Fees, Expenses, and Financial Aid

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Resident and Distance Learning Tuition and Fee Charges

The university classifies its programs and courses into two categories: resident and distance learning (DL). Students should become familiar with the classification of their programs, because each has a different tuition and fee structure. Resident programs are located on campus in Cullowhee or at resident centers in Asheville/Buncombe County and Cherokee. Degree or certificate programs that are approved for DL serve students away from the Cullowhee campus and its resident centers. Course sections are classified as resident or distance based on the intended population to be served. Although course section classifications as resident or distance typically follow program designations, there are exceptions.

Tuition and fees are based on program and/or course section campus classification and are applied to all academic terms. (Fees for all Western Carolina University resident-credit courses taught in Asheville are the same as on the Cullowhee campus.) Typically, resident and distance students enroll in course sections in the same classification as their program (e.g. distance students enroll in distance courses). Occasionally, students may find it necessary to enroll in a course section whose designation is different from the classification of their approved programs. When this occurs, distance and part-time resident students will be charged the tuition and fees associated with the classification of each individual course section (resident or distance). Full-time resident students will be charged their full-time rate regardless of the combination of resident and distance course sections. Since there is no full-time rate for DL students, they will be charged the part-time rate for resident courses in which they enroll unless their program has a special provision to be charged otherwise. Special provisions may be approved for specific programs (e.g. Military and Jamaican programs).

Tuition rates are reviewed and set annually by the North Carolina legislature. The University reserves the right to alter any charges without prior notice. Please visit the Tuition and Fees website, http://www.wcu.edu/11177.asp, for links to current tuition and fees information. Resident credit part-time and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Program tuition and fees information is located on the Fall 2010 & Spring 2011 Part-Time Tuition and Fees link.

Western Carolina University is a publicly supported institution. Tuition payments and other required fees meet only a part of the total cost of the education of students enrolled. On the average, for each full-time student enrolled in an institution of The University of North Carolina, the State of North Carolina appropriates $12,987.00 per year in public funds to support the educational programs offered.

Other Fees

Certain courses in some fields require laboratory or materials fees in addition to the costs listed in this section. Textbooks are available to graduate students by purchase only.

Payment of Fees. All charges are due and payable in MyCat on or before the published payment deadline for each term. Payment by check, in the exact amount of the bill, is recommended. In accordance with state policy, a processing fee of $25 is assessed for returned checks. The Payment Options website has detailed information regarding payments

Late Registration. With approved reason for delay, a student may register for classes after the regular registration date with the payment of a late registration fee. Students entering late must show satisfactory reason and obtain approval from their advisor and department head, who reserves the right to reduce the number of hours for which a late entrant may register.

Textbooks. Graduate students must purchase all textbooks regardless of course level. Textbooks for courses numbered 500 and above are available for purchase at the WCU Bookstore. Textbooks for courses numbered below 500 are available for purchase in the Book Rental Department of the WCU Bookstore.

Refund Policies

Academic Year Tuition and Fees. During a fall or spring term, a full-time or part-time student who withdraws from the university before the first day of classes will be refunded 100 percent of tuition and fees. Students who withdraw from the university beginning the first day of classes are entitled to refunds of tuition and fees in accordance with the following schedule:

Students who withdraw from the university as a result of involuntary recall to military service, pursuant to a presidential order authorizing the call-up of reservists, and who are thereby prevented from receiving credit for the courses in which he/she is enrolled, will be entitled to a full refund of tuition and fees. Refunds of room and board charges will be prorated based on the number of days the dormitory room was occupied and the meal ticket was used. Students having the declining balance meal plan will be refunded the actual account balance at the time of withdrawal.

Students who reduce their course loads during the registration period for the term as defined in this catalog, but who continue to be enrolled in the university, will have their tuition and fees adjusted fully to reflect only the number of credit hours in which they remain enrolled. Part-time students are eligible for a refund based on the credit hour tuition rate. Full-time students are eligible for a refund only when course loads are reduced below the minimum hours required to qualify as full-time. No adjustment will be made for reduced loads after the close of the registration period. However, students who drop all courses must withdraw from the university. They are, therefore, eligible only for the partial refunds that apply to university withdrawals.

Summer Term Tuition and Fees. A student who drops summer term classes before the first day of classes will be refunded 100 percent of tuition and fees. Students who withdraw the first day of class or after are eligible for refunds through the first 50 percent of the summer term. The refund prorations for summer term are available from the Student Accounts office.

Summer term students who reduce their course loads by one or more credit hours within three days following regular registration or on or before the date of the second class meeting, whichever is later, will have tuition and fees adjusted to reflect the number of credit hours in which they remain enrolled.

Room and Board. Refunds of room and rent for any term including summer terms will be calculated at the same rate as tuition and fees.

Meal plan refunds for standard plans will be calculated based on a prorated daily balance. Meal plan refunds for declining balance plans will be based on the actual balance remaining on the student account at the time of withdrawal. All-you-care-to-eat meal plans have a standard declining balance component. Refunds for all-you-care-to-eat plans will be based on the policy applicable to each component. Refunds will not be made for the last two weeks of a term or for the last week of a summer session.

Exceptions. Exceptions to these policies may be made if a student withdraws from the university for reasons of hardship. These reasons are defined as: (1) death of the student, (2) death in the student’s immediate family, (3) a medical condition that compels withdrawal upon recommendation of the director of Student Health Services, or (4) a mental health condition that compels withdrawal upon recommendation of the director of Counseling and Psychological Services. Requests for exceptions should be submitted to the Refund Appeals Committee, One Stop Student Service Center. Approved exceptions for refunds or account adjustments will be forwarded to the Student Accounts Office to make final settlement of the student’s account.

All refunds, regardless of the source of payment, will be made by a check payable to the student.

