Tuition, Fees, and Financial Policies

McDaniel College has always attempted to keep its fees within the reach of those students coming from families with moderate incomes while offering a liberal arts education of outstanding value.

The regular academic year for undergraduates consists of a fall semester, the January Term, and a spring semester. Students enrolling for 12 or more credit hours in the fall and spring semesters are charged tuition as full-time students. Students enrolled for more than 20 credits per semester are billed for each credit hour over 20. Students enrolling for less than full time will be charged at the part-time rate. However, all resident students, whether full or part time will pay the full-time tuition rate.

Degree-seeking undergraduates are entitled to enroll in one three-week January Term without paying additional tuition. Board and special fees are billed to the student’s account. Students electing to enroll in two or more January Terms are charged a flat tuition rate. More information on Jan Term charges for tuition and housing requirements is provided in the Undergraduate Student Expenses section.

 Full-time students are charged a flat tuition fee of $20,290 per semester. The tuition for part-time and special students is $1,268 per credit hour.

McDaniel College divides basic charges into two half-year billings, the first payable by August 5, 2016, and the second by January 6, 2017. An additional charge (late payment penalty) of 1 percent a month on the unpaid balance or $25, whichever is greater, will be added if payment is not received in the Bursar’s Office on or before the payment due date and on the unpaid balance of each succeeding month throughout the session. The proceeds of Federal Direct or PLUS Loans are exempt from the late payment penalty provided a completed application is received by the Financial Aid Office at least four weeks prior to the first day of the semester. Additional bills for miscellaneous fees, library fines, property damages, etc., are mailed as charges are incurred. Checks should be mailed to the Bursar’s Office. No student will be permitted to enter class, receive grades or transcripts, advance from one class to another, or be graduated until all financial obligations are met. The student is responsible for attorney’s fees and other costs necessary for the collection of any amount due.

Students normally pre-register for the following semester during assigned periods as outlined in the Registrar’s Schedule of Classes booklet.

Students may print their class schedules from the Archway and complete their registration prior to the first day of the semester. A $30 late add fee will be charged to students completing their registration after September 2, 2016. A $30 late drop fee will be charged to students withdrawing from a class between November 1-4, 2016.

For the convenience of parents desiring monthly payment arrangements, McDaniel College in partnership with Tuition Management Systems offers choices to make education affordable. Whether students prefer to pay the semester expenses by an interest-free, 5-month Tuition Contract or a low interest loan, TMS’s counseling services help keep payments affordable and loan debt at a minimum. Families may make inquiries at TMS’s toll-free number 1-800-722-4867 or online at www.afford.com. There is a $75 per semester enrollment fee payable to TMS.

Schedule of tuition and fees follows:

If students take a study tour as their first January Term, they may register for one future January Term on-campus course without additional tuition. Students on leaves of absence or not enrolled at the College in the fall and who return for the January Term will be charged tuition, if applicable, and board for the session.

Modest increases in tuition, room, and board may be expected each year.

A complete listing of miscellaneous fees, including physical education fees and internship fees, is available in the Bursar’s Office. All fees are subject to change. Some of the fees are as follows:

Freshman, sophomore, and junior students are required to live on campus unless they live with their parents, are married, or are over age 25. Exceptions are made by the Residence Life Office. Students are assigned single, double, or triple rooms in the Residence Halls. Double and single rooms are available in North Village, Garden Apts. and Pennsylvania Avenue houses. The semester rates for these rooms follow:

North Village and Pennsylvania Avenue houses are equipped with kitchen facilities.

All students living in College-owned housing will be charged full-time tuition.

All students desiring College housing must make a deposit of $200 in the spring before room assignments will be made for the following fall. This is subsequently credited toward the room charges when billed.

The College offers the traditional  “meals per week” plans that cater to student needs. Meals are allotted per week so students do not run out of meals. Changes or cancellations to the meal plan must be made within the first two weeks of the semester.

All first year students residing in a traditional residence are required to be on the Platinum meal plan (unlimited entrance to the dining hall) or the Gold meal plan (allows 19 meals per week) for two semesters. Upper class students residing in the residence halls are required to be on at least the Silver meal plan (allows 12 meals per week). Residents of North Village, Garden Apts. with a kitchen, Pennsylvania houses and commuters may select any meal plan option by submitting a request to the Bursar’s Office. The meal plans and the semester costs for 2016-2017 are as follows:

Platinum Plan: $3,175 per semester.  The student is given $50 debit per semester and 3 guest meal passes. 75 meals may be used in the Pub/Grille as a meal exchange. This plan allows unlimited entrance to the dining hall.

Gold Plan: $2,900 per semester. The student is given $50 debit per semester and 3 guest meal passes. 45 meals may be used in the Pub/Grille as a meal exchange. This plan allows 19 meals per week.

Silver Plan: $2,405 per semester. The student is given $50 debit per semester and 3 guest meal passes. 30 meals may be used in the Pub/Grille as a meal exchange. This plan allows 12 meals per week.

Bronze Plan: $1,080 per semester. The student is given $50 debit per semester and 3 guest passes. This plan allows five (5) meals in the Dining Hall per week and can be used for any mealtime- breakfast, lunch or dinner.  Students choose the meal that fits best in their schedule. This plan does not offer any meal exchanges. This meal plan is available to commuter students or provide another option for those students living in non-traditional residence halls.

January Term Meal Plans: 36 meals for $406, 45 meals for $480 or 60 meals for $600 for the 3 week session.  All students residing in the campus residence halls must choose at least the 36 meal plan (12 meals per week), whether they are here for athletics, as student workers, or taking classes.

Students with meal plans have their I.D. cards activated as 1card debit accounts. Commuter students also have debit card capabilities. The card is used to gain access into Englar Dining Hall; purchase books, supplies, and clothing at the College Book Store; purchase meals and snacks at the Pub/Grille, Caseys’ Corner and Green n Go. Please refer to the 1card Dining Plan for more information.

For more information on any of the meal plans, contact the Bursar’s Office.

A Student Health Insurance fee is charged to all students each academic year. Students who have comparable coverage under another policy may waive the cost by submitting an on-line waiver by the due date. Instructions for completing the waiver are included in the Bursar’s billing cover letter, the insurance brochure, or by contacting the Bursar’s Office. The deadline to waive is September 15, 2016.

McDaniel College must make financial commitments to its faculty, staff, and service contractors on an annual basis. It is assumed a student will not withdraw from the College during a semester. Should withdrawal become necessary because of prolonged illness or similar unusual circumstance, the following refund policy will prevail:

Tuition refund in event of withdrawal:

A pro rata refund will be made from date of withdrawal. For students who have an 1card Debit Account, all remaining funds will be refunded less a $20 administrative fee.

The effective date of withdrawal is the date upon receipt of the Withdrawal Form in the Office of Academic Affairs. Should a credit balance be generated due to a reduction in tuition or other charges when a student withdraws, policies regarding refunds to federal aid programs will take precedence. Any remaining credit balance will be mailed to the billing address at the end of the academic semester.

It may happen that financial aid postings may exceed the cost of tuition, room, and board. If this occurs, a credit balance will appear on the billing statement. The College will maintain the credit and apply other cost-of-attendance charges such as books, supplies, transportation, miscellaneous personal expenses, or other institutional charges incurred at the student’s discretion. The student may rescind this procedure at any time. The student may request a refund of the credit from the Bursar’s Office at any time.

Students who withdraw from the College during the semester may not be eligible for some or all of the financial aid they received for that semester. Funds for which students are no longer eligible must be returned to the appropriate program fund.