Dec 05, 2024  
2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Financial Information


Deposits:

Tuition and Fees:

Refunds:

Withdrawals:

Financial Aid:


New Student Deposits

Applicants for both the fall and spring semesters are encouraged to pay the Tuition and Housing deposit by May 1.  Deposits received after May 1 will be accepted contingent upon space availability. 

The tuition deposit is $100 (with the exception of Nursing and Mechanical Engineering majors).  An additional $100 is required for all resident students.  These deposits are refundable if written notification is received by the Admissions Office prior to May 1.  Please contact your Admissions Counselor for more details.

Returning Student Deposits

Deposits signify a student’s intention to return to York College in the succeeding semester and are required prior to registering for classes. There are two types of deposits:

Tuition deposit—$100 each semester
All students (full- and part-time) are required to pay the tuition deposit prior to registering for classes. The deposit is refundable upon written request to the Business Office prior to May 1 for summer, prior to July 15 for fall, and prior to December 15 for spring.

Housing/Dorm Damage deposit—$100 per academic year
Please refer to the residency requirements in the Student Life  section. This deposit is similar to a security deposit. It is held and applied against any dorm damages assessed upon departure. Credits will be refunded or applied against other balances. This deposit is refundable upon written request to the Residence Life Office prior to June 1 for fall and prior to November 1 for spring.

Both deposits are refundable if a student is academically suspended from the College or denied final admission.

Tuition Related Policies

Tuition and fees are payable before the beginning of each semester. Students who do not meet their financial commitments will not be permitted to schedule classes for the following semester. Grades and official transcripts will not be released until all obligations have been satisfied. It is the responsibility of the student to meet all their financial obligations. Monthly late fees will be applied to accounts not paid by the due date. Unpaid accounts will be referred to a collection agency. The agency will charge collection fees up to 35% of the debt owed.

eBilling Dates

Semester bills for tuition and fees are issued to students electronically as eBills.  Fall semester eBills are posted in early July for registered students, and payment is due the beginning of August.  Spring semester eBills are posted in early December for registered students, and payment is due the beginning of January.  After the initial billing date, eBills for students registering or making changes to their schedule that increase the total charges will be issued on a regular basis through the drop/add period.  EBills posted after the original due date for the semester are due upon receipt.  Students receive notification at their YCP email address each time an eBill has posted to their online account.  Students can grant access to a parent/guardian to view their eBill and make on line payments through YCPWeb for Parents. A $50 PER MONTH LATE PAYMENT FEE APPLIES AFTER THE DUE DATE.

Tuition & Fees: Full time Students (12 - 18 credits)

The College reserves the right to change fees and charges without notice; however, College policy mandates moderate changes with reasonable advance notice of such changes. In addition to the costs below, a student will incur expenses for books, supplies, certain special fees, and personal needs.

  Semester   Year  
Tuition $8,485 $16,970  
General Fee $831 $1,662  
Student Activity Fee $74 $148  
Tuition & Fees $9,390 $18,780  
       
Resident Students      
Full meal plan $2,295 $4,590  
Room ranges* $2,935 to $3,880 $5,870 to $7,760  

*single rooms available at an additional charge

Tuition: Over 18 credits is at the per-credit-hour charge of $525.

General Fee: This fee provides the student with Internet access, an email address, library services, computer labs, health center, home athletic events and College-sponsored cultural events. It also includes counseling, advising and other administrative services. Full-time fee includes the use of the fitness center. Part-time fee provides the use of the fitness center at a nominal per visit fee.

Student Activity Fee: This fee is collected by the College and designated for the Student Senate to provide student activities.

Room: The College has traditional halls, suite-style residences and apartments available. Charges range from $2,935 to $3,880 per semester depending upon assignment. There are several single rooms available at an additional charge. Students residing in traditional halls and suite-style residences are required to participate in the full meal plan.

Board: The full meal plan which is billed consists of 225 meals in the “all you care to eat” dining facilities. There is an option of choosing another plan, which consists of 165 meals in the “all you care to eat” dining halls along with 275 dining points (dollars) to be used in other venues on campus. There are also other meal plans offered to those students who live in apartment-style housing or who commute. Unused meals and dining points do not carry over from semester to semester.

