Fees and Expenses (Subject to Change)

Tuition and Fees

Registration fees are determined for each student by the number of credit hours or noncredit hours carried each semester or summer session. The following fee schedules are estimates. All tuition and fees are subject to change by action of the state legislature, the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors, or by student vote on special assessments. Other tuition rates and fees may apply to some courses and professional programs.

In addition to the registration fees, a nonresident fee will be charged to each student classified as nonresident under the residency regulations of the University of Louisiana System rules as listed in the Residency Regulations  section of this catalog.

Subject to change without notice; up to date as of April 20, 2023. Other tuition rates and fees may apply to some courses and professional programs.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees - Summer 2023

Graduate Tuition and Fees - Summer 2023

Subject to change without notice; up to date as of April 20, 2023. Other tuition rates and fees may apply to some courses and professional programs.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees - Fall 2023

Graduate Tuition and Fees - Fall 2023

Subject to change without notice; up to date as of April 20, 2023. Other tuition rates and fees may apply to some courses and professional programs.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees - Spring 2024

Graduate Tuition and Fees - Spring 2024

Mandatory Attendance Fees

For a brief description of the fees listed below, please refer to the Mandatory Attendance Fee Descriptions  page (subject to change; up to date as of April 20, 2023):

¹ $10 per hour capped at $120 for undergraduates and $90 for graduates
² For undergraduates, $4 per hour capped at $48; for graduates, increases by $5.50 per hour capped at $48 (only increases by $4 from 1 hour to 2 hours)
³ Increases per hour as authorized by Act 293 of the 2017 Louisiana Legislative Session
⁴ 4% of tuition and fees capped at $59
⁵ $5 per hour capped at $100
⁶ $10 per hour
⁷ $20 for students enrolled in 1-3 hours
⁸ Only paid by students enrolled in 6+ hours
⁹ Sum of two separate fees in the amount of $32 and $25, allocated for different purposes
¹⁰ Only paid by students enrolled in 7+ hours; not assessed in the spring semester or summer session
¹¹ $13.30 per hour capped at $159.60 in fall and spring; $13.30 per hour capped at $79.80 for summer

Special Fees

Special assessments not specifically outlined by University of Louisiana System policy but approved individually by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors (subject to change; up to date as of April 20, 2023):

For course-specific fees, please refer to the Course Descriptions  page.

Changes in Fees

Any increase or refund in fees is determined after the last date to register, add courses, make section changes, and change credit or noncredit classification. Students are expected to pay any increase in fees due to a change in the total number of hours scheduled or a correction of the fee assessment by the published deadline for the payment of fees.

Other Fees

Application Fee

A nonrefundable application fee of $20 for United States students and $30 for international students will be assessed to each person applying for admission or readmission to McNeese State University. A nonrefundable application fee of $40 for United States students and $50 for international students will be assessed to each person applying late for admission or readmission. Application fees are approved by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.

Housing and Dining Fees

Housing and dining fees are subject to change each academic year per the approval of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors. See the Office of Student Services for the most current information about housing and dining charges. Housing rate information may also be obtained from the Student Housing Office (corner of Joe Dumars Drive and Colonel Tony Polk Drive). Dining rate information may also be obtained from the Campus Dining Office (Student Union Complex next to the former location of the McNeese Post Office).

Charges for dining plans are assessed to the student’s fee bill at the beginning of each semester of residence on the campus. All resident students are required to purchase a meal plan each semester in which they reside in campus housing. Dining plans are not transferable to other persons.

Charges for housing may be billed separately from the student’s fee bill and must be paid according to terms of housing contracts executed through the Student Housing Office. Housing agreement payments are typically due upon move-in and on the first day of each month of the contract term. Terms may be paid in full if the student selects this payment option. Scholarship and financial aid funds may be used to pay for housing charges, but the student is responsible for ensuring arrangements are made for such payment between the University and the housing office at the beginning of each academic term.

International Student Fees

International students on an F-1 student visa are assessed a special fee of $100 in the fall and spring semesters and summer session. Sponsored (by a government, agency, or other entity) international students on an F-1 student visa are assessed an additional special fee of $350 in the fall and spring semesters and summer session.

The United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires McNeese State University to withhold 14% federal income tax from nonresident alien student scholarship awards which are designated for assistance other than tuition and fees. A student whose country of origin is tax-exempt under a United States tax treaty may complete IRS form 1001. The IRS form is available through the Office of Administrative Accounting located in Smith Hall.

Returned Check Fee

When a check is returned by the student’s bank for any reason, a $25 service charge is assessed by the University. The student has 10 days after notice is mailed by the University to make reimbursement plus the service charge for the returned check. Reimbursement must be made by cash, money order, or cashier’s check. Failure to comply within the designated time may result in cancellation of the student’s registration or filing of the returned check with the district attorney’s office if the check was for payment other than registration fees. The University will not accept a check from a student after one has been returned for any reason. All returned checks are subject to the $25 service charge. Personal checks not made payable to the University are not accepted.

