Financial Information and Services

Communication with Students

Students are urged to check UM email and Self Services weekly to monitor request for additional documentation, notice of financial aid offers, monthly student account bills, past due notification, and other vital information. Students will accept/decline aid offers on Banner Self Services.

Student Account and Charges

Tuition and Program Fee Rates

To view the current tuition rate schedule and program fees for graduate study at the University of Montevallo, visit the University’s website at www.montevallo.edu/graduate-tuition-and-fees/.

Other Fee Rates

Graduate Application Fee

A $30 non-refundable graduate application fee is required in order to process a graduate application. Payment should be submitted with the graduate application.

Audit Payment

The audit tuition is $25 per credit hour, plus semester fees. Audit tuition can be waived for persons 65 years of age and older. Audit registration is in the Registrar’s Office, on or after the first day of class, even when the tuition is waived.

Check Fees

A $15 fee may be charged for processing checks drawn on foreign banks.

If a check received by the University fails to clear the bank, the person who presented the check to the University will be charged $35. If the returned check was presented on behalf of a student, the student’s account will reflect a return check fees. Thereafter, should an individual have checks that fail to clear the bank, the University reserves the right to not accept personal checks and may require guaranteed funds (e.g., cash, money order, or cashier’s check).

ID Cards

Each University of Montevallo student is required to obtain an official ID card that displays the student’s photograph. The card is required to access many of the services and activities at the University. Students may apply for a UM ID card in person at the Solution Center in Carmichael Library or online at solutioncenter@montevallo.edu. If lost or stolen, students will need to contact the Solution Center.  Please visit www.montevallo.edu/other-fees for student ID card replacement cost.

Health Services Fee (Optional)

UM graduate students are eligible to use Student Health Services. This is optional for graduate students if they are enrolled in classes during the semester or summer part of term in which they are seeking services. If opted in, the health fee will be charged to the students account and must be paid prior to health service appointments. For more information, contact the Cashier’s Office at (205) 665-6065 or  Student Health Services at (205) 665-6275. You may also visit www.montevallo.edu/other-fees for the Health Service fee amount.

Housing Fees

Both undergraduate and graduate students in residence halls pay an amount that includes Internet, utilities, a 24-hour movie channel, and basic cable television. Fees for private rooms are additional. Private-room reservations cannot be guaranteed until 5 p.m. on the first day of classes. The private-room fee will be refunded, or a credit will be given, if the resident does not receive a private room.

When it is necessary for a student enrolled in an internship or other similar experience to live away from campus, adjustments are made in charges for room and board.

Students who withdraw from housing prior to the first day of class will receive a total refund of the housing portion of any preregistration payment received for the term.

On-campus resident students will be required to sign the 9-month Housing Agreement upon checking into housing. Residents who cancel after checking in forfeit the $100 deposit, prorated monthly rent for time on campus, and pay a $500 fee.

More information is available on the Housing and Residential Life’s web page.

Room Deposit

A $100 room deposit must be submitted at the time of application for on-campus housing. The deposit, less any debts or costs for damages to the room, will be refunded in accordance with the following stipulations.

At the conclusion of the final semester or summer term in the residence hall, the student must complete a room-deposit refund request and submit it to a hall staff member upon checkout. Students may cancel a room reservation and receive a full refund, if the cancellation is submitted in writing, to the Office of Housing and Residence Life (West Main Hall, Station 6235). The deadlines for cancellation are as follows: July 15 for Fall Semester, December 1 for Spring Semester, or May 5 for Summer Session. Students who cancel their reservations in writing after these dates and before the opening date for the residence halls receive a 50 percent refund. Students who cancel a room reservation or withdraw from the University after the opening date for the residence halls forfeit the deposit. Any exception requires approval by the Director of Housing and Residence Life.

A student who is denied admission to the University shall be eligible to receive a full refund of the room deposit. Any room deposits that is not claimed within one year of a student leaving the residence hall shall revert to the University.

Vehicle Registration

All students, staff, and faculty who operate a motor vehicle on the University campus must register their vehicle, secure a permit, and display it as directed. Student registration of a vehicle costs $35 each year and is charged to the student’s account. Failure to comply with guidelines may result in penalty to the vehicle operator. More information is available on the Public Safety web page.

Payment of Tuition and Fees

Payment of student accounts (tuition, fees, and other charges) are due in advance or by 5 p.m. on the first day of the term. Payment for preregistration is due as announced during the preregistration period. Refer to the University Calendar .

