Tuition and Fees

Undergraduate Tuition, Fees and Other Educational Expenses

By registering for classes at Seattle University, students agree to pay all applicable tuition, fees, room and board, and other university expenses such as late fees and library fines in accordance with university policies or as stipulated in this Catalog.

Undergraduate Tuition 2015-16

Seattle University has a flat tuition schedule for undergraduate students. The flat rate tuition for all full-time undergraduate students who are enrolled for 12-20 quarter credit hours is $12,990 per quarter.

Only full-time matriculated undergraduate students are eligible for flat-rate tuition. Non-matriculated and graduate students pay the per credit hour rate.

Flat-rate tuition is in effect only for fall, winter and spring quarters. Tuition for summer and intersession enrollment is charged at a per credit hour rate.  For summer 2015, institutional gift aid recipients will be charged $866 per credit hour; students who will not receive institutional gift aid for summer will be charged $650 per credit hour.

Course fees, including laboratory fees and private music lessons, are not part of the flat tuition rate.

A $200 enrollment deposit is required of all newly admitted undergraduate students. This non-refundable deposit will be used to pay a portion of the tuition for the student’s first quarter.

Fees 2015-16

Graduate tuition and fee rates are published in the Graduate Catalog.

Residence Hall Charges 2015-16

Students must submit a $300 deposit with their housing application.

Meal Plans 2015-16

All residents of Bellarmine, Campion, Chardin and Xavier Hall are required to purchase a meal plan. Freshmen and sophomores must purchase a meal plan at the Meal Plan 4 level or higher for fall, winter and spring quarters. Meal Plan 4 is recommended for most students. For more information on housing and meal plans, contact Housing and Residence Life at (206) 296-6305.

Health Insurance

Seattle University requires that all full-time undergraduate students have health insurance and charges the annual premium amount in the first quarter of full-time enrollment each academic year. Students who begin in winter or spring quarter will pay a prorated annual premium. Students who are already insured may request to have this fee waived by completing the Student Insurance Waiver (Wells Fargo) in the Student Life section of the student menu at SUOnline. Students encountering problems completing the on-line form should contact the Student Health Center at (206) 296-6300 or studenthealthcenter@seattleu.edu.

The waiver request must be completed and submitted no later than the last day to add and/or drop classes for the quarter in which the charge was added to the student’s account. Refunds are not granted for proof of insurance that is submitted after the last scheduled day to add and/or drop classes for the student’s first full-time quarter of the year.

International students are required to purchase student health insurance. The university’s International Student Center can provide information regarding cost and coverage levels.

Questions about the university’s health insurance policy should be directed to the Student Health Center at (206) 296-6300.

Cost of Attendance 2015-16

Seattle University uses the following figures in determining a full-time student’s annual cost of attendance: 

When preparing a student’s financial aid award, Student Financial Services subtracts the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as calculated from the information provided on the student’s FAFSA from the estimated cost of attendance to determine the student’s need. The costs and EFC used to prepare a student’s financial aid award can be viewed by logging on to SUOnline and clicking on My Cost of Attendance/Estimated Family Contribution in the Financial Information section of the Student Menu.

Tuition Due Dates

Tuition and fees are always due and payable within 14 days of registration or the scheduled due date, whichever is later:

The tuition and fees paid by students cover not only the direct costs of the classes for which they enroll, but also library and health services, the student newspaper, student organization allotments, building funds and admission to athletic events.

Finance and Service Charges

By registering for classes at the university, a student agrees to pay their account in full by the due dates established by the university. Additionally, the student agrees to pay a 1 percent per month finance charge (12 percent APR) that may be assessed on unpaid balances, including finance charges previously assessed, and all service fees and late fees established by Seattle University.

A service fee of $25 will be charged for all checks not honored by the bank and returned unpaid to Seattle University. If the returned check is for tuition, and charges are still outstanding after the tuition due date, a late fee will also be assessed to the student’s account. Students with two or more dishonored personal checks will no longer be allowed to submit a personal check as a form of payment.

Late Payment/University Collection Fee

A late fee of $50 per month (up to a maximum of $100) will be assessed on any unpaid balance remaining after the tuition due date. Students with an outstanding balance after a final demand letter for payment has been sent will be assessed a collection fee of $100 in addition to late fees.

