Understanding Georgetown School of Continuing Studies (SCS) Tuition and Costs

Georgetown University's School of Continuing Studies (SCS) offers a variety of programs, including graduate programs in professional and liberal studies, professional certificate programs, custom and corporate training and education, summer school and special programs, and the University’s only part-time bachelor’s program. Understanding the tuition structure, fees, and associated costs is crucial for prospective and current students. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Georgetown SCS tuition costs, payment options, refund policies, and financial aid opportunities.

Tuition and Fees Structure

Tuition charges and fees at Georgetown SCS vary by degree or program type. It's important to note that tuition is subject to change and may vary by course of study. SCS adheres strictly to the University's deadlines and policies regarding tuition, fees, and refunds for both undergraduate and graduate students, as detailed in the SCS Academic Calendar.

Visiting Non-Degree Students

Students taking courses through the visiting non-degree status pay the same rate as degree students enrolled in the course. For instance, a visiting non-degree student in a graduate course through the School of Continuing Studies pays the standard SCS tuition. A one-time transcript fee is assessed to visiting non-degree students. It is important to note that financial aid is not available for visiting non-degree students. However, students should check with their home institution regarding the possibility of a consortium agreement to transfer financial aid to their studies at Georgetown.

Tuition Rate Updates

Tuition rates for each term are typically published annually in February.

Cost of Attendance (COA)

The tuition and fee schedule represents one component of a student’s Cost of Attendance (COA). Each student’s COA is unique to their program of study and includes:

Tuition and Fees
Housing
Food
Books and Supplies
Transportation
Personal Expenses
Loan Fees

The COA reflects the full cost for a student to attend the university, including both direct expenses (tuition and fees) and indirect expenses (transportation and personal expenses). Therefore, the total cost of attendance may differ from the actual cost incurred by any individual student. The cost of attendance is reflective of an enrollment of 6 credits in the full session for the fall and spring terms.

Payment Options and Billing

Students can check their bill online through GU Experience once officially registered for a course. Georgetown SCS offers several payment options:

Online via Electronic Check: Payments can be made from checking and savings accounts via Student Account Services, accessible through GU Experience.
Paper Check, Cash, Money Order, Credit Card, or Wire Transfer: While these options are available, credit and debit card payments are only accepted online via GU Experience and incur a convenience fee.

Memo Items

Memo items reflect estimated payments and/or scholarships that have yet to credit to the student’s account. These items do not reduce the account balance but protect the student from late payment penalties for the covered portion. Once the funds are received, the memo transforms into an actual credit, reducing the balance. Student loans also appear as memo items before the start of a term, and students must meet all disbursement requirements to receive the funds.

Payment Plans and Late Fees

Any student with an account balance greater than or equal to $500.00 is eligible to enroll in a monthly payment plan. Students wishing to enroll in one of the interest-bearing plans (i.e., the 33% or 20% plan) after the end of the semester’s add/drop period but prior the last day of plan enrollment will be required to pay a $60 fee. Any student with an outstanding balance as of the end of the add/drop period is subject to a flat $100.00 fee, assessed by the Registrar.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

As a student at the School of Continuing Studies, you may be eligible for federal financial aid. To determine eligibility for Federal aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Read also: Understanding Georgetown Tuition

Military Education Benefits

The Military Education Benefits Office helps military-connected students understand how to use military or VA education benefits at Georgetown. Georgetown University’s Military and Veterans Resource Center connects military students and veterans with the resources they need to successfully navigate the military-to-civilian transition.

City Year Scholarship

Former City Year members may be eligible for a tuition discount. To be considered for the scholarship, a letter of recommendation from City Year certifying good standing and completion of the requisite service period is required. Students must remain in good academic standing according to the standards set by their program and the Office of Academic Affairs and Compliance for the duration of the program in order to continue receiving the tuition discount. This scholarship shall not apply to study abroad programs or any additional fees levied by Georgetown University.

Application Fee Waivers

You do not need to take any additional action to receive an application fee waiver other than starting and submitting your online application by the School of Continuing Studies’ priority deadlines.

AmeriCorps Education Awards

AmeriCorps members, alums and staff interested in these scholarships must complete the full application process for the institution.

Refunds

Refunds are given on a sliding scale based upon the date students drop or withdraw from courses. All refund requests are handled through the Office of Student Accounts. Tuition is 100% refundable only when the student drops a course during the designated add/drop period in each session. After that period, students will receive a percentage refund of the tuition only. Any fees associated with a course will not be refunded after the designated Add/Drop period. Any refund will be computed according to the Summer Sessions Academic Calendar & Refund Schedule.

Read also: Affording a Georgetown MPP

Health Insurance

Georgetown University requires that all full-time students must have health insurance. If a student is not already enrolled in an insurance program, he or she will be required to accept the plan offered by Georgetown. All graduate students taking 8 or more hours will be assessed the insurance fee once per academic year, typically in the fall term. If a student does not require the student health plan due to prior enrollment in another program, the fee can be waived online via Student Health Services by completing the waiver survey. Please allow up to 10 business days for the waiver credit to post to the account.

Consequences of Non-Payment

Any student for whom there remains an outstanding balance prior to the start of pre-registration for the next semester will have a financial hold placed on his or her account. This hold will prevent registration for future terms, will prevent graduation, and will prohibit the student from requesting an official transcript. The hold will remain in place until the outstanding balance has been resolved. Any student who becomes inactive - whether by withdrawal, leave of absence, failure to register, or graduation - and has an outstanding balance will be sent a final bill. If the account is not settled in full within 30 days of the final bill, the account will be assessed a final month’s service charge and referred to a collection agency.

Late Registration Fee

A Late Registration Fee will be assessed to anyone who initiates registration on or after the first day of classes in a given session.

Course Attendance and Responsibility for Tuition

Any student who registers for a class via GU Experience, Add-Drop form, or other special permission, and stops attending or never attends class without making arrangements to drop the course or withdraw from the course will still be responsible for the course’s tuition and fees. Any student who needs help changing his or her registration should contact the Summer Sessions office immediately.

Additional Considerations

Tuition for Auditors

Auditors pay full tuition per credit.

Outstanding Balances Upon Leaving Georgetown

A student who leaves Georgetown, for any reason, with an outstanding balance should immediately contact the Revenue and Receivables to arrange for payment of the balance. Failure to contact this office will necessitate the forwarding of the account to a credit bureau and a collection agency.

Summer Sessions Specifics

Students will not be assessed any tuition and fees until early April. After early April, students will be assessed tuition and fees 24 hours after they have registered. You can view your Summer Sessions bill and account activity online through Student Account Services (accessible via GU Experience). New billing statements will be generated and posted online every two weeks for any account not paid in full. (Procedures are subject to change.) Tuition is determined by the academic level of the course and not by the academic level of the student.

Georgetown-Coursera Partnership

Georgetown University has partnered with Coursera to offer a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies. The degree is offered through Georgetown’s School of Continuing Studies. The courses will be asynchronous and taught by Georgetown faculty with online “high-touch” student support. Students “can choose a job-relevant concentration including business, communications, and international relations.”

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