brunch-$5.59, and dinner-$7.25.

The fees indicated are estimated for the 2007-2008 academic year and are subject to change by the Board of Visitors at any time.

Classification as a Virginia Student
Entitlement to classification as a Virginia student and the privilege of paying in-state tuition is determined at the time of admission from information submitted by the student on the state domiciliary form. This form is attached to the application for admission, readmission, or will be sent to the student for completion by the Office of Admissions. In-state classifications are determined pursuant to the Code of Virginia.

Longwood may initiate a reclassification inquiry at any time after the occurrence of events or a change in facts gives rise to a reasonable doubt about the validity of existing residential classification.

Appeal of the initial classification or subsequent reclassification requests should be made to the Dean of Students Office. Information and appeal forms may be obtained from the Office of Admissions or the Dean of Students Office.

Residential Requirements and Policy:
Longwood University is a residential university and features residence hall education focusing on student learning and personal development as part of its distinct academic mission. Students are, therefore, required to live on campus.

Exceptions to the residency requirement are as follows:

1.     Non-traditional age – reaching 23 prior to the beginning of the fall semester.

2.     Married – verified with a marriage license.

3.     Living at home – a notarized letter from parent(s) or legal guardian(s) required.

4.     Part-time student – enrolling in less than 12 credit hours (both fall and spring semesters).

5.     Students with 89 or more Longwood University recognized credits – applicants must have 89 credit hours completed by the end of the spring semester.  Application required prior to advertised deadline.

6.     Approved Off Campus Release “Waiting List” Applicants – applicants must have 56-88 Longwood University recognized credit hours completed by the end of the spring semester.  Application required prior to advertised deadline.

In the spring semester there will be deadlines for requesting exceptions to the residency requirement. In order to qualify for one of the exceptions listed above, the student must meet the publicized deadline as communicated through the Office of Residential and Commuter Life. Residence Hall Agreements are for the entire academic year: August through May. Leases or other arrangements should be designed and managed only after exceptions are confirmed.

Minimum Credit Hour Requirement:  Students residing in campus residence halls or Longwood-managed apartments are required to maintain a class load of 12 credit hours (per semester).  This policy is designed to maintain the commitment to an educational residence hall environment.  Except for medical reasons, service-connected commitments, or family emergencies, there are very few exceptions to this policy.  Requests for exceptions that fall into one of the above categories should be addressed to the appropriate academic dean, together with supporting documentation.  Final approval is required from the Vice President for Student Affairs or designee*.  The information is then communicated to the Offices of Residential and Commuter Life and Student Accounts.

* Note: For students with a documented disability, permission to reside in campus residence halls or Longwood-managed apartments with a part-time schedule may be granted by the Office of Disability Support Services.

Application and Re-Admission Fee

A non-refundable application fee of $40 is required of each undergraduate student making his or her first application to Longwood. A non-refundable re-admission fee of $20 is required of each undergraduate student applying for re-admission to Longwood.

Deposit

For each new and returning Longwood student*, an annual student fee deposit (prepayment) is required to reserve the student’s admission/return to Longwood University. The student fee deposit will be invoiced according to the student’s status:

* Please note: For purposes of this policy, “new” refers to students who will enroll for the first-time into a Longwood University degree program and to students who will re-admit into a degree program following a withdrawal from the University.  “Returning” refers to degree-seeking students who will continue attendance without a break in enrollment.

• New residence hall & commuter students: $400.00 deposit
• Returning residence hall & commuter students: $250.00 deposit

For returning students, the annual student fee deposit will be invoiced on or about February 15^th, and it shall be due on or about March 15^th. Failure to receive a bill does not waive the requirement for payment when due.

For new students, an Admission Deposit Form will be sent with the letter of admission (or readmission), and should be returned with payment to Office of Cashiering.

The deposit is refundable until June 1^st for returning students, May 1^st for new students admitted for the fall semester, and December 1^st for students admitted for the spring semester. Requests for refunds to new students must be made in writing to the Longwood Admissions Office prior to the above-mentioned dates*.  Deposit payments made after May 1^st (fall), or December 1^st (spring), are non-refundable. Refunds to eligible returning students will be processed, automatically, following the completion of formal withdrawal procedures.