Textbooks and Supplies

The cost of books and supplies varies, depending on the number of hours carried and courses pursued. The textbooks used at McNeese State University and all necessary school supplies are available for purchase at the University Bookstore. The University Bookstore offers an interest-free student charge plan, called a Personal Touch Account (PTA), to assist students with purchasing books and supplies. Enrolled students who have paid all their tuition and fees can open a PTA in the Bookstore by presenting a valid picture ID. The deadline to pay the balance on the PTA account is typically mid-term.

Exemptions and Waivers

Financial Hardship

McNeese State University and the State Legislature are concerned about students who may be faced with financial difficulties as a result of the recent increases in the cost of tuition and fees. To assist its students, McNeese has made financial hardship waivers available to help needy students with increased tuition costs. The maximum value of the financial hardship waiver is $228 per semester for students who qualify. The waiver is available in the fall and spring semesters only.

The following criteria have been established by McNeese State University for determining students who will qualify for the financial hardship waiver. A student must meet all these criteria to qualify:

• The Cashier’s Office must have received a completed Financial Hardship waiver application by the 28^th day of the semester for which the waiver is being requested.
• The student must be a Louisiana resident as defined by the Registrar’s Office.
• The student must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student (12 or more credit hours) on the 28^th day of the semester for which the waiver is being requested.
• The student must be qualified for and receiving a Federal Pell Grant with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of zero as determined by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• The student must have an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• The student must not have received any institutional/Foundation scholarships, third party contracts, or fee waiver/tuition exemptions.

Financial hardship waiver applications can be found at https://www.mcneese.edu/accounting. If you think you meet the above criteria, we encourage you to complete and submit this form to the McNeese State University Cashier’s Office in Smith Hall (in person, via fax to (337) 475-5383, or by mail to McNeese Administrative Accounting, Box 92935, Lake Charles, LA 70609) by the 28^th day of the semester.

Louisiana National Guard Soldiers

Under Louisiana Statute R. S. 29:36.1, certain members of the Louisiana National Guard may be exempted from paying the tuition portion of fees. Even with this exemption, a student must pay all fees for the fall and spring semesters and summer session. The student may claim the exemption at the time of registration by identifying himself/herself as a member of the Louisiana National Guard and showing a military identification card; eligibility will be verified against a list supplied to the University. All claims not made at the time of registration must be claimed at the Cashier’s Office by the 15^th class day of the semester. Students placed on academic probation or suspension by McNeese State University are not eligible for the exemption while the probation or suspension is in effect. Students who do not qualify for exemption must pay tuition, fees, and special assessments at the time of registration.

An applicant who is declared a nonresident student for fee purposes may request that the Ad Hoc Residency Committee review the residency classification of the student. Waiver of the nonresident fee will be made only upon approval of the committee. If a student enrolls and pays a nonresident fee, there will be no exemption from paying the nonresident fee for subsequent semesters even though a Louisiana National Guard fee waiver has been acquired.

Louisiana Residents Aged 60 and Older

Louisiana residents aged 60 and older as of the first day of classes are eligible to enroll in one three-credit hour course for a reduced rate of $63.50, which is the amount of fees mandated by statute. Students are also responsible for any additional class fees, such as lab fees, online class fees, etc. If a student enrolls in more than three credit hours, those credit hours are assessed at the regular rate. Discounts for students aged 60 or older are only applicable to one attempt per course. Course repeats are subject to full tuition and fee costs.

McNeese Employees and Spouses/Dependents

Information regarding tuition and fee waivers for employees of McNeese State University, their spouses, and their dependents can be found in the Employee Tuition and Fee Policy.

McNeese Graduate Assistants

Qualified graduate students pursuing at least six hours of graduate work, enrolled in a graduate degree program, and in good academic standing may be eligible for a graduate assistantship. Graduate assistants employed through the Office of Human Resources and Student Employment are allowed credit for one-half of the tuition portion of their fees. This exemption is granted only upon presentation of a properly completed graduate assistant fee exemption application at the time of registration. All approvals (signatures) must be obtained before the exemption will be allowed.

In addition, all graduate assistant fee exemptions must be claimed by the 14th class day. Any graduate assistant who resigns or is terminated after the end of late registration does not reimburse the institution for the prorated share of their exempted tuition; however, they are ineligible for future employment as a graduate assistant unless approved by the director of the Graduate School.

Spouses/Dependents of Deceased or Disabled Louisiana Firefighters/Policemen

Louisiana RS:1681 and RS:1682 provide exemptions and/or scholarship awards for spouses and dependent children of full-time police officers, deputy sheriffs, and firefighters who are killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. The awards may consist of tuition and fees, book allowances, and on-campus room and board. Specific definitions, values, and qualifications are outlined in state statutes. Students must apply and be granted admission to the institution before scholarship eligibility may be determined.