Graduate Assistantships

Teaching, research, and professional development assistantships are available to a limited number of well-qualified graduate students. Students should contact their program director regarding assistantship opportunities. Consideration for possible appointment to an assistantship will be given after a decision has been made concerning admission to graduate study. Stipends generally vary from $8,000 to $10,500, based on a 20-hour per week work assignment. A limited number of in-state and out-of-state tuition waivers are available; out-of-state waivers cover the difference between out-of-state tuition and in-state tuition only. In order to receive a waiver, a student must have an assistantship.

Students receiving assistantships in the fall and spring semesters will be expected to be registered as full time graduate students (9 graduate credit hours; 6 hours during final semester of study). In order to qualify for a graduate assistantship, a graduate student must be admitted in Regular Admission. 

Continuation of the appointment depends upon satisfactory performance of duties and upon satisfactory academic achievement (3.0 GPA on all graduate coursework attempted).

Chancellor’s Fellowship

A limited number of chancellor’s fellowships are available to well-qualified graduate students each academic year. The awards, based on merit, are intended to encourage and assist superior students in pursuing graduate studies in the minimum time possible. The value of each fellowship is $4,000 per academic year. Students are required to be registered for a minimum of nine semester hours each semester. The application form and additional information are available on the Funding for Graduate Students website after January 1.
Application deadline: April 30

Graduate School Study Grant

Each academic year, the Graduate School awards a limited number of Graduate School Study Grants. Study Grants are awarded to exceptionally promising students in order to relieve financial pressures so they may devote more of their energy to study and research directed toward completing their graduate work. To apply, submit the application form.  The application form and additional information are available on the Funding for Graduate Students website after January 1.
Application deadline: April 30

Graduate Student Recruitment Grant

Each semester the Graduate School awards a number of Graduate School study grants. These grants are designed to support well-qualified graduate students by paying $300 per semester. Students must register for a minimum of three semester hours. There is no work requirement and the awards are made on the basis of merit as reflected by the student’s application file. The application form and additional information are available on the Funding for Graduate Students website after January 1.
Application deadline: April 30.

Morrill Family Fund for Research in Education

Established by Maurice B. and Anna C. Morrill, this fund is to help provide and promote desirable research relating to the improvement of teaching at any educational level. The purpose is to enhance abilities of graduate students in education to produce and use quality research. Award amount is generally $700. Application forms are available in the Office of Special Programs, G22 McKee. Deadline is December 1.

The Otto H. Spilker Endowed Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a graduate student in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Priority consideration is given to students studying to teach physical education. Contact the Physical Education Graduate Program director.

Kendall W. King Scholarship Fund

The purpose of this scholarship fund is to provide financial support for worthy and deserving international students. Undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled at Western Carolina University are eligible for the award. Contact the Office of International Programs and Services for more information.

The Staff Forum Scholarship Fund

The Staff Forum Scholarship Fund was established by the Western Carolina University Staff Forum to provide scholarship support for the children of SPA and EPA Non-Faculty employees. Contact the Financial Aid office.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

Please see the Scholarship website for a complete list of possible scholarship opportunities.

Financial Aid

The university maintains an Office of Financial Aid. This office can furnish more detailed information concerning loans, work-study, and other work opportunities. A financial aid brochure is available upon request.

Veterans Assistance

 The university is approved for the training of Veterans Affairs benefit recipients. This institution is approved under the provisions of Title 38 United States Code, Chapter 36. Persons eligible and entitled under provisions of Chapters 30, 31, 32, 34, 35 and Section 901 and 903, and Title 10 United States Code, Chapters 106 and 107 may enroll in programs approved by the North Carolina States Approving Agency. All inquiries concerning veteran educational benefits should be addressed to the Military Education, Veterans Affairs Certifying Office, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, North Carolina 28723, or interested parties may call 866-928-4723.

Disability Services

The Disability Services office provides accommodations for students with disabilities. Accommodations are determined on an individual basis and may include housing accommodations, testing accommodations, sign-language interpreters, note takers, books-on-tape, adaptive equipment and software, and priority registration. To receive services, students must submit a Voluntary Disability Disclosure form and current documentation of a disability. Disability counseling, career advisement, advocacy, and coaching are also available. Visit Disability Services at http://www.wcu.edu/12789.asp or telephone 828-227-7234.

Catamount Academic Tutoring Center

The Catamount Academic Tutoring Center (30 Hunter Library) is designed to ensure the academic success of all Western Carolina University students by offering free peer tutoring, workshops, and other resources to improve learning. Tutors offer strategies for effective study and efficient time management, and they facilitate collaborative groups in which each student is involved with actively exploring and learning the material. Visit the CAT Center website (http://www.wcu.edu/9438.asp) or call 828-227-2274 to schedule a tutoring session or to learn more about workshop offerings in areas such as Time Management, Note Taking, Goal Setting, and Exam Preparation.

Testing Services

The Office of Professional Examinations, located in 135 Killian Annex, oversees administrations of the Graduate Record Examination (subject tests only), the Praxis Series, Scholastic Aptitude Test, ACT, Law School Admission Test, and the National Counselor Examination. Visit the website at http://www.wcu.edu/9467.asp for registration and exam-preparation information.

For information about the Miller Analogies Test, College Level Examination Program (CLEP), Institutional SAT, Residual ACT, or the verbal portion of the SAT (for pre-nursing students), call 227-3264.

GRE Workshops. During fall and spring semesters, WCU sponsors a GRE preparation workshop for students who plan to apply for admission to a graduate degree program. The workshops are designed to help students prepare to take the three sections of the GRE General Test (verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing). For more information on workshop dates and to reserve a space in a workshop, contact Educational Outreach (http://www.wcu.edu/44.asp).