* New students:  With prior approval from the Office of Admissions, non-refundable deposits may be transferred forward one semester.  If a newly admitted/readmitted student wishes to defer his/her enrollment and request transfer of his/her (non-refundable) paid deposit (forward one semester), then the student must submit a written request to Longwood’s Admissions Office.  Written requests for transfers of deposits must be received by the University prior to the first day of the academic semester for which the tuition deposit was originally paid.  After the first day of the semester, non-refundable deposits will apply to withdrawal fees, and only (non-refundable) deposit payments in excess of withdrawal fees due may be transferred (forward one semester).  For additional information concerning withdrawal fees, please refer to Withdrawal Policies and Procedures, under the section Expenses and Financial Aid of this catalog.

All students: The annual student fee deposit must be paid, in full, before a student may participate in room selection and/or register for the following semester’s classes.

Financial aid recipients: In certain cases, returning students whose institutional charges are fully funded by financial aid may be eligible for a waiver of the annual student fee deposit. To be eligible for the deposit waiver, the following conditions must be met:

1. The student’s current annual institutional charges must have been fully paid by financial aid awarded through the Longwood Office of Financial Aid.  (Partial financial aid funding will not qualify the student for a waiver of the deposit.)

2. The student must have filed his/her next year’s (annual) Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on or before the March 1^st priority deadline to file.

To be considered for a waiver of the deposit, eligible returning students must apply to the Office of Student Accounts on or before the deposit due date. After the deposit due date, no waiver requests will be considered.

Please Note: Third Party funding from miscellaneous outside scholarships, vocational rehabilitation assistance, Virginia (VPEP) and out-of-state prepaid tuition programs, and other third party assistance and/or waiver programs will not qualify the student for a waiver of the deposit.  Because confirmation of continued Third Party funding is almost always unavailable to the University until well after the due date for payment of the fall deposit, students receiving tuition assistance from outside sources will not qualify for a waiver of the fall deposit—even if a student’s current annual tuition and fee charges were fully funded by the outside assistance.  Students prepaying fall deposits, who, later, receive 100% tuition/fee funding from a third party source may submit refund requests which will be processed after the semester begins, and following Longwood’s receipt of third party overpayment(s).

Required Fees:
Tuition and required fees are charged to all full-time and part-time students, including student interns*, student teachers*, and students earning credit hours for independent study.  Required fees include:

Student Activity Fee
The activity fee is an administrative fee for student organization cost.

Comprehensive Fee
The comprehensive fee includes charges for Athletics, Student Union, Student Health and Counseling Services, and other services.

Technology Fee
The technology fee is used for direct technology support for students. This fee provides student network support and hardware and software in the academic computer labs.

Registration Fee / Online Registration Fee
The registration fee is used to support the registration process and My Longwood.

Capital Outlay Fee
The capital outlay fee is a state-mandated fee required of out-of-state students for debt service costs on recently approved capital bond packages.

Online Fee
The Online fee supports online course management system (Blackboard), hardware, software, instructional design & delivery training, and technology support services for online courses.

Meal Plans
The Residence Hall Room and Board Agreement spells out the terms of the meal plans available. Students select meal plans in the agreement and are permitted to change their selected meal plan during specific periods of time as stated in the Residence Hall Room and Board Agreement. For additional information, please refer to Longwood Dining Services, under the section Student Services, of this catalog.

Billing and Payment Schedule
Longwood University will send an E-Bill to degree-seeking undergraduate students who register during (spring) open registration or during (summer) First Year Student/Transfer Student Orientation & Registration.

Graduate students, non-degree-seeking students, and all students registering for classes during late registration or late Orientation (August for the fall semester, January for the spring semester) are expected to pay their tuition and fee charges at the time of registration.

If a graduate or non-degree-seeking student registers during the open registration period and does not pay for courses at the time of registration, then the Office of Cashiering and Student Accounts will generate an E-Bill for that graduate or non-degree-seeking student. When this occurs, graduate and non-degree-seeking students are required to pay all calculated charges on, or before, the semester due date—to avoid the possible assessment of late payment fees. Please see Billing Schedules, below.

** Currently enrolled students (including students registered after the billing date) may view their billing statements / account summaries on-line via My Longwood.

Please note:  E-BILLS ARE SENT TO THE STUDENT’S LONGWOOD E-MAIL ADDRESS. For the Fall 2007 semester, these E-Bills will be sent on July 6^th. There will no longer be any hard copy bills.  Revised bills will not be sent for courses added after the open registration deadline or for changes made to housing assignments or meal plans after the open registration deadline. Students are responsible for paying (or securing with adequate financial aid) all calculated charges on, or before, each semester’s payment due date. Students requesting changes after open registration are encouraged to view their account summaries via My Longwood. Failure to receive a bill does not waive the requirement for payment when due.

