Expenses

Tuition, room and dining charges for one semester are equal to one-half the charges for the full year. The following table is an estimate of expenses for full-time degree candidates for the 2015-2016 academic year.

Tuition

College of Arts and Sciences Full Time, Over Hours, and Part Time Charges.

In the College of Arts and Sciences, the basic annual tuition charge includes schedules of 14 to 20 credits (3 and one-half to 5 full courses) each semester. Arts and Sciences students may take 14 to 18 credits (3 and one-half to 4 and one-half full courses) without permission; with permission of the Dean of Studies, students may take an additional two credits (one-half course) without additional charges. Students taking more than 20 credits (five full courses) are charged $1230 per credit for each credit above the maximum.  With permission of the Dean of Studies, a student may be approved for part-time status which allows a student to take fewer than 14 credits (three and one-half courses), at a tuition rate of $2,040 per credit not to exceed the full tuition charge. Students taking fewer than 14 credits (three and one-half courses) without permission to study part-time are charged full tuition. 

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences who pass the requisite audition may be permitted to register for an assigned section of private lessons in the Conservatory at no additional cost. Students who pass an audition in more than one instrument or voice category may be permitted to register for lessons in multiple areas, but will be assessed a fee for each additional area of study (please consult with the Conservatory Dean’s office for a fee schedule). All lesson assignments are provided on a space available basis and are contingent upon the approval of the Office of the Associate Dean in the Conservatory. 

Conservatory of Music Full Time, Over Hours, and Part Time Charges.

In the Conservatory of Music, the basic annual tuition charge includes schedules of 16 to 24 credits each semester. With permission of the Office of Associate Deans in the Conservatory and the advisor, a student may be approved for 26 credits for two semesters without additional charge. Students taking more than 24 credits for a third or more semester are charged $1230 per credit for each credit above 24.  With permission of the Office of Associate Deans in the Conservatory, a student may be approved for part-time status which allows a student to take fewer than 16 credits, at a tuition rate of $2,040 per credit not to exceed the full tuition charge. Students taking fewer than 16 credits without permission to study part-time are charged full tuition.

Double Degree Full Time, Over Hours, and Part Time Charges.

Students in the Double Degree program are charged a basic annual tuition charge for 16 to 26 credits each semester. Students taking more than 26 credits are charged $1230 per credit hour for each credit above the maximum.  With permission of the Office of Associate Deans in the Conservatory, a double degree student may be approved for part-time status which allows a student to take fewer than 16 credits, at a tuition rate of $2,040 per credit not to exceed the full tuition charge. Students taking fewer than 16 credits without permission to study part-time are charged full tuition.

Conservatory Private-Study Fees. In the Conservatory of Music, students who register for private lessons in two principal private-study areas are charged extra tuition at the rate of $2,040 for any credits in excess of eight principal private-study credits. Conservatory students who have declared majors in two performance areas are not charged extra tuition for the second principal private-study area. Students paying for two principal private studies may take 28 semester credits without additional tuition. Double-degree students follow the guidelines for charges for Conservatory students. 

Fees, Attendance, and Grades. Tuition is charged for courses in which a student is officially registered, regardless of attendance. The receipt of an NP, F, or W grade, either through completing and failing a course, or through neglecting to officially drop a course not completed, does not cancel additional tuition charges for the course.

Activity Fee. The activity fee subsidizes approved student activities and publications. The amount is established by the Student Finance Committee with the approval of the Board of Trustees. The fee is administered by the Student Finance Committee. (Graduate students are not required to pay this fee.) For 2015-2016, the activity fee will be $436.

Student Health Fee. The fee for 2015-16 is $230; $115 per semester.  This fee cannot be waived.  This fee will provide services and programs that support the physical and mental well-being of students. Visit our Parents website for details outlined in the FAQs: Student Health Fee.

Green Edge Fund Fee. The Fund for Ecological Design and General Efficiency (The Green EDGE Fund), administered by a board of students, faculty, and staff, invests in manageable projects with a clear and prompt payback to the fund. Student Board members manage the process by developing detailed, financially sophisticated proposals and working with Facilities to implement them. For 2015-2016, the fee is $25 per semester and is included with the first billing of each semester. This fee may be waived by completing a waiver form in the Office of Student Accounts. 

Auditing Fee. Students registered for at least one course for credit are permitted to audit up to two courses per semester that are recorded on their transcripts. There is a non-refundable service charge of $30 for recording the first audit; $70 for recording the second. 

Room Charges.

For 2015-2016 the residence hall room charges for:

• A multi-occupancy room will be $7,080 for the entire academic year; $3,540 each semester.
• A single room will be $7,478 for the entire academic year; $3,739 each semester.
• An apartment/village housing with a private bedroom will be $8,324 for the entire academic year; $4,162 each semester.
• An apartment/village housing with a shared bedroom will be $7,870 for the entire academic year; $3,935 each semester.

A student participating in an on-campus Winter Term project may stay in his or her dorm room at no additional charge.

Dining Charges. The 2015-2016 dining charges for the 14-meal plan will be $6,550 for the entire academic year; $3,275 each semester. Winter Term dining in Oberlin College dining halls is optional; the charge is based upon actual usage. Co-op rates are usually different than the on-campus dining program rates. There is no meal plan option during fall and spring term breaks.

