Since Southern Arkansas University is supported by legislative appropriations, the tuition and fees which the student pays constitute less than 40 percent of the actual cost of a student’s education. Tuition and fees charged by the University are to defray, in part, the expense involved. Payment for tuition, books, and other fees may be made in cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, or Discover credit cards, or a student’s account may be credited by scholarships and other financial aid awards.
The University administration reserves the right to increase the costs of tuition, fees, and room and board without advance notice if it is necessary to do so in order to meet increasing costs.
Tuition Waivers
Out-of-State Waiver
Master’s degree seeking students residing in the following counties qualify for the contiguous county waiver effective summer 2017:
- Louisiana: Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Union, Morehouse, Carroll
- Texas: Cass, Bowie
Out-of-state tuition for students living in Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas and for children of SAU graduates living anywhere is waived when these students choose to live in University housing.
Arkansas Taxpayer Waiver
Arkansas income taxpayers and their dependents who reside in one of the eligible counties or parishes of an approved state may enroll at any qualifying Arkansas public institution of higher education and receive the out-of-state tuition waiver.
In order to get the non-resident fee waived, the following criteria must be met:
- Dependent student or parent must provide a W-2 or verification of Arkansas earnings of $5,500 or more tax year preceding enrollment.
- Student and parent must live in one of the following counties or parishes:
- Louisiana: Claiborne, Morehouse, Union, or Webster parishes
- Mississippi: Bolivar, Coahoma, DeSoto or Tunica counties
- Missouri: Barry, Dunklin, McDonald, Oregon, Ozark, Pemiscot, Ripley, or Taney counties
- Oklahoma: Adair, Delaware, LeFlore, McCurtain, or Sequoyah counties
- Tennessee: Dyer, Lauderdale, Shelby, or Tipton counties
- Texas: Bowie County
The Waiver of Non-resident Fees form is available in the SAU Business Office and must be submitted each semester. For more information about this waiver, call (870) 235-5045.
Arkansas Age Waiver
Act 678 of 1975 provides for tuition-free enrollment in academic credit courses for all Arkansas residents aged 60 or above on a “space available” basis upon proof of age. Enrollment options include credit registration (grade and transcript record), audit (no grade but a transcript record), or non-credit (no grade, no transcript record). Subsequently the University will waive the fees associated with the class.
The Age Waiver form is available in the SAU Business Office. For more information about the waiver, call (870) 235-5045.
Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits
Southern Arkansas University is approved by the State Approving Agency for Veterans as a university whereby veterans and dependents of deceased or disabled veterans may obtain benefits while working toward a degree. Eligible students should contact the Office of the Registrar to obtain information regarding school attendance under the following programs: Chapter 30-Montgomery GI Bill®, Chapter 31-Vocational Rehabilitation, Chapter 33-Post 9/11 GI Bill®, Chapter 35-Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Benefit or Chapter 1606-Montgomery GI Bill®/Selected Reserve.
All students must be working toward a degree and should follow the curriculum outlined for their objectives, since only specific courses may be applied toward VA certification and graduation. The Office of the Registrar is available to assist students concerning VA benefits.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA).
Veterans Affairs Pending Payment Policy
In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 (C), this educational institution adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post-911 G.I. Bill ® (Ch.33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from VA. This educational institution will not:
- Prevent the student’s enrollment
- Assess a late penalty fee to the student
- Require the student to secure alternative or additional funding
- Deny the student access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.
However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:
- Produce the VA Certification of Eligibility (COE) by the first day of class
- Provide a written request to be certified
- Provide additional information needed to properly certify the enrollment as described in other institutional policies
Evaluation of Prior Credit and Training for Military Service Members
It is the policy of this institution that an evaluation of previous education and training for service members and dependents will be conducted, appropriate credit granted, and if applicable, the institution’s duration in the course will be shortened proportionately and the Veteran’s Administration and the student will be so notified. VA credit will be given for prior training for veterans and eligible programs.
Military educational experiences (MOS and service schools) will be evaluated upon receipt of a Joint Services Transcript (JST) by the Office of the Registrar. The student asking for the evaluation must be currently enrolled at SAU. Credit is awarded in accordance with recommendations set forth by the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services published by the American Council on Education (ACE). For further information, contact the Office of the Registrar at (870) 235-4031 or va@saumag.edu.
Refund Policies
Institutional Refund Policy
During a regular academic semester, tuition is refundable to a student who officially drops a course or withdraws from the University on the following basis:
Class days 1 through 3: 100% refund
Class days 4 through 10: 80% refund
Class days 11 through 15: 60% refund
Class days 16 through 20: 40% refund
Class days 21 through 25: 20% refund
Summer school tuition is 80 percent refundable until classes have been in session two days, after which the refund decreases 20 percent for each two days classes are in session.
No refunds are made on room and board payments, except under those conditions which are stated in the housing contract.
Refund Policy for Title IV Withdrawals
When Title IV recipients withdraw on or after the first day of class during the period of enrollment for which they were charged, the University must determine the amount of Title IV funds a student has earned. This calculation is done in accordance with Federal Title IV guidelines. If the student has not been in attendance long enough to earn all of the awarded aid, the student may have to repay some of the unearned aid.
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