Billing Schedules:
First Semester: Fall charges (based upon the student’s registered credit hours), less any credits, will be E-billed on or about July 6^th, and shall be due on or about August 6^th. Credit will only be given for miscellaneous outside scholarships* if the student provides Longwood’s Financial Aid Office with official notification of the award(s) prior to Longwood’s scheduled billing dates. Failure to receive a bill does not waive the requirement for payment when due.

Second Semester: Spring charges (based upon the student’s registered credit hours), less any credits, will be E-billed on or about December 1^st, and shall be due on or about January 1^st. Credit will only be given for miscellaneous outside scholarships* if the student provides Longwood’s Financial Aid Office with official notification of the award(s) prior to Longwood’s scheduled billing dates. Failure to receive a bill does not waive the requirement for payment when due.

*Please note: Unless specific instructions to the contrary are issued by the awarding agencies, all miscellaneous outside scholarships greater than $100 will be evenly divided between the fall and spring semesters. Scholarships less than or equal to $100 will be fully applied to the first semester, unless other instructions accompany payment. (Miscellaneous outside scholarships are scholarships awarded to students by high schools or other agencies independent of Longwood.)

Methods of Payment:

Lump Sum Payments: 
Students and authorized users may view their most recent statements and see all account activity posted to the accounts since the statements were produced.  Students and authorized users may pay on line using a Visa or MasterCard (credit or debit), or an automatic draft from your bank account. On-line payments are posted immediately to the appropriate student account.  

Visa and MasterCard (debit or credit) will be accepted in the Office of Cashiering or on line through My Longwood.

Payments may be submitted to the Office of Cashiering, 2^nd floor Lancaster building (Room 201-A). Cash, personal checks (unless prior checks have been returned), cashier’s checks, and money orders are accepted. An after hours payment drop box is also available outside the entrance to the Office of Cashiering and Student Accounts.

Monthly Payment Plan: 

The convenience of paying school expenses on a monthly basis is an attractive option for many families. Longwood University provides an opportunity for parents and students to pay educational expenses in four interest-free installments per semester. The plan is available to any student for the fall and/or spring semesters with the exception of study abroad students.

Enrollment for the fall payment plan will open on or about July 6th.  Enrollment for the spring plan will open on or about November 6th. Payments for the fall semester are due on the 1st of each month from August through November.  Payments for the spring semester are due on the 1st of each month from December through March.

A non-refundable participation fee of $50.00 per semester is charged at the time of enrollment.  Personal expenses, books, computers, or travel expenses are not included in your plan.

Our new Touchnet Payment Plan Manager system should automatically adjust your monthly payments as activity on the student account changes and will notify the student and/or authorized user (s) via email.  The payments are automated using your Visa or MasterCard (credit or debit) or an ACH draft (drafting your checking or savings account).

Enrollment in the plan is accomplished by completing our web-based self service application.  The student may enroll in the plan or may authorize others to enroll in the plan.  Students may access the option for the plan through My Longwood Portal. Select the Student tab and click on My Student Account.   Authorized users will be emailed the procedures for accessing the student account and may enroll in the plan once the student sets the authorizations.   You may enroll in the plan up until the due date of the third payment by paying any missed payments at the time of enrollment.

If you need additional assistance, please contact Kathy Motley at 434-395-2268 or email motleykr@longwood.edu. 

Late Payment

Any student account not paid in full or secured by our Payment Plan or Financial Aid* or approved Third-Party Tuition Assistance will be subject to cancellation. Please reference the policy at: http://www.longwood.edu/vpaf/final_policy_base/4000/4315.htm. Failure to receive a bill does not waive the requirement for payment when due and will not prevent the application of the late fee of 10% of the unsecured past-due account balance as prescribed in 2.2-4805 of the Code of Virginia and/or cancellation.

* Please note: Students are responsible for endorsing scholarship, Private loan, and/or Stafford loan checks upon notification from the Office of Financial Aid/Students Accounts.  Parent borrowers are responsible for endorsing and returning (endorsed) Parental Plus loan checks upon notification.  Failure to return endorsed checks in a timely manner could result in the assessment of late payment fees and/or cancellation.