Exceptions to this policy will be made only if:

• Payment arrangements for the term’s charges have been made with Student Financial Services by the term’s tuition due date. If the requirements of the plan are not met, all applicable late fees will be applied retroactively.
• An institutional error results in delays in the application of financial aid.

Students are responsible for ensuring that all awarded financial aid is applied to their account by the first class day of the term. This includes endorsing co-payable grant or scholarship checks and completing all required loan documents and counseling.

Past-Due Accounts/Collection

A student’s failure to pay in full all tuition and other fees for any quarter or session by the specified due dates will result in a restriction being placed on the student’s record and the student will be prohibited from registering for future quarters, receiving a transcript or diploma and use of university facilities. Delinquent accounts may be referred to a commercial collection agency and may be reported to national credit bureaus. All costs, expenses and fees including, but not limited to, attorney fees, court costs, collection costs and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the university in collecting or attempting to collect a past-due account are the responsibility of the student and will be charged to the student’s account. By registering for classes, a student agrees to pay tuition and other charges and fees as well as any fees associated with collection.

Payment Methods

Seattle University provides a number of payment options to accommodate specific needs for paying student account balances: 

• Pay by Mail: Payments may be mailed to Seattle University, Student Financial Services, 901 12th Avenue, PO Box 222000, Seattle, WA 98122-1090. The student’s Seattle University ID number or social security number must be included on the check or money order.
• Pay On-line: VISA, MasterCard or electronic check may be used to make on-line payment through SUOnline. A 2.5 percent service fee will automatically be added to credit card payment amounts. There is no fee for making an electronic check payment. New students receive receive log-in instructions for SUOnline in their Admission packets.
• Pay at the Drop Box: Checks may be submitted using the 24/7 Forms Drop box located across the lobby from the Student Financial Services windows and adjacent to the elevator in the University Services Building. This drop box is accessible 24 hours a day, is secure and is emptied daily.
• Pay in Person: In-person payments may be made at the Student Financial Services Office in Room 105 of the University Services Building. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday.
• Sign Up for a Payment Plan: See the Payment Plan Options section below.

Payment Plan Options

Payment Plan A: Two or Three Quarter Payment Plan

This is the most efficient and cost-effective plan for students needing a payment plan for two or three consecutive quarters within the academic year: fall, winter and spring, fall and winter or winter and spring. Students who only need a payment plan for one quarter will want to use Plan B or Plan C that are described below.

This interest free plan divides a student’s outstanding charges into three monthly payments for each quarter:

• Fall Quarter: October 5, November 5 and December 5
• Winter Quarter: January 5, February 5 and March 5
• Spring Quarter: April 5, May 5 and June 5

The Student Financial Services Office emails a payment plan notice to the bill-payer when the scheduled payments for the term have been finalized. That schedule will be viewable by logging on to SUOnline and going to “View My Bill” in the “Student Billing and Payment” section of the student menu.

Students can use the “Student Provided Access Authorization” link in the User Account section of the Student Menu at SUOnline to provide direct access for their bill-payers to view their financial aid award letters and invoices and make payments. Instructions for setting up this access can be found on the Student Financial Services web site by going to Student Billing and Payment.

Students can enroll in Payment Plan A on-line by logging on to SUOnline and clicking “Apply for a Payment Plan” in the Student Billing and Payment category on the Student Menu. Students who are unable to complete the application on-line can go to Student Financial Services Forms on the Redhawk Axis to download and complete the application and submit it with the required $50 non-refundable enrollment fee to Student Financial Services no later than September 20.

The Student Financial Services Office is unable to accept applications and enrollment fees before July 1 and students who apply before August 1st will not receive the Fall Quarter payment plan notice until August. Payment plans take approximately 2 weeks for processing and emailing the Fall Quarter payment plan notice to the bill-payer.

If Student Financial Services approves a student’s payment plan notice after the first payment is due, missed payments must be included in the first payment. The student’s payment plan will be canceled after two consecutive late payments. At that time, any remaining amount owed for the quarter becomes immediately past due and payable in full and future registration will be blocked until the student’s account is brought current.

Payment Plan B: Three Installment Quarterly Plan

Application for this 3-payment quarterly plan must be made each quarter. One-third of the balance due on the student’s account plus a $30, non-refundable enrollment fee must be received by the payment due date shown on the student’s Registration and Payment Invoice.

