Understanding Simpson College Tuition, Fees, and Costs
Simpson College, as a nonprofit educational institution, provides a valuable academic environment for students. To sustain its operations and deliver quality services, the college charges tuition and fees. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the costs associated with attending Simpson College, payment options, financial aid opportunities, and refund policies.
Estimated Bills and Payment Deadlines
Before each fall semester, the Business Office sends students an estimated bill that details the total charges for the semester, as well as any financial aid that is expected to be credited to the student's account. For the spring semester, students can access their bills through their SC Connect account. Tuition and fees are due in full by the specified dates, unless a student enrolls in the monthly tuition payment plan.
Payment Options
Simpson College offers several payment methods:
- Cash: Payments can be made in cash.
- Check: Payments can be made by check.
- Credit or Debit Card: Credit and debit cards are accepted, but a 3% processing fee is added to the payment.
- 529 Payments: The college accepts payments from 529 plans.
Textbooks can be purchased from Akademos, the online supplier, at www.simpson.textbookx.com. All forms of payment are accepted in store, including Apple Pay.
Delinquent Accounts
If an account is not paid in full by the due date, it is considered delinquent unless the student has made satisfactory financial arrangements with the Business Office. Finance charges are assessed on unpaid balances not covered by the payment plan at a daily rate of 0.05% (18% A.P.R.).
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Monthly Tuition Payment Plan
To help students budget for tuition, housing, and food plan payments, Simpson College offers a monthly payment plan administered by Transact, powered by Cashnet. This plan allows students to make monthly payments without incurring finance charges or fees. There is a $30 fee each semester to set up a plan, and a new plan must be established each semester. Payments can be automatically deducted from a checking account or charged to a credit or debit card. Processing fees are assessed when using a credit or debit card.
Credit Balances and Title IV Funds
Federal regulations require that credit balances created by Title IV funds be refunded to the student within 14 days.
Residence Hall Community Damage Fund
Each student living in college-owned housing is billed $10 at the beginning of each term as an assessment for the Residence Hall Community Damage Fund. This amount is included in the total residence hall room charge. Unidentified vandalism costs incurred during the term are deducted from the fund established for each unit. Any remaining funds after damage billings at the end of each term are turned over to the residence hall activity account for each unit. These accounts are used under the direction of the residence hall council and residence hall staff for each building.
Tax Benefits
Tax benefits are available to help reduce the financial impact of higher education.
Enrollment Changes and Tuition Adjustments
A reduction of credit hour enrollment within the add/drop period of the semester or term may occur without tuition penalty. Tuition charges and financial aid offers will reflect the student’s enrollment at the end of the add/drop period, which is posted on the academic calendar. After the add/drop period, changes from full-time to part-time status or a reduction in credit hour enrollment (other than a complete withdrawal) will not change tuition charges or financial aid.
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Withdrawal from Simpson College
Students considering withdrawing from Simpson College should file a withdrawal form in the Office of Student Development or the Office of Continuing and Graduate Programs and schedule an appointment with the Office of Financial Aid to understand the financial implications. Because Simpson College engages faculty and staff members in advance for a full academic year and has other long-term commitments, a student who withdraws does not materially reduce the costs of operating the college.
Refund Policy for Withdrawals
A student who withdraws before the 60% point in time in the semester or summer session will receive a refund of applicable tuition, room, board (meal plan), and fees. The amount of the refund is based on the percentage of the semester that has not been completed. Financial aid will be returned to federal, state, and Simpson programs based on the same percentage.
Title IV aid that is unearned is required to be returned and credited in the following order:
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans
- Federal Direct Subsidized Loans
- Federal Direct PLUS (Graduate Students)
- Federal Direct PLUS (Parent)
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal SEOG
- TEACH Grant
- Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant
- Other Title IV aid
For example, a student who withdraws after completing 20% of the semester will be charged 20% of the applicable tuition, room, board (meal plan), and fees and would retain 20% of their financial aid. If funds have been released to the student due to a credit balance on the student’s account, the student may be required to repay some of the federal grant and loan funds that were released. After the 60% point in the semester, no refund is due, nor will financial aid be returned to any programs.
The portion of the semester completed is based on calendar days from the first day of the semester through the last scheduled day of finals, including weekends and breaks that are fewer than five days in length. One exception to the 60% rule is for students enrolled in modular programs (Term 1, Term 2, Term 3, or Term 4).
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Students who do not go through the “official” withdrawal process (i.e., leave campus without filing withdrawal papers or notifying the College) will be deemed to have attended through the mid-point in the semester unless the last date of attendance can be documented. Their charges and financial aid will be adjusted accordingly.
Housing and Food Refunds
Refunds on housing may be given to students who officially withdraw from Simpson due to illness or other imperative reasons. Food plan cancellations are effective one day after notifying the Office of Student Development, and food plan charges are refunded on a pro-rated basis. No refunds are issued for unused Flex dollars.