Tuition & Fees: Part time Students (less than 12 credits per semester)

Tuition per credit hour $525  
General Fee (part-time) $390  

Special Fees

  Applied Music:    
  Private Instruction Music fees in voice, piano, organ, or instrument are assessed each semester. Once the student has enrolled and schedules a lesson time, the applied music fee will not be refunded for any reason.
    1/2-hour lesson per week $350  
    Two 1/2-hour lessons or one 1-hour lesson per week $700  
  Audit Fee (per credit hour) 15% of tuition plus the general fee  
  Auditing will not be permitted in laboratory studies, studio courses, language courses, independent study, internship or non-credit courses.
  Chemistry Plant Fee $35  
  Credit by Examination (per course) $135  
  Mechanical/Electrical/Computer/Civil Engineering Majors: There will be an additional tuition charge based on the total number of credits enrolled.
    0.5 to 5.5 credits $285  
    6 to 11.5 credits $590  
    12 or more credits $800  
  Computer Science and Engineering Management Majors  
    0.5 to 5.5 credits $145  
    6 to 11.5 credits $295  
    12 or more credits $400  
  Graduation Application Fee $60  
    Additional late fee after due date (See Records Office for deadline dates) $25  
  Lab Fees: Fees charged for labs such as art, language and science.       $25  
  Late Payment Fee $50 per month  
  Late Registration (effective first day of semester)  
    Full-time students $35  
    Part-time students $20  
  Mass Communication Selected Courses (per credit hour) $70  
  Nursing & Respiratory Therapy Courses There will be an additional tuition charge per credit hour for courses.                                                                                       $123
  Returned Check Charge $40  
  Student Teaching Fee $240  
  Study Abroad/ Off-Campus Administrative Fee $100  

Other course fees associated with certain courses are not listed but may be passed on to students enrolled in these classes (e.g., malpractice liability insurance, miscellaneous nursing departmental charges, field trips, etc.).

Payment Plan

Information regarding the payment plan will be mailed directly to students from Higher Education Services, Inc. (HES) or is available at highereducationservices.org. The installment payment plan enables parents and students to make regularly scheduled installment payments and allows them to budget annual college costs. All or a portion of tuition, room, board and fees are paid in ten regularly scheduled payments without interest or carrying charges. The plan is available for the academic year.

Tuition and Fees Refund Policy

Prior to the end of the drop/add period, tuition and fees are automatically refunded 100% less any deposits. After the drop/add period, all students must submit a Records and Registrar’s Office Change Form to the Records Office to be eligible for a tuition refund. Dropped classes between 12 and 18 credits (full-time status) will not result in a tuition refund. Refunds will be calculated for credits dropped below 12 and over 18 using the Tuition Refund Schedule. With the exception of a complete withdrawal, the refund calculation for full-time students falling below 12 credits will be calculated on a per credit basis using the full-time tuition divided by 12 credits. Withdrawals prior to the last day of the drop/add period will receive a 100% refund of tuition and fees.The Tuition Refund Schedule is outlined below:

Refund Fall and Spring Semesters    
100% To the end of drop period    
75% Second Week    
50% Third Week    
25% Fourth Week    
0% thereafter  

Additionally, full-time undergraduate students withdrawing from all coursework must meet with the Dean of Student Affairs to be eligible for a tuition refund. Refunds will be calculated based on the Tuition Refund Schedule. Fees are non-refundable after the drop/add period. This includes, but is not limited to, the general, student activity, and course fees. Failure to attend class, giving notice to instructors, emailing or telephoning, will not be considered an official withdrawal. In the absence of an official withdrawal, the student will be responsible for all tuition, fees, room and board.

Impact on Financial Aid—If you are receiving federal financial aid (e.g., Direct Loans, Pell Grant, SEOG, Parent Plus, or Perkins) and drop/withdraw, your financial aid may be adjusted. You are liable for the debt incurred and your eligibility for future financial aid could be affected. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for more details.

Room Refund Policy

Students must officially check out of the residence hall by contacting the residence life staff (RD/RA) and completing the appropriate paperwork.  The following room refund schedule will apply:

Room Refund      
80% Through drop/add    
60% Second Week    
40% Third Week    
20% Fourth Week    
0% thereafter  

Board Refund Policy

Meal plans will be pro-rated on a daily basis through the date of withdrawal until reaching 60% completion of the semester.

