Financial Policies

All tuition, fees, deadlines, refund schedules, and other guidelines are subject to change at any time.

Questions About Your Student Account

The university uses the Banner Student Information computer system. Each student enrolled at AASU has a student account in the financial segment of Banner. Banner links the Office of Financial Services with the Financial Aid Office, the Registrar's Office, the Department of Public Safety, academic departments, and most other offices and departments. Information such as loans and scholarships from Financial Aid and charges for registration from the Registrar's Office appear in the student account. The student account lists charges and payments for each student and shows a balance due to the university or due to the student. Financial Services runs reports regularly that list students who are owed a balance from loans and scholarships that exceed tuition and other charges. "Excess" checks (checks produced when loans and scholarships exceed tuition and other charges) are produced weekly starting the fourth week of classes during the semester and are mailed on Fridays to the student's address as recorded in the Banner Student Information System by the Registrar's Office.

"Holds" can be placed on the student account by a variety of departments. Contact that department if your account has been placed on "hold".

How To Read Your Schedule / Invoice

Enrolled students receive or have access to their STUDENT SCHEDULE / INVOICE each semester. This sheet lists information about the student's classes, a breakdown of charges and credits, and the summary of the amount due at the bottom right. The amount due should be paid by the due date listed. See the fee payment section for additional details.

Fee Payments

General Guidelines
The university does not cash checks for students. Unpaid accounts will be billed on a semester basis and uncollected accounts may be sent to a collection agency. The university reserves the right to apply financial aid funds and any other payments to any and all charges. Refer to the semester schedule of classes for payment deadlines. Payments for tuition are not accepted between the last day to pay for advance registration and registration.

Fee Payment by Credit Card
Credit cards (VISA, MasterCard) may be used to pay tuition for students who participate in advance registration, registration, or late registration. Payments can be made in the lobby of Victor Hall at the following times:

Credit card payment is also accepted when registering on the web. No credit card payments are accepted via the telephone. Partial payments, i.e. part credit card/part cash or check are not accepted. The person whose credit card is being used to pay tuition must be present to sign the charge slip.

Fee Payment by Cash
All payments must be in U.S. currency. Tuition payments by cash are accepted at the following times and locations:

Fee Payment by Check
Tutiton payments by check are accepted at the following times and locations:

Checks should be made payable to Armstrong Atlantic State University and if mailed, addressed to Student Accounts - Tuition Payments, Armstrong Atlantic State University, 11935 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31419. Your check and invoice must be presented with payment, mailed or attached when using the drop boxes. The total amount due on the invoice (including encumbrances) must be paid in order for the university to accept payment. (Encumbrances are other debts owed by the student to the university.) Only full payments will be accepted. If you are making a partial payment by check and the rest by cash, you must go to the cashier in Burnett Hall. Students who have some financial aid and pay the balance with cash/check must pay their fees to the cashier during regular registration. Students who mail their invoice and check to Student Accounts cannot be guaranteed enrollment unless their envelope is sent by registered mail and is received by Student Accounts by the appropriate deadline. Checks submitted with an old invoice, without an invoice, check amounts less than total fees due, incomplete checks, counter checks, two-party checks, or post-dated checks will be mailed back to the student. Do not submit a check that you know will be returned by your bank. Payments for returned checks will be accepted only in cash, cashier's check, or money order. The student's ID number should be listed on the check. Checks should be payable in U.S. dollars drawn on U.S. banks.

Mandatory Fees / Other Charges

Expenses
The following schedules list the principal expenses and regulations concerning the payment of fees. Fees and charges are subject to change without notice. When such changes are made, notice will be given as far in advance as possible. Expenses are in the form of in-state tuition, out-of-state tuition, student services' fees and other special fees. Fees of all students are due and payable at time of registration; registration is not complete until all fees have been paid. Fees are not deferred and there are no payment plans.

• UNDERGRAUATE SEMESTER TUTITION AND FEES
• GRADUATE SEMESTER TUTITION AND FEES
• UNDERGRADUATE OFF-CAMPUS SEMESTER TUTIONS AND FEES
• GRADUATE OFF-CAMPUS SEMESTER TUTION AND FEES

Tuition / Other Fees

Students registered only for off-campus courses do not pay the health fee, student activity fee, recreation or the athletic fee. Students registered for a combination of on- and off-campus courses do pay the health fee, the student activity fee, the recreation fee and the athletic fee. Tuition and fees are waived for Georgia residents who present written documentation that they are 62 years of age or older. Non-resident tuition is waived for active duty military personnel and their dependents stationed in Georgia (except military personnel assigned to this institution for educational purposes). Contact the Registrar's office regarding procedures for military personnel and residents who are 62 or older.

