Student Expenses

The University of Southern Mississippi is supported chiefly by legislative appropriations. Increases in student fees are put into effect only when public support funds are inadequate and no other recourse is available. Increases are made only for support of the institution or improvement of the activity program of the students; therefore, the university must reserve the right to increase or modify fees and expenses without prior notice but with approval of the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.

Fees and expenses are in the form of general tuition, room and board, and special fees.

General Tuition

This fee, together with the allocation from the legislative appropriation, is used for general support of the university. Athletic activities and SMAC programs are not included for part-time students.

Full-time enrollment for tuition calculation is different from full-time enrollment for academic load. Full-time students for purposes of assessing fees are those who take 9-13 semester hours at the graduate level and 12-19 semester hours at the undergraduate level during fall, spring and summer semesters. Graduate students enrolled for more than 13 semester hours during fall, spring and summer semesters will be assessed the applicable fee for each additional semester hour. Undergraduate students enrolled for more than 19 semester hours during fall, spring and summer semesters will be assessed the applicable fee for each additional semester hour.

Clinical and hospital services covered by the health service charge included in the general tuition fee are limited to cases of ordinary illness. Services are provided within the limits of the professional, technical and physical resources of the clinic. The university does not assume responsibility in cases of extended illness or for treatment of chronic diseases. Cases requiring surgery must be handled by a physician and hospital of the student’s choice and at the student’s expense.

Residential Meal Plan Options

Resident students will automatically be assigned to the Go Gold Plan when they choose on-campus housing. Students will have the opportunity to upgrade their meal plans, add Dining Dollars or make other changes to their meal plans before the University’s deadline for charges to student accounts, usually about a week after the start of each semester. Each resident meal plan includes 5 guest meals swipes, which will allow you to treat a friend or visiting relative to a meal at either the Fresh Food Company or RFOC at Hillcrest.

To The Top Upgrade - $2,025/semester

This upgrade offers the most value ($3,647, based on 3 meals per day @ the Fresh Food Company in a 122 day semester) and flexibility to USM students.  As with all of our plans, the To the Top upgrade includes unlimited meals at the Fresh Food Company and RFoC at Hillcrest, as well as 5 guest meals.  In addition, students get the flexibility of $430 ($3.53 purchasing power per day) Bonus Bucks that can be used all over campus at any of our Eagle Dining retail locations.   You get all of this for an additional $325 over the Golden Eagle Pass! 

Go Gold Plan - $1,895/semester

Resident students will automatically reap the benefits of this plan (a $3,517 value) when they sign up for campus housing. Our default meal plan provides students with the peace of mind of unlimited meals at either of our residential locations on campus and $300 ($2.45 purchasing power per day) bonus bucks to help satisfy cravings for familiar retail favorites. 

Golden Eagle Pass - $1,700/ semester

Our very basic resident plan offers unlimited meals and $100 ($0.82 purchasing power per day) in Bonus Bucks.  This plan offers the least amount of flexibility, but still provides students with an affordable, all-you-care-to-eat plan that can be used at either of our residential locations on campus.

Southern Miss 100 - $1,700/ semester (Greek Meal Plan)

This plan is exclusive to our Greek students living in Fraternity Housing and the Village, and includes 100 meal swipes at either the Fresh Food Company or RFoC at Hillcrest and $575 in Bonus Bucks that can be used at all of our retail locations on campus.

Commuter Meal Plan Options

Both of our Commuter plans combine residential meal swipes and dining dollars. Select a plan that best meets your needs, or combine one of these plans with a Dining Dollar block to maximize flexibility.

Campus Connector - $665/semester

This popular plan (a $704 value) provides 60 meals and $130 ($1.07 purchasing power per day) in Dining Dollars each semester. Students that are on campus only a couple times a week are given the opportunity to enjoy a meal at either of our residential locations, as well as to have the option of grabbing a bite to eat at their favorite retail location.  All unused meals and Dining Dollars left on your Campus Connector plan will automatically roll over from semester to semester and year to year with this plan.

The Daily 8 - $850/semester

Our most popular commuter plan ( a $1,511 value), the Daily 8 provides students with $8 in Dining Dollars and 1 meal in the Fresh Food Company or RFoC at Hillcrest each day, Monday through Friday. This plan resets at the end of each day, and you may spend your $8 at any of our retail locations on campus. For commuting students who are only on campus for one meal but who want to get a hot coffee and a fresh pastry to start their busy day, the Daily 8 is a great option.

Don’t Forget to add Dining Dollars!

Dining Dollars supplement your meal plan when Bonus Bucks run dry. There is no minimum deposit, no balance to maintain and no fees. In fact, we will pay you for just purchasing them!  When you purchase any of the Dining Dollar blocks below, we will give you an additional percentage - FREE!

Dining Dollar Blocks

Eagle 100 - You pay $100 and we will give you $5 FREE!   (5% more purchasing power)

Eagle 300 - You pay $300 and we will give you $30 FREE! (10% more purchasing power)        

Eagle 500 - You pay $500 and we will give you $75 FREE! (15% more purchasing power)

Unused Dining Dollars roll over from semester to semester, and from year to year. It’s easier than cash, safer than credit!

Telephone Service

Telephone services for students residing in Residence Halls are available. For more information regarding student telephone services visit www.usm.edu/itech/student-telephone-request-process.