Medical Withdrawal

Tuition and room refunds for medical withdrawal will adhere to the same refund schedule as voluntary withdrawals. Refunds for board charges for a withdrawal due to medical reasons are prorated to the date of the withdrawal.

Military Withdrawal

Students called to active duty during a semester should present a copy of their military orders to the Dean of Student Affairs. If timing does not permit a student to complete the required forms and present his/her military orders prior to leaving campus, the student may withdraw by sending a personally signed written request for a military withdrawal. A copy of his/her military orders must accompany the request. Students granted a military withdrawal will receive a full refund of tuition and fees. Refunds of room and board charges will be prorated to the date of the withdrawal.

Disciplinary Withdrawal

Students who are dismissed or suspended from the College are refunded tuition charges according to the Tuition Refund Schedule. Board charges are prorated to the date of dismissal or suspension. No room refunds are granted under these circumstances.

Please note: Financial aid adjustments will be made according to applicable federal refund regulations under the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 (HEA98). Questions regarding potential impact should be addressed with the Financial Aid Office.

Return of Federal Title IV Funds Policy

The Financial Aid Office is required by federal statute to recalculate federal financial aid eligibility for students who withdraw, drop out, are dismissed, or take a leave of absence prior to completing 60% of a payment period or term. The federal Title IV financial aid programs must be recalculated in these situations. If a student leaves the institution prior to completing 60% of a payment period or term, the Financial Aid Office recalculates eligibility for Title IV funds. Recalculation is based on the percentage of earned aid using the following Federal Return of Title IV funds formula:

  • Percentage of payment period or term completed = the number of days completed up to the withdrawal date divided by the total days in the payment period or term. (Any break of five days or more is not counted as part of the days in the term.) This percentage is also the percentage of earned aid.

Funds are returned to the appropriate federal program based on the percentage of unearned aid using the following formula:

  • Aid to be returned = (100% of the aid that could be disbursed minus the percentage of earned aid) multiplied by the total amount of aid that could have been disbursed during the payment period or term.

If a student earned less aid than was disbursed, the institution would be required to return a portion of the funds and the student would be required to return a portion of the funds. Keep in mind that when Title IV funds are returned, the student borrower may owe a debit balance to the institution. If a student earned more aid than was disbursed to him/her, the institution would owe the student a post-withdrawal disbursement that must be paid within 120 days of the student’s withdrawal. The institution must return the amount of Title IV funds for which it is responsible no later than 30 days after the date of the determination of the date of the student’s withdrawal.

Title IV funds will be returned in the following order:

  1. Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loans
  2. Subsidized Direct Stafford Loans
  3. Federal Perkins Loans
  4. Federal Parent (PLUS) Loans
  5. Federal Pell Grants
  6. Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grants (SEOG)
  7. TEACH Grant
  8. Any other Title IV program(s)

Satisfactory Academic Progress

The Higher Education Act of 1965 as amended by Congress in 1980 mandates institutions of higher education to establish standards of “satisfactory progress” for students receiving financial assistance from Title IV Federal Funds. At York College of PA, progress is determined annually at the completion of the academic year (Spring semester). All financial aid applicants are subject to the progress standards regardless if aid was received or not in the past. All York College of PA financial aid funds require a minimum grade point average of 2.0 unless the guidelines of the scholarship or fund stipulate a higher G.P.A. Undergraduate students enrolled for twelve (12) credits are considered to be full-time. Six (6) to eight (8) credits are considered half-time. Nine (9) to eleven (11) credits are considered to be three-quarter time. The following will govern the monitoring of undergraduate students for Satisfactory Academic Progress for Title IV Federal financial assistance. The student must meet both the Qualitative standard and the Quantitative standard defined below.

Good Standing:

1. To be in good standing on a QUALITATIVE basis, a student must meet the minimum cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) as follows:

  • Upon completion of 12 credits - 1.6 GPA
  • Upon completion of 24 credits - 1.7 GPA
  • Upon completion of 36 credits - 1.85 GPA
  • Upon completion of 48 or more credits - 2.0 GPA             

2. To be in good standing on a QUANTITATIVE basis, a student must complete their degree within a maximum time frame of 150% of the published length of the program. Therefore, a student must pass at least 67% of the cumulative number of registered credits including transfer credits. The ratio of credits passed divided by registered credits must be at least 67%. “Registered credits” are the number of credits for which a student is enrolled at the end of the Drop/Add period. Examples:

  • A student enrolls in 12 credits and passes all 12.  The ratio is 100%.
  • A student enrolls in 15 credits and passes 6.  The ratio is 40%.
  • A student enrolls in 18 credits and withdraws from all classes.  The ratio is 0%.     

