Ms. Traycee F. Martin
Vice President for Finance and Administration
University Center, Entrance 5
Ms. Lisa Parrish
Bursar
University Center, Entrances 6 and 7
Valdosta State University is a unit of the University System of Georgia and receives a portion of its operating funding through appropriations from the State of Georgia. This support enables the University to offer high quality educational programs at a minimal cost to its students.
Valdosta State University’s academic year consists of two terms: Fall and Spring, as well as a series of Summer Sessions.
The University’s tuition is set by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents each spring and is effective the following fall term. Mandatory Fees and Other Fees are proposed annually by the University, supported by a committee, half of whom are students, and ultimately approved by the Board of Regents. However, the University and the University System reserve the right to change fees at the beginning of any term.
Tuition and Fee Schedules
All charges are based on approved fees and are subject to change according to the policy of the Board of Regents.
For tuition and fee schedules, click here.
VSU assesses mandatory fees each semester to students who are registered for one or more credit hours on the main campus or who are living in the dorms and taking all online courses. VSU’s mandatory fees for these students include access card fee, health fee, student activity fee, athletic fee, transportation fee, parking facility fee, and health facility fee.
All students are charged a mandatory technology fee each semester regardless of campus or registered credit hours.
All fees are tentative and subject to change according to Board of Regents policy.
Audit (non-credit) Fees
Fees for attending class on an audit or non-credit basis are calculated on the same schedule as regular academic fees.
Other Fees and Charges
All charges are based on approved fees and are subject to change according to the policy of the Board of Regents. Figures shown here are approximations provided for readers’ planning purposes.
| Late Payment Fee | $75 |
| Returned Check Fee: For each check | $25 |
or 5% of the face amount of the check (whichever is greater) |
|
| Orientation Fee: | |
Face to face Freshman Session |
$55 |
Guest |
$25 |
Online |
$25 |
| Residence Hall Activity Fee per semester | $20 |
| Residence Hall P.O. Box per semester | $10 |
| I.D. Replacement Charge | $20 |
| Mandatory Insurance, Annual (Nursing majors, Exercise Physiology majors during internship/externship semester, Graduate Assistants, international students) | $2,671 |
| Transcript Fees, per copy over 5 | $2 |
| eTranscript | $5 |
| Priority Fee for Certification Forms/Letters/Transcripts, per copy | $5 |
| Graduation Fee: Bachelor’s or Graduate Degree | $25 |
(Students who apply for graduation and who do not meet degree requirements must pay appropriate graduation fees again upon re-application.) |
|
| Parking Fee-Annual | $50 |
| Art Studio Materials Fee | $35 |
| Biology Retest Fee | $25 |
| HSEP Course Fee | $50 |
| Laboratory Science Fee | $30 |
| Master of Social Work Field Education Fee | $60 |
| Nursing Lab Fee | $20 |
| Nursing Upper Division Entrance Test Fee (HESI) | $46 |
| Private Music Lessons | $60 |
| Student Teaching Fee | $100 |
| Theatre Fee (THEA 2750 and THEA 3300) | $30 |
| Theatre Fee (THEA 3020 and THEA 4020) | $50 |
| Application Fee | |
Undergraduate |
$40 |
Graduate |
$45 |
| Housing Application Fee | $100 |
| Housing Deposit Fee | $150 |
| Housing Cancellation Fee | $500 |
Payment of Fees at Registration
Registration is complete only when tuition and fees are paid by the established deadline.
Students are responsible for determining account balances and securing payment by the established fee payment deadline. The University’s web site is the most up-to-date reference for registration and fee payment deadline dates, but text and phone messages are also sent to the campus alert phone numbers available in Banner, as well as notices being sent to University e-mail accounts. The VSU e-mail is an official means of communication with students.
Invoices are not mailed. Real-time eBills (electronic invoices/statements) can be generated on demand in the Online Student Account Center. Generally, the eBill will reflect the amount owed, which is based on the courses selected, living arrangements on campus, the meal plan selected, and other student choices.
Financial Aid may be used to pay for tuition and room and board in accordance with federal regulations. If financial aid is not sufficient or available to cover the full student account balance, VSU accepts the following payment forms--all of them may be used to secure registration, but in all cases, full payment is required: cash, personal check, ACH direct payment (online webcheck), money order, traveler’s check, online credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express), university short-term loans (separate qualifications required), Nelnet Payment Plan, completed and fully authorized financial aid (meaning all promissory notes have been signed for loans). Credit card payments are accepted only online through the Online Student Account Center.
VSU does not accept the following payment forms: third party checks, credit card checks, starter checks, or counter checks.
If full payment is not made by the fee payment deadlines, VSU reserves the right to take the following actions and will notify students of such action: cancel registration in progress, hold student records, prevent future registration, and pursue collection of debt.
Students who register but subsequently change their plans to attend must drop all courses before the end of the official online drop/add period for the semester. Failure to do so could result in unsatisfactory grades and/or financial obligations to the University. A withdrawal from one class does not mean a complete withdrawal from the University.
Please refer to the following section for the University’s Refund Policy.
For complete payment instructions, click here.