Tuition, Room, and Dining Charges. Fifty percent of the total charges for the year (tuition, room and dining) is due for the fall semester; the remaining 50 percent is due for the spring semester. Students not on campus first semester who return to campus second semester are charged 50 percent of the total charges for the year (tuition, room and dining).

Co-operatives. There are nine student-operated dining cooperatives and four housing cooperatives. The 2014-2015 dining rates were $1,626 each semester. Room rates were $2,796 (single), and $2,227 (double) each semester. Rates will likely increase for the 2015-2016 academic year. 

Fees for Off Campus Study (Study Away).  Oberlin College charges students studying off campus Oberlin’s own tuition rate for any approved academic leave of absence (ALOA) semester whether on an Oberlin Affiliated Program or a non-affiliated program.  If the program tuition is higher than Oberlin’s tuition, the higher tuition will be charged.  Room and board costs for the semester are those charged by the program.  There will be no additional study away fee charged.  Oberlin merit and need-based aid will be applied to the tuition for the semester away if the student participates in an Oberlin Affiliated program or GLCA recognized program.  Students participating in the Great Lakes Colleges Association Tuition Remission Exchange benefit program may only apply the benefit to Oberlin Enrolled-Not-in-Residence program or GLCA-recognized programs.

Fees for Transfer of Credit. Students who transfer courses taken at another institution while on personal leave, during the summer, or while finishing away are charged a fee of $60 per course/four credits. (Please note that these fees do not apply to the transfer of Advanced Placement credit earned in high-school or college-level courses completed elsewhere before a student has matriculated at Oberlin.) 

Enrollment/Matriculation Deposit. A $300 enrollment deposit is required to secure a place in the class. The deposit is payable two weeks after receiving notification of a financial-aid award or on the due date of the intent-to-enroll card, whichever is later. The deposit is forfeited if a student does not enroll; it is refunded after a student graduates. To receive a refund upon withdrawing from Oberlin College, a withdrawal application must be submitted to the Office of the Dean of Studies by the official last day of the semester preceding the semester from which a student is withdrawing. 

Financial Statements. Student term bills are processed the first business day of each month and include all billable fees. The statements are available to students on PRESTO; it is the responsibility of students to provide this information to all concerned parties.
- For fall semester, bills are processed in July. Payment is due by July 27, 2015
- For spring semester, bills are processed in early January. Payment is due at the end of January. 

The Office of Student Accounts will be transitioning to a paperless billing system. During the transition, the office will mail monthly account statements to the student’s permanent address unless a written change in billing address request is sent to the Office of Student Accounts.  After the transition, monthly account statements will be mailed only upon request.

Payment for each semester must be made prior to enrollment, or the student must be enrolled in a monthly payment plan, either directly with Oberlin College or through an external agency. Payments under the plan must be current. 

A Budget Payment Plan for paying term bills in monthly installments is available through Oberlin College. A signed contract must be submitted each semester to the Office of Student Accounts to activate the payment plan. Contract forms are available on the Student Accounts web page:  www.oberlin.edu/stuaccts. 

Annual student charges are billed at 50 percent for each semester. Financial aid, where applicable, is applied at the same ratio. An interest charge of 1 percent per month (annual percentage rate approximating 12 percent) will be assessed on all unpaid balances. 

Oberlin recognizes that college expenses often impose a heavy financial responsibility on parents and students. In cases where special, unexpected hardships develop, Oberlin is more than willing to cooperate and act in a reasonable manner. However, Oberlin does reserve the right to withhold transcripts and recommendations, hold registration, and may also ask for the withdrawal of a student who consistently fails to meet his or her financial obligations to Oberlin. 

Prior to graduation, all outstanding debts to Oberlin College must be paid before a student may receive a diploma. 

Health Insurance. Oberlin College students are required to have health insurance coverage. Except for international students, students may elect to waive the health insurance charge if they are covered by another plan. To waive the charge, students must complete an online waiver form by September 15, 2015 for the fall semester.  Oberlin College bills all students for health insurance in the fall semester for the upcoming school year.  Students may waive the health insurance online at www.oberlin.edu/stuaccts. The 2015-2016 estimated cost is $1,025.

All students, whether they have Oberlin insurance or their own insurance, may use the Student Health Services provided by the College. For more information about health care at Oberlin College, please see the Student Life section of this catalog.

Refunds. All students who withdraw from all courses or who take a medical or personal leave of absence during a semester will be charged tuition, room and dining at the rate of 10 percent of the semester charge for each week or fraction thereof spent in residence. If a recipient of financial aid who withdraws or takes a medical/personal leave is scheduled to receive a refund, then all or part of the refund will be used to reimburse the financial aid programs from which the student received funds. The required Student Activity and Health Fee are non-refundable. 

Oberlin College offers a tuition refund plan as a supplement to the college refund policy. Information will be mailed to students during July and will be available in the Office of Student Accounts webpage.

Changes in Published Charges. While there is no expectation that the charges and fees published in this catalog will change, Oberlin College does reserve the right to increase or decrease fees during and pertaining to the 2015-2016 academic year without prior notice.