Withdrawals, Incompletes, and Repeats are included in the calculation and added to the number of registered credits, but are not added to the number of credits passed. Therefore, these courses will have a negative impact in meeting the Quantitative standard. Non-credit and Audit courses are not counted as courses taken toward progress. Transfer credits are added to both the number of registered credits and the number of credits passed. 

3. To determine academic progress, a student’s cumulative academic record will be reviewed at the end of each academic year. (This policy applies to both full-time and part-time students.)

A student who does not satisfy either QUANTITATIVE or QUALITATIVE standards will be placed on financial aid suspension. Suspension status means that the student is not eligible for Federal, State, or York College of PA financial aid until satisfactory progress is maintained. Notification of the suspension status will be sent to the student in writing.

Appeal Procedures - Students have the right to appeal the suspension status in writing to the Financial Aid Office if there were special circumstances that prevented the student from meeting the standards (death of a relative, injury or illness of the student, or other special circumstances). The written appeal must include (1) a narrative of the special circumstance that prevented the student from meeting the minimum requirements, (2) reasonable explanation of the expectation that the special circumstances will not re-occur, (3) what has changed that would allow the student to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation. Also, students are expected to describe their academic plan that has been developed with their academic advisor that if followed, will ensure that the student is able to meet the minimum standards by the next evaluation.

The written appeal will be reviewed by a committee. All committee decisions will be final. If the appeal is approved, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Probation and their aid will be reinstated for the following year. The Probation status will be reviewed at the next progress evaluation.

The Financial Aid Satisfactory Progress Policy is separate from the Academic Progress Policy. A student in good standing under the Academic Policy may still be placed on Financial Aid Suspension. A student on Academic Suspension is automatically placed on Financial Aid Suspension and is not eligible for any type of aid.

This policy is subject to change due to modifications in institutional and/or governmental regulations. Updated policy statements are available in the Financial Aid Office.

Academic Year

The York College academic year includes at least 30 weeks of instruction in which students are required to earn at least 24 credits to meet progress standards.

Undergraduate Class Standing

A student’s class is determined by the number of semester hours completed in accordance with the following:

Freshman - 0 to 29.99 credit hours
Sophomore - 30 to 59.99 credit hours
Junior - 60 to 89.99 credit hours
Senior - 90 credit hours and above

Financial Aid

Federal Pell Grants

A federal program that provides grants of up to $5,730 to students showing a financial need. Application is made directly to the government via the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

Pennsylvania Higher Education Grant Program

York College of Pennsylvania is a participating institution in the Pennsylvania Higher Education Grant Program (PHEAA Grant). All students applying for institutional financial aid must apply for these funds if they are Pennsylvania residents. Each year application deadlines are announced by the Agency. Students are eligible for up to eight semesters of grant eligibility (in a four-year program). Students must maintain academic progress (a full-time student must pass a minimum of 24 new credits). Students should contact their high school guidance office, the Financial Aid Office at the school they are, or will be, attending, or PHEAA, Harrisburg, PA 17102 for further information.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants

York College of Pennsylvania awards Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants to a limited number of students with exceptional financial need who require these grants to attend college.This program was authorized by the Higher Education Act of 1965 and began its first year of operation in the fall of 1966. The amount of financial assistance students may receive depends on their need.

Federal College Work-Study Program

This program was established by the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 and was transferred to the U.S. Office of Education by the Higher Education Act of 1965. Under the Work-Study Program, full-time students are assigned responsibilities for the full academic year. Students may be employed up to 10 hours per week.  Work-Study has been of particular interest to many students and has become one of the most attractive ways to help in the payment of college expenses. If the assignment to a Work-Study Program should not sufficiently meet the financial needs of a student to attend York College, a “package of aid” (consisting of a combination of work, loan or scholarship) may be awarded in order not to place an undue hardship upon the student or family.