Students who do not comply with payment due dates may result in the student’s schedule being dropped for non-payment period. Students can view the University Calendar or contact Cashier;s Office to confirm this date. A hole will be placed on any student account with a balance due after payment deadline. Students withdrawing from the University prior to the first day of class will receive a total refund of out-of-pocket expenses made for the term.

Students who do not meet their first summer term required payment deadline will be dropped for non-payment for the current and subsequent summer term enrollments. For example, if a student misses a required payment for May term and is dropped from a May term class, the student will also be dropped from any registered classes in Summer I and Summer II.

The University accepts cash, personal checks, and most credit cards (VISA®, MasterCard®, Discover®, and American Express®) for payments. Payment can also be made by accessing the student account on the web. Students also have the option to set up a partial payment according to the terms stated on www.mycollegepaymentplan.com/montevallo.For information is available on the Cashier’s Office web page.

Partial Payment Plan

For tuition, fees, room and board, the University of Montevallo offers a payment plan option administered by Nelnet Business Solutions. The payment plan option, available to all students during the Fall and Spring semesters, is a convenient alternative to lump-sum payments. It features monthly payments, no interest charges, low-cost enrollment ($40 non-refundable fee per semester), and automatic payments on scheduled dates after enrollment. Please consult the Cashier’s website or www.mycollegepaymentplan.com/montevallo for more detailed information.

Preregistration and Payment

During each enrollment period, students may preregister for subsequent study if the current term is paid in full. Payment must be received on or before the announced preregistration deadline dates in order to complete registration and confirm the course schedule.

Alabama Residency for Tuition Purposes

For the purpose of determining tuition, applicants are classified as in-state (Alabama) or out-of-state (non-Alabama) students. Information concerning residency reclassification can be located on the Registrar’s Office webpage.

The following individuals, in addition to those students who qualify according to the University’s Residency Guidelines as listed on the Registrar’s Office page, shall be charged the in-state rate, or otherwise considered a resident, for tuition purposes:

• A Veteran using educational assistance under either chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill® - Active Duty Program) or chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®), of title 38, United States Code, who lives in Alabama while attending a school located in Alabama (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
• Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in Alabama while attending a school located in Alabama (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of the transferor’s discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
• Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same school. The person so described must have enrolled in the school prior to the expiration of the three- year period following discharge or release as described above and must be using educational benefits under either chapter 30 or chapter 33, of title 38, United States Code.
• Anyone using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship (38 U.S.C. § 3311(b)(9)) who lives in Alabama while attending a school located in Alabama (regardless of his/her formal State of residence).
• Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in Alabama while attending a school located in Alabama (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and the transferor is a member of the uniformed service who is serving on active duty.
• Anyone using educational assistance under chapter 31, Vocational Rehabilitation/Employment (VR&E), will also be charged the resident rate.  Effective for courses and terms beginning after March 1, 2019, a public institution of higher learning must charge the resident rate to chapter 31 participants, as well as the other categories of individuals described above.  When an institution charges these individuals more than the rate for resident students, VA is required to disapprove programs of education sponsored by VA.
• The policy shall be read to be amended as necessary to be compliant with the requirements of 38 U.S.C. 3679(c) as amended.

Financial Effects of Schedule Adjustments

Course Drops

A student who drops a course will be reimbursed at the rate of 100 percent through the last day of the drop/add period as referenced in the University Calendar. No adjustment will be made for a class dropped after the last day on which classes may be added. More information is available on the Cashier’s Office web page or by contacting the Cashier’s Office.

Official Withdrawal

Students receiving Title IV (Federal financial aid) aid are strongly urged to contact the Student Aid Office prior to deciding to withdraw. Students may be obligated to repay a portion of the aid to the Department of Education, as well as a portion of their student account, and may become ineligible for further Title IV federal aid assistance. A student who officially withdraws from enrollment at the University will have a tuition adjustment as follows from the start date of term (this does not apply for students that are dropping courses, only students that are officially withdrawing from the semester and will no longer be enrolled):

*More withdrawal rate information is available on the Cashier’s Office web page and more information in regards to the withdrawal policy is available on the Registrar’s Office web page.

Tuition credit

Room and Board Credit

Room and board will be adjusted on a pro rata basis in units of one full week. A partial week will be counted as one full week.