All students enrolled in courses categorized as "on-campus" will be charged health, recreation, athletic and activity fees. "On-campus" courses are those defined as being physically located in Chatham County. Students enrolled exclusively in courses categorized as "off-campus" will not be charged recreation, health, athletic or activity fees. "Off-campus" courses are those defined as being physically located outside of Chatham County. Students taking a combination of on and off campus courses will be charged the health, recreation, athletic and activity fees. Internet courses will be categorized as off-campus. A course will be considered as Internet if 100% of the course is delivered over the Internet.

All students enrolled for classes will be charged the technology fee, and, if applicable, the health, recreation, activity and athletic fees, regardless of the length of the class

Other Special Costs

• Undergraduate Application Fee $25.00
• Graduate Application Fee $30.00

Exit Fee
Based upon program

• BSN Program: $30.00
• Mathematics: $5.00 - $10.00 - $15.00

Exit Fee
Payable by each candidate for graduation when the graduation application is submitted two semesters prior to graduation. If candidate is receiving a second degree at the same graduation ceremonies, an additional $10.00 is due. The full $52.00 is charged for a second degree awarded at a subsequent graduation ceremony. A fee of $20.00 is charged for each replacement diploma. Non-refundable.

Health Professions
Reserves a seat in appropriate health program, payable upon application to program. Non-refundable.

• Medical Technology: $ 50.00
• Radiologic Sciences: $ 50.00
• Dental Hygiene: $100.00
• Physical Therapy: $250.00

Lab Fee - non-refundable
Many science and art courses carry a lab fee as follows:

• Biology Lab: $35.00
• Chemistry Lab: $20.00, $30.00
• Engineering Lab: $50.00
• Physics Lab: $35.00
• Psychology Testing: $20.00, $30.00
• Medical Technology Lab: $50.00
• Radiologic Science Lab: $25.00
• Radiologic Senior Seminar: $50.00
• Art Lab: $12.00, $15.00, $20.00, $25.00, $30.00, $35.00, $45.00, $60.00, or $70.00

Late Registration Fee $52.00
A late registration fee is charged to all students who do not complete registration by the close of business during the regular registration period. Registration is completed by registering for class(es) and paying all fees due on your student account. Students who have completed registration during the regular registration period and subsequently add classes during late registration are not charged a late registration fee. Students having checks for tuition returned for non payment will be charged the late registration fee.

Music Fees
Applied music courses consist of one twenty-five minute private lesson per week (Music 1300) or a fifty-minute private lesson per week (Music 1400, 2400, 3400, 4400). A special fee of $50 is charged for 25-minute lessons and $100 for 50-minute lessons.

Orientation Fee
non-refundable $40.00

Parking Decal
non-refundable $50.00 annually, covering August through July

Short Courses Offered by The Office of Continuing Education
Fees are announced for each semester when the course is scheduled by the university. Students who formally withdraw from a short course or conference up to twenty-four hours prior to the first class meeting will receive a full refund of fees paid. No refunds will be made for withdrawals after the first class meeting. Fees paid for courses or conferences cancelled by the office of Continuing Education will be refunded 100%. Refund checks will be mailed approximately four weeks after the approved withdrawal form is received by Financial Services.

Lost Check Fee $26.00
Students who lose university checks will be charged a $26 replacement fee. This is the amount the bank charges the university.

Teacher Education Practicum
non-refundable $250.00

Refunds

Refund Policy
Refund of tuition and fees may be requested only upon written application for withdrawal from school. The withdrawal form should be completed in the Office of Student Affairs. NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE TO STUDENTS DROPPING A COURSE AFTER THE DROP/ADD PERIOD. A drop slip should be completed in the Registrar's office. Refund checks will be made payable to the student, regardless who may have paid the fees. Refunds for withdrawals will be mailed starting the ninth week of the semester. Refunds are not made for late registration or graduation fees.

The refund amount for students withdrawing from the institution shall be based on a pro rata percentage determined by dividing the number of calendar days in the semester that the student completed by the total calendar days in the semester. The total calendar days in a semester includes weekends, but excludes scheduled breaks of five or more days and days that a student was on an approved leave of absence. The unearned portion shall be refunded up to the point in time that the amount earned equals 60%. Click here for the Fall 2006 refund schedule. (This document requires the Adobe Acrobat® viewer, available free of charge from www.adobe.com)

Students that withdraw from the institution when the calculated percentage of completion is greater than 60% are not entitled to a refund of any portion of institutional charges.