Post Office Box

The post office box rental fee is assessed to all students living in university-controlled housing. Fees are assessed on an academic year basis and are calculated on time remaining in the academic year. The fee covers box rental for the remainder of the academic year provided the student remains enrolled. Those students living off campus may rent a post office box if they so desire.

Student ID Cards

The ID card is a permanent card for each student. The fall semester (permanent) ID card will also be used for spring and summer semesters. The same card must be kept and used even when returning from a previous year or semester. Do not destroy, lose, bend or tamper with an ID card. The fee for first time enrolling freshman, graduate or transfer students is $11. This fee will be charged to the student account. A fee of $25 will be charged at the time a replacement card is made.

Other Financial Information

Payment of Fees

One-half of a student’s total fees will be required for students to charge to their student accounts. Students with university loans, grants or scholarships may use those funds as payment for the first half of total fees. Loans, grants, scholarships and checks made payable to the university must be applied to fees in full before a refund or change can be given. These loans, grants and scholarships may not be used to pay prior semester outstanding balances. Fees deferred past the last day to register each term will be billed monthly. A monthly service charge of 1.5 percent will be applied to the unpaid balance. All charges for a term must be paid for the student to pre-register for the next term and if charges are not paid by the end of the term a $100 late payment fee will be assessed.

The university accepts payment by check, money order or cash in person at Hattiesburg Business Services located in Forrest County Hall, Room 101 or Gulf Park Business Services, 730 East Beach Blvd, Long Beach, MS. Paper checks and money orders may be mailed to USM Business Services, 118 College Drive #5133, Hattiesburg, MS 39406. All credit and debit card payments must be made online via student’s SOAR account and a convenience fee will be added to the payment. Students may also pay online with an eCheck, an ACH trnasfer from your bank account, and this payment will NOT incur convenience fee. The university reserves the right to refuse payment by check or eCheck where an individual has previously given a check that has been returned.

The university reserves the right to withhold readmission of a student until all delinquent accounts have been paid. Transcripts of credits will not be issued for students whose accounts are delinquent. All fees must be paid before a degree will be awarded. Payments by personal check on delinquent accounts will be sent for collection before transcripts or degrees will be released. To avoid any delay in receiving these documents, payments can be made by cash, cashier’s check or money order.

By registering for classes, the student agreed to the terms and conditions in the AGREEMENT TO PAY as posted in SOAR including but not limited to the following:

• The student entered a legally binding contract to pay all tuition and fees and related expenses.
• The student is liable for all collection costs and attorney fees that Southern Miss may incur to collect any unpaid balance on the student account.
• To avoid financial obligation to Southern Miss, a registration cancellation must be completed prior to the first day of class for the semester or term.
• Once the term begins, the student is responsible for completing the withdrawal and refund authorization which can be obtained via the SOAR student center.

Fines accumulated as a result of failure to adhere to the established procedures of the university, such as library and public safety regulations, or any other policy establishing regulations for the protection of university property, shall become collectable by the Business Office, and, if not collected, shall constitute a delinquent account. If further action is warranted, you may be responsible for all collection costs and legal fees.

A fee of $50 will be assessed to students who register during the late registration period.

Classes may be dropped and a $100 late payment fee may be assessed if a check which prevented class cancellation is returned. Returned checks not promptly paid may result in dismissal from the university.

Courses requiring special fees and music fees are shown in the Special Fees listing and are indicated by a plus sign in the Course Description  section of this Bulletin.

Schedule of Fees

All fees are subject to change without notice.

FIXED FEES

Housing rates are approved in June. Please refer to our Web site for updates:

www.usm.edu/residence-life

The nonrefundable processing fee is $75 (early bird rate) and $150 after June 15.

Other Fees When Applicable

PART-TIME STUDENTS — Each semester hour

Special Fees and Expenses

A complete list of course fees is available on the Business Services Web site at http://www.usm.edu/business-services/general-tuition-fees.

Student Malpractice Liability Insurance Fee

Reading Center, Individual Remedial Instructions

Honors College

Examinations and Graduation

Registration and Records

Student Teaching

Refund Policy - Withdrawals and Drops

Students finding it necessary to withdraw from the university may begin the process via their SOAR student center with the “Drop ALL Courses” link. Within SOAR, they will view a series of panels that will explain the academic and financial impact in withdrawing from the university at that point in time. After making the requests, the appropriate university personnel including their advisers, chairs and deans will review the requests and potentially discuss alternatives with the students. Upon approval of the withdrawal and final processing, students will receive an e-mail giving instructions on how to return to Southern Miss. If students need further assistance in withdrawing, they should contact the Registrar’s office.

Refunds are based on the following (applies to withdrawals and dropped classes):

These schedule dates are published in the Academic Calendar and on the Business Office Web site at www.usm.edu/businessservices.

Refunds are based on the assessment, not upon the amount paid by the student.

Appeals for refunds due to extenuating circumstances may be made in writing to The University of Southern Mississippi, Business Services, 118 College Drive #5133, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001. The Tuition Appeals Form is located on the Business Services website (www.usm.edu/business-services) under Forms and Policies. Appeals must be received prior to the end of the academic year.

Refunds and returns of Title IV funds for students who participate in SFA (Student Financial Assistance) programs are calculated based on federal regulations. The processing steps for determining refunds and returns are available in Business Services, Forrest County Hall, room 101.