Fees and Charges

Cashier’s Office

www.southwest.tn.edu/cashier/
(901) 333-5292

Maintenance and Tuition Fees

Maintenance and other applicable fees are payable at the time of registration each semester and are to be paid using one of the payment methods listed below. Fees and tuition are subject to change by policy of the Tennessee Board of Regents. Any change to fees and tuition will be updated on the website at www.southwest.tn.edu/cashier/tuition.htm.

The definition of resident and non-resident established by the Tennessee Board of Regents will apply in determining fees and tuition. Check with the Admissions and Records Office for residency classification.

Payment Methods

Payments may be made in person at the Cashier’s Office on either the Macon Cove or Union Avenue campus using cash, money order, cashier’s check, personal check, debit or credit card (VISA, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express).

Online payments (my.southwest.tn.edu) may be paid by check, debit or credit card.

Deferred Payment Plan

(Available for fall and spring semesters only)

Southwest offers a deferred payment plan which allows students to make an initial payment of one-half of their tuition and fees and defer the remaining balance until later in the semester. To participate, a student must be enrolled in at least three (3) credits during a fall or spring semester.

Participation

• A student must first enroll in credit classes or Regents Online Degree Program (RODP) classes.
• Next, sign the deferred payment plan contract at the cashier’s office on either the Macon Cove or Union Avenue campus, or enroll in the plan online at (my.southwest.tn.edu).

Requirements

• Pay a $10 non-refundable service fee.
• Pay 50 percent of eligible charges except health insurance premiums.
• Pay remaining balance in two equal installments on established due dates within the term.
• A $25 late charge will be assessed for each fee payment not posted by the due date under the Deferred Payment Plan. Postmark dates are not honored.
• Financial aid or scholarships cannot be substituted for the 50 percent deferred payment deposit.

Regents Online Degree Program Courses (RODP)

Fees and tuition for RODP courses are in addition to charges assessed for regular credit courses. There is no per credit hour maximum limit for these courses. Students enrolling in RODP courses are eligible to participate in the Deferred Payment Plan. Elderly/disabled students enrolling in RODP courses will be assessed charges and fees per home institution in addition to regular credit courses.

Sponsored Payments

Payment Authorizations from third party sponsors (Corporate and Non-Profit Employers, State and Local Government Agencies) must be submitted at the time of payment. Fee Waivers (State and Local Government Employees) must be submitted before the published deadline date. For dates, go to (www.southwest.tn.edu/cashier).

Audited Courses

Students may audit credit courses. They may only register for these courses during late registration and are assessed the same fees as those enrolling for course credit. (See also, Senior Citizens or Students with Disabilities Charges.)

Non-Credit Courses

Fees for non-credit courses which include seminars, workshops, and Continuing Education Unit (CEU) classes are established individually for each class, and are due at the time of registration. Registration for non-credit courses are managed through the Corporate Training and Continuing Education Department. For additional information go to (www.southwest.tn.edu/ce).

Senior Citizens or Students with Disabilities Charges

A Tennessee resident 60 years of age or older or a permanently disabled Tennessee resident may audit courses without paying any maintenance fees. However, the student will be assessed a $10 application fee (if not previously paid), a $15 international educational fee, and a $10 campus access fee. Maintenance fee for RODP courses will be waived; however, online fees are not waived under this waiver program. Students meeting these criteria must register during late registration.

A Tennessee resident 65 years of age or older, or a permanently disabled resident may take classes for credit at a reduced charge of fifty percent (50%) per credit hour with a maximum of $70, plus a $10 application fee (if not previously paid), a $15 international educational fee, and a $10 campus access fee. Elderly/disabled students enrolling in RODP courses will be assessed separate maintenance fees per home institution in addition to regular credit courses. These fees can exceed $70. Online fees for RODP courses are not reduced under this waiver program. Students meeting these criteria can register for classes no earlier than four (4) weeks prior to the first day of the semester. For dates, go to www.southwest.tn.edu/cashier.

To receive this discount, senior citizens must verify their birth date either with their driver’s license or birth certificate. Permanently disabled students must provide Student Disability Services Office written verification confirming their disability.

Each term, a form must be completed and submitted to the Cashier’s Office by the last day of the 75% refund period. The form can be obtained online. Reduced rates cannot be retroactive to prior terms.

Enrollment without full payment of the registration fee will be subject to the availability of space in the class. Fees and tuition are subject to change by policy of the Tennessee Board of Regents.

Additional Fees and Charges (2012-13)

Fees and tuition are subject to change by policy of the Tennessee Board of Regents.

*Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Library Fines

Overdue Fines

Lost or Damaged Items

All items 60 days overdue are considered lost.

• Lost or damaged books, periodicals, audio cassettes, compact discs, videocassettes, slides, and reserve materials will be assessed at the current cost to replace the item, plus a $10 processing fee.
• Lost or damaged telecourse tapes will be assessed at $25 plus a $10 processing fee.
• Replacement cost for a missing bar code will be $1.25.
• Replacement cost for a damaged cassette case will be $3.
• Replacement cost for a missing CD case will be $2.50.

A student who wishes to contest any library fine should complete the Student Appeal Refund form and submit it to the Director of Library Services.

Refund Policy

Students may receive a 100 percent, 75 percent or 25 percent refund when officially withdrawing from classes depending upon the dates of withdrawal. For specific dates pertaining to each term, see the Academic Calendar.

• A student will receive 100 percent of all refundable registration fees up until the first day of the term.
• In addition, 100 percent refund will be provided to students if any of the following occurs:
  • canceled classes
  • deceased during the term
  • receive administrative withdrawal from classes
  • documented active military duty in excess of 30 days
• Beginning the first day of the term through the 14th calendar day, only 75 percent of maintenance charges, out-of-state tuition and technology fees will be refunded.
• From the 15th day through the 25th calendar day, only 25 percent of maintenance charges, out-of-state tuition and technology access fees will be refunded.
• No refund will be provided to students who withdraw after the 25 percent refund period.
• For terms which are less than 15 weeks, the 75/25 percent refund provision will be adjusted accordingly.

Refunds are calculated based on the actual per credit hour cost, not the assessed rate. For this reason some withdrawals and drops will not yield a refund credit.

Students enrolled in less than 12 credit hours who officially drop or withdraw during the refund period may receive a refund. Students enrolled in more than 12 credit hours have a different fee assessment; therefore, dropping or withdrawing from classes during either the 75 or 25 percent refund period may or may not result in a refund.

All refunds are processed in the form of a check after the 14th calendar day of each term. All tuition check payments are subject to a four-week waiting period.

Refunds for Non-Credit Courses

Refunds for non-credit courses are managed through the Corporate Training & Continuing Education Department. For additional information go to (www.southwest.tn.edu/ce).

Appeal Procedures for Fees and Refunds

A student may appeal the assessment, application, calculation or interpretation of any College fee, charge, deposit, refund, or any action by the College connected with fees and charges. Questions should be directed to personnel in the Cashier’s Office. If a student is not satisfied with the resolution made by the Cashier’s Office, a written appeal must be submitted on a Student Appeal Refund form available in the Cashier’s Office. Further appeals may be made to the executive director of fiscal operations, the vice president for financial and administrative services, and then to the president of the College.

Financial Obligations

Students may not register, graduate, request transcripts or grade reports until all financial obligations (including returned check charges, library fines, and traffic fines) are paid to the College. (Tennessee Code Annotated 49-9-108)