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.

Board

Board fees are assessed to all students living in the residence halls and fraternity houses. Board is available to all other students on an optional basis. Resident students may choose from a variety of resident meal plans but will automatically be assigned to the Golden Eagle Pass, except for residents of Hillcrest who will be assigned the Hillcrest Pass, and residents of the Village, Fraternity Row and Elam Arms, who will be assigned the Southern Miss 80. Students have the first two weeks to change their dining membership to a plan that better suits their lifestyle. Each plan comes with a designated number of meals per week that can be redeemed at the Fresh Food Company or Hillcrest. Each membership also comes with a designated amount of “Bonus Bucks,” which can be used to purchase items at any campus dining location or convenience store. A complete listing of resident and commuter student meal plans and dining locations can be found at www.eagledining.com.

Telephone Service

Telephone services for students residing in Residence Halls and PineHaven is available. For more information regarding student telephone services visit www.usm.edu/itech/telephone-services.

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 by the end of the term to avoid a $100 late payment fee and possible cancellation of pre-registered classes for the upcoming semester.

The university accepts payment by check, money order, cash and all major credit cards. Students may pay with a credit card via SOAR. Log in to your SOAR account and navigate to make a payment under finances. The system defaults to your total balance, but you may pay any amount. The university reserves the right to refuse payment by check 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. 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.