May Term Travel Course Refunds
Students are responsible for all direct costs incurred by the College after the payment of the non-refundable application fee. To the extent possible, course instructors and Simpson College will attempt to secure a partial refund for students who withdraw from the program at least 90 days prior to departure and provide written notice to the International Education Coordinator. The partial refund to the student will be calculated by Simpson College on an individual student basis and will amount to a maximum of 50% of the direct costs incurred by the College that are recoverable. In case of hardship or unforeseen circumstances, the student may appeal the refund calculated per above by providing written notice of appeal to the Director of Off-Campus Programs. The appeal will be reviewed by a committee.
In the event of a pandemic, Simpson College will attempt to provide alternative ways of offering instruction.
Financial Assistance
Simpson College aims to make its education financially accessible to qualified students. The Office of Financial Assistance assists students in financial planning for college. The primary criterion for determining the amount of assistance a student is eligible to receive is the student’s financial need. Scholarships and grants are also awarded based on academic excellence, leadership qualities, and talent.
Determining Financial Need
Most financial assistance is awarded to students with established financial need. Applicants must submit data via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to allow the College to determine a student’s financial need. The FAFSA can be filed at www.fafsa.gov any time after October 1st. Dependent students must have one of their parents sign the FAFSA electronically. The information provided is analyzed at a central processing center, and a report of the student’s and their family’s financial need is sent to the College. Electronic filing allows Simpson College to receive this information within 3 days, while paper filing can take 3 to 7 weeks.
Financial assistance awards are made once the applicant has been accepted for admission and the results of the FAFSA have been forwarded to the College. Simpson College analyzes the financial need and academic background of each student in determining their financial assistance award. Additional information or forms may be requested, and students should respond promptly to avoid delays in receiving financial aid.
Approximately one in three applications is selected for review in a process called “verification.” If selected, students must provide Simpson with a copy of their signed federal tax forms and a verification worksheet.
After processing the application, students receive an award letter outlining their financial aid package. It is important to carefully review the award letter and understand the terms of the awards being offered. Additional applications or promissory notes may be needed for loans. Students enrolled in post-baccalaureate programs of study at Simpson are eligible to borrow under the Federal Direct Loan programs. Students enrolled in the post-baccalaureate certificate programs are eligible to borrow at the undergraduate loan limits.
Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance is the total amount of money the average student has to pay, without any financial aid, to attend a particular school. It is a school’s sticker price.
Grants and Scholarships
Grants and scholarships are better than loans because students do not have to pay them back. Simpson College offers competitive financial aid, with a significant percentage of students receiving grant aid.
Institutional Aid
Simpson College offers more institutional aid than other schools. However, this could also mean that the school costs more than the typical school of its type.
Student Loans
Aside from grants, the other major way to pay for college is with student loans. It is ideal to minimize student debt as much as possible. High percentages of students taking on loans at a particular school is a major red flag.
At Simpson College, 79% of all students take out federal loans. The average annual federal loan amount is $6803. 20% of students take out private loans. The average private loan amount at Simpson College is $7981.
Net Price
The Net Price is the total cost minus the total aid given. It is the price students have to pay to the school out of pocket.
Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
The US government has developed a standardized way to calculate how much a typical family can afford to pay without help, known as the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Colleges use this number as a guideline to decide how much aid to give.
Value of a Simpson College Education
Simpson College is considered a good value school that is worth the cost. On college ranking lists, it often ranks between #100 and 200, putting it roughly in the top 20% of schools.
Additional Costs
A.W. M.A. in Community Counseling, M.A. M.A.
Semester (credits)1 CreditPart Time (6)Full Time (12)Total ProgramCost (32)Tuition$720$4,320$8,64023,040Registration Fees$36$216$4321,152Total$756$4,536$9,07224,192*32-34 credits total.
CreditsTuitionRegistration FeesTotal Fees1 credit$720$36$756Total program cost (51 credits)$36,720$1,836$38,556*54-56 credits total.
Other Costs
- Books and Supplies: \$1,168 per year
- Personal Expenses: \$2,194 per year
- Transportation: \$1,436 per year
Financial Aid Details
- Students Receiving Financial Aid: 84%
- Freshmen With Need and Received Financial Aid: 98%
- Average Aid Package Awarded: \$42,184
- Need-Based Scholarship or Grant Award: \$34,491
- Need-Based Loan Amount: \$4,127
- Non-Need-Based Aid: \$32,276
- Debt at Graduation: \$36,763
Financial Aid Dates
- Application Due: May 1
- Priority Application Due: May 1
Student Loan Debt
- Median Federal Loan Debt: \$18,750
- Median Monthly Federal Loan Payment: \$199
- Students with Private Loans: 12%
- Average Private Loan Debt: \$33,876
- Average Total Indebtedness of 2024 Graduating Class: \$24,869
- Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (Any Loan Type, 2024): 70%
Scholarships
Scholarships are a type of funding that students do not need to pay back. Need-based scholarships take a student’s financial status into account, while merit-based scholarships are awarded for academic or athletic achievement.
Jobs
Working while in school can help lessen the burden of student loans. Schools offer work-study programs to those who qualify and campus jobs to students looking to earn money in their free time.
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