Cancellation Policy for Unpaid Student Accounts

Any student with an unpaid account balance not secured by Longwood’s Monthly Payment Plan and/or financial aid will have her/his course schedule cancelled on the day following the original (semester) payment due date.  (The payment due date for the fall semester is on or about August 1^st, and for the spring semester is on or about January 2^nd.)  In addition, if applicable, any residential or commuter student with unpaid balances will be denied access to student housing on her/his scheduled move-in day and/or will be blocked from utilizing campus meal plans.

Failure to receive a bill will not waive the requirement for payment when due.  Students may access account summaries/billing statements via Longwood University’s Student Information System (My Longwood).

Following the cancellation of her/his course schedule, any student who wishes to reinstate must first pay the required reinstatement fee in addition to any other financial obligation due to the University. The deadline to reinstate a course schedule is the last business day prior to the first day of classes.  In certain instances, a student’s original course schedule may no longer be available; therefore, students requesting reinstatement must work with advisors and/or the Office of the Registrar to create new course schedules. Payment of the reinstatement fee and any outstanding charges must be made to the Office of Cashiering.

Any student who processes an initial registration or who adds classes and/or room/board assignments after the original (semester) payment due date is expected to remit payment for all balances due upon registration and/or upon request for room/board assignment. If payment is not made following registration/assignment, then the student’s course schedule will be cancelled at the end of the Add/Drop period, and if residential, the student will be subject to eviction from student housing at that time.

If payment is not made or if an account is not adequately secured by the end of the Add/Drop period:

1. Degree-seeking undergraduate-level students will be administratively withdrawn from the University and will not be allowed to apply for re-admission to Longwood until the following semester.

2. Residential students will be subject to eviction from student housing.

3. Graduate-level students and special, non-degree-seeking students will be administratively withdrawn from all (current semester) courses and will be blocked from processing future registrations until all outstanding balances due are fully paid to the University.

Any student with an unpaid/unsecured account balance whose course schedule is cancelled and/or who is administratively withdrawn from the University will be assessed charges in accordance with University catalog-published withdrawal policy*.

* Please note: Following administrative withdrawal due to non-payment, withdrawal penalties may be substantial.  This is particularly true in the case of Online, Off-campus, Intersession, and/or Special Offering courses—for which, after the start date of a course, financial withdrawal penalties will equal 100% of the originally-assessed tuition and fee charges.

Administrative cancellation/withdrawal will not waive a student’s financial obligation(s).

Diplomas and official transcripts will not be issued until all financial obligations to Longwood have been paid or secured to the satisfaction of the University.  Any unpaid balance will prevent future registration and will prevent the adding or dropping of classes. (Note: Through the last day to drop a class, students may submit written/faxed “drop” requests to the Registration Office.)

Notice of Fees and Charges on Unpaid Tuition and Fee Balances
The public is hereby placed upon notice that failure to pay in full at the time services are rendered or when billed may result in the imposition of interest at the rate of 10 percent per month on the unpaid balance. If the matter is referred for collection to an attorney or to a collection agency, the debtor may then be liable for attorney’s fees and/or additional collection fees of up to 50 percent of the then unpaid balance. Also, any account not satisfied by the due date may be reported to the credit bureau and will be listed with the Virginia Department of Taxation. Returned checks will incur a handling fee of $30. Requesting or accepting services will be deemed to be acceptance of these terms.

The student is responsible for all charges assessed regardless of any arrangements or agreements made with other parties.

Notice of Policies and Charges on Unpaid LancerNet (Telephone) Accounts
Students are responsible for the security of their PBN (Personal Billing Number) and will be liable for any charges made with their PBN. All students are required to pay LancerNet accounts within 30 days of the billing date. Failure to pay will result in a hold flag being placed on the student’s record. This will prevent registration, adding or dropping of classes, processing of transcripts, and awarding of diploma. The student’s PBN will also be deactivated, preventing any additional long distance calls. Returned checks will incur a handling fee of $30.00. If the matter is referred for collection to an attorney or to a collection agency, then the debtor will be liable for attorney’s fees and/or additional collection fees of up to 50 percent of the then unpaid balance. Requesting or accepting services will be deemed to be acceptance of these terms.

Information and Instructional Technology Services will be billed for full months only. No credits will be given for partial months.

The Information and Instructional Technology Services Department will use the free Longwood University e-mail address provided to all students for notification purposes. Other e-mail addresses will not be ma