Students can enroll in Payment Plan B on-line by logging on to SUOnline and clicking “Apply for a Payment Plan” in the Student Billing and Payment category on the Student Menu. Students who are unable to complete the application on-line can go to Student Financial Services Forms on the Redhawk Axis to download and complete the application and submit it with the required $30 non-refundable enrollment fee to Student Financial Services no later than the payment due date shown on the Registration and Payment Invoice.

With this plan in place, payments must be received by the following dates:

• Fall Quarter: September 20, October 20 and November 20
• Winter Quarter: December 20, January 20 and February 20
• Spring Quarter: March 20, April 20 and May 20

Payment Plan C: Deferred Quarterly Single Payment Plan

This quarterly plan defers payment of the balance due on your student account until the last day of the month following the scheduled student account balance due date. An application must be submitted for each quarter you want to use this plan. The balance on your student account is then due by the date shown below.

Students can enroll in Payment Plan C on-line by logging on to SUOnline and clicking”Apply for a Payment Plan” in the Student Billing and Payment category on the Student Menu. Students who are unable to complete the application on-line can go to Student Financial Services Forms on the Redhawk Axis to download and complete the application and submit it with the required $30 non-refundable enrollment fee to Student Financial Services no later than the payment due date shown on the Registration and Payment Invoice.

With this plan in place, payment of the entire balance due on the student’s account must be received by the following dates:

• Fall Quarter: November 5
• Winter Quarter: February 5
• Spring Quarter: May 5

Payment Plan E: Employer Paid Tuition Deferred Payment Plan

Students who will receive tuition reimbursement through their employer after coursework is completed and grades are posted, can apply for this payment plan which defers payment of tuition and fees until 30 days after grades are posted at the end of the term. An application must be submitted for each quarter the student wants to use this plan and there is a $30 non-refundable enrollment fee for each quarter.

The “Payment Plan E” application form is available on-line at Student Financial Services Forms on the Redhawk Axis.

The deadline to submit the application and $30, non-refundable enrollment fee to Student Financial Services is the payment due date shown on the student’s “Registration and Payment Invoice.”

Overpayment of Account (Credit Balance)

A credit balance is the result of payments … including the transmittal of financial aid … on a student’s account exceeding charges. If there is a credit balance after all payments have actually been posted to the account, that amount will be transferred to the student’s checking account via direct deposit if the student has authorized this option. Otherwise, the check will be mailed to the student’s mailing address of record as shown on SUOnline.  Students can update their mailing address there by selecting “Change Address” in the User Account category on the Students Menu. Because credit balance checks are not mailed until the first day of the quarter, receipt of these checks may be delayed three to five days if the student hasn’t provided a current, local mailing address.

A credit balance on a student’s account that is the result of “Pending Estimated Financial Aid” being deducted from the charges on the account is not a true credit balance until the financial aid is actually disbursed and so is NOT available to the student until all financial aid for the quarter has been posted to the student’s account.

A direct deposit or check will automatically be generated if:

• There is a credit balance for the current term. This occurs when payments and/or financial aid actually disbursed (not pending or estimated aid) exceed charges.
• There are no other balances due to the University.
• The student is a financial aid recipient and is registered for at least as many credit hours as are shown on the financial aid award letter.
• A Parent PLUS Loan is not included in the student’s financial aid award.
• A check payment hasn’t been made on the student’s account within the last twenty-one (21) days.

If one of the above applies to a student who has a credit balance, the student should contact Student Financial Services for resolution.

Official Withdrawal Date

A student is responsible for payment of all fees related to courses for which the student has registered, whether or not the student physically attended the courses. Any reduction or refund of tuition is based on the official withdrawal date which is determined as follows:

Undergraduate students wishing to withdraw from a course must complete a withdrawal form. The official date of withdrawal is the date of the first signature on that form by a university official unless the form is not submitted to the Office of the Registrar within 5 days of that first signature. In that case, the official date of withdrawal becomes the date the Office of the Registrar received the form.  

Tuition Refunds (Policy 75-9)

Refunds are based on the official date of withdrawal. See the quarterly schedule of classes for specific dates. A refund to financial aid recipients is applied first to financial aid sources from which it came and the balance, if any, is remitted to the student. Loan proceeds are returned directly to the lender. Student Financial Services will issue a check for any credit balance. Petitions for tuition adjustment and fee waivers will be approved only to correct a university error.

Tuition Refund Policy

Short courses (any session not listed above) will be refunded at 100 percent if withdrawal occurs on or before the second class meeting. No refund thereafter.