Refund of Fees
Students officially withdrawing from the University after paying fees for the term will be issued a 100% refund for tuition and mandatory fees, provided the official withdrawal occurs NO LATER THAN the official drop/add day for refunds. Campus housing will be refunded in accordance with the Housing Contract, and meal plans will be refunded based on usage. Students officially withdrawing from ALL classes AFTER the official drop/add day will receive a refund based upon the following official refund policy:
The refund amount shall be based on a pro rata percentage determined by dividing the number of calendar days in the semester that the student completed by the total calendar days in the semester. The total of calendar days in a semester includes weekends but excludes scheduled breaks of five or more days and days that a student was on an approved leave of absence. The unearned portion shall be refunded up to the time that the amount earned equals 60%.
Students who withdraw when the calculated percentage of completion is greater than 60% are not entitled to a refund of any portion of institutional charges. A refund of all non-resident fees, matriculation fees, and other mandatory fees shall be made in the event of the death of a student at any time during the academic session.
Housing fees, post office box fees, and music fees are non-refundable fees. Refunds of elective charges upon withdrawing from the institution during a term will be made on a prorated basis determined by the date of withdrawal. Flex charges and à la carte meal plans are refundable only to the extent they are unspent.
It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw officially in accordance with university regulations, which are set out in this catalog. Students receiving financial aid monies will have their refunds restored to the following programs in this precise order: outstanding balances on unsubsidized loans, subsidized loans, PLUS loans, Pell, SEOG, other Title IV student assistant programs, HOPE, private scholarships, and finally to the student.
Refunds due to the student will be ordered first to the original method of payment (cash, check or credit card) and then directly to the student (if necessary). If multiple credit cards are used, we will process refunds on a first in – first out basis (based on transaction amounts).
No refunds for reduction in academic loads or student services are allowed unless such reductions are necessitated by schedule changes initiated by the University. Students suspended or expelled for disciplinary reasons are not entitled to a refund of any deposits or fees paid. Students who are asked to vacate their residence hall rooms as a result of disciplinary actions (but who are allowed to continue attending classes) are not eligible for a refund of that term's room rent.
The refund policy, as stated above, applies to total withdrawals for Fall and Spring semesters. Please contact the Office of Student Accounts in the Bursary for Summer refund information.
Additional information about refunds and refund policies is available, upon students' request, in the Office of Student Accounts in the University Bursary.
Additional information is located on the web:
- Registration dates and course schedules
- Fee Schedules
- Refund policies
- Bursary Calendar
- Rules Governing the Classification of Students as In-State Residents and Non-Residents (Out-of-state)
Check Cashing Service
All checks and money orders must be payable through a United States bank. To accommodate students, the University will cash one personal check per day, per student, for $50.00 or less at the Bursary. Bursary hours are Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Checks will not be cashed if the student has a “Hold” on his or her student account. Checks drawn for cash only must be made payable to “VSU-CASH.” The University will not accept two-party checks for cashing. Parents who send their son or daughter spending money by check should make their check payable to VSU, with the student’s name on the “for” section of the check.
Checks issued to the University in payment of fees, purchases of books, etc., or to be cashed for personal convenience must be paid upon presentation to the bank on which they are drawn. Checks returned to the University for insufficient funds, account closed, stopped payment, or for any other reason will be handled in accordance with the Collections Policy, below.
Additionally, the University can suspend the student from class and from any facilities of the University for a returned check of any reason. Suspension from class will not relieve the student from the obligation for payment of the returned check and fees.
Collections
Valdosta State University's policy is to request and accept payment in full in accordance with the Board of Regents Policy 7.3.3, the Board of Regents Business Procedures Manual chapter 10.0, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, and the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts Accounting Procedures Manual. The University recognizes that circumstances may arise to create a balance due to the University. In the effort to protect the financial interests of the institution and the State of Georgia, VSU follows the Business Procedures Manual of the Board of Regents, chapter 10.0, regarding collection, due diligence procedures, and write-off.
Financial holds are placed on student accounts for balances due. These holds will not allow students to register, graduate, or receive official VSU documents until outstanding balances are paid. Students can check their account status and hold type by visiting the Banner Registration website.
Generally, student account balances and returned checks (NSF) that are past due 180 days will be turned over to the University’s Collection Agency.
Cancellation of Student Registration for Cause
The University reserves the right to cancel the registration of any student who fails to meet his or her financial responsibility, according to the rules and regulations of the University. The rules and regulations provide that:
- All fees are due and payable on or before the last day of the drop/add period for the specific academic term. Students should not register for classes without having sufficient funds available to pay their fees. For payment instructions, click here.
- Any check issued to the University in payment of fees, or to be cashed for personal convenience, must be paid upon presentation to the bank on which it is drawn. A student who issues a check on a bank without having sufficient funds on deposit in that bank has violated the statutes of the State of Georgia and appropriate collection action will be taken.
- All fines for violations of the rules related to parking and traffic, and charges related to the library and other facilities such as laboratory breakage, etc., must be paid promptly. Those students having outstanding obligations will not be allowed to enroll in subsequent terms.
- Misuse of an I.D. card may result in suspension from classes of all involved students.
- Students who have secured short term loans must have this obligation paid in full according to the terms agreed upon with the Loan Officer to avoid suspension or possible cancellation of the term’s registration.
- Students who misrepresent the facts pertaining to their qualifications to live off-campus may be suspended from classes. In each instance, students will be given proper notice to comply with the housing regulations before action is taken to effect cancellation of their registration.
- The University reserves and intends to exercise the right to withhold copies of education records and/or to cancel enrollment of students who owe the University money.