Refunds are based on the withdrawal date of the term's calendar days, not how many times individual classes have met.

Students who register for classes, pay fees, and formally withdraw from school cannot re-register for that term.

A refund of all tuition and other mandatory fees will be made in the event of the death of a student at any time during an academic term.

Students who attend multiple sessions within the same semester may only qualify for a refund if they withdraw from all of their classes.

All withdrawal refund checks will be mailed to the student's address as listed in the Registrar's Office.

Summer Semester Refunds
Due to the varying length of courses offered during the summer, refunds are based upon the individual course length. Due to the multiple lengths of summer semester classes, refunds for withdrawals and cancelled classes will be mailed at the end of the semester.

Financial Aid Payment Process

Financial Aid Payment Process
Approved financial aid is transferred to student accounts by the Financial Aid Office on a regular basis. Financial aid consists of loans, scholarships, and grants. Loans are received through the Georgia Student Finance Commission, not from individual banks. Students whose loans are not shown on their account can call the Georgia Student Finance Commission at 1-800-776-6878 to determine the status of their loan once they have returned their promissory notes to their bank..

Financial Services will review student accounts on a regular basis, post a refund as needed, and produce "excess" checks. An "excess" check is the result of tuition, fees, and other charges deducted from the total financial aid. "Excess" checks are mailed Fridays starting the fourth week of the semester. No excess checks are held for pick-up; all are mailed.

Students whose fees exceed financial aid must pay the amount owed on registration day or their classes will be dropped.

Students whose financial aid is not complete prior to registration should be prepared to pay fees themselves and be reimbursed later in the semester. Students with financial aid who want to pay fees early with personal funds may do so.

Financial aid students who pre-register, register on registration day or during late registration, and decide not to attend that semester must formally withdraw from school. A request for total withdrawal must be submitted in writing to the division of Student Affairs. Contact their office at 344-2582 for further details. The financial aid process is automated and students who register are considered enrolled for that semester.

Financial aid students who pre-register, register on registration day or during late registration, and do not formally withdraw will receive grades of either W or F in these classes and will owe any unpaid charges.

Returned Check Policy

The university recognizes students will occasionally write non-sufficient funds checks. When a check is returned by the bank, the Financial Services office will notify the student. The university expects the student to immediately respond to this notice and pay the check plus applicable service charges.

A service charge of $30.00 or 5% of the check, whichever is greater, is assessed for returned checks. In addition to this charge, non-sufficient funds checks written for tuition payments will be assessed the late registration fee.

Checks returned because of bank errors will be redeposited after written notification is received from the bank and a $30.00 service charge is paid by the student. No late registration fee is assessed for checks returned because of a bank error. Students should request reimbursement of the service charge from their bank.

A stop payment of a check does not constitute a formal withdrawal and is considered a returned check. Writing a non-sufficient funds check or stopping payment on a check does not cancel registration. Students whose check is returned for non-sufficient funds or who places a stop payment on a check must honor the check and pay the service charges before withdrawing from the university. After honoring a returned or stop-payment check and formally withdrawing in the office of Student Affairs, the student will receive a refund, if applicable.

A student whose check is returned for tuition will be dropped from their class roll. When the check and applicable charges are paid, the student will be added back to the class roll. If the check and charges are not paid, the student's account will be placed on "hold" and the student must pay for future enrollment in cash or cash equivalent for one year. A service charge of $30.00 or 5% of the returned check will be charged at the time of the subsequent enrollment.

If the student does not respond to the Financial Services office notice and pay the check and applicable service charges, the student will be removed from class if the check was written for tuition.

Students with returned checks who do not follow the correct procedure to redeem their checks will have their registration status placed on "hold". After complying with the procedure, the "hold" will remain on their account for one year. A registration permit to register must be obtained from Financial Services in order to register. The student must request the lifting of the "hold" after one year. After this one year period, the student may request reinstatement of check writing privileges.

General Guidelines

Armstrong / Savannah State Exchange Program. A student enrolled at Armstrong or Savannah State who pays the maximum tuition and fees amount may be eligible to take one course at the other institution at no charge. You should consult with the Registrar's Office regarding program details and the required documentation before registration.

After the payment of fees, the application of financial aid to fees, or application of support by outside agencies, no financial adjustments for dropping a course will be made after the drop/add period.

