Understanding Tuition and Fees

What do your tuition and fee dollars support? Use our descriptions below to understand more about the fees on your bill.

Tuition

Set by the state to support instructional expenses (e.g. faculty), academic programs (e.g. library, tutoring, et al) and student-related programs (e.g. student health services) along with general operating expenses of the university. The tuition charge can appear as day, 4+1 program, continuing pro studies, graduate and/or space available.

The cost per credit for tuition and fees remains the same regardless of the mode of instruction (Face-to-Face, Hybrid Asynchronous, Hybrid Synchronous, Asynchronous Online, Blended Online, Synchronous Online, Hy-flex).

Day: Charged to students admitted in a program offered in the day school

4+1: Charged to students admitted in a joint undergraduate/graduate degree program

Continuing Professional Studies: Charged to students admitted in a program offered through the school of continuing and professional studies

Graduate: Charged to students admitted in a program offered through the school of graduate studies

Space Available: Charged to students not officially admitted into any program OR those admitted to a program offered through the school of continuing and professional studies AND who are enrolled in a course sponsored by the undergraduate day program. The cost per credit is equal to the continuing pro studies cost.

Fees

University Fee: Supports general operating expenses of the university, including academic, administrative, student services and facilities. The University Fee is charged at in-state and out-of-state rates based on student status.

Course Fee: Charged to CE and Graduate students supports general operating expenses of the university, including academic, administrative, student services and facilities. The University Fee is charged at in-state and out-of-state rates based on student status.

Capital Improvement Fee: Supports campus infrastructure maintenance and development, including buildings, grounds, circulation/transportation/parking

SGA Fee: Supports extra-curricular programs and events provided and administered by the student-elected Student Government Association.

International Student Fee: Applicable to all international students who hold a visa provided through the university, including document processing.

CE International Fee: Applicable to Alien temp students in a continuing education program.

Records Fee: For non-matriculated/non-degree students to support administrative functions, such as transcripts processing.

Matriculation Fee: A fee assessed to each newly matriculated/degree-seeking student during their first semester of registration to support various student-related academic support activities (e.g. orientation program, commencement).

Academic Program Fees: Supports maintenance of subject related additional costs, such as labs and studios, etc. Charged each semester the student is enrolled in the program.

MassPIRG (waivable): MASSPIRG is a statewide, student-directed, student-funded organization that advocates on behalf of students on issues such as affordable higher education, public health, and the environment. Salem State students have voted to fund a MASSPIRG chapter on campus through the $10 waivable fee. More info: www.masspirgstudents.org

Health Insurance (waivable): Required by MA regulation, every student registered for three-quarters time must be covered by health insurance. Students may waive out of this fee if they maintain comparable, personal coverage using the online waiver process. If no such comparable insurance coverage exists, this fee is charged to purchase appropriate coverage on behalf of the student. The University Health Insurance Plan fee for the academic year is prorated for students entering in the spring semester.

Miscellaneous Fees

Parking Pass (opt-in): Parking permit fees for the entire academic year are collected in the fall semester. Parking permit fees for the academic year are prorated for students entering in the spring semester. Supports maintenance of parking areas and upkeep of parking systems.

Housing Fees (opt-in): Supports operation and housing expenses for resident hall students (i.e. occupant’s rent). Rates differ based on the assigned building (e.g. Peabody, Bowditch, etc.) and type of space the student occupies (e.g. single, double).

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing fee: Supports the administration of this special formatted, accelerated program.

Late Payment Fee: A fee assessed when tuition and fee payment is received after the term's due date.

Late Graduate Application Fee: A fee assessed when an application for degree (undergraduate or graduate) is received after the deadline.

Payment Plan Enrollment Fee: A fee assessed per semester when establishing a monthly payment plan to settle tuition and fee costs.

Professional Liability Insurance: Insurance that protects students from legal action that may arise due to their work in public settings as a part of clinical or practicum experiences.

Laundry Fee: Charged to all students living in dorms each semester for use of laundry machines only

Meal Plans

All You Care to Eat 7 Day Silver/Gold/Platinum Plan (required with specific residence hall assignment): Resident hall students of Peabody, Bowditch, Marsh and Viking will be assigned the minimum required Silver Plan, however, upgrades to Gold and Platinum are optional. Each plan provides not only the number of meals indicated on a weekly basis but may also include Dining Dollars and ClipperCash.

Block Plan Resident (required with specific residence hall assignment): Resident hall students of Atlantic and Bates halls are enrolled in the Block Plan I Resident meal plan which includes board meals, a $100 portion for Dining Dollars (that can be spent at any SSU Dining location) and $25 in ClipperCash (that can be spent at a number of venues both on and off campus).

Course-Based Fees

Lab Fee: Supports the maintenance of laboratory classrooms and related costs.

Clinical Fee: Supports the administration of clinical courses.

Nursing Resource Center Fee: Supports the administrative and maintenance costs within the Center (e.g. testing, supplies, and equipment).

Field Placement Fee for MSW Courses: Supports the administration of field placement courses.