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 To The Top Plan when they choose on-campus housing. Students will have the opportunity to downgrade 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 residential unlimited meal plan includes 5 guest meals swipes, which will allow you to treat a friend or visiting relative to a meal at the Fresh Food Company.

Freshmen will be required to purchase one of our unlimited plans, To The Top or the Black & Gold plan. Upperclassmen can choose a Weekly 10 or Weekly 14 meal plan. 

To The Top Upgrade - $2,050/semester

All resident students will automatically be opted into this plan. This meal plan offers the most value ($4,425, 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 unlimited meals at the Fresh Food Company, as well as 5 guest meals.  In addition, students get the flexibility of $300 Bonus Bucks that can be used all over campus at any of our Eagle Dining retail locations.  

Black and Gold Plan - $1,925/semester

When they sign up for campus housing, this plan provides students with the peace of mind of unlimited meals at The Fresh Food Company on campus and $150 bonus bucks to help satisfy cravings for familiar retail favorites. This plan gives students the same unlimited meal value as To The Top but less Bonus Bucks. This plan comes with $150 bonus bucks. 

Weekly 14 - $1,825/ semester

The Weekly 14 plan offers 14 meals a week to the Fresh Food Company. It comes with $200 bonus bucks to use at any of our dining locations. This meal plan is for upperclassmen only.  

Value Weekly 10 - $1,825/ semester

The Weekly 10 plan offers 10 meals a week to the Fresh Food Company. It comes with $500 bonus bucks to use at any of our dining locations. This meal plan is for upperclassmen only.  

Commuter Meal Plan Options

Both of our Commuter plans combine residential meal swipes and bonus bucks. Any commuter can purchase a residential plan if they choose. Select a plan that best meets your needs, or combine one of these plans with a Dining Dollar block to maximize flexibility.

Eagle Connector - $475/semester

This popular plan (a $650 value) provides 50 meals and $100 in Bonus Bucks each semester. Students that are on campus only a couple times a week are given the opportunity to enjoy a meal at the Fresh Food Company, as well as to have the option of grabbing a bite to eat at their favorite retail location.  

The Daily 9 - $988/semester

Our most popular commuter plan provides 100 meals and $300 in Bonus Bucks. This plan resets at the end of each day, and you may spend your $9 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 9 is a great option.

Home Chef Meal Plan - $525/semester

The Home Chef meal plan is a unique meal plan that offers meal kits from Home Chef and an opportunity to eat on campus. This plan comes with 30 meals to the Fresh Food Company, $180 bonus bucks and $120 credit in Home Chef meal kits. 

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 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)

Choose one of the above Dining Dollar Blocks or customize your amount up to $500. 

Unused Dining Dollars roll over from semester to semester, and from year to year. It’s easier than cash, safer than credit! Dining Dollars expire after one year of non-usage. 

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 $15. Lost ID cards can be replaced at Southern Miss Image Center for $25. Payment for first time and lost cards is due at the time the card is printed. Payments can be made by cash, VISA, or Mastercard. Payments CANNOT be made to the student accounts.

Other Financial Information

Payment of Fees

The University requires each term to be paid in full before a student starts class. An installment payment plan is offered for students not able to pay their balance in full before class starts. Students with loans, grants and/or scholarships may use those funds as payment toward their total fees. Loans, grants, scholarships, and checks made payable to the University must be applied to fees in full before a refund can be given. These loans, grants and scholarships may not be used to pay prior term outstanding balances. A monthly late fee will be applied to the unpaid balance. All charges from a prior and/or current term must be paid for the student to attend next term.

The University accepts payment by check, money order or cash at Hattiesburg Business Services located in Forrest County Hall, Room 101, and by check or money order at Gulf Park Student Services One Stop, Hardy Hall, 1st floor. 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 the student’s SOAR account and a convenience fee will be added to the payment. Students may also pay online with an eCheck, an ACH transfer from your bank account, and this payment will NOT incur a convenience fee. The University reserves the right to refuse payment by check or eCheck where an individual has previously given a check which 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 Student Financial Responsibility Agreement 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 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. If not collected, these fines shall constitute a delinquent account. If further action is warranted, the student 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 late 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 October and subject to final approval by the Mississippi Board of Institutions of Higher Learning. Please refer to our Web site for updates:

www.usm.edu/housing-residence-life

The nonrefundable processing fee is $75 (Housing Priority rate) and $150 after February 15.

Other Fees When Applicable

PART-TIME STUDENTS — Each semester hour

Special Fees and Expenses

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 which 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.