All tuition and fees are due at registration per the guidelines of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. There are no deferment of fees or payment plans.

Students whose fees were paid by financial aid and who withdraw from school will have their refund returned to the source based upon federal regulations and university policy.

Students who add a class, do not pay the additional fees, and do not officially drop the course, will be billed for the course and will receive a grade.

The university reserves the right to apply all payments, deposits, or financial aid to any unpaid student balances.

All students enrolled for classes will be charged the technology fee and, if applicable, the activity, health, recreation and athletic fees, regardless of the length of the class. Only cash, money orders, or certified checks will be accepted for students trying to clear a hold on their account.

Brunswick Center and Liberty Center students should consult with Center staff for specific guidelines and procedures regarding registration and fee payment.

Financial Obligation
Any student delinquent in the payment of any financial obligation to the university will have grade reports and transcripts of records encumbered. Grade reports and transcripts will not be released nor will the student be allowed to register at the university until all financial obligations are met. Fees for each semester are to be paid in full at the time of registration.

STUDENTS WHO RECEIVE TITLE IV FINANCIAL AID FUNDS: (PELL GRANTS, SUPPLEMENTAL, EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANTS AND FEDERAL, STAFFORD STUDENT LOANS)
Students who receive Title IV aid and withdraw from the university are subject to federal regulations regarding the return of those funds. Each day that a student attends represents a percentage of financial aid funds earned (i.e. one day attended 0.1%, two days attended 0.2%, three days attended 0.3% etc.) When a student withdraws before attending classes for 60% of the term has lapsed, a calculation is done by Financial Services to determine how much of their Title IV aid was earned. Based on that calculation, both the school and the student may be required to return a portion of their aid.

Students will be notified once the withdrawal form is received and processed by the Financial Aid office and Student Accounts of any amounts due from the student. Students have 45 days to repay these amounts to the university for return to the U.S. Department of Education. On the 45th day, if the funds have not been repaid, the debt is reported to the U.S. Department of Education for collection. At that point, the student will no longer be eligible for financial aid until this debt is repaid.

All students enrolled in courses categorized as "on-campus" will be charged athletic, health, recreation and activity fees. "On-campus" courses are those defined as being physically located in Chatham County. Students enrolled exclusively in courses categorized as "off-campus" will not be charged recreation, athletic, health and activity fees. "Off-campus" courses are those defined as being physically located outside of Chatham County. Students taking a combination of on and off campus courses will be charged the athletic, health, recreation and activity fees. Internet courses will be categorized as off-campus. A course will be considered as Internet if 100% of the course is delivered over the Internet.

TAXPAYER RELIEF ACT ESTABLISHES NEW TAX CREDIT FOR STUDENTS

The Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 established two new education tax credits, the Hope Scholarship Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit. Both of these credits may be available for students of Armstrong Atlantic State University (AASU) or their families.

The Hope Scholarship credit, which is in no way related to the State of Georgia's HOPE Scholarship program, is a tax credit for students enrolled in one of the first two years of post-secondary education and who carry at least a half-time workload while pursuing an undergraduate degree, certificate, or other recognized credential.

The Lifetime Learning Credit is a tax credit for students who take one or more classes from a college or university to pursue either an undergraduate or graduate degree, certificate, or other recognized credential, or to acquire or improve job skills.

Both credits may be available to AASU students, or their families, if they file a federal tax return and owe taxes. Armstrong has contracted with an outsource agent, ACS Educational Services, to provide AASU students with copies of the IRS form (1098-T) they will need to apply for these credits. ACS Educational Services will mail the Form 1098-T to AASU students.

Students who are unsure of their eligibility for these tax credits should contact their personal tax advisor, or ACS. Students should not call AASU for tax advice. ACS can be reached at 1-877-467-3821 OR www.1098-T.com. You can print the 1098-T form from the website.

The Hope Credit is for 100 percent of the first $1,000 in qualified education expenses paid, and 50 percent of the next $1,000. The maximum amount that can be claimed in qualified education expenses paid on or after January 1, through and including December 31, is $1,650, or the amount of your tax liability, whichever is less.

The Lifetime Learning Credit is for 20 percent of the first $10,000 paid in qualified education expenses. The maximum amount that can be claimed for qualified education expenses paid on or after January 1, through and including December 31, is $2,000, or the amount of your tax liability, whichever is less.

If a student is claimed as a dependent for federal income tax purposes, that student's designated taxpayer may claim either credit for using IRS Form 8863 Education Credits.

Once again, you can print your form from the website www.1098-T.com.