During the Summer semester, room and board is charged separately for May Term, Summer I, and Summer II, and will be adjusted for withdrawing on the appropriate pro rata basis in units of one week in relation to the term. A partial week will be counted as one full week. You may review more details of the Housing charges or cancellation rates on the Cashier’s web page.

Refunds for Drop or Official Withdrawal

The University and federal financial aid funding agencies receive prorated shares of the refund, according to the Federal Refund and Repayment Policy. If a credit balance remains after the financial aid programs have been repaid, this amount is refunded to the student at the campus address or at the permanent address. Students may elect to sign up for Direct Deposit. Student’s may contact the Cashier’s Office for further direct deposit requirements or any questions in regards to refunds.

Financial Aid

Students and prospective students are encouraged to visit the UM Student Aid Office’s website to obtain comprehensive information concerning application procedures, priority dates, available federal aid programs, and a list of scholarships. Banner Self Services provides detailed information specific to the individual student.

To apply for financial aid, a student must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available on October 1 for the following academic year at www.fafsa.gov. In order to be considered for federal student aid, students must be unconditionally admitted into a degree-seeking program.

Enrollment Status Requirement

Unless otherwise stated, all aid is based on enrollment as a full-time student, which is defined as a  minimum of nine (9) credit hours per semester for graduate students. To receive federal loans, students must be enrolled at least half time. Half time for graduate students is a minimum of five (5) credit hours. If a student drops below full-time, certain types of aid may be canceled or reduced. Internships of 5 hours will also be awarded on part-time status. 

Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid

SAP for graduate students will generally be determined using the same requirements of this policy. In addition, students academically suspended are not considered to be meeting SAP requirements and are not eligible for Federal Student Aid. Students admitted unconditionally as a regular student in a graduate degree program will be given one year to complete any undergraduate pre-requisite courses. Students may earn more than one graduate degree and receive Federal Student Aid if they are in good standing with the UM Graduate program.

Consequences of Withdrawal on Aid

Prior to withdrawing or otherwise ceasing to attend classes, students should contact the Student Aid Office to determine the potential impact of the withdrawal. To withdraw from the semester, students must submit a withdrawal form to the Registrar’s Office signed by the Student Aid Office. Withdrawal forms and policy are available on the Registrar’s Office web page.

The law specifies how the school must determine the amount of Title IV federal aid program assistance that students earn if the students withdraw from school. The graduate-level, eligible Title IV federal aid programs that are covered by this law are: TEACH Grants, Direct Loans, and Direct PLUS Loans. Though aid is posted to student’s accounts at the start of each period, funds are earned as students complete the period.

If students withdraw during the payment period or period of enrollment (the school can define these and explain which one applies), the amount of Title IV federal aid program assistance earned up to that point is determined by a specific formula. If students received (or the school received on the students’ behalf) less assistance than the amount earned, students may be able to receive those additional funds. If students receive more assistance than earned, the school and/or students must return the excess funds.

The amount of assistance that Students have earned is determined on a pro rata basis. For example, if students completed 30% of the payment period or period of enrollment, the students will earn 30% of the assistance originally scheduled for receipt. Once students have completed more than 60% of the payment period or period of enrollment, the students will earn all the assistance that was scheduled for receipt for that period.

If students did not receive all of the funds earned, the students may be due a post-withdrawal disbursement. If the post-withdrawal disbursement includes loan funds, the school must get permission before it can disburse them. Students may choose to decline some or all of the loan funds to avoid additional debt. The school needs permission from students to use the post-withdrawal disbursement for all institutional charges. If students do not give permission, funds will be canceled. However, it may be in students’ best interests to allow the school to keep the funds to reduce debt at the school or to decline the funds to avoid additional loan debt.

There are some Title IV federal aid funds that that cannot be disbursed once students withdraw because of other eligibility requirements. For example, if students withdraw prior to student loan origination, federal law states the loan cannot be disbursed.

If students receive (or the school receives on student’s behalves) excess Title IV federal aid program funds that must be returned, the school must return a portion of the excess equal to the lesser of:

1. Institutional charges multiplied by the unearned percentage of funds, or
2. The entire amount of excess funds.

The school must return this amount even if it did not keep this amount of Title IV federal aid program funds.

If the school is not required to return all of the excess funds, students must return the remaining amount.

Any loan funds that students must return, must be repaid in accordance with the terms of the promissory note. Students will make scheduled payments to the holder of the loans over a period of time.