Students seeking to determine eligibility for these awards should submit the following to the Office of Scholarships:

1. Verification from the employing agency or retirement system that the police officer/firefighter was employed full-time and killed/disabled in the line of duty;
2. Birth certificate of dependent child;
3. Marriage certificate (if spouse of firefighter is applying);
4. Most recent tax return indicating dependency status of applicant; and
5. If transferring from another college/university, verification of prior tuition/fee payments from the former institution.

Notification of eligibility, value of awards, and requirements for continuation are administered by the Office of Scholarships.

Payments

Students have the option of paying online via the web with either a check or a credit/debit card, or may pay the University directly via drop box, mail, or in person at the Cashier’s Office in Smith Hall. If payment-in-full or installment plan arrangements have not been made by the due date, the students’ classes and tuition/fee balance may be deleted from the student information system.

Delinquent Accounts

Student account balances generally consists of charges for tuition and fees, books, supplies, meal plans, parking fines, and library fines, as well as other miscellaneous fees. When student accounts become delinquent, appropriate registration and transcript holds are placed on the student’s account. Delinquent accounts that are more than $200 and 180 days old are reviewed and a final statement of account is mailed to the last known address advising the student that their account will be placed for collection with the attorney general’s office within 45 days. At that time, the student has an opportunity to pay in full, make payment arrangements, or dispute the charges. After 45 days, the unsettled accounts are electronically sent to the Louisiana attorney general via secured channels. Once the account has been turned over to the attorney general, all University internal collection efforts are stopped, and the account must be paid through the attorney general’s office.

Installment Plan

Payment plans are managed by Nelnet Enterprise. Information about payment plans can be found here. Questions about the installment plan can be directed to the Office of Administrative Accounting at (337) 475-5976 or msucashiers@mcneese.edu.

Refunds

Students withdrawing from individual courses after the end of late registration do not receive registration refunds. The refund policies for housing, dining, and student insurance are included under the appropriate sections of this catalog.

Military Service

• Voluntary Enlistment: Students in good standing who volunteer for active duty with the armed services and resign from the University before the day deemed as mid-term will have tuition and fees and, if applicable, the nonresident fee refunded in full, exclusive of student insurance fees and other non-refundable fees. After mid-term, only 50 percent of the tuition and fees, excluding student insurance fees and other non-refundable fees, will be refunded. Documentary proof establishing voluntary enlistment will be required before tuition and fees are refunded.
• Involuntary Activation: Students in good standing who are involuntary activated with the armed services and resign from the University by the last day to resign or withdraw from classes with a grade of W will have tuition and fees refunded in full, exclusive of student insurance fees and other non-refundable fees. Official military orders indicating activation are required and must be supplied to the Office of the Registrar. After the last day to resign or withdraw from classes with a grade of W, additional options are available to students. This policy is in accordance with the Board of Regents and University of Louisiana System policies. Students should contact the Office of the Registrar for more information.

Resignation from the University

The date that a student officially resigns from the University determines whether fees are refunded. The schedule refers to calendar days including weekends, beginning with the first day of classes as designated in the Academic Calendar . The refund policy and drop dates apply to off-campus courses as well as on-campus courses. The University will be unable to provide fee refunds for at least four to eight weeks following the first day of classes during the fall and spring semesters and from two to four weeks during the summer session.  

*Refunds for mini-sessions and summer sessions will be prorated accordingly.

The institutional refund amount determined in the above manner will be credited in the following order:

1. Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans (other than Direct PLUS Loans)
2. Federal Subsidized Direct Loans
3. Direct PLUS Loans (parent or graduate)
4. Federal Pell Grant
5. Federal SEOG Grant
6. State Grants and Scholarships
7. Institutional Scholarships

After the institutional refund has been credited in this order, any remaining amount will be returned to the student.

For more information, contact the Cashier’s Office at (337) 475-5098 or msucashiers@mcneese.edu.

Veterans Affairs Educational Benefits

Information about various Veterans Affairs (VA) educational benefits programs is available from Student Central. Qualified students who have never received VA educational benefits should visit Student Central to begin the application process. Qualified students who wish to be certified to VA for educational benefits should submit to Student Central a Request to be Certified (McNeese Form R-471) each semester they wish to receive benefits. Students who have previously received VA educational benefits but have changed majors, changed schools, or have not attended McNeese in more than six months must also submit VA Form 22-1995. All necessary VA forms can be obtained from Student Central or https://www.mcneese.edu/registrar/va_forms/.

The VA student and school officials have a mutual responsibility for complying with the law and regulations pertaining to veterans and other eligible persons. Additional information about veterans’ educational benefits is available at www.gibill.va.gov/.