Institutional Scholarships

York College students benefit from over 210 institutional scholarships, most of which come from endowed funds. These scholarships have been established through gifts to York College from alumni, private individuals, corporations, organizations, and foundations. Some fund guidelines stipulate that preference be given to students who major in particular disciplines, or are natives of certain regions, dependents of employees of sponsoring companies, or qualified recipients in terms of other criteria. Most are available to new and returning matriculated full-time students, and are renewed in subsequent years, contingent upon satisfactory academic progress. Some are available to part-time students. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to have a scholarship renewed, unless otherwise stipulated. In order to be considered for institutional scholarships, a student must first submit a properly completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) within established deadlines. Application forms and details about specific institutional scholarships and deadlines are available from the Financial Aid Office.

Scholarships from which York College students currently benefit include: 

The Presidential Scholarship award is a $34,000 scholarship over four years ($8,500 annually) for students living on campus.   $18,000 scholarship over four years ($4,500 annually) for commuting students.  This scholarship is for eight full-time semesters, excluding summers, toward one undergraduate degree.

  • Accepted applicants with a minimum SAT score of 1250 (Critical Reading and Math) or a minimum composite ACT score of 28 (optional writing test required)
  • You also qualify with a minimum 4.0 cumulative GPA and a minimum SAT score of 1150 (Critical Reading and Math) or a minimum composite ACT score of 25 (optional writing test required)
  • Minimum grade point average of 3.00 is required to renew the scholarship each year. One-half of the scholarship will be awarded annually to those maintaining a grade point average of 2.75 to 2.99
  • Eligible students are first-time, full-time students
  • Student must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident to qualify
  • Students under disciplinary suspension lose future merit scholarship eligibility
  • All information is subject to changes in the federal/state regulations and York College policy
  • Eligible students may receive only one academic achievement scholarship 

The Dean’s Scholarship award is a $28,000 over four years ($7,000 annually) for students living on campus.  $12,000 scholarship over four years ($3,000 annually) for commuting students.  This scholarship is for eight full-time semesters, excluding summers, toward one undergraduate degree.

  • Accepted applicants with an SAT score of 1150-1240 (Critical Reading and Math) or a composite ACT score of 25-27 (optional writing test required) and a cumulative GPA less than 4.0
  • You also qualify with a minimum 4.0 cumulative GPA and an SAT score of 1000-1140 (Critical Reading and Math) or a composite ACT score of 21-24 (optional writing test required)
  • Minimum grade point average of 3.00 is required to renew the scholarship each year. One-half of the scholarship will be awarded annually to those maintaining a grade point average of 2.75 to 2.99
  • Eligible students are first-time, full-time students
  • Student must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident to qualify
  • Students under disciplinary suspension lose future merit scholarship eligibility
  • All information is subject to changes in the federal/state regulations and York College policy
  • Eligible students may receive only one academic achievement scholarship

York Heritage Award 

$16,000-$24,000 Scholarship over four years - $4,000-$6,000 awarded annually as a full-time student living on campus.

$4,000-$8,000 Scholarship over four years - $1,000-$2,000 awarded annually as a full-time student commuting from home.
York Heritage Award is for eight full-time semesters, excluding summers, toward one undergraduate degree

  • All accepted first-time, full-time freshmen applicants not receiving the Presidential or Dean’s Scholarship are automatically considered
  • Student must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident to qualify
  • Students under disciplinary suspension lose future merit scholarship eligibility
  • All information is subject to changes in the federal/state regulations and York College policy
  • Eligible students may receive only one academic achievement scholarship
  • A minimum grade point average of 2.00 is required to renew the scholarship
  • Amount awarded is based on academic qualifications

Transfer Merit Scholarship

A $2,000 scholarship per year or $1,000 per semester for full-time transfer students with an earned GPA of at least 3.3 or membership in Phi Theta Kappa while enrolled full-time at the most recently attended regionally accredited institution.

A minimum grade point average of 3.00 is required to renew the scholarship each year for up to three years (six full-time semesters, excluding summers). One-half of the scholarship will be awarded annually to those maintaining a grade point average of 2.75 to 2.99.

Loans

York College participates in several loan programs:

Federal Ford Direct Loan
Federal Nursing Loan
Federal Perkins Loan
Federal Parent Loan (PLUS)
Federal Graduate PLUS Loan
A variety of Private or “Alternative” Loans

Details of these loan programs are available from the Financial Aid Office.