The requirements for Title IV federal aid program funds when students withdraw are separate from any refund policy that the school may have. Therefore, students may still owe funds to the school to cover unpaid institutional charges. The school may also charge for any Title IV federal aid program funds that the school was required to return. If students do not already know the school’s refund policy, students should ask the school for a copy. The school can also provide students with the requirements and procedures for officially withdrawing from school.

If students have questions about your Title IV federal aid program funds, you can call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-4-FEDAID (1-800-433-3243). TTY users may call 1-800-730-8913. Information is also available on Student Aid on the Web at www.studentaid.gov.

Taxes

Scholarships, grants, fellowships, and assistantships are considered taxable income if the amount exceeds the cost of tuition, fees, books, and course-related supplies and equipment. The student is responsible for retaining financial aid offers and other documentation for tax-reporting purposes.

Types of Financial Assistance Available

Scholarships

The University offers Graduate scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships to assist students in continuing their education and professional study. Information can be found on the Graduate Financial Assistance web page.

Loans

The Studentloans.gov website contains detailed information regarding loans. The Federal Direct Loan is awarded to eligible students who file the FAFSA. Additional information is available on the Student Aid webpage. Details such as the rights and responsibilities and terms of repayment for the Federal Direct Loan will be provided when the student signs the promissory note and completes entrance counseling. Federal Graduate PLUS loans are also available for graduate students.

Part-Time Employment

Montevallo provides financial assistance to students through programs funded by federal or University dollars. Of these, the Federal Work-Study program (FWS) and the University Jobship Program offer part-time employment to students. During a semester, a student may work up to an average of 20 hours a week. For a listing of job opportunities, visit the Student Employment Office at jobs.montevallo.edu.

Veterans’ Educational Benefits

The University of Montevallo is approved by the Alabama State Approving Agency (SAA) to offer VA Educational Benefits (GI Bill®) to eligible individuals enrolled in approved programs. The Alabama and Federal Departments of Veterans’ Affairs determines eligibility for educational benefits and maintains veteran benefits applications and records. Once approved, students may use the following benefits at the University of Montevallo:

• Alabama G.I. Dependents’ Scholarship Program
• Alabama National Guard Educational Assistance Program (ANGEAP)
• Montgomery GI Bill®-Active Duty Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 30)
• Montgomery GI Bill®-Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606)
• Post 9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)
• Reserve Educational Assistance Program-REAP (Chapter 1607)
• Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35)
• Veterans Educational Assistance Program-VEAP (Chapter 32)
• Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31)
• Yellow Ribbon Program (Chapter 33 YR)

Note:

Students utilizing VA educational benefits shall not be charged a penalty, including assessment of late fees, denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or be required to borrow additional funds because of the individual’s inability to meet their financial obligations due to the delay disbursement of a payment to be provided by the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Complaint Policy for Students Receiving VA Education Benefits

For students receiving VA education benefits, any complaint against the school should be routed through the VA GI Bill® Feedback System. The VA will then follow up through the appropriate channels to investigate the complaint and resolve it satisfactorily. The VA GI Bill® Feedback System is accessed at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/feedback.asp. 

Office of Veteran & Military Affairs

The Coordinator of Veteran and Military Affairs serves as a liaison for veterans, service persons, and their dependents. This service is located in the GloCo building at the corner of Valley and North Boundary Streets.

Traci Crenshaw, Coordinator
GloCo Building (Corner of North Boundary and Valley)
crenshawt@montevallo.edu
(205) 665-6472
www.montevallo.edu/veterans

Alabama G.I. Dependents’ Scholarship Program

Students using the Alabama G.I. Dependents’ Scholarship Program or ANGEP should contact the UM Student Aid Office.

Missy Grisham, Assistant Director
Student Aid Office, Palmer Hall, First Floor
grisham@montevallo.edu
(205) 665-6050

AL Department of Veteran Affairs
(334) 242-5077
www.va.alabama.gov/gi_dep_scholarship.aspx

Federal V.A. & DoD Education Benefits

Students using Federal GI Bill® benefits should contact the School Certifying Official. Students must be admitted and registered at the University before an enrollment certification can be submitted to the VA. A completed VA Request for Certification form must be returned to the School Certifying Official for each academic year. This form is available in the Registrar’s Office and on the UM Veteran and Military Affairs webpage.

Amanda Tinney Fox, Registrar & School Certifying Official
Registrar’s Office, Palmer Hall, Second Floor
foxat@montevallo.edu
(205) 665-6040

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Education Benefits
888-442-4551
benefits.va.gov/gibill/

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.